‘THE BOYS LIGHT UP’, one of Australian Crawl’s most loved songs, will turn the big 4-0 in 2020 and to celebrate, James Reyne will tour the nation paying homage to this enduring tune.
‘The Boys Light Up’ was written by James Reyne, and featured on the album of the same name, released in 1980 on EMI. It was Australian Crawl’s debut album and also featured ‘Indisposed’, ‘Downhearted’, ‘Beautiful People’ and ‘Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama’.
James reflected on the song today, saying, “’Boys Light Up’ is turning 40! By Jove, who woulda thunk it. If I’d known what gave it legs I would’ve bottled it and drunk it. And I’m delighted that so many take this song into their hearts ‘cause it never really was a hit – it just SCRAPED into the charts. But it seems to hit a nerve, a chord, a nail, a bell, a spot ‘cause I tell ya, we don’t play it I’m likely to get shot! Or met by blokes in car-parks full of vinegar and piss who wanna know what game I’m playing, wanna know, “What game is this?!” They say they’ve got it on the record on CD, 8-track, cassette and they drove 500 miles not to hear it! Most upset!
“So it’s always fun to play tub-mother-thumping with the band and these are the good old days so c’mon and clap a hand. It’s bigger and it’s brighter with god-damned age some guile; And grand! And once upon a time remember? It got banned. ‘Cause I think “they” thought the title celebrated smoking dope. But it had nothing to do with it – It’s what you’d call a TROPE. A figure, then, of speech for euphemist results and irony of ironies and censorship and tyrannies.
“It’s about a fab and natural act for CON-senting adults. So, we’re coming to your town to celebrate it’s Come-Of-Age – bring all your bells and whistles ‘cause we’ll be BLISTERING the stage. There’ll be thrills and there’ll be spills as we fill that ROCKING cup ‘cause those Boys are turning 40 so c’mon and light them up!!”
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate 40 years of ‘The Boys Light Up’ in 2020 with James Reyne and his incredible band of musicians – grab your tickets now!
JAMES REYNE – THE BOYS LIGHT UP 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2020
Fri October 30 Anita’s Theatre, Wollongong
Sat October 31 Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Sat November 7 Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Sat November 14 Palais Theatre, Melbourne
Fri November 20 Astor, Perth
Sat November 21 Astor, Perth
Fri November 27 The Tivoli, Brisbane
Sat November 28 The Tivoli, Brisbane