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Hoodoo Gurus — Tojo
Album: Stoneage Romeos
Avg rating:
6.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1019









Released: 1984
Length: 3:18
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Tracy, Tracy was angry
A bad mood, a bad mood
I told her that it's an ill wind
Blows no good, blows no good

Then she told me
Tojo never made it
Tojo never made it to Darwin
Tojo never made it
Tojo never made it to Drwin

I said, Tracy, won't you listen, this is Christmas, honey
Don't you go, uh uh, don't you go
She said, David, believe me, I wouldn't miss this for the world
I've got to blow, I've got to blow

She said again
Tojo never made it
Tojo never made it to Darwin
Tojo never made it
Tojo never made it to Darwin

Now she's gone, gone, gone
Just like the wind
I just sigh, I just sigh
But I'm dreaming that I'm gleaming
In her eye, in her eye

But I'll always hear
(Tojo never made it)
Tojo never made it to Darwin
Tojo never made it
Tojo never made it to Darwin
Tojo never made it to Darwin
She said never made it to Darwin
Never made it to Darwin
That year Santa never came
Comments (106)add comment
Big fan of this band.  Saw them recently at Belly Up Tavern and damn if they weren't LOUD!  Still as much fun as they were back in the 80's.  Enjoyed it so much I bought tickets to another show they're doing in the area in Sept.
Posted 8 months ago by ick    [ Reply ]
 adelaide68 wrote:

throw Kamikaze pilot in the mix. Great song to get in your head before dropping into big cold winter waves.

Growing up as an Aussie teen in the 80s, this album was part of my life soundtrack. "Leilani" and "My Girl" are fantastic. The next album (Mars Needs Guitars) has some classics as well.





Posted 9 months ago by adelaide68    [ Reply ]
 bobwoodwardsd wrote:

All us CA surf rat groms grew up listening to the Hoodoo’s in the 80’s. We got turned on to them from watching Australian Surf Video’s on VHS.

91x in San Diego had a profound effect on all of us back then too. 




Posted 9 months ago by adelaide68    [ Reply ]
Recently saw Hoodoo Gurus at the Belly Up Tavern.  The boys were awesome, great fun and as loud as they come.  Enjoyed myself so much I got tickets when they come around again in Sept. of next year.  
Posted 11 months ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Teenage memories growing up in Oz coming in fast. So good to hear the Hoodoos on RP 
Posted 1 year ago by Fishman    [ Reply ]
 bobwoodwardsd wrote:

All us CA surf rat groms grew up listening to the Hoodoo’s in the 80’s. We got turned on to them from watching Australian Surf Video’s on VHS.

91x in San Diego had a profound effect on all of us back then too. 

throw Kamikaze pilot in the mix. Great song to get in your head before dropping into big cold winter waves.



Thanks for sharing this!!!!!
Posted 1 year ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
Living in Darwin and listening to the Gurus singing about Darwin, on the 80th Anaversery year of the WWII bombing of Darwin.
Its Grouse.
Posted 2 years ago by FatYellowDog    [ Reply ]
The riff in this song sounds just like the Vapours (turning Japanese)
Posted 2 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
OK tune. Maybe it will grow on me. I'll give it a few more "listens".
Posted 3 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
And heard this in forever! God is brings back such happy memories. Dancing like a fool.
Posted 3 years ago by keenevision    [ Reply ]
Plus 2 that is
Posted 3 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
2 for being and arse kicking Australian band from the 80s. Sydney and Melbourne’s live scene really rocked in the 80s. Saw many a great band in a pub in Balmain
Posted 3 years ago by Sweet_Virginia    [ Reply ]
 Mozart wrote:
Rocc4 wrote: Nothing to do with Japan or the Japanese. This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. The Japanese (under General Tojo) air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. But big, bad Tracy did, and blew the town and all the Christmas presents away. "That year, Santa never made it". Gives you a clue!



