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)

Sidewalk
Icehouse Lyrics

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Sidewalk
Sleep on the sidewalk
The Ragman stands
At the end of the line
His eyes burn
Hard in the light of day
So proud
Of the American way

[Chorus]
But it's a lie, yeah, lie
And you believe every word
Well, it's a lie, yeah, lie
But what goes on in your mind?
And when the walls come down
On the American dream
You're gonna sleep on the
Sidewalk

In your hands
Dirt and blood on your hands
In your day
You didn't need anyone
So look around
Remember, yeah, these are your friends

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The Icehouse song "Sidewalk" is a poignant commentary on the harsh reality of the American way of life. The song paints a vivid image of a world where people sleep on the sidewalk, and the Ragman is the only one left standing at the end of the line. His eyes burn fiercely in the light of day, but he is proud of the American way. However, the chorus of the song tells us that it's all a lie, and we believe every word. What goes on in our mind when the walls come down on the American dream, and we're forced to sleep on the sidewalk?

The lyrics of "Sidewalk" are a call to action, a plea for us to wake up and realize that the American dream is just an illusion. We carry dirt and blood on our hands, and we didn't need anyone before, but now we need to look around and remember that these are our friends. We need to come together, stand up, and fight for a better way of life.

Overall, the song "Sidewalk" is a powerful message about the human condition and the struggle for a better life. It reminds us that we're all in this together, and we need to work together to create a better future for ourselves and for our children.

Line by Line Meaning

Sleep on the sidewalk
Homeless, with nowhere to go

The Ragman stands
The homeless and impoverished are all around

At the end of the line
The end of the line is often where those most in need are found

His eyes burn
Their desperation and hardship is palpable

Hard in the light of day
Their struggle is ever-present, even in broad daylight

So proud
Despite their circumstances, they maintain a sense of pride

Of the American way
Believing in the idea of the American Dream, despite the reality

But it's a lie, yeah, lie
The American Dream is a falsehood

And you believe every word
Many people blindly believe in the American Dream

Well, it's a lie, yeah, lie
The promise of prosperity and success is not achievable for everyone

But what goes on in your mind?
Questioning why people continue to believe in the American Dream