The band shocked conservative middle Australia with their outrageous (for the time) costumes, lyrics, and on-stage activities, leading to seven of the ten tracks on their first album being banned from commercial radio. Much of the group's success derived from its distinctive repertoire, most of which was penned by bassist Macainsh.
Although Skyhooks was not the first Australian rock band to write songs in Australia, about Australians, for Australians (rather than ditties about love or songs about New York or other foreign lands), they were the first band to do so and be commercially successful, and the songs were set apart from much of the pop fare of the time thanks to Macainish's mordant humour.
The 'Hooks were the Australian pop success story of their era. Their first album, Living in the Seventies, rocketed to the top of the charts and stayed there for so long that it became the best selling Australian album ever up to that time, with the follow-up, Ego is not a Dirty Word, coming a close second. The band's success was also widely credited with saving the struggling Mushroom record label and enabling it to develop into the most successful independent Australian label of its time.
Both these LPs were produced by Ross Wilson, former lead singer of Daddy Cool, which had been the most successful Australian rock group of the early 1970s. Wilson championed the group, signing them to a publishing contract and convincing Mushroom Records boss Michael Gudinski to give them a recording contract.
Remarkably, the success of Living in the Seventies was mainly due to the enormous support the band were given by the TV pop show Countdown, rather than support from radio — in fact, most of the tracks on the LP had been banned by commercial radio because of their sex and drug references. Despite the ban, and as a deliberate act of provocation to commercial radio, the ABC's newly established 24-hour rock music station Double Jay chose the album's first track, the provocatively titled "You Just Like Me Cos I'm Good In Bed" as the first track played on air on its first day of broadcasting on January 19, 1975.
Over the next few years, Skyhooks gradually faded from the public eye with the departure of key members, and in 1980 the band announced its break-up in controversial circumstances. The demands for the band to reform were successful in 1983, with a record sum of money being paid for each of the original members to play a series of concerts. Further reformations took place in 1984 and then in 1990 the band finally recorded new material, "Jukebox in Siberia", which shot to the top of the charts.
"Shirley" Strachan and Red Symons both went on to successful careers in Australian commercial television. Symons was for many years a villain-cum-guitarist on the long-running TV show 'Hey Hey It's Saturday.' He was especially known for wielding the gong on the 'Red Faces' talent segment. He now works on ABC radio and writes humorous columns for the press. After the demise of Skyhooks, Starkie still plays locally, Freddie became the drummer in the later lineup of noted Melbourne rock band The Sports, and other acts such as The Bushwackers and the "Old Skydaddys". Greg Macainsh played with John Farnham, and in recent years has been a board member of both APRA and PPCA, and is currently completing a Law Degree. Strachan hosted a popular children's TV show 'Shirl's Neighbourhood' in the early 80s and went on to use his carpentry trade skills on air in various home improvement TV shows. He was also a familiar face at Hawthorn Football Club functions, of which he was a passionate supporter. Sadly, Strachan was killed in an air crash on August 29th, 2001, when the helicopter he was learning to fly crashed into Mount Alexander near Kilcoy, northwest of Brisbane. Strachan died instantly.
A Memorial was held to pay Tribute to Strachan at the Palais Theatre shortly after. Tribute were paid and Guest Vocalist and Producer Ross Wilson assisted on the night.
A Night to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the release of the Living in the 70s album was held in 2004. It was a historic night with several different incarnations of the band performing. The only absences were Graham Strachan and Steve Hill.
The Skyhooks and Steve Hill then reformed in 2005 in Sydney for a One-Off gig. Hill had been diagnosed with Cancer and the Original Skyhooks, Peter Inglis, Peter Starkie, Fred Strauks and Greg Macainsh joined with Hill to show their support.
The name "Skyhooks" comes from an imaginary device created in the book Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator used to hold the elevator up in mid-air.
Party To End All Parties
Skyhooks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The word had got around
There was a party goin' on
On the wild side of town
I said to Jody "do you wanna go?"
Now Jody likes to party
And I knew she wouldn't say no
Well we got the right street
Then like a shot in the dark
We heard that thunder
Of the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look
Motor Bikin' Bobby said to Sleazy Sue
I know exactly what we are gonna do
We're goin' upstairs gonna lock the bedroom door
We're gonna party till we can't party anymore
At the party to end all parties
Turn of the century
Party to end all parties
A riot in the first degree
Party to end all parties
Party on the wild side of town
Party to end all parties
We ain't ever gonna live this down
Two guys in the bathroom
They've been there for an hour
Somebody said that they were takin' a shower
Jimmy couldn't wait so he kicked down the door
Found his girlfriend and the two guys
Havin' a party on the floor
At the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look .. at the party
Party to end all parties
Party on the wild side of town
Party to end all parties
We ain't ever gonna live this down
The Skyhooks song "Party To End All Parties" is a rambunctious and raunchy celebration of a wild party. The lyrics follow the singer and their friend Jody as they head to a party on the wild side of town. After a slight hiccup in finding the right house, they stumble upon the party to end all parties. The song describes the debauchery and chaos that unfolds at the party, with couples disappearing into locked bedrooms and unexpected surprises in the bathroom. The song's refrain emphasizes the epic nature of the party, calling it the "wildest one in the book" and "a riot in the first degree."
Despite the jovial tone of the song, there is an underlying sense of recklessness and danger. The lyrics suggest that the party-goers will "never live this down," hinting at potential consequences for their actions. The final lines of the song leave the listener wondering what will happen next, as the party continues into the night.