So, despite the chorus, Tojo DID make it?
Posted 3 years ago by kwacka    [ Reply ]
 bruceandjenna wrote:

From Wikipedia
In 1909, Hideki Tojo married Katsuko Ito, with whom he had three sons (Hidetake, Teruo, and Toshio) and four daughters (Mitsue, Makie, Sachie and Kimie).[11]

You stand corrected. 

You may be seated.



Posted 3 years ago by bahalana    [ Reply ]
 MM_Prague wrote:
And I always thought it was "Tojo never married."
 
From Wikipedia
In 1909, Hideki Tojo married Katsuko Ito, with whom he had three sons (Hidetake, Teruo, and Toshio) and four daughters (Mitsue, Makie, Sachie and Kimie).[11]

You stand corrected. 

You may be seated.
Posted 3 years ago by bruceandjenna    [ Reply ]
 Mozart wrote:
Rocc4 wrote:
Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
Nothing to do with Japan or the Japanese. This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. The Japanese (under General Tojo) air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. But big, bad Tracy did, and blew the town and all the Christmas presents away. "That year, Santa never made it". Gives you a clue!
 

As someone else noted, parts of this song sounds like "I'm turning Japanese" by the Vapors.  
Posted 3 years ago by brosen    [ Reply ]
All us CA surf rat groms grew up listening to the Hoodoo’s in the 80’s. We got turned on to them from watching Australian Surf Video’s on VHS.

91x in San Diego had a profound effect on all of us back then too. 

throw Kamikaze pilot in the mix. Great song to get in your head before dropping into big cold winter waves.
Posted 3 years ago by bobwoodwardsd    [ Reply ]
 Mozart wrote:
Rocc4 wrote:
Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
Nothing to do with Japan or the Japanese. This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. The Japanese (under General Tojo) air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. But big, bad Tracy did, and blew the town and all the Christmas presents away. "That year, Santa never made it". Gives you a clue!
 
Actually it is about the Japanese to a degree - hell the song is called Tojo but it's also about Cyclone Tracy apparently.
Posted 4 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Was supposed to see them in November  :(  Rescheduled for next year.

Stupid virus.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
This sounds like ‘The Vapours’ (I’m turning Japanese)
Posted 4 years ago by Easyrider    [ Reply ]
Televisionesque?
Posted 4 years ago by neotrogg    [ Reply ]
What a good surprise to hear some Hoodoo Gurus in RP!
Posted 4 years ago by Euskadita    [ Reply ]
Great song by a very underrated band.  The Hoodoos seriously rocked!
Posted 4 years ago by tomperth1    [ Reply ]
 Mozart wrote:
Nothing to do with Japan or the Japanese. This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. The Japanese (under General Tojo) air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. But big, bad Tracy did, and blew the town and all the Christmas presents away. "That year, Santa never made it". Gives you a clue!
 

So, I guess the lyrics are showing how there was a false sense of security in the town of Darwin (or with this one woman), stating that Tojo never made it here, so I am not scared of a cyclone. Interesting background on a great song. 
Posted 4 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
 matthew3 wrote:
Yes, Tojo (Japanese General) is very much a metaphor for Cyclone Tracy...Stoneage Romeos a ripper debut album... I ended up with a major ear infection after seeing them that many times in a row travelling around Australia...yes really loud but not doing myself many favours with my proximity to the speakers :)

 

Posted 4 years ago by matthew3    [ Reply ]
would love to hear 'Dig It Up' by these guys!
Posted 4 years ago by studioDEC    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

OK I see now I'm not the only one.
 

Oh no, you're definitely not...
Posted 4 years ago by SpencerAR    [ Reply ]
Nice to hear the Gurus on RP but there are so many better tunes than this that aren't played.

Anything from "Kinky" for example.
Posted 4 years ago by wgsu_1978    [ Reply ]
 mread wrote:

Mozart missed the point.  Or he's never heard The Vapors.
 

Mozart totally lifted a lot of Vapors' riffs for The Marriage of Figaro so he certainly heard of them. I think it's safe to say he missed the point.

Posted 5 years ago by The_Enemy    [ Reply ]
 Mozart wrote:
Rocc4 wrote:
Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
Nothing to do with Japan or the Japanese. This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. [...]
 
