Cheap Wine (song)

Last updated

"Cheap Wine"
Cheap wine.jpg
Single by Cold Chisel
from the album East
B-side "Rising Sun"
Released9 May 1980
RecordedMarch–April 1980, Paradise Studios, Sydney
Genre
Length3:27
Label WEA
Songwriter(s) Don Walker
Producer(s) Mark Opitz
Cold Chisel singles chronology
"Choirgirl"
(1979)		"Cheap Wine"
(1980)		"My Baby"
(1980)

"Cheap Wine" is a 1980 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel. The second single from the album East , it was released in May, a month before the album. [2] It reached number 8 on the Australian charts, the band's first top-ten single, and would eventually remain the band's second highest chart performance. [3] It has been described as, "one of Don's finest commercial songs." [4]

Contents

Details

The song first appeared in live sets in April 1980, and was recorded in one or two takes with no demo. Lyrically, its theme is, "the loss of small pleasures in life for greater freedom". [5] Author Walker said, "It's about someone who's on the skids, but still having a great time. I can relate to that - in the seven years Cold Chisel have been together, we've only had enough money to eat the last two and a half. If you get into that lifestyle and start to enjoy it, you tend to stay that way even when the money comes in." [6]

Producer Opitz said, "Cheap Wine" was obviously written as a single, something to follow "Choirgirl". If you listen to it, it has many of the same structural elements - where the chorus falls, where the bridge falls, where the backing vocals come in. And that was no accident." Moss said that he may initially have thought the song was too commercial, but the chord progressions were enough to stop it from being too poppy. [7]

Barnes (front) flanked by Walker and Moss, in the music video Cheap Wine Cold Chisel.png
Barnes (front) flanked by Walker and Moss, in the music video

Composer Don Walker said the song was, "a cobbled together song. The two verses were from two different ideas and the chorus came in quite late, and a middle bit from somewhere else. From memory, this was bolted together on the day, in the frenzy of writing and the euphoria of the first few days at Paradise Studios recording East." [7]

A promotional video was shot for the song, featuring Barnes walking around an apartment, getting dressed, and miming to the song. Shot by Peter Cox, [8] it shows footage of a cockfight in one scene. It was filmed at Roger Langford's apartment in Elizabeth Bay on 10 and 11 April, where the cover for East had been shot. [9] Barnes wore a T-shirt depicting a woman using cocaine, with the logo, "Coke - The Real Thing".

The B-side was Barnes' first solo song-writing credit, "Rising Sun". A rockabilly song, [10] it was inspired by Barnes' then-girlfriend, Jane, travelling to Japan. [11]

Reception

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Cheap Wine"
Problems playing this file? See media help.

The single was picked up by a number of commercial radio stations when released. [4]

Reviewed in RAM at the time of release, it was described as, "another excellent song from Mr Walker, a stunning vocal performance from Jimmy Barnes." The reviewer does note that, "this track may not please some of the die hard head-bashers, but will certainly broaden their appeal via the airwaves." [12]

Rolling Stone Australia called "Cheap Wine", "a wonderful song with a soulful verse and a boogie chorus which sounds momentarily like early Faces." [13] RAM said, "All of Cold Chisel's abilities and image fused into superb rock song. The lovely verse melody over rolling piano, solid chugging chords, one of the best bridges since Dragon's "April Sun in Cuba"... and lyrics for anyone who has looked back through a wine glass darkly." [14]

In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Cheap Wine" was ranked number 41. [15]

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [16] 8

Year-end charts

Chart (1980)Position
Australia (Kent Music Report) [17] 69

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cold Chisel</span> Australian rock band

Cold Chisel are an Australian pub rock band, which formed in Adelaide in 1973 by mainstay members Ian Moss on guitar and vocals, Steve Prestwich on drums and Don Walker on piano and keyboards. They were soon joined by Jimmy Barnes on lead vocals and, in 1975, Phil Small became their bass guitarist. The group disbanded in late 1983 but subsequently reformed several times. Musicologist Ian McFarlane wrote that they became "one of Australia's best-loved groups" as well as "one of the best live bands", fusing "a combination of rockabilly, hard rock and rough-house soul'n'blues that was defiantly Australian in outlook."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khe Sanh (song)</span> 1978 single by Cold Chisel

