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.
You Need A Friend
Sunnyboys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You need a friend to get it done
All you want is to find time
Nothing to make you run
Run away
Teenager I am
My youth is fading away
To get my way
To get my way
And I cannot help
And I cannot share
And I cannot follow
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Life is so tough
From where I come from
Everything's unbearable
I wish my time was done
My time was done
Teenager I am
Not young and led astray
For all I've got is myself
No one else will pay for what I do
And I need a friend
I need a friend
Cos I cannot follow
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
I cannot help
And I cannot change
And I need a friend
I need a friend
I need a friend
Cos I cannot follow
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
Turn the people round
The lyrics of Sunnyboys' "You Need a Friend" are a poignant reflection on the challenges faced by teenagers. The song talks about the need for a friend to help one get through life's challenges. Teenagers often feel lost and misunderstood, and they need someone to turn to for comfort and guidance. The lyrics capture this sentiment perfectly and convey a sense of desperation and longing for someone to lean on.
The song starts by stating that teenagers need a friend to make it through life. The call to find time and not run away is a plea for help. The theme of seeking help continues throughout the song - the singer is struggling and needs support. The lines, "And I cannot help, And I cannot share" convey a sense of isolation and helplessness. The singer wishes for someone to turn things around and help them break free from their struggles. The repetition of the line "Turn the people round" reinforces this need for help and the desire to find a way out of their current situation.
The chorus is the plea for a friend, "And I need a friend, I need a friend, 'Cos I cannot follow, Turn the people round." There is a raw honesty in the lyrics, and the vulnerability of the singer's struggle shines through. The singer is not only seeking comfort but wants someone to guide them, and make it through the hardships that are a part of growing up. The lyrics are a reflection of the universal need for human connection and the importance of having someone to lean on when life gets tough.
Line by Line Meaning
Teenagers find out young
Young people quickly realize that they need a friend.
You need a friend to get it done
Having a friend is important for accomplishing things.
All you want is to find time
The desire to have more time to do what you want.
Nothing to make you run
Lack of motivation or purpose.
Run away
Escape from problems or difficult situations.
Teenager I am
I am still a teenager.
My youth is fading away
I am losing my youth.
Misconception and challenge
Being mistaken or misunderstood and facing obstacles.
To get my way
To achieve what I want.
And I cannot help
I am unable to assist.
And I cannot share
I am unable to share my problems or burdens with others.
And I cannot follow
I am unable to simply follow others.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Life is so tough
Life is very difficult.
From where I come from
Based on my experiences and background.
Everything's unbearable
Everything feels intolerable.
I wish my time was done
I wish my life were over.
Not young and led astray
No longer young and not sure what to do.
For all I've got is myself
I am on my own.
No one else will pay for what I do
I am responsible for my own actions.
And I need a friend
I require a friend.
Cos I cannot follow
Since I am unable to simply follow others.
I cannot help
I am unable to assist.
And I cannot change
I am unable to alter the situation.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Turn the people round
Persuade others to see things differently.
Writer(s): Jeremy Saxon Oxley
Contributed by Cole I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
The Tiny Side Of Tiny
WOW am I late to this party. American guy here...first time I've ever heard these guys...stumbled across this video. This band is absolutely incredible. I'm blown away. My next YouTube search item: best of the Sunnyboys. They remind me of a less brooding version of the Smithereens. Again, absolutely incredible!
Karen Paiyo
They are fucking awesome and were magic live.
The Tiny Side Of Tiny
@Tony tone Incredibly underrated...especially here in the US. I've been listening to Sunnyboys for two years now...almost makes me sad that these guys weren't part of the soundtrack of my youth (I'm 52)...certain songs and bands have followed me across my life and Sunnyboys would definitely have been in that category! What an incredible band.
Tony tone
Australian here...welcome Thomas. They're very underrated.
matt death
@The Tiny Side Of Tiny they weren't inxs famous. They were popular and yet still underground in Aus. You found em. Good for you .. enjoy
The Tiny Side Of Tiny
@matt death Matt, I don’t know how I missed these guys in the 80’s. Shockingly great band! I’ve been checking out their other stuff…love everything I’ve heard so far!
empireofpeaches
Woke up today with this song in my head. So good. Time to blast it out to the kids ☉
Kellie P
Its funny to think that this band would never cut it on X Factor or Idol today. Thank god we had bands like this!!
richard finlayson
i rekon they would blow the roof off the place
mihali dellaportas
This brings back so many memories of my youth at the age of 14 in 1982.