Mozart missed the point.  Or he's never heard The Vapors.
Posted 5 years ago by mread    [ Reply ]
Ahh my 20's in Brisvegas comes flooding back with the Gurus...
Posted 5 years ago by janac13    [ Reply ]
And I always thought it was "Tojo never married."
Posted 5 years ago by MM_Prague    [ Reply ]
Please tell the Bee Gees to go away.
Posted 5 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Yeah!!

Sometimes you hear something like this and it sort of re-creates what you felt the first time you visited RP!!

Thank you Bill and Rebecca :-) and all the listeners who suggest new tunes :-)
Posted 5 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
Yeah, that Vapors song is a cousin to this one...
 
More the evil twin.
Posted 5 years ago by smoneck    [ Reply ]
What a blast... I love this band.  Gotta go dance now... {#Dancingbanana}
Posted 13 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 rtwingo wrote:
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I realy think so...
 

Yeah, that Vapors song is a cousin to this one...
Posted 13 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
Doodoo Gurus!
Posted 13 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
Hurray for Mozart!  I had never heard this before but got caught up in the lyric first listen.  Didn't quite get them til Bill mentioned your post.
Posted 13 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
I had the opportunity to see them play quite recently, most fun I can remember having at a club gig in a long time.  Still putting on an excellent show as well as new music.

Posted 13 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys a few times back in their day, they put on a really great show. Always good to hear the 'Gurus....
Posted 13 years ago by meuks    [ Reply ]
Turning Japanese, I think I'm turning Japanese, I realy think so...

Posted 14 years ago by rtwingo    [ Reply ]
 dggeek wrote:
{#Dancingbanana}
 
You beat me to it!

Posted 14 years ago by darrenwwwa    [ Reply ]

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Hoodoo Gurus were always the best!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10++++++++++++++


Posted 14 years ago by Ntropy    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 14 years ago by dggeek    [ Reply ]
is he singing about ToeJam?
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:
turning japanese anyone?
 
OK I see now I'm not the only one.
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
turning japanese anyone?
Posted 14 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
 Mozart wrote:
This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. The Japanese (under General Tojo) air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. But big, bad Tracy did, and blew the town and all the Christmas presents away. "That year, Santa never made it". Gives you a clue!

 
thanks!

Posted 15 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
1 part : U2 - Out of Control.   2 parts : The Vapors - Turning Japanese

Posted 15 years ago by markoirl    [ Reply ]
 Zep wrote:
Every time I hear this I think we're going to get a little "Turning Japanese" ....
 
There is definitely a resemblance. {#Yes}
Posted 15 years ago by peter_james_bond    [ Reply ]
the Gurus rock!
Posted 15 years ago by ick    [ Reply ]
"What's My Scene" by this group is quite good. I remember liking it well when in college.
Posted 16 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this I think we're going to get a little "Turning Japanese" ....
Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Anyone else who hears a hint of James? EDIT: OK, now I've done my homework on the chronology. Anyone else who hears a hint of Hoodoo Gurus in James?
Posted 16 years ago by sub-arctic    [ Reply ]
these guys used to storm Caringbah pub . . . those were the days!
Posted 17 years ago by farley    [ Reply ]
Excellent, love a bit of new wave!
Posted 17 years ago by firerytrigon    [ Reply ]
catchy, tight; I could never figure why they weren't more popular. The whole album is great!
Posted 17 years ago by canadapaul    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by rtkmusic    [ Reply ]
Rocc4 wrote:
Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
Nothing to do with Japan or the Japanese. This is all about a major cyclone, "Tracy", that struck Darwin, NT, Australia on Christmas Eve 1974. The Japanese (under General Tojo) air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. But big, bad Tracy did, and blew the town and all the Christmas presents away. "That year, Santa never made it". Gives you a clue!
Posted 17 years ago by Mozart    [ Reply ]
This song makes me want to hear Pixies instead. This band\'s not bad but not inspiring either.
Posted 17 years ago by DeemerDave    [ Reply ]
Even got this on vinyl. Tasty.
Posted 17 years ago by Daveinbawlmer    [ Reply ]
Crikey, Aussie power-pop! Nice call, always up for the Hoodoos!
Posted 17 years ago by js5280    [ Reply ]
lmic wrote:
Is this 80's revival, or actual 80's? Either way, it's great.
1983.
Posted 17 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Is this 80's revival, or actual 80's? Either way, it's great.
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
babygirl614 wrote:
Hear, hear. They are amazing, and as good as this song is, it's not even their best.
It's not even their best? I can certainly believe that...
Posted 17 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
Rocc4 wrote:
Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
Watashi mo sono ongaku to omoimashita, yo! Shikashi, kono wa iijanai, ka na...
Posted 17 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Woo-hoo! Going to see them next month!
Posted 17 years ago by FilmSurgeon    [ Reply ]
Turning Japanese I think I'm turning Japanese I really think so.
Posted 17 years ago by Rocc4    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
It's an Asian theme set: Graham Parker - Discovering Japan Hoodoo Gurus - Tojo Ween - Flutes of The Chi
Needs: The Vapors - Turning Japanese
Posted 17 years ago by serinde    [ Reply ]
This is all about Cyclone Tracy that hit Darwin, northern Australia, on the night before Christmas in 1974. The Japanese air-attacked Darwin in 1942, but didn't actually land. Tracy did, with devastating consequences. "That year, Santa never made it".
Posted 17 years ago by Mozart    [ Reply ]
Duh, sounds like the Vapors... Or Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes without Ronnie.
Posted 18 years ago by fretman    [ Reply ]
Woo hoo Gurus! Recommend their best hits Ampology although it doesn't have quite all their best songs (e.g. What's my scene?) but most of them.
Posted 18 years ago by js5280    [ Reply ]
It's an Asian theme set: Graham Parker - Discovering Japan Hoodoo Gurus - Tojo Ween - Flutes of The Chi
Posted 18 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
TheJack wrote:
What a great band. Let's have some more from these Aussie rockers.
Hear, hear. They are amazing, and as good as this song is, it's not even their best.
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
What a great band. Let's have some more from these Aussie rockers.
Posted 18 years ago by TheJack    [ Reply ]
Janssen wrote:
David Bowie - Cat People U2 - Love And Peace Or Else Ween - Flutes of The Chi Hoodoo Gurus - Tojo Great set to start out my day with!!!
Same set today and those are my thoughts exactly. Getting me going.
Posted 18 years ago by iTuner    [ Reply ]
I presume these guys are named for the rock formations like in Banff? (click here) Love 'em both!
Posted 18 years ago by cmrump    [ Reply ]
Love this song, love this album, love the stop-motion dinosaurs in the video for "I Want You Back"...
Posted 18 years ago by serinde    [ Reply ]
Hooverphonic - You Love Me To Death David Bowie - Cat People U2 - Love And Peace Or Else Ween - Flutes of The Chi Hoodoo Gurus - Tojo Great set to start out my day with!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Janssen    [ Reply ]
YEEEE HAAAR, one of the best aussie bands. Soundtrack of my youth, and since :).
Posted 18 years ago by gedrod    [ Reply ]
Zarba wrote:
The Gurus are one of the most underrated 80 'power-pop' bands out there. They have an honored place on my iPod. Thanks for playing them. I could suggest many more songs by them... BTW, they issued a very well-received new album last year called "Mach Schau". It be bery, bery good.
