Cold Chisel - Flame Trees Lyrics






Kids out driving Saturday afternoon pass me by
I'm just savouring familiar sights
We share some history, this town and I
And I can't stop that long forgotten feeling of her
Time to book a room to stay tonight

Number one is to find some friends to say "You're doing well
After all this time you boys look just the same"
Number two is the happy hour at one of two hotels
Settle in to play "Do you remember so and so?"
Number three is never say her name

Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
There's no change, there's no pace
Everything within its place
Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

Oh, who needs that sentimental bullshit, anyway
You know it takes more than just a memory to make me cry
And I'm happy just to sit here round a table with old friends
And see which one of us can tell the biggest lies

And there's a girl, she's falling in love near where the pianola stands
With her young local factory out-of-worker, just holding hands
And I'm wondering if he'll go or if he'll stay...

Do you remember, nothing stopped us on the field
In our day

Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
There's no change, there's no pace
Everything within its place
Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
There's no change, there's no pace
Everything within its place
Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around





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Cold Chisel Flame Trees Comments
  1. P.... D....

    42 secs, that face.

  2. W.... D....

    Listening on Aussie/Invasion day, good song no matter wat culture

  3. S.... W....

    Can’t wait to see these guys tonight 👌🏼

  4. D.... N....

    MONKSY, R.I.P. M8

  5. A.... ....

    An ol mate of mine recently asked the question on Facebook... "What is the greatest Cold Chisel song of all time?" I commented, "Flame Trees, surely!" He replied, "Not even close." We're not friends anymore.

  6. T.... f....

    That dosent look like Elizabeth mate

  7. D.... B....

    Just seen Chisel for the first time in over 35 years at their Blood Moon show and their Flame Tree's rendition was out of this world, still the greatest Aussie pub band EVER

  8. S.... t....

    This was my mum and dad's song. I remember mum telling me once when dad had to go to the states on a business trip, he played this song to her over the phone. Since then I see how special it was to them, and how special it is to Australia as a whole.

  9. X.... L....

    This is the most Australian song ever written. Wow... ...it hits you right in the middle of your heart.

  10. M.... H....

    I always think of Shaun Joyce from Sounds NZ when I hear this. Just saying.

  11. L.... ....

    Australia right now

  12. R.... W....

    Back when Jimmy could still sing decently without having to scream.

  13. H.... ....

    NAB lol

  14. A.... L....

    The Classic Northern Rivers Anthem, of New South Wales, Australia. Thank YOU

  15. L.... S....

    I’m not from Australia (American here, how ya doing?) and would it be safe to say that Cold Chisel is your version of our Bruce Springsteen?

    I get those vibes (although this reminds me more of Bob Seger in terms of sound)

    L.... S....

    There's probably a big over-lap of Springsteen and Chisel fans. "Flame Trees" is, in my opinion, the most Springsteen-like of all Chisel songs.

  16. M.... B....

    Thank u for the music...love it

  17. T.... T....

    When the song ended i had a mullet

    T.... T....

    This comment is so underrated hahahahaha

    T.... T....

    I didn't have a mullet, but I was wearing a beanie...

  18. M.... T....

    I don't like the "bullshwoot".

  19. M.... S....

    I wasn't a big Chisel fan back in the day, but as the years slipped on by I warmed to Jimmy's screeching vocals. Still not a devotee of everything they did, but I absolutely acknowledge that they have written and sung a good half dozen truly great songs. That cannot be said for more than about forty bands in the entire history of music.

  20. J.... B....

    "There's a girl, she's fallin' in love - near where the pianola stands - with a young local factory auto worker" None of THEM left in the county now, thanks to our 'economically rational' coalition government...

    J.... B....

    You're right. I haven't seen a pianola for years!

    J.... B....

    Yep it's not the fact that unions demanded way to much while already having plenty and how expensive it is to do business in this country

    J.... B....

    'Demanding' unions, ay? Have you any idea of where we'd be now without them? Pretty much the same as every other Asian country that churns out their crap on poverty-level wages. And, as is usual for somebody who obviously knows next to nothing about Australia's recent history, you make no mention of the country subsidising industries who've ripped us off at every turn for decades and given us sweet #U<&-all in return (fossil fuel companies being the worst offenders), or tax loopholes for the rich that you could sail the Titanic through, or turning a blind eye to the financial sector whilst they ripped people off to the point of bankruptcy, or how Australian workers lived in near-poverty until they organised themselves, shouted "Enough!" and 'demanded' (there's that word again...) decent wages and conditions. The only reason it's "expensive" to do business in this country (and, actually, it isn't) is that the multi-nationals just don't want to pay a decent wage. Why do you think they do so much business in Asia, otherwise? It isn't because of their big hearts, matey. It's because they'll take all they can get and then some, and #U<& anybody who gets in their way. Wake up, man! They don't need you spreading their propaganda; they've go Murdoch's grimy rags to do that for them.

