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)
Uniform
Icehouse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you've got, got to join the team
To be on the team, you must play to win
You play to win, you may not make it home
Up the hill, down again
You're the one, you're the one
Everybody wears the badge
Soldier boys! We've got plans for you
A brand new game, we call it "mass control"
When you grow up, it's not so obvious
Dirt on your face, holding your broken toys
Up the hill, down again
You're the one, you're the one
Everybody wears the badge
Uniform, uniform
Up the hill, down again
You're the one, you're the one
Everybody wears the badge
Uniform, uniform
Up the hill, down again
You're the one, you're the one
Everybody wears the badge
Uniform, uniform
Uniform
Uniform
Uniform
The lyrics of Icehouse's song Uniform may be interpreted in various ways, ranging from rebelliousness to the dangers of conformity. The song seems to describe a world where joining a gang or a team is the only way to belong, but the price of admission is high. The chorus talks about the ubiquitousness of uniforms and badges, suggesting that these symbols erase individuality and identity. The verses suggest that the game of life is rigged against the players, and that conforming to the rules and expectations of others will only lead to disappointment, disillusionment, and possibly death.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, as it describes the pressure to belong and the tough competition among peers. The line "you play to win, you may not make it home" is particularly ominous, as it suggests that winning is everything, even if it means risking one's life. The second verse introduces a new element, that of the military or the state, which recruits young boys for a game of "mass control". The lyrics paint a bleak picture of growing up in a world where conformity, obedience, and violence are the norm, and where childhood innocence and playfulness are replaced by grim reality.
Overall, Uniform may be seen as a critique of social norms and institutions that force people to comply with rules and roles that may be damaging, oppressive, or senseless. The song may also be seen as an anthem for those who resist conformity and seek to express themselves as individuals. The repeated refrain of "uniform, uniform" may be read as both an indictment and a warning, a call to action and a lament for lost diversity and creativity.
Line by Line Meaning
Well you want to be in the gang
You desire to become part of a group.
And you've got, got to join the team
To be accepted, you must become a member of the team.
To be on the team, you must play to win
Being a part of the team requires you to have a strong will to win.
You play to win, you may not make it home
The intense desire to win may lead to dangers that may be life-threatening.
Up the hill, down again
Going through physical and emotional struggles.
You're the one, you're the one
Being singled out and recognized amongst others.
Everybody wears the badge
The team's emblem that symbolizes their unity.
Uniform, uniform
Dressing and looking the same as everyone else on the team.
Soldier boys! We've got plans for you
Referring to young individuals with dreams of doing something meaningful with their lives.
A brand new game, we call it "mass control"
A manipulative tactic used to persuade masses to conform to an idea presented to them.
When you grow up, it's not so obvious
As one gets older, the reasons behind present decisions may not be clear anymore.
Dirt on your face, holding your broken toys
Deteriorating mental and physical state where one is left with nothing but remnants of their past.
Uniform
The overarching theme behind the song: conformity and sameness.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivor Arthur Davies
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind