Solid Rock and Razor’s Edge are Goanna’s biggies. Unfortunately they didn’t get ongoing success, but these two songs showed how good their songwriting was, and even with a simple piece of music like this it’s got a lot of thought and musicianship in its execution. The gentle nature of this one reminds me of Richard Clayton’s Capricorn Dancer, which was written for the soundtrack of a surf movie here in Australia and as a minor link here Razor’s Edge mentions Byron Bay, and Capricorn Dancer was specifically about riding a horse on a beautiful day on the beach at Byron.
I still see them as The Goanna Band, that wee country group in Geelong that had an audience of students and appreciative locals. Great song. One of my dad's favourite on Spirit Of Place album. Thanx for listening to them. I'm sure my parents have a copy of their first EP from the 70's. I can't find any audio on RUclips, but there is an EP from the 70's that has their early country sound. You guys should try Gangajang ''Sounds Of Then''. They're kinda similar.
One of the rare times I listen to a song I already know, and think 'hmmm... this is actually a good song now that I don't have a video to distract me''. I don't know if they were aiming for an early 70's American sound, or if those elements were already locked in to their sound. It's tough to pin point. Australian folk-musician, Trevor Lucas (ex-Fairport Convention - a UK band), had produced this album. He also produced ''I Was Only 19'' by Redgum. I think Goanna can be tied in with another band called Ganggajang. Both groups told of Australian stories and experiences, threw in a few Australian names and places, and had an Australian accented vocalising that was neither forced nor contrived. The following are worth a look in: GANGgajang - Gimme Some Loving nzoz1984 The Saints - Just Like Fire Would - Official Video - 4K Remaster The Saints - Ghost Ships nzoz1984 I Was Only 19 (Redgum) - Words & Photo Montage
Its actually about people who move to idyllic places in Australia. Not the city. Queensland, Byron and Torquay are places near the beach but people perhaps move there to escape something.
Exactly - it seems to have been an 80s version of that part of 70s Australian youth culture, which espoused abandoning the norms and seeking out some sort of idyllic lifestyle - sort of like hippies almost 20 years after the fact, by the time this song released. However the song also acknowledges in several places that the world will just keep going with us or without us - there being a veiled warning that if you really think you want to check out of society, you better be sure what you're doing, because sooner or later there might be no coming back ...
What a decent song that should be getting more attention. I remember this song struggling after the band's meteoric rise with ''Solid Rock''. I don't think we had the patience for that style of matured songwriting. It's a shame because this song has just gotten better with time, but when you're a kid in Australia, the only thing you want is another ''Solid Rock'' or ''What About Me''.
I am glad you liked it, and thanks for the shout out (sorry for the late comment)…. Here are the lyrics, which include plenty of town names Got a letter from Davie just the other day Living in Queensland was not OK Said he can't find the money just to pay the rent And the food and the herb, well they're just heaven sent He's been living on the razor's edge He trying to touch the sun And he won't fall for that same old trick again And Cathy's alright, she just gets lonely everyday She's living with a dream-world of yesterday And there she is, but here she'll stay "Well it just never works out," she said, "Anyway!" She's been living on the razor's edge And trying to touch the sun She won't fall for that same old trick again Lulu's too tired of living down beside Torquay She's gettin' herself together financially Says "One of these days I'm just gonna lie in the sun" But right now I'm wondering does that day ever come? She's been living on the razor's edge And trying to touch the sun And she won't fall for that same old trick again Got a letter from Davie just the other day And the note just read, "Please come to Byron Bay" Well the heart says "Go" and the head says "Stay" And the big wheels just keep turning everyday Don't go living on a razor's edge Or trying to touch the sun 'Cause you'll just fall for that same old trick again (That's what they tell ya) Well we're living on a razor's edge And trying to touch the sun And we won't fall for that same old trick again Yeah living on a razor's edge And trying to touch the sun And we won't fall for that same old trick again (Oh no... Such a fine line... I was meanin' to write) For me I find this song tied into other Australian music of the time, including Aussie Crawl. It’s ear candy ❤❤❤❤
You may be right! Not sure if you read what I have said about these guys, but I used to see Goanna live when my family would visit relatives in Geelong. They were a Country band before doing whatever they're doing on this track. ha ha. I just had a crazy flashback of an old German song I remember in the 80's called ''Guardian Angel'' by Masquerade. Do you remember that song? Hanier family, please add to your list Masquerade ''Guardian Angel''.
