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.
Understanding Jane
The Icicle Works Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm holding on, I'm walking home alone
I'm here without her
It seems that all the boys appreciate her
All the girls speak highly of her energy
D' you think that it could work for Jane and me
[Chorus]
Way back when, we both felt the same
And I still love her, I can't stop thinking of her
I'm having trouble understanding Jane
One by one my marbles left me
Jane would smile but never hold me
One night at the pool hall
Asked her if she'd hold my cue
Can't impress her with no fancy car
Resigned to lean here at the bar
I'll lose my mind
Shiver in responsibility
[Chorus]
The opening lines of the song "Understanding Jane" by The Icicle Works describe the singer's deep loneliness, which Jane fails to comprehend. Despite feeling alone, he is still holding on and walking home alone, knowing that Jane is not present to alleviate his loneliness. The singer seems to feel like he is missing out on something significant as all the boys seem to appreciate her, and the girls speak highly of her energy. However, he is unsure if it could work between him and Jane, even though he still wants her and remembers the summer they both felt the same. He still loves her and cannot stop thinking about her, but he is having trouble understanding her.
The verse furthers the idea of the singer's hopelessness and his inability to capture Jane's attention, with the chorus repeating the same sentiments. The line "One by one my marbles left me" refers to the singer's dwindling sanity as he fails to gain Jane's approval or attention. Despite trying his best, Jane only smiles at him but never reciprocates his feelings. He even tries to impress her by asking if she would hold his cue at the pool hall but fails. He realizes the futility of trying to impress her with materialistic things like a fancy car and resigns himself to lean on the bar, going mad with the responsibility of trying to get Jane to accept him.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been so lonely she can't understand the way I feel
Although I'm alone, Jane can't relate to the depth of my emotions and feelings.
I'm holding on, I'm walking home alone
Despite being alone, I'm still trying to hold onto my memories of Jane while walking home alone.
I'm here without her
I'm physically present, but emotionally and mentally, I am still attached to Jane and her memories.
It seems that all the boys appreciate her
It appears that other guys find her attractive and desirable.
All the girls speak highly of her energy
Girls admire her lively and enthusiastic personality.
D' you think that it could work for Jane and me
Do you think there is a chance for Jane and I to be together?
'Cos I still want her, I still remember summer
Because I still have strong feelings and memories of Jane, especially from the summer we spent together.
Way back when, we both felt the same
In the past, we had a mutual understanding of each other and our feelings.
And I still love her, I can't stop thinking of her
I still have deep love for Jane and can't seem to get her out of my mind.
I'm having trouble understanding Jane
I'm struggling to comprehend Jane's actions and decisions regarding our relationship.
One by one my marbles left me
I'm gradually losing my sanity and composure due to my obsession with Jane.
Jane would smile but never hold me
Although she appears happy around me, Jane never reciprocates my physical affection.
One night at the pool hall
On a particular night at the pool hall.
Asked her if she'd hold my cue
I asked Jane if she would hold my pool cue as a subtle gesture of affection.
Can't impress her with no fancy car
I can't win her over with material possessions like a nice car.
Resigned to lean here at the bar
I've given up trying to impress her and am now just leaning at the bar.
I'll lose my mind
I'll go crazy and lose control of myself.
Shiver in responsibility
I'll tremble and feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of my obsession with Jane.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: IAN MCNABB
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Stevie H
How the hell was this not massive? Terrific intro, great guitar break, absolutely brilliant lyrics, a beginning, middle and end. It’s a fantastic 3 minutes. I despair at the fact that this one got away. It’s a magnificent piece.
The Largest Collection of Music From Japan on Here
It has a beginning, a middle, AND an end? I have to listen to this.
Stevie H
@The Largest Collection of Music From Japan on Here I recommend you do.
Not all great music does have a beginning, middle, and end. This, The Jean Genie, God Save the Queen, Blitzkrieg Bop all do.
Tony Nagy-Stephenson
One of the sounds of the definitive soundtrack of my teenage years. Timeless tune, still fresh today.
Michael Summers
Same here mate seen these numerous times back in the day great band great sound
David Thompson
Incredible song got a platinum trophy with this song
Carlos Serrano
Incredible song!!! great vocals and music; I don't know why I hadn't heard it before
M Majudaem
What an era...Big country simple minds, the alarm, the mission the icicle works, u2 depeche mode loved the alternative 80,s
Oliver Green Day
im 15 and i would rather listen to this than any of the stuff in the current charts, absolutely under appreciated and amazing band who deserved everything
carl strickland
I’m 53 and I feel the same