Electric Blue: Icehouse’s 1987 Synth-Rock Triumph
In 1987, Icehouse dropped Electric Blue, a synth-rock gem that soared to No. 1 on the Kent Music Report. Released on Regular Records (K 389), it charted for 28 weeks, held No. 1 for one week, and went platinum. Co-written by Iva Davies and John Oates of Hall & Oates, produced by David Lord, it was the second single from Man of Colours. Displacing Los Lobos’ La Bamba and replaced by Jimmy Barnes’ Too Much Ain’t Enough Love, it was Icehouse’s only Australian chart-topper. Let’s dive into its Sydney roots, chart success, and why it’s still a radio classic.
From Pub Rock to Synth Glory
Icehouse, formed in Sydney in 1977 as Flowers, were led by Iva Davies (vocals, guitar), with Keith Welsh (bass), Ashley Sharpe (guitar), and Don Brown (drums). By ’87, they’d shifted from pub rock to slick synth-rock. Electric Blue, a shimmering love song co-written with John Oates, had a hook that grabbed you. Recorded for Man of Colours in Sydney and Melbourne with David Lord, Davies’ soaring vocals and lush synths made it a radio and club hit. Its glossy video—moody lighting, ’80s cool—was pure nostalgia. I rocked a Starsky cardigan back then, knitted by my mum—proper ’80s vibes!
Chart Success
Charting on August 31st, ’87, as catalogue number K 389, Electric Blue hit No. 1 on November 16th, ousting La Bamba. It held for one week until Barnes’ Too Much Ain’t Enough Love took over, running 28 weeks. Icehouse’s sole Australian No. 1, it went platinum and hit No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100—a massive win for an Aussie act. The B-side, Over My Head, kept the synth vibe.
The ’87 Scene
In 1987, Australia’s music scene buzzed with Jimmy Barnes’ raw rock, INXS’s global rise, and Pseudo Echo’s synth-pop. Icehouse’s slick, emotive sound stood out. Electric Blue’s polished production and Oates’ co-writing cred gave it international flair. Its Countdown video ruled TV screens, and Davies’ brooding charm won fans. Unlike The Divinyls’ edge or Midnight Oil’s grit, Electric Blue mixed pub rock roots with radio gloss, drawing clubbers and casual listeners alike.
Why It Endures
Electric Blue made Icehouse Aussie icons. Man of Colours topped the ARIA Albums Chart, selling over 700,000 copies, and they toured with The Cars and Eurythmics. A classic on retro stations, cover bands, and ’80s playlists, it’s pure nostalgia. Icehouse, still led by Iva Davies, performs it as a signature hit. A ’87 time capsule, it takes you back to a mate’s Commodore, windows down, singing along. Got an Electric Blue memory? I’ve got my Starsky cardigan story—share yours below!