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.
Sure Thing
The Icicle Works Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get a little nearer every time
You get up high then way down low
You're leading me on, but I can't go
VERSE 2
I can only try to do the right thing
Girl, you know I hate to see you cry
Come on over here and I'll show you why
CHORUS
It's a sure thing, it's a sure thing
It's a sure thing, that's a sure thing
Sure thing, it's a sure thing
Sure thing, that's a sure thing
Baby, I'm gonna love you right
Come running to you in the night
Pick you up, set you down
Change your mind, turn you round
Baby, in the morning, you'll see my way
Girl, I'm gonna take you for my own
You can blow your chances on a bad date
But you can blow your trumpet when you're home
CHORUS
Sure thing
Sure thing
Sure thing
VERSE 2
CHORUS
Sure thing
Sure thing
Well, that's a sure thing
Sure thing
That's a sure thing
The Icicle Works's song Sure Thing is a classic love song in which the singer assures his love interest that he will always be there for her. The opening line "Baby, I'm gonna make you mine," shows the singer's determination to have this person in his life. He also sings about the person's highs and lows, indicating that he has noticed the different moods and emotions that she goes through.
Despite the singer's determination to be with the person, they seem to be playing games, "You're leading me on, but I can't go." This line suggests that the person might be sending mixed signals or not fully committing to the relationship. The singer tries to do the right thing, outlining that he never wants to hurt the person's feelings, but he can't help himself because he loves her too much. The chorus repeats the line, "It's a sure thing," emphasizing the singer's commitment to the person.
In the second verse, the singer promises to love the person right and to be there for her no matter what. The singer also indicates that the person may be confused about their feelings for him, but he will always be there to reassure her. The chorus repeats to drive home the point that the singer's love for her is a sure thing and that she can always rely on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby, I'm gonna make you mine
I'm committed to having a romantic relationship with you
I get a little nearer every time
I'm slowly breaking down your walls
You get up high then way down low
You're being unpredictable in your feelings towards me
You're leading me on, but I can't go
I know you're not fully invested in me, but I can't resist you
I can only try to do the right thing
I want to be a good partner to you
Girl, you know I hate to see you cry
I care deeply about your emotions and don't want to cause you pain
I would never hurt you with a bad thing
I would never do something to purposely harm you
Come on over here and I'll show you why
Let me prove my love to you
It's a sure thing, it's a sure thing
Our love for each other is undeniable
Baby, I'm gonna love you right
I'm going to cherish and treat you well
Come running to you in the night
I'm there for you no matter what time it is
Pick you up, set you down
I want to be your rock and support system
Change your mind, turn you round
I want to help you make decisions that will benefit you
Baby, in the morning, you'll see my way
I'm confident that you'll come to love me as much as I love you
Girl, I'm gonna take you for my own
I'm committed to making you mine
You can blow your chances on a bad date
You can date the wrong people, but you'll eventually come back to me
But you can blow your trumpet when you're home
You can celebrate our love once we're finally together
Well, that's a sure thing
My love for you is a guaranteed fact
Sure thing
Our love for each other is certain
Sure thing
Our love for each other is undeniably real
Sure thing
Our love for each other is firmly established
That's a sure thing
Our love for each other is indisputable
Sure thing
Our love for each other is undeniable
Contributed by Charlie R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.