Easily one of the best pop bands ever.
Posted 18 years ago by punkbot    [ Reply ]
Love It! Takes me back to college, too. Bill- how 'bout playing some White Animals, if you got 'em.
Posted 19 years ago by wtango    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
I don't know about y'all, but I'm getting tired of Bill's latest obsession with 80s-like "punk" rock, Billy Idol type shit. I didn't like it then, I like it less now. More and more I find myself turning the sound DOWN on this crap and waiting for it to pass.
No problem with it here. Billy Idol is less punk and more new wave anyway, a little closer to AhA and Flock of Beagles. If he really wanted to do 80s punk, he'd play some Wire or Husker Du.
Posted 19 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
rah wrote:
i think i'm turning japanese.
Talk dirty to me. Likeable tune.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
The Gurus are one of the most underrated 80 'power-pop' bands out there. They have an honored place on my iPod. Thanks for playing them. I could suggest many more songs by them... BTW, they issued a very well-received new album last year called "Mach Schau". It be bery, bery good.
Posted 19 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
I don't know about y'all, but I'm getting tired of Bill's latest obsession with 80s-like "punk" rock, Billy Idol type shit. I didn't like it then, I like it less now. More and more I find myself turning the sound DOWN on this crap and waiting for it to pass.
More and more I find myself turning the sound UP on great tunes like this and enjoying the bejeezus out of them.
Posted 19 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
love this song! haven't heard it in an age - thanks for playing it, RP!
Posted 19 years ago by flandersdog    [ Reply ]
Anything off the first two Hoodoo Gurus LPs bring back memories. :-)
Posted 19 years ago by Monoman    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
I don't know about y'all, but I'm getting tired of Bill's latest obsession with 80s-like "punk" rock, Billy Idol type shit. I didn't like it then, I like it less now. More and more I find myself turning the sound DOWN on this crap and waiting for it to pass.
That's kind of sad.
Posted 19 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
MsJudi wrote:
I don't know about y'all, but I'm getting tired of Bill's latest obsession with 80s-like "punk" rock, Billy Idol type shit. I didn't like it then, I like it less now. More and more I find myself turning the sound DOWN on this crap and waiting for it to pass.
I've been turning it up, so it all balances out.
Posted 19 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
I don't know about y'all, but I'm getting tired of Bill's latest obsession with 80s-like "punk" rock, Billy Idol type shit. I didn't like it then, I like it less now. More and more I find myself turning the sound DOWN on this crap and waiting for it to pass.
Posted 19 years ago by MsJudi    [ Reply ]
rah wrote:
i think i'm turning japanese.
HA! I think it sounds very much like that song, too!
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
Yeah!
Posted 19 years ago by pdhski    [ Reply ]
Usul wrote:
The Hoodoo Gurus! They had a lot of great songs, but I don't remember the names of the albums, sadly. These guys used to be played back when "Alternative" was "College Rock."
Some of the ones I remember are 'Stoneage Romeos', 'Mars Needs Guitars', 'Blow Your Cool', 'Kinky', 'Magnum Cum Louder' (?) Those 1st four are great!
Posted 20 years ago by FilmSurgeon    [ Reply ]
i think i'm turning japanese.
Posted 20 years ago by rah    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
Wow, what a blast from the past. Thanks RP from this Eighties Girl. Love to hear "Death Ship" or "I Want you Back" !
Posted 21 years ago by Leetzy    [ Reply ]
Mars still needs guitars...
Posted 21 years ago by Greenman    [ Reply ]
Wow!! Haven't heard these guys in years...have their TAPE (yes, kiddies, people used to buy tapes on purpose) that had "come anytime" on it. Good to hear these old GOOD 80s tunes now and again--jus' to mix it up!
Posted 21 years ago by crink51    [ Reply ]
The Hoodoo Gurus! Genius! I was just saying to myself that I wanted to hear some Gurus on this station. Proof that the satellites are in fact watching our thoughtwaves!! They had a lot of great songs, but I don't remember the names of the albums, sadly. These guys used to be played back when "Alternative" was "College Rock."
Posted 21 years ago by Usul    [ Reply ]
Ahh yes. Takes me back 20 years, when I was jumping up and down, new college student, discovering a music outside of the then mainstream FM radio sound. And beach parties , and hangovers.
Posted 21 years ago by johkir    [ Reply ]
hoodoo gurus are solid
Posted 21 years ago by mucre    [ Reply ]
Yeah! Guitar, catchy lyrics and an 80\'s attitude, all around good song.
Posted 21 years ago by pdxWriterSam    [ Reply ]
Thank you, Australia, for the Gurus.
Posted 21 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]