Sydney band Sunnyboys remain one of the most highly regarded and best-loved… Read Full Bio ↴Sydney band Sunnyboys remain one of the most highly regarded and best-loved bands of the Australian post-punk era. Fronted by the enigmatic and youthful singer/songwriter and guitarist Jeremy Oxley, the band breathed some freshness and vitality into the Sydney music scene in the early 80s.

Essentially Sunnyboys wore their influences on their sleeve - The Remains, The Flamin' Groovies, The Kinks and The Beatles with a dash of Detroit muscle thrown in for good measure. They produced melodic power pop classics and were rewarded with an immediate positive response.

Between 1980 and 1984 they released their self-titled EP (1980) and 3 albums: "Sunnyboys" (1981), "Individuals" (1982) and "Get Some Fun" (1984).

However, Jeremy Oxley's battle with schizophrenia plagued the band and Sunnyboys announced their break-up in June 1984. Their farewell tour produced the album "Real Live" which was recorded over two nights in Sydney (29th and 30th June).

In 1985, the French label Closer combined The Sunnyboys' first two albums as a double set entitled "Days Are Gone" for the European market.

In late 1987, Jeremy Oxley attempted to revive Sunnyboys with a new line-up. The new band signed a deal with RCA and released an album entitled "Wildcat" (produced by ex-Sherbet keyboard player, Garth Porter). The album failed to convince old Sunnyboys fans and the band broke up again in 1990.

In July 1991, Mushroom released the compilation album "Plays The Best" and the original line-up reunited for a national tour.

Also "Shakin' - Live 1991" (1993, live cd + "Sunnyboys" EP) has been released by Phantom and "This Is Real" (2004, double-CD, Singles/Live/Rare) by Feel Presents.

The band:
Jeremy Oxley - Guitar, vocals
Peter Oxley - Bass
Richard Burgman - Guitar
Bill Bilson - Drums

For more info see the band's MySpace profile and this.

I Can't Talk To You
Sunnyboys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well I'm waiting for you baby
But I can't talk to you
You get me so strung up
I don't know what to do
I could offer you a ride
I could offer you a light
I could even tell you straight out
"You're a nice looking girl"

I can't talk to you
I can't talk to you
I can't talk to you
I said girl

I've got a Chevrolet
But it wouldn't make any difference anyway
Well I'm walking away
Well I won't come back no more
Oh no more
No more
No more

I can't talk to you
I can't talk to you
I can't talk to you
I said girl

I can't talk to you
I can't talk to you

I can't talk to you
I said girl

Overall Meaning

The Sunnyboys' song "I Can't Talk to You" speaks about the struggle when trying to communicate with someone who has a significant impact on one's life. In the first verse, the singer is waiting for their lover, but they can't bring themselves to talk to them; the person's presence causes them to become nervous and unsure. The singer acknowledges that they could make an effort to initiate a conversation by offering to drive them or light their cigarette, but they are still unable to speak their mind or express their feelings.

The chorus repeats the phrase "I can't talk to you" multiple times, emphasizing the singer's frustration and inability to communicate. The second verse then shifts to the singer's decision to walk away from the relationship, stating that they will not come back again. This choice is reinforced through the repetition of "no more" at the end of each line. The song ends with a final repetition of the chorus, driving home the theme of the struggle to express one's emotions.

Overall, "I Can't Talk to You" encapsulates the tension and difficulty of communicating with someone, particularly in a romantic context. The lyrics convey the paralysis that comes with a lack of communication, and the frustration that arises from feeling like one can't express themselves fully to another person.

Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm waiting for you baby
I am eagerly waiting for you to come, my dear

But I can't talk to you
However, I am unable to converse with you

You get me so strung up
Your presence makes me nervous and anxious

I don't know what to do
I feel lost and confused in your company

I could offer you a ride
I can extend my offer to give you a lift

I could offer you a light
I can provide you a lighter if you wish to smoke

I could even tell you straight out
I can be honest and upfront with you

"You're a nice looking girl"
You are incredibly attractive and beautiful

I've got a Chevrolet
I own a Chevrolet car

But it wouldn't make any difference anyway
Having a car does not affect my current situation

Well I'm walking away
I am deciding to leave