@@liveitup67 - Good day to you! 😊☀ Yes, I did read that comment of yours, in the 'Solid Rock' reaction video. And I've really been enjoying you and also others sharing their memories around certain music, too! 😀👍 Like I'd mentioned already before: The community aspect has been my main motivation for following channels like this one, rather than desperately needing the channel owner(s) getting to know the songs I like; I regard Cynthia & Chris mostly as our hosts who are kindly providing this forum for us to communicate in, while I often discover new (to me) songs together with them 😊 By the way, I did not get notified about this comment, for some reason!? Did you see I responded to your "Peace + Mindfulness" reply meanwhile, too? ☺ And yes, of course I remember 'Guardian Angel' and Masquerade, LOL! 😄 My dear Mum had LOVED that song, too! 😊 And also quite impressive that it had made it aaall the way to Australia! 😃👍 Do you perhaps remember any other songs from Germany?
@@mightyV444 I remember The Twins! A girl was chasing the two guys in the video, and some of my friends made fun of me, saying that I looked like her. I can't remember the name of the song. I never took note on which part of Europe certain acts came from. We did get a lot of European stuff in Australia, and due to a world channel called SBS, we got further exposure to Europe films, shows, music. SBS has always been a fringe channel, and not necessarily mainstream. I remember Trio ''Da Da Da'' being a Top 10 hit. I had that single, and I also had Falco ''Der Kommissar'' - the latter being German. And I loved Nena! I did answer your question about mindfulness. I don't know if my response disappeared or what went on.
Solid Rock and Razor’s Edge are Goanna’s biggies. Unfortunately they didn’t get ongoing success, but these two songs showed how good their songwriting was, and even with a simple piece of music like this it’s got a lot of thought and musicianship in its execution.
The gentle nature of this one reminds me of Richard Clayton’s Capricorn Dancer, which was written for the soundtrack of a surf movie here in Australia and as a minor link here Razor’s Edge mentions Byron Bay, and Capricorn Dancer was specifically about riding a horse on a beautiful day on the beach at Byron.
Four weeks gone is also a great track that not many has heard. Loved them at the time. Still got the record but haven't played it in 30 years.
One of my favourites, grew up with this song all through the 80's in Melbourne. Love Goanna
I still see them as The Goanna Band, that wee country group in Geelong that had an audience of students and appreciative locals. Great song. One of my dad's favourite on Spirit Of Place album.
Thanx for listening to them. I'm sure my parents have a copy of their first EP from the 70's. I can't find any audio on RUclips, but there is an EP from the 70's that has their early country sound. You guys should try Gangajang ''Sounds Of Then''. They're kinda similar.
One of the rare times I listen to a song I already know, and think 'hmmm... this is actually a good song now that I don't have a video to distract me''.
I don't know if they were aiming for an early 70's American sound, or if those elements were already locked in to their sound. It's tough to pin point. Australian folk-musician, Trevor Lucas (ex-Fairport Convention - a UK band), had produced this album. He also produced ''I Was Only 19'' by Redgum.
I think Goanna can be tied in with another band called Ganggajang. Both groups told of Australian stories and experiences, threw in a few Australian names and places, and had an Australian accented vocalising that was neither forced nor contrived.
The following are worth a look in:
GANGgajang - Gimme Some Loving nzoz1984
The Saints - Just Like Fire Would - Official Video - 4K Remaster
The Saints - Ghost Ships nzoz1984
I Was Only 19 (Redgum) - Words & Photo Montage
Its actually about people who move to idyllic places in Australia. Not the city. Queensland, Byron and Torquay are places near the beach but people perhaps move there to escape something.
Exactly - it seems to have been an 80s version of that part of 70s Australian youth culture, which espoused abandoning the norms and seeking out some sort of idyllic lifestyle - sort of like hippies almost 20 years after the fact, by the time this song released.
However the song also acknowledges in several places that the world will just keep going with us or without us - there being a veiled warning that if you really think you want to check out of society, you better be sure what you're doing, because sooner or later there might be no coming back ...
