Barnes launched his solo career less than a month after Cold Chisel's "Last Stand" tour came to an end in December 1983. He assembled a band that included Arnott, former Fraternity bass-player Bruce Howe and guitarists Mal Eastick (ex-Stars) and Chris Stockley (ex-The Dingoes) and began touring and writing for a solo album. Signing to Mushroom Records, Barnes released his debut single "No Second Prize" in August 1984, which peaked at number 12 on the Australian charts. Barnes' debut solo album "Bodyswerve" was released in September 1984 and debuted at Number One on the Australian charts. On 22 December 1984, days after Barnes had begun that year's "Barnestorming" tour, his second daughter, Eliza-Jane "E.J.", was born.