Line by Line Meaning
There was a rumour on the grapevine
There was a piece of gossip that everyone was talking about
The word had got around
The news had spread among people
There was a party goin' on
A festivity event was taking place
On the wild side of town
In an area where parties are known to be rowdy and chaotic
I said to Jody "do you wanna go?"
I asked Jody if she wanted to come along
Now Jody likes to party
Jody enjoys such celebratory events
And I knew she wouldn't say no
I was confident that Jody wouldn't refuse the invitation
Well we got the right street
We arrived at the correct street
But we got the wrong number
We went to the wrong house
Then like a shot in the dark
Suddenly and unexpectedly
We heard that thunder
We heard the sound of the party getting started
Of the party to end all parties
Of the most incredible party ever
Wildest one in the book
The craziest party you'll ever attend
Motor Bikin' Bobby said to Sleazy Sue
Bobby suggested to Sue
I know exactly what we are gonna do
I have a clear plan in mind
We're goin' upstairs gonna lock the bedroom door
We'll move upstairs and secure the bedroom
We're gonna party till we can't party anymore
We'll party until we drop
Turn of the century
A reference to an era in history known for its wild parties
A riot in the first degree
An insane and chaotic party
We ain't ever gonna live this down
We'll never forget this party
Two guys in the bathroom
Two individuals were in the bathroom
They've been there for an hour
They've spent an hour in there
Somebody said that they were takin' a shower
Someone claimed that they were taking a shower
Jimmy couldn't wait so he kicked down the door
Jimmy was too impatient to wait and forcefully entered
Found his girlfriend and the two guys
Discovered that his girlfriend was with the two guys
Havin' a party on the floor
Engaged in intimate activities on the bathroom floor
Step inside and take a look .. at the party
Come in and witness the incredible party for yourself
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GREGORY J MACAINSH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bouwe Bear
There was a rumour on the grapevine
The word had got around
There was a party goin' on
On the wild side of town
I said to Jody "Do you wanna go?"
Now Jody likes to party
And I knew she wouldn't say no.
Well we got the right street
But we got the wrong number
Then like a shot in the dark
We heard that thunder
Of the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look
Motor Bikin' Bobby said to Sleazy Sue
I know exactly what we are gonna do
We're goin' upstairs gonna lock the bedroom door
We're gonna party till we can't party anymore
At the party to end all parties
Turn of the century
Party to end all parties
A riot in the first degree
Party to end all parties
Party on the wild side of town
Party to end all parties
We ain't ever gonna live this down
Two guys in the bathroom
They've been there for an hour
Someone said that they were takin' a shower
Jimmy couldn't wait so he kicked down the door
Found his girlfriend and two guys
Havin' a party on the floor
At the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look .. at the party
There was a rumour on the grapevine
The word had got around
A party goin' on
On the wild side of town
I said to Jody "do you wanna go?"
Now Jody loves to party
I knew she wouldn't say no.
Well we got the right street
But we got the wrong number
And like a shot in the dark
We heard that thunder
Of the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look
At the party to end all parties
Turn of the century
Party to end all parties
A riot in the first degree
Party to end all parties
Party on the wild side of town
Party to end all parties
We ain't ever gonna live this down!
JC
Another underrated and mostly forgotten Skyhooks track. Shirl was as good as any frontman in Australian music. Pity he left the band after the next album, his vocals were actually getting better each album
Bouwe Bear
There was a rumour on the grapevine
The word had got around
There was a party goin' on
On the wild side of town
I said to Jody "Do you wanna go?"
Now Jody likes to party
And I knew she wouldn't say no.
Well we got the right street
But we got the wrong number
Then like a shot in the dark
We heard that thunder
Of the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look
Motor Bikin' Bobby said to Sleazy Sue
I know exactly what we are gonna do
We're goin' upstairs gonna lock the bedroom door
We're gonna party till we can't party anymore
At the party to end all parties
Turn of the century
Party to end all parties
A riot in the first degree
Party to end all parties
Party on the wild side of town
Party to end all parties
We ain't ever gonna live this down
Two guys in the bathroom
They've been there for an hour
Someone said that they were takin' a shower
Jimmy couldn't wait so he kicked down the door
Found his girlfriend and two guys
Havin' a party on the floor
At the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look .. at the party
There was a rumour on the grapevine
The word had got around
A party goin' on
On the wild side of town
I said to Jody "do you wanna go?"
Now Jody loves to party
I knew she wouldn't say no.
Well we got the right street
But we got the wrong number
And like a shot in the dark
We heard that thunder
Of the party to end all parties
Wildest one in the book
Party to end all parties
Step inside and take a look
At the party to end all parties
Turn of the century
Party to end all parties
A riot in the first degree
Party to end all parties
Party on the wild side of town
Party to end all parties
We ain't ever gonna live this down!
Don Hurley
Bongo's pre-COVID line of masks.
jimgoose ridesagain
Did Bongo Starkie inadvertently inspire TISM?
Bret Hann
I was wondering the same thing ;-)
peter green
either TISM or the Zodiac Killer!
Irina Yudina
What album is this song from?
peter green
The first single with Bob Spencer on guitar. ...an in between albums single. But it is on the Skyhooks Tapes release if you can find a copy.
Be A Good Doga
I still find it weird seeing Bob Spencer with hair; I’m used to seeing him bald.
peter green
you should of seen him in Finch, far longer.