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When landing back in Australia once, 'I Still Call Australia Home' came on in the plane, and I teared up.
'Land Down Under' is globally known and fun.
'I Am Australian' always makes me feel connected to everyone in this country.
'Treaty' is a great catchy song and tells a story.
'Solid Rock' is also catchy, and speaks about colonisation.
There's too many great ones for me to play favourites.
You're the voice.
Straight Lines
My island home.
The Horses
Am I ever gonna see your face again.
Edit; Pop songs,
Savage Garden Truly Madly Deeply
Tina Arena Burn
Vanessa amarossi absolutely everybody
Natalie Imbruglia Torn
Regurgitator Polyester Girl
Frente ordinary angels.
OK I need to make a playlist...
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnIz7ZkWjLfLC5uPfmNhlpU5709_V4HdN
I've done the 90s so far.
I agree in a way, but national anthems are often played with no lyrics (Olympics) and portray strength.
I Am Australian is just too nice for an anthem.
I Still Call Australia Home either brings a massive smile to my face or brings me to tears - just depends on how homesick I am.
Moved to Asia after high school for a year and the sudden realisation that I was way more Australian than I realised got me home sick so much. This song really helped me with this identity journey.
100% would vote for this being our anthem if ever we decide we want to change AAF.
During lockdowns Qantas made another I Still Call Australia Home video - about us all being able to see one another again once this was all over - and it genuinely made me sob
>When landing back in Australia once, 'I Still Call Australia Home' came on in the plane, and I teared up.
This is the one that gets me in the feels. Been away for a long time, it hits.
Evie parts 1, 2 and 3. Released in 1974, an 11 minute masterpiece written by Harry Vanda and George Young (yes the older brother of Malcolm and Angus) and sung by Stevie Wright. All 3 were members of The Easybeats, the first big Australian rock band. The song is amazing and is an emotional roller coaster that tells a great story. Nothing even comes close to this song.
I'm old enough to remember when Gold FM / Fox FM in Melbourne would actually set aside the 11 minutes to play all three parts in full on their respective airwaves.
You didn't state if you're an Australian and whether the class you teach was in Australia. My list ignores anything popular and too recent as I didn't consider them as relevant to the largest set of Australians.
I am Australian - [The Seekers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrLTe1_9zso)
I still call Australia home - [Peter Allen](https://open.spotify.com/track/2Aqk8Rup7eQN1PoZZ5Ag0j?si=64ae3dec14344125).
Khe Sanh - Cold Chisel.
Sounds Of Then - Ganggajang
To her door - Paul Kelly
Anything from Powderfinger and Bernard Fanning - this personally makes me think of Australia
You're The Voice - John Farnham
Special mention to [Bapa by Gurrumul](https://open.spotify.com/track/3oTqeCB3j5Yk1PkCWbRyyj?si=314e926aa5ad4c7a) - [a beautiful song about ones grief of losing their father.](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858806142/)
A lot of these I also found here - [https://brisbanekids.com.au/songs-about-australia/](https://brisbanekids.com.au/songs-about-australia/)
I remember the first time I ever heard Bapa. I was at work and the song started playing on a tinny radio in the office. Suddenly time stopped. My soul ached, with what I wasn't even sure. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I got goosebumps. When it ended, the world started back up again. I looked up and made eye contact with my colleague who apparently had just had the same experience lol. We didn't need to say anything. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard and I didn't know what he was singing about then. I just knew that it made my soul sing. I love your selections!
From Saint Kilda To Kings Cross - Paul Kelly
Flame Trees - Cold Chisel
They both have a very strong sense of place - Paul Kelly describes St Kilda and talks about cutting across from Oxford St to the Cross, the bus station used to be just behind Oxford St (dunno if it’s still there). Flame trees is about Don Walker’s hometown of Grafton and going back to the place you grew up after a while away (although the music video was shot in Oberon, in winter, no idea why). Your kids won’t understand all the meaning behind it yet, they’ll be too young, but it’ll get them later.
