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.

To The Bone
Sunnyboys Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

On account of you
I should be sad and I'm blue
Cos I know
Yes I know
Well I know
Yes I know
I know
Yes I know

What's going wrong

What should I do
My mind is running dry
And my friends
They can't help me

I can't get by
I can't get by
Without you
Without you

Get off that floor
Somebody's gotta help you to that door
Cos I'm weak
Weak
I'm not strong
Strong
I'm so weak
Weak
Can't get along
Oh
When it touches me I feel it to the bone
Bone
When you write my name I feel so all alone

Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah

Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah

Ah ah ah
Ah ah ah

Overall Meaning

Sunnyboys' song "To the Bone" is a ballad that speaks to the pain that comes with heartbreak. The singer in the song is reeling from a difficult breakup and is struggling to cope with the absence of their significant other. The song's opening lyrics make it clear that the singer is unhappy with the situation, and they know that something is amiss. The repetition of "yes I know" underscores this message, emphasizing that the pain they are feeling is not ambiguous, but crystal clear.

The next verse sees the singer struggling to find a way to deal with their pain. They are exhausted, and their friends are not able to help them. The refrain of the song drives home how much the singer misses their ex-partner, and how much they need them to move on. The line "when it touches me, I feel it to the bone" is particularly powerful, as it speaks to just how deep the singer's pain is, it is not just emotional but almost physical.

To The BoneSunnyboys Lyrics

To The Bone
Sunnyboys Lyrics