Dave Warner's Blog, page 6
January 21, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #25
My most well known song and one of the very first songs I wrote back in 1972, it was always a declaration of my intent to try and make popular art from our unfashionable, daggy, mundane suburban lives. Gary Ashley of Mushroom green lit the video clip. I’d worked out the concept myself and wanted to bring all the ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’ from our lives into the world of suburban rock. They’re not extras there they were the best bunch of older adults you could grow up around. John Clarke who shot the clip later directed the Terry Serio, Deborah Conway film ‘Running On Empty’.
January 20, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #24
With my band Pus I was punk before punk – well before the Sex Pistols anyway. This song represented my advancement to the next step: high energy suburban rock. Cars, footy, sex, music – not much else goes on in the mind of a young man, not around Bicton in the 1970s anyway.
January 19, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX#23
One of the best tracks I’ve done.
WAITING FOR THE CYCLONE
The Hoppers are hoppin’ and the crickets are clickin’
The boys are sweating and the girls all glisten
The fridge is opened but the beer isn’t cold
And they go na na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
The cards are tumbling but the dice are still
And so’s the cockroach by the window sill
He picked the wrong place to find a thrill
An he goes na na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
Belinda drapes herself like Marilyn Monroe
Her wet dress clings and her tits are hard
The boys don’t notice in the smoky room
Though they just drink their beer and they play their cards and they go
na na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
Big Jimmy Black Garry married to fat Jenny
Jemmies a bottle of beer
Waiting for the cyclone ain’t really much fun
Hot as an oven in here
Life isn’t good here life isn’t bad
Life hardly exists here at all
Those who belong nowhere only belong here
Beyond the 26th parallel
Big Jimmy deals again and steals a smoke
Nobody minds ’cause he’s a real good bloke
The bets are rising and so’s the sweat
And they go na na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
Belinda’s bored so she clicks on the tele
Someone yells out to turn it down
Zac the dog is lying on its belly
Tongue out and na na na na
Waiting for the cyclone ain’t really much fun
na na na na na na na na na na
Waiting for the cyclone ain’t really much fun
na na na na na na na na na na
na na na na na na na na na na
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DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX
Martin Cilia and I wrote this song around 1991. I wanted to make a statement about the importance of including one another into our culture. It’s a country feel with a bridge inspired by Brian Wilson. It was a perfect vehicle for my wife Nicole for her country rock album. Video by Tom Henderson. (hit the title above) If you want more Nicole’s CD is available from the Dave Warner store.
NO FENCES (warner-cilia)There was a time this land was one and there was no divide
Then for a while, things went wrong
But now it’s time to tear things down and start again
No fences in my heart now baby in my heart now people in my heart
No fences in our heads now brother in our heads now brother in our heads
This land began without these fences
Tear them down a whole new world commences
We don’t need to build a wall
All we need for harmony is love that’s all
No fences on the land now people on the land now people on the land
No fences in the law now brother like before now sister in the law
This land began without these fences
Tear them down a whole new world commences
We don’t need to build a wall
All we need for harmony is love that’s all
And when our hearts have no more fences
That’s when night ends and day commences
And suddenly we’re free, truly free
No fences in my heart now baby in my heart now people in my heart
No fences in our heads now brother in our heads now brother in our heads
This land began without these fences
Tear them down a whole new world commences
No fences on the land now people on the land now people on the land
No fences in the law now brother like before now sister in the law
No fences in my heart now baby in my heart now people in my heart
No fences in our heads now brother in our heads now brother in our heads
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January 17, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #21
This track was not played by the band all that often. I think I may have written it on the first tour in 1978 but I’m hazy on it and can’t even remember all the lyrcis. The live recording at the Vic at least captures it but the words are too hard to hear in parts. Anyway, it certainly belongs here as an Aussie Warner song. The lyrics are unintentionally apt – about the epidemic sweeping the east – and yes, the mineral wealth from WA is what has kept the rest of the country going during the malaise. BTW if anybody can make out the lyrics better than me, or less likely, remembers them, please let me know. Certainly the band couldn;t recall and nor could the suburban generals. (Hit the title for the Spotify link).