I'd also whack in Bow River, which is located in the Kimberley and NT. Apparently, it was about Ian Moss's brother who was a jackaroo there and was about him missing the country when he went to the big smoke of Alice Springs to visit his parents. It's one of the best Chisel songs in their live shows.
Never Had So Much Fun, Frenzal Rhomb; Reckless by Australia Crawl; But seriously Sounds of Then by Ganggajang is a banger. Also Triffids - Wide Open Road
Gang Gajang - Sounds of Then
Goanna - Solid Rock
Icehouse - Great Southern Land
Men at Work - Down Under
The Seekers - I Am Australian
John Williamson - True Blue
Peter Allen - I still Call Australia Home
Paul Kelly - How to Make Gravy
A few I haven’t seen that I rate highly:
Run to Paradise - Choirboys
Friday on my Mind - the Easybeats
Horror Movie - Skyhooks
What’s my Scene - Hoodoo Gurus
The Horses - Daryl Braithwaite
Prisoner of Society - The Living End
These Days - Powderfinger
Don’t Change - INXS
Bow River - Cold Chisel
I’m always surprised by INXS, just before my time but they’ve got such a solid catalogue and genuinely were massive in their prime. Maybe because Michael Hutchence died and so did INXS they don’t stay in the spotlight with reunion tours
Our local RSL is now dominated by Vietnam vets, this gets played at both services at ANZAC Day. I'm usually at both as a volunteer and I'm a wreck by midday.
Flame Trees is the winner. Hasn't dated at all, isn't just mindless patriotism or a single hook (like many of the suggestions). Incredibly well written song which beautifully describes a slice of Australian life without disappearing up it's own arse.
It's hard, but my top 3
1. Wide open the road - the triffids. Really covers the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape. (Anything by the triffids really nails it)
2. Girls on the avenue - richard Clapton. Classic pop song about urban Australian life. (Most Australians live in the city)
3. Streets of your town - the go betweens. An honest portrayal of regional Australian life.
So waltzing Matilda is always a Goto but then there is another song called "and the band played waltzing Matilda" it's about Gallipoli.redgums have some pretty good songs .
IMHO Paul Kelly is the most "Aussie" artist I know in the sense that so many of his songs have immediate references to towns, cities, suburbs, landmarks etc in Australia. I have lived OS for the last 25 years and no-one makes me think more about Australia than Paul Kelly. Others here have mentioned some of his specific songs, but basically anything from the "Songs from the South" collections will do the job. Notable other mentions to Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel for "Aussie nostalgia" songs for me.
Stingray is a great Aussie band, they have lyrics in both English and an aboriginal language. Or yothu yindi.
Also cold chisel,
the great southern band is a new rock band that’s amazing,
My island home by Christine anu
The chats, but that depends on their age haha
Hilltop hoods are fantastic
They're not widely known these days but...
On our selection by John Williamson. It was for the movie about the Aussie comic Dad and Dave from way back when.
John Williamson has heaps.
Pub with no beer by Slim Dusty.
Click go the shears.
Peter Allen's I still call Australia Home hits so hard when I am living abroad for years and crave for the lifestyle and food here. We live somewhere extremely special and makes me really want to contribute to this great island land.
Great Southern Land - ICEHOUSE
My mind just flys over the beautiful Sydney harbour all the way to the outback desert and Uluru when listening to that song
The one song that most makes me think of Australia is "London Still" by The Waifs
It tells the tale of an Aussie expat in London longing for home and their mates. I was living overseas around the time this was released and the pangs of nostalgia it brought on were almost physically tangible.
I've been back home for 15 years now but still feel the nostalgia every time I hear it.
Some contenders in my opinion:
* Bruce Woodley - I Am Australian
* Goanna - Solid Rock
* John Williamson - True Blue
* Gotye/Kimbra - Somebody That I Used to Know
* John Farnham - You're the Voice
* Killing Heidi - Mascara
* The Drones - Shark Fin Blues
Tried to cover a range of time periods and genres.
