It was only a matter of time before this happened. Although a contentious issue (there are a heap more that probably deserve a spot on this list) we’ve decided to list our Top 10 Classic Aussie Anthems. As always they’re in no particular order. Have a look and a listen and see what you reckon!
10. Throw Your Arms Around Me – Hunters and Collectors
This much-loved track has been covered by a heap of bands from Crowded House to Pearl Jam. It was first released in 1984, and then rerecorded for the band’s 1986 album Human Frailty. Apparently the band rerecorded the song about four times before they got it right, but by all accounts it turned out pretty well in the end .
9. Great Southern Land – Icehouse
Iva Davies reckons he’s not quite sure where the inspiration for this classic Aussie anthem came from. He was sitting in a noisy little room in inner-city Sydney when he wrote it. Maybe that tells us that it doesn’t matter where you are, whether you’re standing in the middle of the Nullarbor or sitting in a pub in Darwin, being Aussie is something that’s in your bones and maybe that’s what we’re hearing when we listen to this cracking number.
8. Khe Sanh – Cold Chisel
How could you have a Top Ten Aussie Anthems without Khe Sanh?
Cold Chisel are an Aussie institution and this song is arguably their most iconic. The song was originally written about a Vietnam vet struggling to deal with his return to civilian life, but the track’s meaning has transcended the lyrics to become a symbol of Australian culture.
7. Leaps and Bounds – Paul Kelly
I’m high on the hill/ Looking over the bridge/ To the MCG
And way up on high/ The clock on the silo/ Says eleven degrees
I remember, I remember…
Need we say more?
6. Pleasure and Pain – Divinyls
Chrissy Amphlett, god rest her soul, gave Australia a brand of rock we’ll not soon forget. Pleasure and Pain is a favourite that is said to have been written about the tumultuous relationship between Amphlet and bandmate Mark McEntree.
In Manspace’s opinion, it’s a song best enjoyed when not overthought.
5. Beds are Burning – Midnight Oil
Beds are Burning is a protest song about native title, and was named as one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Released in 1987, well before Peter Garrett’s ascension to the gilded halls of Government, the song brought the plight of the Pintupi aboriginal people to the masses, in the form of a glorious rock song.
4. It’s a Long Way to the Top – AC/DC
This one goes out to the bogan inside all of us. The opening track to the 1975 album T.N.T has become one of many stellar Aussie anthems delivered by this powerhouse of Australian rock.
The song is regularly played in pubs, Torranas and at AFL matches around the country – the perfect soundtrack to some fantastic all-Aussie past-times.
3. Land Down Under – Men at Work
Men at Work’s lead singer said that when he penned this classic Aussie anthem it was about ‘celebrating the country, but not in a flag waving sense.’ He has also said that the song was partially inspired by Barry Humphries’ fictional character, Barry McKenzie.
The 1972 film The Adventures of Barry McKenzie details the exploits of an Aussie larrikin running amok in the UK. Perhaps it’s fitting then that for the last 35 years the song has been played ad infinitum on every juke box in every Australian pub in London!
2. Working Class Man- Jimmy Barnes
With a filmclip shot in both a steal factory and a cane field, Jimmy Barnes’ 1985 hit Working Class Man is about as Aussie as they come. Written by Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, the song strikes a chord with the hard working, blue collar mindset that is the backbone of Australian culture.
1. Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again – Angels
This song, with its ubiquitous, expletive- laden audience response, will go down in the annals of history as one of the all-time great Aussie pub rock songs. Originally written as a ballad about grief and loss, the song was subsequently rereleased as the rock song we have all come to know and love.
The song’s co-author and Angels front man Doc Neeson said the first time he heard the audience response ‘no way get f-cked f-ck off’ was in Mount Isa, and he thought it was meant as an insult to the band! Luckily some audience members explained that this was not the case.
Honourable Mention.
Waltzing Matilda – Banjo Patterson
We felt that ‘Classic Aussie Anthem’ didn’t quite sum up everything that Waltzing Matilda means to Australians – it’s so much more. But here’s a clip of Slim Dusty singing it, just so you can get your Aussie on.
