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)
Taking the Town
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh yeah we're gonna make some changes
Those boys are gonna shake their spades tonight
Raise the doubt yeah, re-arranger
So if you think it safe, yeah you think it's fine
Well you better think again
Because we're coming out
We're gonna turn it all upside down
Oh yeah we're taking this town
Nah nah nah nah
Oh yeah
Nah nah nah nah
Oh no we're taking this town
Nah nah nah nah
Hmmm yeah,
Nah nah nah nah
We're gonna take this town
Nah nah nah nah
Oh oh yeah
Nah nah nah nah
Well it's a kind of a crazy game
It has no face and it has no name
And it's the sign of the drums, yeah
Cha cha, cha cha cha cha
And I'm here to take this town
Get off the street when you hear the sound, yeah
'Cause they're singing the songs, yeah
So you better step aside tonight
We don't have the time for strangers
For strangers
Nobody's gonna keep us down tonight
As for love, we live in danger
Danger
You know the time is now, the time is right
to get this city straight
If you think it's strange
well that's your problem man
'cause you're just a little late
[Chorus: 2]
The Icehouse song "Taking the Town" is all about rebellion and taking control of one's environment. It starts with a declaration that there's only one night to make a change and that the boys are going to shake their spades. The song then goes on to talk about how if anyone thinks everything is safe and fine, they better think again because they're coming out and planning on turning everything upside down. The chorus proclaims their determination to take this town, and they repeat it with a catchy "nah nah nah nah" that builds up the energy in the song.
The lyrics are full of powerful metaphors that describe the chaos and determination of the people who are rebelling. They compare the movement to a crazy game with no face and no name, and the sign of the drums is the call to action. The singer declares that he's here to take this town and that people need to step aside when they hear the sound of the song because they're singing the songs of rebellion. They don't have time for strangers and nobody's going to keep them down because they're living in danger.
Line by Line Meaning
They say there's only one tonight
There's only one opportunity tonight to make a change
Oh yeah we're gonna make some changes
We're going to make significant alterations tonight
Those boys are gonna shake their spades tonight
Those guys are going to cause trouble tonight
Raise the doubt yeah, re-arranger
Encourage uncertainty and chaos tonight
So if you think it safe, yeah you think it's fine
If you believe it's secure, if you think it's okay
Well you better think again
You have to reconsider
Because we're coming out
We're about to take action
Oh yeah we're coming out
Yes, we're ready to act
We're gonna turn it all upside down
We're going to change everything
Well it's a kind of a crazy game
It's a pretty wild situation
It has no face and it has no name
It's a mystery, unknown and anonymous
And it's the sign of the drums, yeah
The rhythm of the drums is a signal for us
Cha cha, cha cha cha cha
The beat goes on
And I'm here to take this town
I'm here to take over this city
Get off the street when you hear the sound, yeah
When you hear the noise, clear out of the way
'Cause they're singing the songs, yeah
Because they're singing their tunes
So you better step aside tonight
You'd better get out of the way tonight
We don't have the time for strangers
We don't have the time for outsiders
Nobody's gonna keep us down tonight
Nobody can stop us tonight
As for love, we live in danger
We live dangerously, even for love
You know the time is now, the time is right
The moment is now, the timing is perfect
to get this city straight
To make this city right and proper
If you think it's strange
If you think it's unusual
well that's your problem man
That's your issue, buddy
'cause you're just a little late
Because you're slightly behind the times
We're gonna take this town
We're determined to conquer this city
Nah nah nah nah
Doo doo doo doo
Oh yeah
Yes, indeed
Hmmm yeah,
Mmm, yes
Oh no we're taking this town
Oh no, we're not asking, we're taking it
Hmmm yeah,
Mmm, yes
Nah nah nah nah
Doo doo doo doo
We're gonna take this town
We're going to take over this city
Oh oh yeah
Oh, yeah
Nah nah nah nah
Doo doo doo doo
Chorus: 2
Refrain: 2
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Chris White
Ivor Davies..one of Australia's greatest songwriters!
MiKe MiDNiTe
One of Icehouses greatest tracks .. has a real awesome vibe to it.
Simon Bremner
Late 70’s early 80’s production often had such a dark, cold feel to it stemming from post punk influence floating around at the time.
Tim T
1:10 The bass and synths throughout the 2nd verse gets me everytime
Aus80sRockRadio
I am hearing you Tim, totally...
clazza65
Haven't heard this for years. Bloody brilliant. Timeless.
Shell
Love this song. They had some great songs but this was one of their best
Jerrica French
I totally agree!!!! Icehouse is great!!!!!!
Murilo Silva
Música maravilhosa!!!
Avalon Kane
Timeless - the best aussie band ever.