WELCOME TO THE HOSPITAL
Welcome to the hospital
I know you’ll have a comfortable stay
We’ve got the world’s best beers from Darwin town
And fresh blood from WA
Welcome to the hospital
I know you’ll have a comfortable stay
We’ve got the world’s best beers from Darwin town
And fresh blood from W …. WA
Riff – uptempo
Welcome to the hospital
I know you’ll have a comfortable stay
We’ve got the world’s best beers from Darwin town
And fresh blood from WA
These are you physicians Doctors Melbourne and Sydney
If they occasionally fight like cats in the night
It’s just professional rivalry
Well only last week the doctor said ……….
from Queensland town
The patient was ailing and the op was failing
And the blood supply was down
(don’t know ) Quench his thirst
But the people there were all ?
Doctor Melbourne had to get there first
Sister Adelaide she’s nowhere near as highly paid
As Doctor Syd or Doctor Vic
But by now she’s used to it
She’s kept herself for many years by carefully playing on their fears
She’s been a lover to them both
And though they hate her they’re both loathe
To make the break complete and final
In each she sides with each’s rival
Oh that strange little man with the (?) in his hand ? stringer?
He’s got (nowhere to stay he’s ?) from WA
And ?
Just relax the staff here are real friendly
And they know what’s best for you
If you’re feeling ill from the doctor’s pill
Perth’s blood will pull you through
Welcome to the hospital
I know you’ll have a comfortable stay
We’ve got the world’s best beers from Darwin town
And fresh blood from WA
Let me document our history
We lived on cheap sheep’s back first
Then Kalgoorlie stopped us growing too old
We found the blood we needed in Perth
Everyone here was worried when epidemics swept the east
But Mineral cores from our western shores
Ensured we were back on our feet
So God knows without our Perth blood our future would be very dim
But if the west keeps quiet and adheres to our diet
We can grow while they go thin
chorus
January 16, 2022
John Dennison AKA One Armed Bandit – integral to the Suburbs sound.
January 15, 2022
Dave’s Australia Day Advent Jukebox #19
One of my hard rock numbers from the 1979 Correct Weight album. Has a few of my favourite lyrics in here. (`these streets aren’t safe for violence any more’) Live Johnny and Tony ripped this up. (hit title for Spotify link. if you don’t have Spotify you can download here)
JOEY BLACK
My name is Joey Black
I grew up by the dock
Never had good school reports
Fighting was my only sport
But lately times have changed
Everything’s been rearranged
Now I find I don’t belong
On the streets that I once roamed
These streets aren’t safe for violence any more
All the trendies do’s restore restore restore
And that’s a boor
They ride their bicycles
Where we raced our cars
They take the billiard rooms
And turn them into flash wine bars
They talk about equality
But the chicks don’t talk to me
I tell you that these streets
Aren’t what they used to be
These streets aren’t safe for violence any more
They stink of lawyers’ dope
That’s hidden in the floor
These streets aren’t safe for violence any more
All I ever wanted was to own the family house
But I can’t afford it
So I’m moving further out
They’ll take their photographs and write their poetry
About the emptiness of the new life that I lead
They’ll try to keep me out by changing all the rules
They’ll drink their funny tea
Say money is for fools
Well I tell you I want all the money I can get
‘Cause that’s the only way
A guy like me can get ahead
And when I’m rich enough I’ll bring back all my friends
And these streets will ring
To violence once again.