"Khe Sanh" is the debut single by Australian rock band Cold Chisel, released in May 1978 as a 45 rpm single, and named after the district capital of Hướng Hóa District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam. Written by pianist Don Walker, "Khe Sanh" concerns an Australian Vietnam veteran dealing with his return to civilian life. According to Toby Creswell's liner notes for the band's 1991 compilation album Chisel, the song is also a story of restless youth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flame Trees</span> 1984 song by Cold Chisel

"Flame Trees" is a song by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel from their 1984 album Twentieth Century. One of their best known songs, it was written by drummer Steve Prestwich and keyboardist Don Walker. On its release it reached No. 26 on the Kent Music Report Singles Chart. It resurfaced in August 2011 due to download sales, peaking at No. 54 on the ARIA chart.

<i>The Last Wave of Summer</i> 1998 studio album by Cold Chisel

The Last Wave of Summer is the sixth studio album by Australian pub rock band, Cold Chisel. It was released in October 1998 and reached number-one on The Australian ARIA Charts. It was the band's first studio album in 14 years.

<i>Breakfast at Sweethearts</i> 1979 studio album by Cold Chisel

Breakfast at Sweethearts is the second studio album by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel, released in February 1979. It spent 32 weeks in the national charts, reaching a peak of number 4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When the War Is Over</span> 1982 single by Cold Chisel

"When the War Is Over" is song by Australian band Cold Chisel from their 1982 album Circus Animals. The song was written by drummer Steve Prestwich and issued as the third single from the album, peaking at number 25 on the national singles chart, and also resurfaced in August 2011 due to download sales.

<i>East</i> (Cold Chisel album) 1980 studio album by Cold Chisel

East is the third studio album by Australian pub rock band Cold Chisel, released in June 1980. The album peaked at No. 2 and spent 63 weeks on the national chart. It was the biggest-selling Australian album release of the year. It was the only Cold Chisel album to chart in America, reaching 171 on the Billboard 200. It also reached number 32 on the New Zealand charts.

<i>Circus Animals</i> 1982 studio album by Cold Chisel

Circus Animals is the fourth studio album by Australian band Cold Chisel, released on 8 March 1982. It was recorded and mixed at Paradise Studios and EMI Studios 301, Sydney, between September and December 1981. It reached number one on the Australian charts, remaining in the charts for 40 weeks, and also topped the New Zealand charts. The working title for the album was "Tunnel Cunts".

<i>Swingshift</i> 1981 live album by Cold Chisel

Swingshift is a live album released by Australian band Cold Chisel in 1981. It was their first album to reach No. 1 on the Australian chart, debuting there in its first week. It peaked at number 9 in New Zealand. A press release said the title referred to, "the midnight to dawn shift that the staff in asylums dread: the hours when the crazies go crazy."

<i>Twentieth Century</i> (Cold Chisel album) 1984 studio album by Cold Chisel

Twentieth Century is the fifth and final studio album by Australian band Cold Chisel until the group reformed in 1998. The album was written and recorded over various sessions during the period of the band's break-up and during breaks in their final tour. It was released in early 1984 and peaked at No. 1 on the Australian albums chart, their third consecutive album to do so. It charted for a total of 46 weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saturday Night (Cold Chisel song)</span> 1984 single by Cold Chisel

"Saturday Night" is a 1984 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel, the second released from the album Twentieth Century and the first to be issued after the band's official break-up. The vocals are shared between Ian Moss and Jimmy Barnes. It just missed out on becoming the band's third Top 10 single, stalling at number 11 on the Australian chart for two weeks, but it remains one of Cold Chisel's highest charting songs.

"My Baby" is a 1980 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel, the third released from the album East and the first of the band's singles not to be written by pianist Don Walker. This was the only track credited solely to bass player Phil Small on any of the band's albums apart from "Notion For You" on the 1994 rarities album Teenage Love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Got Nothing I Want</span> 1981 single by Cold Chisel

"You Got Nothing I Want" is a 1981 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel, the first released from the album Circus Animals. One of the band's heaviest and most aggressive songs, which was written by singer Jimmy Barnes in response to the treatment they received at the hands of a record company executive during a U.S. tour earlier in the year. Don Walker said, "After we came back, Jim wrote 'You Got Nothing I Want' more or less as a personal tribute to Marty Schwartz." "You Got Nothing I Want" was also the first song on the album, and representative of the different sound Cold Chisel was attempting on Circus Animals in a conscious effort to move away from the slick commercial pop rock of East. It spent 19 weeks in the national charts, peaking at number 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Choirgirl (song)</span> 1979 song written by Don Walker performed by Cold Chisel

