Barnes was born… Read Full Bio ↴Jimmy Barnes (b. 1956) is an Australian rock singer.
Barnes was born James Dixon Swan on the 28th April 1956 in Glasgow, Scotland, and moved to Australia with his family when he was six years old.
He first came to public attention as the lead singer with popular Australian pub-rock band Cold Chisel, which he joined in 1973 and with whom he recorded seven albums between 1978 and 1983. When the band split up in 1983 he launched a solo career almost immediately; his first album, Bodyswerve, entered the Australian charts at number one. It was the first of a remarkable run of top charting albums for Barnes, as each of his first six solo albums entered the charts at number one, a feat that no other Australian artist is likely to match.
In 1986 Barnes recorded two singles with INXS, duetting with that band's singer Michael Hutchence on a cover of The Easybeats' "Good Times", and "Laying Down the Law", which was co-written by Barnes with INXS members Andrew Farriss and Hutchence. "Good Times" was used as the theme song for the Australia Made series of concerts that toured the country in the summer of 1986-1987. Both songs later appeared on the soundtrack of the 1980s teen vampire film The Lost Boys.
Following Hutchence's death in 1997, Barnes appeared live on stage with INXS at shows throughout Australia between 1999 and 2001.
His album Double Happiness, released in July 2005, reaffirmed his popularity, entering the ARIAnet albums chart at number one, his seventh album to do so. Barnes was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame on the 23rd October 2005 for his solo career efforts. Coupled with Cold Chisel's previous induction, Barnes is the only artist to be entered into the Hall of Fame twice.
Barnes is also the father of singer David Campbell, who recently starred in the Australian production of the musical Sunset Boulevard, and was a contestant on the Australian television programme Dancing with the Stars. The two perform the duet "Wichita Lineman" on Double Happiness.
No Second Prize
Jimmy Barnes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I heard about a person who had a broken heart
With nothing to drive him on, no hope no spark no flame
He couldn't see at all tears they were blinding him
He kept it all inside, the guilt and all the pain
You know I say I tried to warn him
They had him backed up against the wall
No one can tell you exactly what you have gotta be
You've got to stand your ground and fight to save your life
It may be hard but ooh ooh it's the only way
Always remembering there ain't no second prize
There ain't no second prize
You know I say I tried to warn him
They had him backed up against the wall
Why can't I stand up and try to tell him
They've got me backed up against the wall
I hope I'm not too late
No one can tell you exactly what you have gotta be
You've got to stand your ground and fight to save your life
It may be hard but ooh ooh it's the only way
Always remembering there ain't no second prize
There ain't no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
There ain't no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
There's not gonna be no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
Oh there's no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
Never never never never gonna be
Oh no there ain't no second prize
The song No Second Prize by Jimmy Barnes is about a person who is going through a tough time due to a broken heart. With no hope, spark or flame, the person can't find anything to drive him forward. The singer tries to warn this person about his situation, but he keeps everything inside and lets guilt and pain consume him. The lyrics suggest that the person is backed up against the wall and the singer hopes he's not too late to help him.
The chorus repeats the phrase "There ain't no second prize" several times, emphasizing that in life, there are no second chances. One should always fight to save their lives and stand their ground. It might be difficult, but it is the only way forward. The lyrics suggest that nobody can tell someone what to be or how to live their life. Each person must fight their own battles and find their own path.
Overall, the song is quite motivational and empowering, encouraging listeners to be strong despite adversities and strive to overcome them. The repeated chorus emphasizes the idea that life doesn't offer a second chance, so it's better to make the most of what one has.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh Yeah
Introduction and expression of excitement.
I heard about a person who had a broken heart
Recalling a person who's heartbroken and lost all hope.
With nothing to drive him on, no hope no spark no flame
That person has nothing to motivate him, and everything seems dull and lifeless.
He couldn't see at all tears they were blinding him
The tears that flowed out of him blind his vision and clouded his judgment.
He kept it all inside, the guilt and all the pain
He concealed all his emotions and kept the guilt and pain to himself.
You know I say I tried to warn him
The singer tried to warn the person about the consequences of his actions.
They had him backed up against the wall
Others put the person in a difficult position with no way out.
I hope I'm not too late
Expressing hope that it is not too late to save him.
No one can tell you exactly what you have gotta be
No one can tell you specifically what you should do to succeed in life.
You've got to stand your ground and fight to save your life
You have to stand firm and fight to survive the challenges in your life.
It may be hard but ooh ooh it's the only way
Although it may be difficult, there is no other option but to persevere.
Always remembering there ain't no second prize
Always remember that there is no second chance, and you must make the most of what you have.
Oh no there ain't no second prize
Repeating and emphasizing that there is no second prize in life.
There ain't no second prize
Stating again that there is no lesser prize in life, only the one chance you have.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES DIXON BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@volkan3797
We used to have race horse called No Second Price
He wasn’t the fastest in the bush but he was our baby
We named him No Second Price because we love Jimmy
Always used to listen in the farm by the pool
Good old times best memories 🍻🇦🇺
@JTRAIN
Lyrics:
Oh Yeah
I heard about a person who had a broken heart
With nothing to drive him on, no hope no spark no flame
He couldn't see at all tears they were blinding him
He kept it all inside, the guilt and all the pain
You know I say I tried to warn him
They had him backed up against the wall
I hope I'm not too late
No one can tell you exactly what you have gotta be
You've got to stand your ground and fight to save your life
It may be hard but ooh ooh it's the only way
Always remembering there ain't no second prize
There ain't no second prize
You know I say I tried to warn him
They had him backed up against the wall
Why can't I stand up and try to tell him
They've got me backed up against the wall
I hope I'm not too late
No one can tell you exactly what you have gotta be
You've got to stand your ground and fight to save your life
It may be hard but ooh ooh it's the only way
Always remembering there ain't no second prize
There ain't no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
There ain't no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
There's not gonna be no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
Oh there's no second prize
Oh no there ain't no second prize
Never never never never gonna be
Oh no there ain't no second prize
@joyhorton2495
My theme song for most of my adult life. Got me through some really hard times. Fight to save your life .... there aint no second prize.
@jasonchapman5202
This great song is so helpful to me. When I feel like giving up, I play this over and over.
It helps me to move forward despite how dark life can get.
Thanks so much for this song !!
@feemcl62
Thought I’d share this with my neighbours tonight. I got the all clear on 2 excisions by my skin doctor today. No melanoma. Called for some good music and maybe a vodka. Great lyrics in this song.
How can I be turning 60 this year and have never seen JB live? Must remedy that.
@sultanabran1
i hope things are still going well for you.
@CarrieUnderwoodOfficial_
Hello Mary.
Checking on comments and reviews and met this.
You are my real fan.
It’s nice meeting you here.
@peterkoumbridis3098
Tremendous song memory lyrics greatest Australian rock singer ,😎⚡🎊Jimmy we love ya mate rock on
@amandataylor8622
A timeless Aussie classic that never gets old Go Jimmy ❤❤❤
@hunchosam9216
How this has under 100k views in almost a decade i’ll never understand.. one of his best
@GODS-PUNISHER
GEN FLAKE LISTENS TO NOG DOOF DOOF RUBBISH, THATS WHY!
@wild_mike2906
This song helped me during detox, 4 years clean now off the drink and feeling so much better