Since 1980, Icehouse has released seven albums, several compilations, and music from collaborations with other artists including dance companies. Their 1987 album 'Man of Colours' was released at the apex of their fame and international success. It is considered by many to be the band's magnum opus.
As 'Flowers', Icehouse built up a strong following as a live act around Sydney, Australia, noted for their distinctive cover versions of songs by a wide range of acts including T-Rex and Brian Eno. After signing to the independent Regular Festival Records label, they released their debut single, "Can't Help Myself", which hit the Australian Top 10 in June 1980. This was followed by their first album 'Icehouse', which also made the Top 10 and became one of year's biggest selling albums in Australia. The album made use of synthesisers, especially the Sequential Circuits Prophet 5.
Further singles "We Can Get Together" and "Walls" both hit the Top 20. A European single from this album, "Icehouse", created some interest in the U.K., partly because of a memorable music video. Sensing the possibility of international success, the band decided to change their name in early 1981 to avoid confusion with Scottish group The Flowers. As Icehouse, they spent most of 1981 touring the UK, Canada and US, where "We Can Get Together" hit #62. A single release, "Love In Motion", recorded by Davies alone but the first to be credited to the band's new name, duly hit the Australian Top 10 in November 1981.
In January 1982, the band's original line up split, resulting in Davies recording Icehouse's much-anticipated second album, 'Primitive Man', on his own, with assistance from Keith Forsey, who later worked with Simple Minds. Released in August 1982, Primitive Man was another huge Australian hit and became Icehouse's international breakthrough. The hit single "Hey Little Girl" reached the UK Top 20 and has remained their most regularly played song. Another strong track from this album was "Great Southern Land", which made the Australian Top 5 and was later featured in the late 1980s film 'Young Einstein'.
In 1985, Davies' musical standing was further enhanced when he was commissioned to compose and record the score for the acclaimed Sydney Dance Company production of Graeme Murphy's dance work 'Boxes'. Icehouse's third album, 'Sidewalk', was far more sombre and reflective, featuring the tracks "I Don't Believe Anymore" and "Someone Like You". After this album the band made further inroads into the U.S. market with their 1986 release 'Measure for Measure', which featured none other than Brian Eno as a listed band member.
Icehouse's next work, 'Man of Colours', was their best-selling album. It contained the hit singles "Crazy" and "Electric Blue" (a song co-written by John Oates from the band Hall and Oates). Both singles reached the US Top 20, with "Electric Blue" hitting the #7 slot. With this album, the band reached an international zenith, never surpassing this level of popularity and exposure again.
In 1995, Davies was again involved with the Sydney Dance Company's production of Berlin. The musical score is a collection of cover versions of songs by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Simple Minds, The Psychedelic Furs, Frank Sinatra, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, XTC, Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, PiL, The Cure and Killing Joke, which saw him collaborating with pianist Max Lambert in the development of the music.
As well as recording the score to the ballet, Davies performed these songs live with Icehouse at each show. He was an intrinsic part of the ballet, in a role similar to the one in Boxes. Iva was extremely successful in creating a translation from the dancers to the audience. Berlin was an instant success and ran for two seasons. Both shows were the most commercially successful that The Sydney Dance Company have had to date.
On 16 August 2006, Icehouse were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame along side acts such as Midnight Oil, Divinyls and Rose Tattoo. Also in 2006, Icehouse featured prominently on the Triple M Essential 2006 Countdown with 14 songs selected including:
*"Man Of Colours"
*"Electric Blue"
*"We Can Get Together"
*"Don't Believe Any More"
*"Great Southern Land" (which came in at number 12)
Paradise Lost
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(You don't scare me just to hesitate very safe)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate soon)
(Soon)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate real soon)
(Soon)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate soon)
(You don't scare me...soon...)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate sooner at dawn)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate very safe)
(You don't scare me just to hesitate...soon...)
The lyrics to Icehouse's song "Paradise Lost" seem to speak to an inner strength and fearlessness in the face of uncertainty and hesitation. The repeated line "You don't scare me just to hesitate" suggests that the singer is not intimidated by the need to pause or consider a course of action. The later addition of "very safe" to that same phrase implies that while they may not be scared to hesitate, they also do not rush recklessly into situations.
The addition of "soon" as a repeated refrain suggests a sense of urgency building over the course of the song. The singer may be ready to take action, but they do not want to do so without careful consideration. As the song progresses, the addition of "real soon" and "sooner at dawn" indicate that the singer can only wait for a limited amount of time before they must act. The final repetition of "You don't scare me just to hesitate" is tinged with a sense of resignation; the singer knows that they must act soon, but they will not be cowed into making a rash decision.
Overall, the lyrics of "Paradise Lost" seem to reflect a sense of emotional bravery in the face of adversity. The singer is not afraid to pause and consider their options, but they also know that they cannot hesitate forever.
Line by Line Meaning
(You don't scare me just to hesitate sometimes)
I am not intimidated by your occasional hesitant behavior
(You don't scare me just to hesitate very safe)
Your cautiousness is not enough to make me afraid
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
Your indecisiveness does not intimidate me
(You don't scare me just to hesitate soon)
I am not afraid of your imminent hesitation
(Soon)
A warning of impending actions
(You don't scare me just to hesitate real soon)
Your hesitation is coming soon, but it does not frighten me
(Soon)
A forthcoming action is about to take place
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
Your lack of action does not intimidate me
(You don't scare me just to hesitate soon)
I am not afraid of your hesitation that will happen soon
(You don't scare me...soon...)
Your soon-to-be action does not frighten me
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
Your hesitation does not make me afraid
(You don't scare me just to hesitate sooner at dawn)
Your hesitation earlier in the morning does not intimidate me
(You don't scare me just to hesitate)
Your lack of action does not frighten me
(You don't scare me just to hesitate very safe)
Your overly cautious approach does not intimidate me
(You don't scare me just to hesitate...soon...)
Your hesitation does not scare me, even though it may happen soon
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Boogue
I've always loved this!
Michael Hope
Me too. Very fond memories of this from 80.
Alaric Bragg
Should have been the Dr Who theme!
Rugby Finery
The b-side to We Can Get Together single in Aust. The cover has the image of the USSR & USA presidents meeting. "You don't scare me Mr President".
Gareth Howard Davies
This is Beach House 30 years before they existed if you think about it. Which is quite funny, the whole Beach and Ice thing.
Nicholas Achilleos
I think it's 'You don't scare me, Mr. President'
Clark Clements
That is what I was thinking.
Mandy
Same ... I guess it's official 😂😂😂
The puppy family
Sadly there not much Lryics
Nathaniel Pillar
Why is it sad? It's fine without many lyrics...