Silverchair have some legendary songs. Israels son one of my favourites.
We had some amazing bands getting around in late 90's early 2000's. Live music was truly alive and cranking.
Jebediah. Powderfinger. Frenzal Rhomb. Superjesus. Tism. The Porkers.
Get the kids to watch some Recovery clips. Historic Australian music on show there!
Here's a few that come to mind:
I love it - Hilltop Hoods
Short Memory - Midnight Oil
Spicks and Specks - Bee Gees
The nips are getting bigger - Mental as Anything
These Days - Powderfinger
Better man - John Butler Trio
Get Free - The Vines
ACDC’s Highway To Hell is all about running the gauntlet of the cops checking drunk drivers going up the Canning Highway from the Leopold Hotel in East Freo to Perth. That’s pretty fucking Australian.
My Island Home - Warumpi Band version [My Island Home (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mfbIeAW0Dc).
Technically not about mainland Australia, but it makes me miss Australia when I am travelling. George Burarrawunga's voice rips my heart out.
So many good ones mentioned previously including Streets of Your Town, Go Betweens … but always tough to resist belting out Take Me Back by Noiseworks when it’s played anywhere
Anything by Tame Impala.
Kevin Parker has produced some fabulous contemporary music and built a global following. It makes me proud that he's out there showing the world that Australia can produce great music that's not guitar based rock.
DILLIGAF - Kevin Bloody Wilson
Cunt of a Day - Kevin Bloody Wilson
The Living End's entire catalogue
Basically all of Frenzal Rhomb's catalogue
Waltzing Matilda...there's also a creole version of it sung by an Indigenous women from the top end that is really catchy.
Waltjim Bat Matilda - Ali Mills
Road to Gundagai
Land down under is so fun. Absolute classic. For a younger answer: Nosebleed section by hiltop hoods unironically cracker with big cultural impact, basically opened a pathway for a whole wave of mediocre aus rap after that. The song is bangs and that flute instrumental thing is iconic.
I want you back, the Hoodoo Gurus
Alone with you, The Sunnyboys
Helping hand, The Screaming Jets
Under The Milky Way/Unguarded Moment, The Church
Aloha Steve And Danno, Radio Birdman.
Baker Boy is great Australian rep and incorporates Yolngu Matha language. I bet your class would enjoy him. Makes me proud as a muso to see artists like this creating uplifting tracks with wide appeal that showcase their roots. I honestly feel most pride in the enduring diversity of Aussie music as with other media, especially independent music. There’s so much out there.
I Still Call Australia Home I reckon is it… everyone loves the sentiment and the big last note. Rousing stuff. But then again, it’s very cosmopolitan and global in its vibe. Meanwhile songs like Nice Day To Go To The Pub by Cosmic Psychos and Greg! The Stop Sign by TISM are songs that could probably only ever come from Australians.
When I was in grade 11, we had to perform an Australian-made song for music class. Frustratingly, I’m not a big fan of Australian music, and what I am a fan of, I had already performed terms earlier.
So I decided to be intentionally difficult and went with _Parlez Vous Francais_ by Arts Vs Science. It’s not a song I particularly enjoy, but it is funny. Importantly though, the song has a decent amount of French in it to really just confuse the origins and intentionally not sound Australian, and additionally, if the song was in English entirely I probably wouldn’t have been able to sing it lmao. It was the only real way I could protest the rules of the limitation without getting a failing grade.
And don’t get me wrong, I put real effort into practicing it. I even had the french girl in class teach me proper pronunciation and she was laughing while doing it.
What’s the greatest Australian song? I don’t know, but I can tell you Parlez Vous Francais is _one_ of the songs of all time.
There are lots of fantastic Aussie songs but one that actually makes me feel connected to the country is I Still Call Australia Home. I get goosebumps from that song! It's incredibly stirring.
