Named after the 1960 short story "The Day The Icicle Works Closed" by science fiction author Frederik Pohl, The Icicle Works joined Liverpool's early 1980s 'neo-psychedelia' wave, which also propelled Echo & the Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes to stardom.
The band was founded in Liverpool by 18-year-old singer, songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and frontman Ian McNabb. In 1980, McNabb joined up with drummer Chris Sharrock (who had been playing with McNabb on and off since he was nine) and bassist Chris Layhe (who had been recruited though a classified ad), and they began playing as The Icicle Works. By the end of 1981, the trio had recorded a six-song independently released cassette, and in 1982 they released the independent single "Nirvana". The following year, The Icicle Works were signed to the Beggars Banquet label, who issued the single Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream) on their subsidiary label Situation Two.
Later that year, The Icicle Works' would release their biggest UK hit, 1983's Love Is a Wonderful Colour. Their debut eponymous album (1984) would follow shortly thereafter, reaching number 24 on the UK charts, and also hitting the U.S. top 40. Also appearing on the U.S. top 40 singles charts at around the same time (and hitting the Canadian top twenty) was Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly), a retitled and very slightly remixed version of The Icicle Works' Situation Two release of 1983.
However, commercial success for The Icicle Works after this point was minimal. Their second album, The Small Price of a Bicycle (1985) spun off no hit singles, and wasn't even released outside the UK. Later albums If You Want to Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Song (1987), and Blind (1988) were both issued in the UK and North America, and even spun off minor hits. Nevertheless, no post-1984 Icicle Works single would chart higher than 52 in the UK, and after "Whisper To A Scream", the band never again made the US Hot 100.
Some have attributed this unfortunate commercial decline to The Icicle Works' change in sound over the years, from an initial 'new wave' feel to a more straight-ahead rock sound inspired by Neil Young, The Doors, and the Ramones, amongst others. But whatever the cause, despite critical acclaim the band was unable to consistently record hit singles. As well, by the late 1980s, tensions within the group were increasing allegedly due to McNabb's controlling ways. By 1988, in addition to writing virtually all of The Icicle Works' material, as well as singing and playing guitar, McNabb was also producing the group's records.
Accordingly, shortly after Blind was issued, drummer Chris Sharrock departed to The La's. Sharrock would later be a member of The Lightning Seeds and World Party, and would also drum for Robbie Williams, Del Amitri and Eurythmics. Around this same time, Layhe also departed, and Beggars Banquet dropped the group from their roster.
Undaunted, McNabb soldiered on under The Icicle Works banner for a while. Zak Starkey, son of Ringo Starr, briefly occupied the drumstool, while various keyboardists, bassists, and guitarists passed through before the band released Permanent Damage (1990), recorded for Epic/Sony. By that time, the band's lineup was McNabb, bassist Roy Corkill, former 10cc and Jethro Tull drummer Paul Burgess, keyboardist Dave Baldwin, and backing vocalist Mark Revell.
This 'second-generation' version of The Icicle Works quietly broke up after Permanent Damage failed to chart, and Epic dropped the band. Ian McNabb's solo career officially began in 1991 with the release of the single Great Dreams of Heaven; for further details on McNabb's solo career, please see the entry for Ian McNabb.
In 1992, a compilation called The Best of The Icicle Works was released, containing the best of their work from the Beggars Banquet years. Two years later, a live recording of a 1987 concert was issued.
On December 31, 2005, after having been a solo act for 15 years, McNabb announced he was reviving "The Icicle Works" name in 2006 for a series of concerts and an album. However, this version of the band would contain no original members other than McNabb.
Chop The Tree
The Icicle Works Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We found a way
To tie a bond between our hearts
In the open field should there we lay
Found a sharp stone, found a big tree
Found a clear space in the bark
Laughing louder chance a fine thing
Out of season given reason
Could we see inclement weather?
Will you want me as I want you as you are?
The autumn is the finest time, the finest of them all
Will you need me as I need you as I did?
As I always should've done, tell me when we're there
Not too long and not too far
My dreams and I were wondering
If we harbor, if we labor
Sweet the fruit that fortune brings
Who will help us through these cold years?
Could I glimpse a rising sun?
Will you want me as I want you as you are?
The autumn is the finest time, the finest of them all
Will you need me as I need you as I did?
As I always should've done, tell me when we're there
Will you love me as I love you constantly?
Wasted in the downpour
Whatever we believe, whatever we believe
Take them under, take them over
Crack the bullwhip, chop the tree
The Icicle Works's song Chop The Tree explores the winter of discontent and finding ways to bond with one another. The song describes two people finding solace in each other during difficult times, symbolized by tying a bond between their hearts in an open field. Through vivid imagery and metaphors, the singer describes the process of finding a big, sharp stone, and a clear space in the bark of a tree, laughing louder as they take chances.
The lyrics also speak to the uncertainty of the future and what it holds, while also capturing the beauty of autumn and the sweetness of love. The singer asks if the other person will want them, need them, and love them constantly, despite difficult times and inclement weather. The chorus repeats these questions, creating a sense of longing and a search for connection.
The song ends with a sense of defiance and strength, as the singer declares that they will take on the challenges of the future, even if it means "cracking the bullwhip" and "chopping the tree". In conclusion, Chop The Tree is a powerful song that explores themes of love, uncertainty, and resilience in the face of difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
When in the winter of our discontent
During a time of sadness and unhappiness
We found a way
We discovered a solution
To tie a bond between our hearts
To create a connection between our emotions
In the open field should there we lay
Out in the open and vulnerable
Found a sharp stone, found a big tree
We found the necessary tools
Found a clear space in the bark
We located a suitable spot
Laughing louder chance a fine thing
Taking risks can lead to great rewards
Moving slowly off the mark
Making progress gradually
Out of season given reason
Not the ideal time, but with purpose
Could we see inclement weather?
Are we prepared for difficult times?
Will you want me as I want you as you are?
Do you accept me for who I am?
The autumn is the finest time, the finest of them all
Fall is the best time for change
Will you need me as I need you as I did?
Will you require my support as I did yours?
As I always should've done, tell me when we're there
Let me know when we've reached our destination
Not too long and not too far
We don't have to wait too long or travel too far
My dreams and I were wondering
We were contemplating together
If we harbor, if we labor
If we take care and work hard
Sweet the fruit that fortune brings
The rewards of our effort are worth it
Who will help us through these cold years?
Who will assist us during difficult times?
Could I glimpse a rising sun?
Is there hope for a brighter future?
Will you love me as I love you constantly?
Will you reciprocate my love?
Wasted in the downpour
Lost in the midst of difficult conditions
Whatever we believe, whatever we believe
Our convictions matter most
Take them under, take them over
Be powerful and in control
Crack the bullwhip, chop the tree
Take charge and make changes happen
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: IAN MCNABB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Inka Reitzel
One of my all time favorites ❤️👍
Popeline Out
❤️👏🇵🇹fantastic choice! LOVE
Philip Shropshire
Love these vids. You have good taste in post rock, post Beatles music.
SLoWBoX
Thank you Philip. It's a homage to the music first and foremost.
M S
This is great. You are great. Thank you.
evolutionary transgression
side one, track one from their 1984 debut, their most loved album.
rateyourmusic.com/artist/the_icicle_works
Pleasure Victim
❤
Kunwar Bedi
Good Song