January 14, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #18
Second single for Mushroom, a football-themed disco-rock number. Mixing footy with pop music was just too ahead of its time. Or maybe it wasn’t very good? Though I reckon it’s not bad at all. Those who have purchased a MUGS GAME VINYL DOUBLE ALBUM REISSUE get this as one of the tracks on the second bonus LP that goes with the original Mugs Game. (hit the title above to see the video)
FREE KICKS
When you’re parked with your lover and outside all is dark
Or making love with another under cover from the rain in a park
Be sure you abide by the rules that make smart men brave and brave men fools
Refrain from action if in doubt ’cause if you overstep the mark
It’s certain someone will shout
Free Kick (Free Kicks) * 2
I knew a man once who held society in his palm
He was a winner and a winger he pushed women in the back with his charm.
He was never offside but he was always pretty off when he spoke
And I envied this man ’cause I was such an average bloke
Then one day he broke the rules got drunk at a discotheque
Society threw him out trippin’ up a debutante and grabbing round the neck
Free Kick (Free Kicks) * 2
I once went out with the same girl for nearly a year
She loved me so much she’d wait while I mated my beer
My concession to her was the same drive-in every week
I thought I could do what I liked and she’d never crack
But I retained possession too long and when I finally let her go
The siren had gone
My goals were empty before me
So berated and frustrated I hit the referee
Free Kick (Free Kicks) * 2
So if you can’t play by the rules I suggest you better not play at all
I hate players who yell “trip” when all the time they’re holding the ball
If you pick the time to end you can’t expect to pick the time to start
When you meddle with emotion
You’re liable to get hurt yourself and break somebody’s heart
Free Kicks and play out.
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January 13, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #17
In my Pus days (1973-75) I developed the idea of satirical monologue over a riff with Throbbing Knob. At the same time Pus was playing The Fugs’ ‘Couldn’t Get High.’ When I wrote ‘Mugs Game’ in late 1976 I was fusing personal romantic hurt with a satricial observation of nightclub dating rituals, and borrowing heavily on the Fugs musical two-chord style. I suppose it is one of my most well-known or infamous songs, and the Tee-shirt remains in hot demand. This video clip was done by Louise Lowson in Alice Springs many years ago. I think it’s real fun and hope you enjoy it. (Hit the Mugs Game title for the video) BTW I am still looking to sell the Mugs Game Double Vinyl Reissue. I was planning to sell at live gigs but there’s been virtually none of those since the album was released. Even if you have the original you may want to pick one of these up. There is a whole extra album of early demos and unreleased tracks to go with the original songs. Hobo Jacks at 21 Queen St, Busselton stocks them too and can get them to you.
January 12, 2022
DAVE’S AUSTRALIA DAY ADVENT JUKEBOX #16
Something different today – I’m not the singer, although it’s still in the family. For my jukebox number today I’m handing over to Nicole. This is the opening track on her album `Forever And A Day‘. (HIT THE TITLE BIG LAND TO SEE THE VIDEO)
The song Big Land was written I think about 1991. The tune and lyrics came to me around the time Martin Cilia were working up a lot of country ideas, and so the two of us then shaped the song into what it is now. Tony Cooper did a fabulous job on the video for us.
Hope you enjoy it: it is definitely very Australian.
BIG LAND (D.Warner & M.Cilia)
Here I am stuck on the highway at night
My car broke down but I’m feeling alright
I left the city with my pre-conceptions on
But five weeks on the road
And all my self-deception’s blown
This is a big land and the people got a big heart
I left the smog and headed for the bush
With this old car some dreams and not much cash
Well I mislaid my dreams
But I found my self-esteem
And I made friends in Perth and Cairns
And every tin shack in between
This is a big land and the people got a big heart
The land is big and the people got a big heart
From the Murrumbidgee on up through Arnhem Land
Nothing’s gonna stop you if you got a helping hand
This is a big land and the people got a big heart
Looking out at the Southern Aurora I touched infinity
And standing on a Darwin beach I smelled the Arafura Sea wash over me
This is a big land and the people got a big heart
From the Murrumbidgee on up through Arnhem Land
Nothing’s gonna stop you if you got a helping hand
This is a big land and the people got a big heart.
MARTIN, HOWIE SHAWCROSS, DAVE – DARWIN AND ALICE TOUR WRECKED BY ANSETT STRIKE
