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)

WILD
Icehouse Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

The rest you need
For just one kiss
How could you know
You'd pay the price?
You try in love
Just once or twice
No last regrets
No sacrifice

[Chorus]
Hey, hey
Hey, hey
Did you follow me?
Just walk into the fire
Into the wild

Well, there she goes
That friend of mine
If I could read
Between the lines
My once last chance
I let her go
So when you talk
Don't talk of love

[Chorus]

In the name of love
That sweet refrain
That tells me you're
No stranger to the sound
Of the siren's call
That takes you down
Down to the deep
Again and again

[Chorus]

Hey, hey
Hey, hey
Hey, hey

Hey, into the wild
Hey, into the wild

Overall Meaning

Icehouse's song "Wild" explores the theme of love and the risks that come with it. The opening verse suggests that the singer is willing to risk everything for just one kiss, not realizing the price they will pay. The chorus asks the question "did you follow me?" inviting the listener to join in the singer's journey into the fire and the wildness of love. The second verse speaks of regret and missed chances, highlighting a sense of loss that comes with love.

The song's bridge is particularly interesting, as it introduces the theme of the siren's call. The singer suggests that the object of his affection is no stranger to the sound of the siren's call that leads people down to the deep again and again. This reference to Greek mythology adds another layer of depth to the song, as the sirens are known for luring sailors to their deaths.

Overall, "Wild" is a powerful exploration of love and the price it can bring. The lyrics are poetic and evocative, inviting the listener to contemplate their own experiences with love and passion.

Line by Line Meaning

The rest you need
You're looking for something to fulfill you

For just one kiss
Hoping that a romantic encounter will satisfy you

How could you know
You didn't foresee the consequences of seeking romance

You'd pay the price?
You didn't realize the cost of your pursuit

You try in love
You attempted love

Just once or twice
But it didn't work out

No last regrets
You don't have any regrets about it

No sacrifice
You didn't have to give up anything to experience it

Hey, hey
Hey, hey

Did you follow me?
Have you ever felt this way?

Just walk into the fire
Dive head first into passion and desire