    J.... B....

    Wow, Spam Dance - they're great powers of observation, you have...

  21. s.... s....

    cant wait to see em in adelaide jan 4th 2020

  22. M.... W....

    My all time favourite song

  23. s.... k....

    Who needs this sentimental bullshit it November 2019 we all do😍

  24. L.... N....

    Apparently the band broke up the night before they made this vid, that explains why Jimmy Barnes isnt in it. They put the footage of the band in on the TV in the hotel cos thats the only way they could get him in the video. .I thought that was just a creative choice the director had made and thought ''wow, what a really cool approach '' ;-)

  25. S.... ....

    "And I'm wondering if he'll go or if he'll stay" - Lightning round poll! I say he goes.

  26. x.... E....

    This music was the jam in me mums car

  27. N.... ....

    Not sure about the flame trees but the f'ken jacarandas are out.

  28. R.... C....

    The best

  29. P.... B....

    I think we can handle hearing sentimental bullsh*t if we all Chisel fans

  30. B.... M....

    Jimmy Barnes is one of the greatest singers to exist throughout mankind

  31. J.... S....

    By far the best ever Chisels song.

  32. b.... ....

    Iconic xoxo

  33. h.... ....

    Cold Chisel were ingrained with what it was to be Australian in the 70s and 80s.
    They didnt make it overseas and in the end they didn't really care to.

    h.... ....

    Overseas had nothing they want, nothing they need...

  34. B.... A....

    Jimmy singing voice sounds great without the screaming.

  35. N.... ....

    I love Cold Chisel.

  36. N.... ....

    An Australian era sadly long gone...wtf happened to our once great country? today = $1 mil for a home.. $700 k for apartments that fall apart..call centres offshore..no more Holdens built in Australia...numbnuts with "smart phones" no more ciggies in pubs....lockout laws in NSW..Fair Dinkum the "flame trees" were burnt to the friggin ground by the bloody galahs in power who sold us out big league...for a so called "better world" Struth! that'll do me..

  37. P.... S....

    I wish I could go back to the Australia we all knew back then...

  38. R.... G....

    This song used to be nowadays nobody cares sad as

  39. K.... V....

    RIP my beautiful Mum.

  40. L.... O....

    Number 3 is never say her name.

  41. z.... ....

    I'm glad I lived through the period this song takes place. It was a bit tough with inflation and unemployment but Cold Chisel understood that and wrote songs that defined it.

  42. t.... w....

    up grafton

  43. B.... S....

    Don Walker is from Grafton, so I guess the "flame trees" are the Jacarandas in November. This is easily my favourite Cold Chisel song.

  44. t.... G....

    Hello from Detroit, Michigan, my adopted hometown. For the first time in my (long) life, I'm feeling a little homesick. I'm from Sydney, but I have friends all over Australia. Thanks to YouTube and the person who uploaded this classic song. It's obvious how much this song is loved and how much it means to so many people.

  45. L.... Z....

    Shes Gone Now! Passed on 2008 But I still wear our wedding Band Rest easy Girl

  46. C.... S....

    Love how all the boys get a cameo. Well except Jim. Maybe they were fighting or near the end at that stage.

    C.... S....

    I read somewhere that by the time they came to making the video, Jimmy had taken off to the US to pursue his solo career.

  47. P.... C....

    The anthem of most young Australians of the time.
    Is this one of the best Australian songs ever??

  48. P.... E....

    In my top 10 songs of all time.....it's sitting up there with tunes from Elvis, Gunners, Zep, Beatles.....a phenomenal song. Chisel could have ruled the world, but the stars never aligned for whatever reason.....still, they'll forever be regarded in Australia as the greatest local talent.

  49. D.... S....

    I love this video so atmospheric

  50. J.... B....

    Magnificently filmed video clip. Australia in the early 1980s!

