Jimmy Barnes – Shutting Down Our Town (Official Video)

The official video for Jimmy Barnes - Shutting Down Our Town.

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Lyrics:
This used to be a place
Where a man could find some work
Put together Holdens or a foundry job at worst
I can hear the noises coming
From the Karawara deep into the night
The roads were filled with kids playing after dark
Sent to get their fathers who were sitting at the bar
Eat, sleep, work, drink, that's all they ever did

They’re shutting down our town
They’re cutting down our town
No more production line blue collar can be found
They’ll tear it to the ground
They’re shutting down our town
Oh, they’re shutting down our town

I started raising hell before I came of age
Running from my past with clenched fists of rage
And I fought my way through, every other day
Never looking back
Everything I knew was back there on those streets
Every lesson learned kept me on my feet
But I can’t help thinking of the ones I left behind

They’re shutting down our town
They’re cutting down our town
No more production line blue collar can be found
They’ll tear it to the ground
They’re shutting down our town
Oh, they’re shutting down our town

Oh, they’re shutting down our town
They’re tearing out its heart
It wasn’t much to look at from the very start
Herded all together
From many different lands
The old folks stand around
While they’re shutting down our town

Woah, oh-oh
Yeah they’re shutting down our town
Woah, oh-oh
They’re shutting down our town

And I finally came back home
Found some peace at last
Was time to stop running from the demons of my past
Some that I remember
But the rest are changing way too fast

Yeah they’re shutting down our town
They’re cutting down our town
No more production line blue collar can be found
They’ll tear it to the ground
They’re shutting down our town
Oh they’re shutting down our town
They’re shutting down our town
You know they’ll tear it to the ground
Yeah they’re shutting down our town
Woah, oh-oh
They’ll tear it to the ground
Woah, oh-oh
They’re shutting down our town
Yeah they’re shutting down our town

[vicmurray]

Makes you sick when nothing is made in our own country anymore. Thanks Jimmy for making the point, you’re always my favourite Aussie

[JollyRancherGeno]

The line "No more production line blue collars can be found" is one of the most well-crafted lines I've ever heard. This song is gut-wrenching and beautiful

[paddyd]

I’m Irish, I was in Australia for ten months, worked with a chap called crazy Dave, he had a 5 litre v 8 Holden ute, at work he used blare out Stevie Ray Vaughan and cold chisel . Wow, once you hear jimmy Barnes it really doesn’t get any better. That was fifteen years ago. I’m in ireland now sniffling with emotion watching this video cause people have lost their jobs . How can Barnesy convey what these employees and his home town are going through so well ? Thanks to Troy Cassar Daly for writing this song but Jimmy how do you get better with every song and every note . I’ve read both working class boy and Man . Although Jimmy went the long way about making his life work for him and his family he really is such a great role model. Such a character and gentleman . A privilege to listen to . I hope him and his family have a great life . Thanks to crazy Dave for teaching me more about plumbing and introducing me to great music

[mikevkqs]

If ever there was a Barnesy Ballad written by the amazing Troy Cassar-Daley, for the People of Australia in the 21st Century, THIS IS IT!!!! This tragedy is a National Disgrace across all Australian Industries. We've Been SOLD OUT!!!. Scream it from the Roof Tops!!! We Deserve Better.

[sluethysquatch]

Even though I’m a Ford person, I was still sad when I heard this because it was an end to an era.

RIP FORD AND HOLDEN

[davidhyland]

Barnsey hugely respected in New Zealand. Legend.

[redoz]

The shutting down of the Australian car manufacturing industry should never have been allowed to happen. Great song.

[lync]

I’m grew up in Elizabeth in the 60’s and 70’s and left when I finished school, it brought a tear to my eye seeing the old factory and cars, I remember them well. Jimmy is a legend ❤️

[cpolk]

I got goosebumps watching that. This is when music is at its most powerful, as it encapsulates how many Australians feel watching our manufacturing heart die.

[Khonnell]

As a Brit and im sure with many others, this song hits hard. I'm from an old mining and steelworks town where the young men were guaranteed a good wage and pension when they left school if they weren't necessarily the most academic and it was a part of the culture, as a result all the other local businesses like grocers, pubs, restaurants did well. Now all our trade has been sold off for cheap labour overseas and it's fucking criminal how men in suits are killing countries built by real men in overalls.

God bless ya, Jimmy Barnes.

[paulfrost]

written by troy cassar daley..performed by jimmy barnes..a true classic that you both should be proud of

[amp]

I grew up a Holden girl, & it's pobably the first time i feel Holden & Ford heads feel a solidarity, at the end of the day, what Holden fan didn't feel a grudging respect for the mighty GTHO, end of an era folks, a sad sad day.

[nidzdotnet]

I've had nothing but Holdens growing up.. It's a shame that none of my kids will probably get to enjoy the same. Another nail in Australia's pride and history. Soon we will have no global identity.

[nathanielmckechnie]

Did this song make any other Holden man cry?

[benedwards]

My Farther, 2 uncles, Grandfarther and Grandmother built our family by working at this factory after moving from the slums of Wales. God bless Elizabeth! So proud to be from this amazing part of the world.

[robertcamp]

I thought i was over the sad feeling when I left the place. This song and footage made me realised I really missed working there. Thanks jimmy.

[theshire]

As usual Barnsey has captured the loss and heartbreak of the good people who have worked hard for their families but have lost their jobs due to government greed and negligence.

[sandihill]

O Wow Jimmy, had to fight backs tears. Two generations in my family the longest was 37yrs, it truly is hard to put in words the profound loss I think this closure is for this state. Holden’s linked to many many other jobs that I wonder if some people realise how much is lost

[CS-udhk]

Far out the good old days are long gone. I am a ford fan and as much as I hate holden for our on track rivalry between the falcon and commodore I still respect them for the history, memories and even making this rivalry possible. I am so sad our country came to this. Stopping ford falcons and Holden commodore/Holden as a whole was the worst and saddest thing this country could have done. All those memories I will remember. Hot summer afternoons watching the v8 supercars on tv with my dad so eager to see the ford falcons beat the holden commodores, attending the sydney olympic park races and the eastern creek races, gonna miss it all. It just ain't the same anymore. Thank you Holden and thank you Ford for all the memories and hopefully one day we can see the return of these beautiful glorious Australian cares that I call family and hold a special place in my childhood. Love you ford and Holden!!!

[timstring]

Great song from a great singer. The older he gets the better he becomes.