Our Australia Day Playlist Of Classic Aussie Songs
Australia Day is upon us and millions of our fellow countrymen will be firing up the barbie and cracking open a tinny whilst sitting back listening to sweet tunes on their stereo.
And what better day to celebrate Australian music and musicians? We've put together a short playlist of our favourite classic Australian songs. So put them on, sit around with your mates, and celebrate this great country of ours.
Happy Australia Day everyone!
Australia Day is upon us and millions of our fellow countrymen will be firing up the barbie and cracking open a tinny whilst sitting back listening to sweet tunes on their stereo.
And what better day to celebrate Australian music and musicians? We've put together a short playlist of our favourite classic Australian songs. So put them on, sit around with your mates, and celebrate this great country of ours.
Happy Australia Day everyone!
The Living End - Prisoner Of Society
A modern classic from a modern Australian favourite. Melbourne trio The Living End put themselves on the musical map with this rebel anthem for brats who talk back everywhere.
Men At Work – Down Under
They may have stolen the iconic flute riff from children’s song ‘Kookaburra’ and some of the lyrics are incredibly indecipherable, but we still love Men At Works ‘Down Under’, subconsciously plagiarized or not.
Crowded House – Better Be Home Soon
A simply lovely, yet somewhat melancholic track by one of the greatest bands Australia has had to offer the world, Crowded House.
Augie March - One Crowded Hour
Glenn Richards does his best Bob Dylan impersonation in this drunkenly swiveled love song, and national favourite.
Jet – Are You Gonna Be My Girl
There aren’t many better introductions to modern music than when Jet stepped onto the scene with ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl’. It’s bobbling bass line leading into one of the standout Australian tunes of our generation.
Midnight Oil - Power And The Passion
This political charged groove almost definitely helped a certain Minister For School Education get where he is today, just as his awesome dances moves helped get him onto our list.
AC/DC – Highway To Hell
Ominous for the late Bon Scott and iconic since the moment Angus Young strummed those opening chords, ‘Highway To Hell’ is a must have in the bogan record collection, which makes it a necessity for our list too.
Silverchair – Tomorrow
Before they were one of the worst Australian bands going around, they were one of the best. Tomorrow showcases an extremely (extremely) young Silverchair doing their best Nirvana as they get all grunge on the school drinking fountains.
Hilltop Hoods – The Nosebleed Section
If any skip-hop was going to make this list it was always going to be this song. The Nosebleed Section by Adelaide’s Hilltop Hoods made all the people in front row feel tingly on the inside, but unfortunately for the rest of us, skip-hop didn’t quit while it was ahead.
The Temper Trap – Sweet Disposition
Oh god it was everywhere. You couldn’t get away from it. It was on the radio, the television, at the movies, even on their album – The Temper Trap’s ‘Sweet Disposition’ was one of the catchiest and most popular songs of 2009/10 (even though it was released in 2008) and really paved the way for Australian indie music overseas.
Regurgitator – ! (The Song Formerly Known As)
Having recently travelled their iconic album Unit, ! (The Song Formerly Known As) made many appearances all over Australia in 2011, and confirmed itself as a very much-loved song, from a very much-loved Australian band.
The Presets – My People
Apocalypso is the catchiest album Sydney duo The Presets have had to offer us thus far, and heavy electronica single ‘My People’ was the catchiest from the bunch
John Butler Trio – Zebra
If you hears hooves, you think horse, but if you hear Australian dreadlocked songwriter John Butler, you think Zebra.
Angus And Julia Stone – Big Jet Plane
Angus and Julia Stoned (intentional) stormed the Triple J Hottest 100 in January 2011 with this instant and modern Australian classic.
The Grates - 19 20 20
The then trio, led by the gorgeous Patience Hodgson, jumped all over the Australian music industry with the repetitive, numerically inclined, and insanely irresistible 19 20 20.
Spiderbait – Calypso
‘Oh this is a sweet song, no wait a second, this is bad ass’ will be most peoples initial thoughts of Spiderbait’s deceptive, yet awesome Calypso.
John Farnham - You’re The Voice
A staple track in the Australian songbook, John Farnham’s anthemic “You’re The Voice’ is an iconic Aussie favourite and best sung loudly in large groups.
The Vines – Ride
The signature guitar riff and drum beat mix with Craig Nicholls wild yelp for the irresistibly catchy ‘Ride’ by Australia’s garage rock darlings of the 00’s, The Vines.
Paul Kelly – From Little Things Big Things Grow
The indigenous-politics infused folk song didn’t do so well when it first came out, but alas, from little things big things grow as this song became a cult Australian track.
Killing Heidi – Mascara
Boring and old are the thing you’re told about the outside world, but not about Killing Heidi, who’s 2000 album Reflector rocked Australia as it was led by hit single ‘Mascara’, the bands first #1.
Powderfinger – My Happiness
Admit it, you felt the tears coming every time you saw that kid leave his slinky on train. This sweeping ballad was one of many fantastic songs dished out by Powderfinger. A band that may never of found international recognition, but will go down as one of Australia’s greatest bands.
Hunters and Collectors – Holy Grail
If this isn’t played in the lead up to an opening match/game/set then it’s probably not a real sport.
Wolfmother – Joker and The Thief
A jackass promoting Jackass with this “All Along the Watch Tower’ inspired contemporary Australian favourite.
The Whitlams - Blow Up The Pokies
A truly sad song describing bassist Andy Lewis’s losing battle with gambling addiction. The one that ultimately led to his suicide. Great song to sing-a-long to though…
INXS – Need You Tonight
Before he got his kicks with a belt, Michael Hutchence and INXS created not only one of the most iconic Australian songs ever but just one of the most iconic songs in world.
Cold Chisel – Khe Sanh
It’s at every BBQ, Birthday, and wedding you’ve ever been to, and if it wasn’t, then it probably sucked.
Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds - Red Right Hand
For a man who can’t sing, Nick Cave’s voice is one of the strongest in Australian music.-
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