Pleasure and Pain

The Zoo Crew is spinning the electrifying track "Pleasure and Pain" by Divinyls from their 1985 album What a Life!, and Zoo Freaks, you’re in for a treat with this one! This song, a raw exploration of the thin line between ecstasy and agony, was penned by the powerhouse songwriting duo Mike Chapman and Holly Knight, known for crafting hits like Love Is a Battlefield for Pat Benatar. Holly Knight shared in a Songfacts interview that she loved the song’s dark yet poppy vibe, praising Chrissy Amphlett’s fierce delivery. The track’s music video, shot in one intense night at the decommissioned Balmain Power Station in Sydney, captures Amphlett’s commanding presence, though the location was riddled with hazardous asbestos. Fans on platforms like Last.fm still rave about its tactile cassette-era nostalgia, with one user, Deek from Queensland, calling it “way ahead of its time.” The song climbed to No. 11 in Australia, No. 8 in New Zealand, and No. 76 in the U.S., and in 2018, Triple M’s “Ozzest 100” ranked it No. 43 among the most Australian songs ever.

Another tidbit that makes "Pleasure and Pain" stand out is its cultural footprint. The song’s gritty edge and Amphlett’s visceral performance—described by Junkee as a “leather boot pinned directly into your chest”—earned it a spot in the 2016 season 4 premiere of the prison drama Wentworth. Its lyrics, like “It’s a fine line between pleasure and pain,” resonate with the band’s bold, unapologetic style, reflecting Amphlett’s ability to blend prettiness with punishment. The track was part of What a Life!, an album that hit No. 2 in Australia within a week of release, fueled by the band’s relentless touring, including opening for Simple Minds and their first U.S. tours organized by manager Vince Lovegrove. Fans on the Divinyls Fan Group on Facebook often share memories of blasting the song on cassette, with some calling it a defining anthem of their youth.

Divinyls began in Sydney in 1980, sparked by a chance meeting between vocalist Chrissy Amphlett and guitarist Mark McEntee in the car park of a Collaroy music venue. Introduced by Jeremy Paul (formerly of Air Supply), the two formed the core of the band after Amphlett’s gig with her then-band, Batonrouge. Amphlett, born in 1959 in Geelong, Victoria, was no stranger to the music scene. By age 14, she was singing in bands like Daisy Clover, and at 17, she was arrested for busking in Spain during a three-year European adventure. Her rebellious spirit shone through in early gigs, where she performed in a school uniform and fishnet stockings, wielding a neon tube as a prop to channel aggression. The band’s early days included recording songs for the 1982 film Monkey Grip, where Amphlett also played a supporting role as Angela, a temperamental rock singer. Their debut single, “Boys in Town,” hit No. 6 in Australia, cementing their place in the local scene.

Amphlett’s larger-than-life persona, detailed in her 2005 autobiography Pleasure and Pain: My Life, co-written with Larry Writer, drew from childhood pain and a fierce desire to break boundaries. She was the cousin of 1960s Australian pop star Patricia “Little Pattie” Amphlett, but carved her own path with a raw, sexualized stage presence that shocked and captivated audiences. Divinyls’ lineup shifted often, but Amphlett and McEntee remained the heart of the band, releasing five albums, including the chart-topping diVINYLS in 1991, which featured their global hit “I Touch Myself.” Inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006, their legacy endures, though Amphlett’s passing in 2013 from breast cancer and multiple sclerosis left a void. Fans continue to celebrate her on platforms like the Divinyls Official Facebook.

For more on Divinyls, check out their official presence on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can connect through the Divinyls Fan Group on Facebook, a vibrant community sharing memories, rare photos, and updates. While there’s no official band website today, resources like Last.fm and Nostalgia Central offer deep dives into their discography and history. Zoo Freaks, keep rocking to “Pleasure and Pain” and celebrating the untamed spirit of Chrissy Amphlett and Divinyls!