"Choirgirl" is a song by Australian rock band Cold Chisel, released as the lead single from their third studio album East (1980) in November 1979. A ballad written by Don Walker with an R&B influenced melody, the song marked the first time the band had recorded with producer Mark Opitz. It peaked at No. 14 in Australia on the Kent Music Report.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forever Now (Cold Chisel song)</span> 1982 single by Cold Chisel

"Forever Now" is a song by Australian rock band Cold Chisel. The second single from the album Circus Animals, it was the first Cold Chisel single to be written by Steve Prestwich. The song reached number two in New Zealand and number four in Australia, becoming the band's highest chart placement. In the United States, the song was titled "Forever Now ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold Me Tight (Cold Chisel song)</span> 1983 single by Cold Chisel

"Hold Me Tight" is a 1983 song from Australian rock band Cold Chisel, and appeared on the album Twentieth Century. Released as double A-side single with No Sense it reached number 14 in the Australian charts. Although the song charted, it failed to receive much radio airplay and didn't appear on any later greatest hits compilations.

"Goodbye (Astrid Goodbye)" is a 1978 single from Australian rock band Cold Chisel. Written by keyboardist Don Walker and vocalist Jimmy Barnes, it was released as a single in 1978, peaking at number 65 on the Australian charts. It appeared as a track on the 1979 album Breakfast at Sweethearts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Sense</span> 1983 single by Cold Chisel

"No Sense" is a 1983 song from Australian rock band Cold Chisel, and appeared on the album Twentieth Century. Released as double A-side single with "Hold Me Tight" it reached number 14 in the Australian charts. Receiving more radio airplay of the two songs on the single, it appeared on Cold Chisel's early greatest hits compilations. It has been described as being reggae or "almost ska."

"Breakfast at Sweethearts" is a song from Australian rock band Cold Chisel. Written by keyboardist Don Walker, it was released as a single in 1979, peaking at number 63 on the Australian charts. It appeared as a track on the album of the same name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Things I Love in You</span> 1998 single by Cold Chisel

"The Things I Love in You" is a song by Australian rock band Cold Chisel. It was released in August 1998 as the lead single from their sixth studio album, The Last Wave of Summer (1998). The song peaked at number 10 in Australia and 43 in New Zealand.

References

  1. ↑ Bernard Zuel. "Cold Chisel review: 'Last stand', 30 years after the last one, still brings the house down". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax.
  2. ↑ Donnie Sutherland (27 April 1980). "Sound World". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  3. ↑ David Kent (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. St Ives, New South Wales: Australian Chart Book. p. 72. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  4. 1 2 Michael Lawrence (2012). Cold Chisel: Wild Colonial Boys. Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne Books. p. 129. ISBN   9781877096174.
  5. ↑ Christine Hogan. "Cold Chisel Hammers Hot". Sydney Morning Herald .(Subscription required.)
  6. ↑ Michael Lawrence (2012). Cold Chisel: Wild Colonial Boys. Melbourne, Victoria: Melbourne Books. p. 320. ISBN   9781877096174.
  7. 1 2 Mark Opitz; Luke Wallis; Jeff Jensen (2012). Sophisto-Punk. North Sydney: Ebury Press. p. 89. ISBN   9781742757933.
  8. ↑ "Peter Cox". mvdbase.com. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  9. ↑ Cold Chisel - Vision, DVD liner notes
  10. ↑ Karl Quinn (20 April 2012). "Cold Chisel: live review". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Petrolheads". coldchisel.com. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  12. ↑ "Singles". RAM. Sydney, NSW: Soundtracts Publishing Pty Ltd (13 June 1980): 21.
  13. ↑ Ed St. John (June 1980). "Cold Chisel's Superb East". Rolling Stone Australia. North Sydney, NSW: Silvertongues Pty Ltd.
  14. ↑ Greg Taylor (27 June 1980). "The Man and his Music". RAM. No. 137. Sydney, NSW: Soundtracts Publishing Pty Ltd.
  15. ↑ "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  16. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 68. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  17. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022– via Imgur.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.