  51. L.... ....

    Just wondering if Beyoncé or Kanye West’s songs will have this sentimental feel to them in 35 years. I don’t think I recall hearing this song back in the day but hearing it today brings back something from my subconscious mind.

  52. J.... V....

    This.


    In my opinion, this is the song that perfectly reflects on your life and what makes you individual: growing up, first love, mistakes, regrets and triumphs.

  53. �.... ....

    Ladies and gentlemen please rise for the national anthem
    This song evokes such strong emotions

  54. l.... V....

    They wern't just a Pub Rock Band, they were a huge part of an Australian era.
    And, what an era!
    IAN MOSS

  55. M.... S....

    Oh God the memories that come flooding back to this song ...bloody classic aussie rock
    I miss the 80's in Australia
    They wern't just a Pub Rock Band, they were a huge part of an Australian era.
    And, what an era!

  56. n.... a....

    one of the greatest examples of 1980s Australia in sound ever.
    The anthem of most young Australians of the time.
    One of the GREATEST songs ever!

  57. P.... L....

    one of the greatest examples of 1980s Australia in sound ever.
    100x better than the rubbish the kids are listening to these days.

  58. P.... D....

    100x better than the rubbish the kids are listening to these days.
    Ladies and gentlemen please rise for the national anthem

  59. P.... F....

    3:03 Spine chilling brilliance at it's best.
    Could be Aussie # 1 All-time tune
    Is this one of the best Australian songs ever??

    P.... F....

    Pascal Fallegger I agree

    P.... F....

    Written by an Oz/Scouser that just happens to be my dads cousin... RIP STEVE PRESTWICH

  60. s.... k....

    I love my hometown love you Oberon love you people out there with my heart ♥

  61. F.... I....

    Smoking in pubs. Lol. The good ol’ days.

  62. N.... L....

    This song evokes such strong emotions
    The anthem of most young Australians of the time.
    Is this one of the best Australian songs ever??

  63. R.... H....

    When music was music...in Australia anyway.

  64. V.... M....

    ...And I can't stop that long forgotten feeling of her...
    The anthem of most young Australians of the time.

  65. L.... G....

    Great classic Aussie song.

  66. E.... D....

    One of the best, these guys will never be forgotten. On every juke box/music machine in Australia in every pub...

  67. k.... ....

    What a f*cking tuuuuuune!

  68. J.... S....

    Absolute Chisel classic. Loved his voice on this song.

  69. M.... I....

    I have the line "who needs that sentimental bullshit anyway..." tattooed from my wrist to my shoulder :)

  70. R.... C....

    Mean aussie mean

  71. P.... E....

    The outro with the melody in full swing, the harmonies, the band flooring it, with those visuals......the lyrics are absolutely gorgeous. IMO, the most beautiful, Australian, rock song ever. How can you watch this and not look back at a past lover with reflection, memories and even a little regret.

  72. L.... L....

    Don Walker wrote what has become the definitive Autralian love/rock ballad. Perfect in every way.🤘🖤🤘

    L.... L....

    Don’t forget Steve’s music))

    L.... L....

    @MRDARKTURKEY Yes, absolutely. A perfect partnership created a most beautiful song.

    L.... L....

    L. Lisa Wilson well said😊

  73. d.... ....

    Someone snowflake's mucked around with this soundtrack to delete the "bullshit".

  74. p.... l....

    bullshit...there I said it, pathetic in this day and age, if you don't understand just turn on the television, go to the movies, listen to the so called music trending today, what a sad world its turned out to be

  75. J.... C....

    Gives me goose bumps

  76. K.... B....

    "But Oh! Who needs that sentimental bullshit, anyway
    Takes more than just a memory to make me cry
    "
    Terrific!


    How come this band never broke through outside Oz??
    I don't get it - they're amazing. By any standards!


    I'm a Pommy bastard - I was introduced to these guys in about '86 by an old mate who had emigrated to Brisbane with his parents and did exactly what this song is about - came home for a couple of days to look up old mates and talk about the "good old days" over a few too many beers. Haven't seen him since, but he left me a cassette with "Radio Songs" on it. Thanks Mark!!
    This band is just fucking great - I've seen them described as a Pub Band - that is underestimating them! Mind you, I'd have loved to have seen them in a pub!
    Seen Jimmy Barnes 4 or 5 times in Europe though. Also amazing! Especially the Freight Train Heart tour!


    Anyway - Thank You Australia :) I love it, the rest of the stupid wankers have no idea what they missed.

