The most famous line-up consisted of prolific songwriters Ross Wilson (ex Daddy Cool) and guitarist Eric McCusker (who luckily pestered Wilson to let him join, doing three auditions, after the initial outing of Mondo Rock had lost momentum) as well as Paul Christie on bass (ex-Kevin Borich Express, who later formed The Party Boys), John James "J. J." Hackett, ex-Stars, on drums, and the versatile James Black (now leading the RocKwiz TV show house band on SBS) on keyboards and guitar. This line-up recorded the second LP Chemistry, out July 1981. The first LP was Primal Park (1979).
The group had numerous successes on the Australian charts. Early hits included Fugitive Kind, Chemistry, State Of The Heart, and Cool World - the latter three collected on their award-winning second album Chemistry. 1980s teen-idol Rick Springfield recorded a version of McCusker's State Of The Heart some years later, making the U.S Top 40.
Further success followed in 1982 with the release of their third LP Nuovo Mondo, spawning the Top 10 single No Time, as well as the Top 40 hits The Queen And Me and the haunting In Another Love. John Farnham recorded a version of A Touch Of Paradise contained on this album, which became a Top 20 single from his 1986 Whispering Jack album.
They had to wait until 1984's The Modern Bop LP for their biggest success however. It came from the McCusker penned "Come Said the Boy", a provocative tale about the loss of virginity , which was banned at the time of release by many radio stations including Sydney's then top-rated 2SM. This failed to stop the song's momentum though, and it went on to become the band's most successful single, peaking at number 2 on the Australian charts in 1984, and is still played on radio today. The album featured two more minor hits - Baby Wants To Rock, and the title track The Modern Bop. In the same year, Ross Wilson wrote the song Bop Girl which his wife Pat Wilson recorded. The song was a major hit in Australia, cracking the Top 5.
Things were cooling by 1986's new recording Boom Baby Boom, however the group still scored a further two hit singles - Rule Of Threes and Primitive Love Rites - the latter being a minor hit in the U.S.
1990 saw their last recording of new material as Mondo Rock, in the Why Fight It LP. The singles released were Things Are Hotting Up and I Had You In Mind, however the group seemed to be running out of steam.
They still play together from time to time, and more recently starred in the 2006 Countdown Spectacular concerts (which were seen by more than 100,000 people throughout Australia), performing a medley of Cool World and Summer Of '81, and a full version of Come Said The Boy.
Ross Wilson dabbled in a solo career and had success with the single Bed Of Nails. (from Wikipedia)
No Time
Mondo Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-ay-oh-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-ay-oh-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
This is no time for a no show
This is no way to end the night
I am victim to the feeling
And the feeling is not right
This is no time for my confidence
To leave me here alone
There is no way explanations can explain
This is no time
Oh no time
No time to be let down
To be let down
Oh no girl
I tell you this is no time
Well baby this is no time
Oh no time
No time to be let down
To be let down
Let down
I tell you this is no time
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-ay-oh-oh
There are some things that a woman
Can in no way understand
So you comfort and you kiss
And hold the helpless hand
This is no time for my confidence
To leave me here alone
There is no way explanations can explain
This is no time
Oh no time
No time to be let down
To be let down
Oh no girl
I tell you this is no time
Well baby this is no time
Oh no time
No time to be let down
To be let down
Let down
I tell you this is no time
Baby this is no time (Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh)
No time (Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh)
No time to be let down (Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh)
(Hey-oh Oh-Way-ay-oh-oh)
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-ay
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
Hey-oh Oh-Way-oh
The opening verse of Mondo Rock's "No Time" is a conflicted declaration about a moment of indecision, where the singer is caught between wanting to stay and wanting to leave. The chorus repeats the phrase, "this is no time", emphasizing the urgency of the moment, while the bridge echoes the confusion and frustration of the singer's feelings. The song is a powerful statement about the times in our lives when we feel lost and alone, and we need someone to stand by us.
The song's lyrics are simple, but they tap into universal human emotions and the struggle we all experience in reconciling our desires with the practical realities of our lives. The repeated "hey-oh oh-way-oh" at the beginning and end of the song provide a primal, almost tribal, call to action that furthers the urgency of the message. The raw energy of the track is backed up by its catchy melody and driving rhythm, making it an instant classic.
Line by Line Meaning
This is no time for a no show
It's not appropriate for someone to not show up now
This is no way to end the night
This is not the right way to end the night
I am victim to the feeling
I am powerless against this feeling
And the feeling is not right
The feeling is not acceptable
This is no time for my confidence
Now is not the time for me to lack confidence
To leave me here alone
And to leave me alone in this situation
There is no way explanations can explain
There's no way to justify or explain what's happening
No time to be let down
It's not the right moment to feel disappointed
Oh no girl
Oh no, my dear
Well baby this is no time
This is not the appropriate moment, my darling
There are some things that a woman
There are some things that a woman simply can't understand
Can in no way understand
Cannot comprehend in any way
So you comfort and you kiss
So you comfort and kiss to try to make it all better
And hold the helpless hand
And hold the hand of the person who is powerless
Let down
Disappointed
Baby this is no time
My dear, this is really not the time
Writer(s): Eric Maltby Mccusker
Contributed by Vivian B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Leo Timpano
One of the greatest Mondo Rock songs. And one the best Australian singles ever recorded. Simply superb !!
M Dee
Agree mate!
James Anderson 1
Australian music was on fire during the 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's. Australia had some of the best music in the world in that period of time. This hit by Mondo Rock is simply amazing!
Jack Meoff
One the most underrated bands , remember seeing Ross Wilson and the band at Shellharbour Workers Club, aah the memories
ADS 7
The 80's was the best decade of Australian music ever...our songs were kicking goals right around the world back then.
Kimmy
Mondo Rock picks you up even if you are determined to be in a crap mood.
Sodham G'morris
This track is a bloody pearler...kick arse!
Aus80sRockRadio
This song - wow! Just brilliant : )
reefergladness
incredible song
Joanne Philpot
Totally forgot this song!! Awesome!!