Australian new wave band Icehouse was formed in 1977, initially called 'Flo… Read Full Bio ↴Australian new wave band Icehouse was formed in 1977, initially called 'Flowers', by Iva Davies (born Ivor Arthur Davies, on 22 May 1955, in Wauchope, New South Wales, Australia). Inspired by art rock and avant-garde pop, Davies was the main creative force behind the band, being a classically trained musician. Band member Keith Welsh joined him on bass. For a number of years they also obtained the services of Bob Kretschmer, until he was replaced by young guitarist Paul Gildea.

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)

Shot Down
Icehouse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, I heard the news
Get it down, get it down
In black and white
Sensation fills
The headlines
Coast to coast

And with a single step

You make the move
Standing face to face
Standing face to face
And when you know
There's nothing left to loose
You got to make the choice
Make the choice
Make the choice
Ooo

[Chorus]
And you're shot down
Shot down
Shot down
Shot down
Ooo

Gone for answers there
The assassin eyes
Can see the waste
Inside the criminal mind
Behind the open doors
And empty space

You're shaking hands
You hold the line
You hold the line
You hold the line
And any way you turn
You're still the same
You got to run
You got to run
You got to run
Ooo

[Chorus x4]

Overall Meaning

The song Shot Down by Icehouse is a powerful anthem about being betrayed or let down by someone, and the emotion that comes with that experience. The opening lines illustrate the impact of news delivered in black and white, indicating a serious event. The sensation it brings fills headlines coast to coast, representing the gravity of the situation. The singer faces their adversary face to face, suggesting that this loss or betrayal may come from someone they trusted closely. The lyrics encourage the listener to make a choice when there's nothing left to lose.

The chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the impact of being shot down - it can take its toll on a person. The second verse takes on a darker tone, with talk of assassin eyes and criminal minds. The singer reflects on the emptiness they feel after the event, and how it can seem like there are no answers. They hold the line and try to remain steadfast, but they know they need to run - to escape the betrayal and start over anew.

Overall, Shot Down is a powerful song that speaks to the emotions of loss, betrayal, and resilience. It implores the listener to make choices and take action in the face of adversity, and to keep moving forward despite setbacks.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, I heard the news
I received information about an event that has occurred

Get it down, get it down
Take note of the information and record it accurately

In black and white
The information is factual and not open to interpretation

Sensation fills
Emotion is overwhelming

The headlines
The front page story

Coast to coast
The news has spread across the entire country

And with a single step
Taking action with one movement

You make the move
Initiating an action towards a goal

Standing face to face
Engaging in a confrontation with another person

And when you know
Being aware of the situation

There's nothing left to loose
There is nothing else to gain or lose