Men at Work won the 1983 Grammy Award for "Best New Artist", beating an impressive set of rivals including Asia, Jennifer Holliday, The Human League, and Stray Cats.. In August 1983, they ware given a Crystal Globe Award for $100 million worth of record business by their U.S label. That same year, in Canada, they were awarded a Juno Award for "International LP of the Year". At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994, they were inducted into the related Hall of Fame.
In terms of songs, their work has remained considerably popular. In May 2001, "Down Under" was listed at No. 4 on the APRA Top 30 Australian songs. In October 2010, 'Business as Usual' was listed in the book of 100 Best Australian Albums. According to Australian musicologist Ian McFarlane, the group's "phenomenal success inextricably created worldwide interest in Australia and Australian music" irrespective "of the band's fairy-tale rise to prominence". He's also said that they "simply opened the floodgates with little more than a clutch of great songs" and were "Australia's most famous group".
Men at Work have sold over 30 million albums worldwide in total. The band's singer-songwriter frontman, Colin Hay, pursued a solo career after it folded. In 1996, Hay and Ham reformed the band with replacement members. With new wave fans enjoying hearing 80s hits again live, the band had several popular tours. Sadly, Ham was found dead in his home in April 2012, and the future of Men at Work remains unclear.
Upstairs In My House
Men at Work Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
South Pacific hot sea pool, Coney Island amusement school for mispent youth
Its all in my own front yard, seagulls grazing in the park and foreshore
South-East wind pins back my ears, Luna Park lights up the years of painless days
I like it, upstairs in my house
Dealers selling junk and trash, people spend their hard earned cash on Sundays
I like it, upstairs in my house, upstairs in my house
No one knows what I can see and what I see it pleases me on my roof
I like it, upstairs in my house, upstairs in my house
Men at Work's song "Upstairs in My House" reveals the perspective of the singer, who seems to find solace in observing the world from the isolation of his rooftop. The lyrics convey the idea that the singer enjoys his own company and finds pleasure in the small things, such as the seagulls grazing in the park and the Luna Park lights. The lines "No one knows what I can see and what I see it pleases me on my roof" suggest that the singer's rooftop is a place where he can escape from the world and find comfort in his own thoughts.
The song also contains references to specific places and events, such as the South Pacific hot sea pool and the Westgate Bridge, which were landmarks in the band's hometown of Melbourne, Australia. The line "Coney Island amusement school for mispent youth" reflects on the feelings of disillusionment and isolation that are a common theme in Men at Work's music.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a meditation on the joys of solitude and the beauty of the world when viewed from a distance. The upbeat, poppy instrumentals and catchy chorus contrast with the introspective lyrics, creating a unique sound that reflects the complexity of the singer's feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
No one knows what I can see and and what I see it pleases me on my roof
I find joy in the things I see from my rooftop that others are unaware of.
South Pacific hot sea pool, Coney Island amusement school for mispent youth
My imagination allows me to see exotic places and vivid experiences from my rooftop.
Its all in my own front yard, seagulls grazing in the park and foreshore
Even the simple sights in my neighborhood bring me joy from my rooftop view.
South-East wind pins back my ears, Luna Park lights up the years of painless days
The wind and the bright lights of the Luna Park amusement park are comforting reminders of good times in the past.
I like it, upstairs in my house
I find solace in the peace and tranquility of my rooftop retreat.
Dealers selling junk and trash, people spend their hard earned cash on Sundays
While others waste their money on vices, I am content to enjoy the simple pleasures of my rooftop view.
Its quiet when they fade away, Westgate Bridge breakes up the day, into red sky
As the noise of the city fades into the distance, the view of the Westgate Bridge and the sunset provide a beautiful end to the day.
Upstairs in my house, upstairs in my house
The repetition of this line emphasizes the artist's contentment and desire to remain in their rooftop sanctuary.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: COLIN HAY, RONALD STRYKERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kevin McGiffin
I LIKE IT UUUUPSTAIRS IN MY HOUSE !!!! Colins voice gives me chills when he reaches for high notes. 😊😊😊😊😊😊
Kalos64
reminds me of his vocals on “underground”.
Carl Esq
He is a great singer
Fernando Riley
one of the cleanest sounding bands of all time.lyrically [Colin] is up there as a top notch songwriter,singer,performer.the band was brilliant.
Evan Raymond music and mindset
The band that invented their own genre.
hotruss
This song has that Synchronicity vibe in it. When I was kid growing up in the 80's, I though The Police replaced Sting and came up with this new sound for the band.
Kevin McGiffin
Colins voice is so perfect for this song so happy so free 😊😊😊😊😊
Kevin McGiffin
What a voice Mr . Colin has. Fits perfectly.😀😊😀😊😀😊😀😊😀😊
The Hot Young Grandpas
Y todo sin corrector de voz... un maestro!
charl231970
I know! So pitch perfect!