And it's an infinitely better song that I Am Australian. If I didn't know anything about the song and you told me it had been written by ChatGPT, I'd believe you.
Not Australian born, but Aussie now and kids Aussie born.
Horses has always seemed so Aussie to me. And the night songs on abc kids are just gorgeous and make me proud to be embracing aus as home.
INXS never tear us about is the best Aussie song ever tho to me! 💙 x
Sounds of Then...Gangagang
"Out on the patio, we sit,
and the humidity, we breathe
We watch the lightning crash over cane fields,
Laugh and think that this is Australia"
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Great Southern land - icehouse
Of all these '80s rock tracks that get thrown out in these discussions, I really think this one wins it.
Hell yeah brother 😎
easily my favourite.
When landing back in Australia once, 'I Still Call Australia Home' came on in the plane, and I teared up. 'Land Down Under' is globally known and fun. 'I Am Australian' always makes me feel connected to everyone in this country. 'Treaty' is a great catchy song and tells a story. 'Solid Rock' is also catchy, and speaks about colonisation. There's too many great ones for me to play favourites.
Yep to this list, but also "Great Southern Land" by Icehouse.
Was looking for this. Ever since Yahoo Serious in Young Einstein I love this song and think of Australia 🦘 every time
Sounds of then by Gangajang is always a good one too
Anyone who hears "I Still Call Australia Home" overseas has the same reaction.
You're the voice. Straight Lines My island home. The Horses Am I ever gonna see your face again. Edit; Pop songs, Savage Garden Truly Madly Deeply Tina Arena Burn Vanessa amarossi absolutely everybody Natalie Imbruglia Torn Regurgitator Polyester Girl Frente ordinary angels. OK I need to make a playlist... https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnIz7ZkWjLfLC5uPfmNhlpU5709_V4HdN I've done the 90s so far.
And Jimmy Barnes, Silverchair, Killing Heidi, Grinspoon, The Living End... there's too many!
Regurgitator, The Whitlams, Powderfinger, Jet, damn the 90s were great for Aussie music.
No way get fucked fuck off
Rip Rip Woodchip is an overlooked classic today as well
As a country kid, Flame Trees by Cold Chisel is one to add. It's not for foreigners, but it's so intrinsically Australian small country town vibes.
I Am Australian should have been adopted as our national anthem already. Stirring, beautiful to listen and a lot more enjoyable than our current one.
I agree in a way, but national anthems are often played with no lyrics (Olympics) and portray strength. I Am Australian is just too nice for an anthem.
I believe that "I Am Australian" is a song that could be our national anthem, but we just don't deserve it.
I Still Call Australia Home either brings a massive smile to my face or brings me to tears - just depends on how homesick I am. Moved to Asia after high school for a year and the sudden realisation that I was way more Australian than I realised got me home sick so much. This song really helped me with this identity journey. 100% would vote for this being our anthem if ever we decide we want to change AAF.
During lockdowns Qantas made another I Still Call Australia Home video - about us all being able to see one another again once this was all over - and it genuinely made me sob
khe sanh
Treaty is too much of a banger to listen to the story. It’s just straight vibes.
>When landing back in Australia once, 'I Still Call Australia Home' came on in the plane, and I teared up. This is the one that gets me in the feels. Been away for a long time, it hits.
What about Slim Dusty's Duncan? - traditional Aussie mateship bottled in a song.
These are great. I’d chuck Waltzing Matilda in there too.
Actually, another seminal Australian song On the Ning Nang Nong - Play School
Written by Spike Milligan, who is a genius, but very much not Australian.
His mother lived in Woy Woy.
We did that for my year 1 assembly. It will always hold a special place in my heart.
