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)
State Of The Heart
Mondo Rock Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've stopped and passed the time of day
You work in town, I work at night
That gives us six until seven to work this out
If I seem a little strange
It's just the state of the heart
I'm waiting here for you
You are the moon, I am the sea
You pull me in and gaze on down at me
I was alone, I thought I was immune
It's good to know the door can still be open wide
If I seem a little strange
It's just the state of the heart
I'm waiting here for you
In the state I'm in, oh yeah
If I seem confused
It's just the state of the heart
I wait in the dark
In the state I'm in, yeah-ee
Yeah-eah-eah-ee, yeah-ee
Yeah-eah-eah-ee...ee...
If I seem a little strange
It's just the state of the heart
I'm waiting here for you
In the state I'm in, oh yeah-eah
If I seem confused
It's just the state of the heart
You know I wait in the dark
In the state I'm in
It's the state of the hear (state of the heart)
The state of the heart (state of the heart) woh-ooh
It's the state of the heart (state of the heart)
The state of the heart (state of the heart) woh-ooh...
The lyrics of Mondo Rock's "State of the Heart" describe a chance encounter between two people who work in different shifts. They only have a small window of time to communicate, and the singer seems a bit awkward and hesitant. He/she recognizes that the other person has an impact on him/her, and refers to that feeling as the "state of the heart." The singer has been feeling lonely and immune to affection, but this unexpected connection has opened a new possibility. It's clear that the singer is hoping to pursue something more, but is also aware that this might not happen, hence the confusion and waiting.
At the surface level, the song is a straightforward expression of romantic interest, but there are deeper themes and emotional layers that make it universal and relatable. The concept of the "state of the heart" suggests that emotions are not fixed or linear, but rather complex and variable. The singer doesn't try to hide his/her vulnerability or insecurity, which makes the song more authentic and poignant. Also, the image of the moon and the sea is a recurring motif in poetry and art, representing the union of two complementary elements that create a powerful dynamic.
Overall, "State of the Heart" is a well-crafted pop song with memorable hooks and lyrics that strike a chord with anyone who has experienced the thrill and uncertainty of a new relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
I know your name, I've told you mine
We have introduced ourselves to each other and exchanged names
We've stopped and passed the time of day
We have shared a friendly conversation
You work in town, I work at night
Our work schedules differ, giving us only a small window of time to get to know each other
That gives us six until seven to work this out
We have one hour to spend together before our schedules conflict again
If I seem a little strange
My behavior may seem unusual or erratic
It's just the state of the heart
My emotions are causing me to act differently than usual
I'm waiting here for you
I am eager to spend time with you
In the state I'm in
Despite my emotional turmoil, I am still excited to be with you
You are the moon, I am the sea
You have a powerful pull over me, just as the moon causes the tides to rise and fall
You pull me in and gaze on down at me
You have a mesmerizing effect on me and I feel drawn to you
I was alone, I thought I was immune
I didn't think I would be affected by someone else, but you have proven me wrong
It's good to know the door can still be open wide
I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with someone new
If I seem confused
I may appear uncertain or disoriented
I wait in the dark
I am eagerly waiting for you, even in the shadows
It's the state of the heart (state of the heart)
This is how my heart feels right now
The state of the heart (state of the heart) woh-ooh
My emotions are complex and deep
It's the state of the heart (state of the heart)
These are the feelings that currently consume me
The state of the heart (state of the heart) woh-ooh...
I am struggling to process my emotions right now
Contributed by Sadie W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@martinkuliza
I understand you.... I feel the same way
Good times, huh ?
i was like 8 years old haha
Feels weird saying that , especially since i'm 47 now
i remember this was on the radio all the time
i had a little pocket radio that was in those old black leather pouches.
if you remember
yeah.. remembering this definitely brings a tear to the eye
@leokimvideo
such a timeless classic, doesn't age a day
@wellsjeremias8938
Dont know if you guys cares but if you're bored like me atm you can stream pretty much all of the new series on InstaFlixxer. Have been watching with my gf for the last few days =)
@jacobchristopher5502
@Wells Jeremias definitely, I have been using instaflixxer for months myself :D
@michelledoyle1969
No way hosay 🌞
@rc70ys
One of the best songs of all
Time
@sirswift23
nah
@2002bonzo
I'm 55. Anytime I feel down or need to escape today's crap. This is where I go. Late 70s early 80s music. The ultimate lift.❤
@mazda144
Same with 80,s movies! > take me back!😢
@shaggaroony
You take bands like this for granted when you are younger, only later realising how great they really are. I grew up loving the harder stuff, AC/DC, The Angels, etc, but Mondo Rock are a superb band, I hope they are never forgotten.
@juliewall8923
Couldn’t agree more. Mondo Rock were never anyone’s favourite band and never sexy but as I get older I appreciate his brilliance. From Daddy Cool to Mondo Rock to producing The Johnny’s to writing for John Farnham, Ross is brilliant and the Australian music industry should give him more credit. Rick Springfield covered this song too.