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)
Primitive Love Rites
Mondo Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rhythm hits
Oh that's just the start of it
Before you know it
We're all on the move
Down to the local waterhole
To drink until we lose control
Let the drum beat on
That's the way it's alway's been
[Chorus:]
Primitive love rites
Turn on your lovelights
Just let em burn bright
Until two bodies meet
Primitive love rites
This is our love night
Baby just hold tight
Until the ritual's complete
Wild eyes, you got the wild hair
You got the wild wild clothes
You make the men all stare
When you move it up there
Like a rhythm machine
Turn it up, now baby turn it on
The ceremony has begun
Won't stop until we hear that final scream
That's the way it's alway's been
[Repeat Chorus]
All along the asphalt jungle track
Two by two we stagger back
Full moon shines on a crazy scene
Another night has bit the dust
And we have done the things we must
Lay me down and let me help you dream
That's the way it's alway's been
[Repeat Chorus] x2
The song "Primitive Love Rites" by Mondo Rock talks about the primal nature of love and the rituals that come with it. The song paints the picture of a wild night out, where people are heading to the local pub to drink and socialize. The rhythm hits as the sun goes down and before they know it, everyone is caught up in the primal rituals of love, fueled by alcohol and the beat of the drums. The song features lyrics that suggest that this is an age-old tradition, with "That's the way it's alway's been" highlighting the perpetual nature of the ritual.
The chorus of the song speaks to the idea of primitive love rites being a night where two bodies meet, and intense emotions and sexual energy permeate the atmosphere. The lyrics suggest that the energy and excitement will continue until the ritual is complete, making it an intensely focused and heightened experience. The song concludes with a nod to the aftermath of such a night, with people stumbling through the asphalt jungle track, the full moon shining on the crazy scene, feeling satisfied and fulfilled after indulging in their primal desires.
Line by Line Meaning
Sun goes down
The day turns into night
The rhythm hits
The music starts playing
Oh that's just the start of it
This is only the beginning
Before you know it
Suddenly
We're all on the move
We start moving
Down to the local waterhole
We go to the nearby bar
To drink until we lose control
We drink heavily
Let the drum beat on
The music continues
Let the show begin
The party starts
That's the way it's always been
This is how it has been done traditionally
[Chorus:] Primitive love rites
A reference to a primitive ritual for finding love and connection
Turn on your lovelights
Express your love and passion
Just let em burn bright
Let your love shine through
Until two bodies meet
Until two people come together
This is our love night
This is a special night for us
Baby just hold tight
Stay close to me
Until the ritual's complete
Until the ceremony is over
Wild eyes, you got the wild hair
You look wild and free
You got the wild wild clothes
You are dressed in a way that shows your free spirit
You make the men all stare
You attract a lot of attention
When you move it up there
When you dance
Like a rhythm machine
You move to the beat of the music
Turn it up, now baby turn it on
Dance more, feel the music more
The ceremony has begun
The ritual has started
Won't stop until we hear that final scream
The party won't end until people are exhausted and having fun
All along the asphalt jungle track
Along the road
Two by two we stagger back
We walk back together, tipsy
Full moon shines on a crazy scene
The moonlight creates an intense and surreal atmosphere
Another night has bit the dust
Another night has come to an end
And we have done the things we must
We have done what felt natural
Lay me down and let me help you dream
Let me comfort you, let's rest now
[Chorus:] Primitive love rites
A reference to a primitive ritual for finding love and connection
Turn on your lovelights
Express your love and passion
Just let em burn bright
Let your love shine through
Until two bodies meet
Until two people come together
This is our love night
This is a special night for us
Baby just hold tight
Stay close to me
Until the ritual's complete
Until the ceremony is over
Contributed by Eli P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrMoisheLebowitz
Why this song came to mind at this very moment since 1986 is beyond me. I'm glad it did. I had totally forgotten about it. Somehow my cat reminded me of it. Life is weird sometimes.
@robinsonvaldes6198
Temazo!!
@henryw1002
If Anyone needs any prove that the world is upside down , ( or as Jerry Seinfeld would say ), we live in the Bizzaro Universe,
How on Earth has this song Only got 58,000 views in 11 YEARS !!! WTF ???!!!
@BiaNay92
I had a crush on the 🎷 guy.. I was a child, seeing this now gives me goosebumps again 😂😂
@daveross9581
What a cooking song: cranking harp ..these guys put out world class material..still stands up today..saw them in the Yorketown town hall in the eighties when they blew the crowd away.
@christianthorogood3181
Remembering the 80s fun times
@craigb6185
Raw Aussie rock...Good old days
@johnmorgan2488
the best of mondo rock songs I use to sing it when I was 10 years old in 1986
@kymanbedford-brown1323
Yes, love it loud, even my kids rock to mondo x
@emanuelmifsud6754
Play it loud... Just an amazing song and video . THANK you Aussiebattlervideos2 for the post.