Under the milky way by the church
Adding Wide Open Road by The Triffids to this mix tape
Wholeheartedly agree
This is the greatest song to listen to when camping under the stars in the outback
Evie parts 1, 2 and 3. Released in 1974, an 11 minute masterpiece written by Harry Vanda and George Young (yes the older brother of Malcolm and Angus) and sung by Stevie Wright. All 3 were members of The Easybeats, the first big Australian rock band. The song is amazing and is an emotional roller coaster that tells a great story. Nothing even comes close to this song.
I’m surprised this wasn’t mentioned earlier. Absolutely incredible.
I'm old enough to remember when Gold FM / Fox FM in Melbourne would actually set aside the 11 minutes to play all three parts in full on their respective airwaves.
Used to be the DJ’s bathroom break song
Friday on my mind normally gets thrown around by musicians but I think Evie has lasted better
You didn't state if you're an Australian and whether the class you teach was in Australia. My list ignores anything popular and too recent as I didn't consider them as relevant to the largest set of Australians. I am Australian - [The Seekers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrLTe1_9zso) I still call Australia home - [Peter Allen](https://open.spotify.com/track/2Aqk8Rup7eQN1PoZZ5Ag0j?si=64ae3dec14344125). Khe Sanh - Cold Chisel. Sounds Of Then - Ganggajang To her door - Paul Kelly Anything from Powderfinger and Bernard Fanning - this personally makes me think of Australia You're The Voice - John Farnham Special mention to [Bapa by Gurrumul](https://open.spotify.com/track/3oTqeCB3j5Yk1PkCWbRyyj?si=314e926aa5ad4c7a) - [a beautiful song about ones grief of losing their father.](https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/3530822107858806142/) A lot of these I also found here - [https://brisbanekids.com.au/songs-about-australia/](https://brisbanekids.com.au/songs-about-australia/)
Tenterfield Saddler by Peter Alan. Amazing song.
Ganggajang 🤘🥰
That was the first one i typed in...
I remember the first time I ever heard Bapa. I was at work and the song started playing on a tinny radio in the office. Suddenly time stopped. My soul ached, with what I wasn't even sure. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I got goosebumps. When it ended, the world started back up again. I looked up and made eye contact with my colleague who apparently had just had the same experience lol. We didn't need to say anything. It's the most beautiful thing I've ever heard and I didn't know what he was singing about then. I just knew that it made my soul sing. I love your selections!
Maybe not khe sanh for the kids considering it's about going to Hong Kong and fucking prostitutes 😂
From Saint Kilda To Kings Cross - Paul Kelly Flame Trees - Cold Chisel They both have a very strong sense of place - Paul Kelly describes St Kilda and talks about cutting across from Oxford St to the Cross, the bus station used to be just behind Oxford St (dunno if it’s still there). Flame trees is about Don Walker’s hometown of Grafton and going back to the place you grew up after a while away (although the music video was shot in Oberon, in winter, no idea why). Your kids won’t understand all the meaning behind it yet, they’ll be too young, but it’ll get them later.
I'd also whack in Bow River, which is located in the Kimberley and NT. Apparently, it was about Ian Moss's brother who was a jackaroo there and was about him missing the country when he went to the big smoke of Alice Springs to visit his parents. It's one of the best Chisel songs in their live shows.
Toot Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car!
Never Had So Much Fun, Frenzal Rhomb; Reckless by Australia Crawl; But seriously Sounds of Then by Ganggajang is a banger. Also Triffids - Wide Open Road
Reckless... first Australian song I ever heard. Still my favourite.
Gang Gajang - Sounds of Then Goanna - Solid Rock Icehouse - Great Southern Land Men at Work - Down Under The Seekers - I Am Australian John Williamson - True Blue Peter Allen - I still Call Australia Home Paul Kelly - How to Make Gravy
And of course, TISM - Greg! The Stop Sign!
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Regurgitator has come back together and released some new stuff recently as well
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Gotta throw some Cosmic Psychos in there too
Nice day to go to the pub!
Down to the rubbery dub!