What a decent song that should be getting more attention. I remember this song struggling after the band's meteoric rise with ''Solid Rock''. I don't think we had the patience for that style of matured songwriting. It's a shame because this song has just gotten better with time, but when you're a kid in Australia, the only thing you want is another ''Solid Rock'' or ''What About Me''.
What a great album.
I am glad you liked it, and thanks for the shout out (sorry for the late comment)….
Here are the lyrics, which include plenty of town names
Got a letter from Davie just the other day
Living in Queensland was not OK
Said he can't find the money just to pay the rent
And the food and the herb, well they're just heaven sent
He's been living on the razor's edge
He trying to touch the sun
And he won't fall for that same old trick again
And Cathy's alright, she just gets lonely everyday
She's living with a dream-world of yesterday
And there she is, but here she'll stay
"Well it just never works out," she said, "Anyway!"
She's been living on the razor's edge
And trying to touch the sun
She won't fall for that same old trick again
Lulu's too tired of living down beside Torquay
She's gettin' herself together financially
Says "One of these days I'm just gonna lie in the sun"
But right now I'm wondering does that day ever come?
She's been living on the razor's edge
And trying to touch the sun
And she won't fall for that same old trick again
Got a letter from Davie just the other day
And the note just read, "Please come to Byron Bay"
Well the heart says "Go" and the head says "Stay"
And the big wheels just keep turning everyday
Don't go living on a razor's edge
Or trying to touch the sun
'Cause you'll just fall for that same old trick again
(That's what they tell ya)
Well we're living on a razor's edge
And trying to touch the sun
And we won't fall for that same old trick again
Yeah living on a razor's edge
And trying to touch the sun
And we won't fall for that same old trick again
(Oh no... Such a fine line... I was meanin' to write)
For me I find this song tied into other Australian music of the time, including Aussie Crawl.
It’s ear candy ❤❤❤❤
The verses remind me a bit of 'Back On The Chain Gang' by the Pretenders, just slower 😊
You may be right! Not sure if you read what I have said about these guys, but I used to see Goanna live when my family would visit relatives in Geelong. They were a Country band before doing whatever they're doing on this track. ha ha.
I just had a crazy flashback of an old German song I remember in the 80's called ''Guardian Angel'' by Masquerade. Do you remember that song?
Hanier family, please add to your list Masquerade ''Guardian Angel''.
@@liveitup67 - Good day to you! 😊☀ Yes, I did read that comment of yours, in the 'Solid Rock' reaction video. And I've really been enjoying you and also others sharing their memories around certain music, too! 😀👍 Like I'd mentioned already before: The community aspect has been my main motivation for following channels like this one, rather than desperately needing the channel owner(s) getting to know the songs I like; I regard Cynthia & Chris mostly as our hosts who are kindly providing this forum for us to communicate in, while I often discover new (to me) songs together with them 😊 By the way, I did not get notified about this comment, for some reason!? Did you see I responded to your "Peace + Mindfulness" reply meanwhile, too? ☺ And yes, of course I remember 'Guardian Angel' and Masquerade, LOL! 😄 My dear Mum had LOVED that song, too! 😊 And also quite impressive that it had made it aaall the way to Australia! 😃👍 Do you perhaps remember any other songs from Germany?
@@mightyV444 I remember The Twins! A girl was chasing the two guys in the video, and some of my friends made fun of me, saying that I looked like her. I can't remember the name of the song. I never took note on which part of Europe certain acts came from. We did get a lot of European stuff in Australia, and due to a world channel called SBS, we got further exposure to Europe films, shows, music. SBS has always been a fringe channel, and not necessarily mainstream. I remember Trio ''Da Da Da'' being a Top 10 hit. I had that single, and I also had Falco ''Der Kommissar'' - the latter being German. And I loved Nena!
I did answer your question about mindfulness. I don't know if my response disappeared or what went on.
Maybe the Pretenders heard this song then as this was on Goannas 1982 album and the Pretenders released that in 1985.
@@iankearns774 - Nah. 'Back On The Chain Gang' is also from '82. It's just coincidence that the chord patterns are similar 😊