  77. T.... M....

    No iphone zombies allowed at that pub! Real people! Real feelings!

  78. M.... D....

    One of the greatest song on Earth

  79. F.... B....

    Somebody should make a movie based on this song. Who was she? Girlfriend? Relative? Piano teacher?

  80. S.... S....

    Chisels and Stones the greatest rock bands of all time, for my money.

  81. A.... G....

    Greatest song ever. Really. Of all time.

    A.... G....

    Maybe not the greatest, but definitely my favourite of all time))

  82. l.... y....

    r.i.p Holden

  83. M.... S....

    3:30 you are a robot if you cant fell the emotion radiating of him

  84. J.... V....

    Murica’ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

    J.... V....

    wtf Straya 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

  85. a.... ....

    first time i seen this clip, expected the girl and the factory worker to be younger lol. jimmys best vocals, hold me tight off barking spiders second best

    a.... ....

    aylyan listen to ‘Sing to me’ off Twentieth Century...

    a.... ....

    that's pretty good, i don't think he really lets go on it though

    a.... ....

    aylyan no.. but really shows his range..

  86. B.... L....

    I first heard Chisel singing this at their Last Stand concert. It was so new - before the Twentieth Century album was released - that a few of them were playing from sheet music and I think Barnsey forgot some of the lyrics. That was a while ago now!

  87. M.... B....

    How good is the old Aussie cars

  88. R.... J....

    Idk but this song reminds me of Darwin Northern Territory 😢

  89. v.... b....

    i was in the navy for a few years, my best mate in the navy was from Oberon and he always liked this song and told me it was filmed in his hometown i told him it was about my hometown grafton shit story but either way good song and always made us think of home

  90. C.... B....

    this always makes me cry

  91. T.... ....

    The 400 peeps who disliked this were peeps who were upside down and thought it was the like button.

  92. T.... ....

    My favourite music video of all time

  93. P.... J....

    Kids out driving saturday afternoon just pass me by
    And I'm just savouring familiar sights
    We share some history, this town and I
    And I can't stop that long forgotten feeling of her

    Try to book a room and stay tonight
    Number one is to find some friends to say "you're doing well"
    After all this time you boys look just the same
    Number two is the happy hour at one of two hotels
    Settle in to play "do you remember so and so?"

    Number three is never say her name
    Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
    And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
    There's no change, there's no pace, everything within its place
    Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around...

    But oh! Who needs that sentimental bullshit, anyway?
    Takes more than just a memory to make me cry
    And I'm happy just to sit here at a table with old friends
    And see which one of us can tell the biggest lies!

    And there's a girl, she's falling in love near - where the pianola stands
    With a young local factory auto worker just holding hands
    And I'm wondering if he'll go or if he'll stay
    Do you remember, nothing stopped us on the field
    In our day?

    Oh the flame trees will blind the weary driver
    And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
    There's no change, there's no pace
    Everything within its place
    Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

    Oh! The flame trees will blind the weary driver
    And there's nothing else could set fire to this town
    There's no change, there's no pace
    Everything within its place
    Just makes it harder to believe that she won't be around

    Songwriters: Steve Prestwich / Don Walker
    Flame Trees lyrics © O/B/O Apra Amcos

  94. K.... ....

    Always brings tear to my eye. Every time.

  95. e.... b....

    HQ's, XA's and Chisel.....

  96. M.... ....

    Growing up in Smithfield Plains and living in Elizabeth now , (I stay for my kids otherwise i'd be gone) worked at Holdens . Growing up in the 80's without Jimmy Barnes music wouldnt have been the same .
    My dad to used to come home drunk , left mum with no money , fights at the end of Saturday nights , my parents drinking at my grandparents place .
    " We share some history, this town and I "
    Thankyou Jimmy , its how we end that matters not how we start . Most of all Thankyou Jesus Christ for saving me from myself and this heartbreaking world .

    M.... ....

    MrJohnboy1965 Stay Strong CHAMP!!

    M.... ....

    know the Way
    Thanks buddy , i am in Christ staying strong . God Bless .

    M.... ....

    MrJohnboy1965 PRINCE,FREE!!ENJOY!!From the 1999 Album💪🙏

  97. A.... ....

    I knew this song was going to be a classic the day I heard it the day it came out

  98. R.... G....

    I've travelled around this world and seen the sights. But believe me, theirs no better country than Australia and our way of life. Wouldn't trade it for quids mate.