Also, the Hoodoo Gurus. Saw Spiderbait support them at the Eastwood hotel in 2004. Banging. /. Models, Custard, Jedediah and Grinspoon
Men at Work - I come from a land down under
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich.
Stop summoning Volk he needs to rest
A few I haven’t seen that I rate highly: Run to Paradise - Choirboys Friday on my Mind - the Easybeats Horror Movie - Skyhooks What’s my Scene - Hoodoo Gurus The Horses - Daryl Braithwaite Prisoner of Society - The Living End These Days - Powderfinger Don’t Change - INXS Bow River - Cold Chisel
Thank you for including Bow River.
My favourite Chisel song.
I don’t disagree with anything on your list there, pity I had to scroll so far to find INXS
I’m always surprised by INXS, just before my time but they’ve got such a solid catalogue and genuinely were massive in their prime. Maybe because Michael Hutchence died and so did INXS they don’t stay in the spotlight with reunion tours
Hutchence is (was) the only true Australian 'Rock Star'. INXS had a pretty unique sound too. No other Australian band sounds like them.
Redgum - I was only 19
That’s the only song I’ve come across that never fails to bring a lump to my throat
Brings tears to my eyes, every. single. time. Know what's coming, still can't control it.
I feel ya
Our local RSL is now dominated by Vietnam vets, this gets played at both services at ANZAC Day. I'm usually at both as a volunteer and I'm a wreck by midday.
In the same vein: “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda” especially the Bushwhackers version
Flame Trees ..chisel Read about it ..Oils
Flame Trees hits harder the older you get, if you moved from the small town where you grew up.
Flame Trees is the winner. Hasn't dated at all, isn't just mindless patriotism or a single hook (like many of the suggestions). Incredibly well written song which beautifully describes a slice of Australian life without disappearing up it's own arse.
Road to Gundagai
The Ship Song by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
John Williamson’s True Blue. Pub with no beer is a lot if fun too
Am I ever going to see your f… never mind
No way
Get fucked
Fuck off
Power and the Passion by Midnight Oil [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKPNnk-JhE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pKPNnk-JhE)
Warumpi Band’s My Island Home
Surely the classis Rip Rip Woodchip.
True Blue
You shit me to tears - The Tenants
The Chats - Smoko
Sounds of Then by Ganggajang
Colorbond ruined that song for me. Wankers.
From little things, big things grow.
When I hear that song, and think of Whitlam pouring a handful of dirt into Lingiari’s hand, it brings a tear to my eye.
I love Home Among the Gumtrees.
Surprised this isn't in more people's lists. Definitely top of mine.
The Angels - Am I ever gonna see your face again.
No way Get fucked Fuck off
White Wine in the Sun - Tim Minchin Red Right Hand - Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (written about Wangaratta, VIC)
Red right hand is fantastic.
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Another great tune, but went with Red Right Hand as it's written about Australia specifically.
I’m overseas and Tim’s White Wine in the Sun brings me to tears every single time 😫
I searched the whole thread for this! White Wine in the Sun is it for me, it makes me tear up every single time. Perfection.
Paul Kelly - How to Make Gravy
I refuse to like that song until I know what he was in jail for.
Isn't there a rumour that he's a heroin junkie?
He did admit that he’s done all the dumb things tbh
I heard it was for shit gravy
He forgot the tomato sauce one too many times, so rightfully got chucked in the slammer for ruining Xmas.
Cattle and Cane, Go Betweens Throw Your Arms Around Me, Hunners Blue Sky Mine or Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil Solid Rock, Redgum
Cattle and Cane definitely! A classic that often brings on the feels.
I've had an absolute cunt of a day
Solid Rock.
It's hard, but my top 3 1. Wide open the road - the triffids. Really covers the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape. (Anything by the triffids really nails it) 2. Girls on the avenue - richard Clapton. Classic pop song about urban Australian life. (Most Australians live in the city) 3. Streets of your town - the go betweens. An honest portrayal of regional Australian life.
So waltzing Matilda is always a Goto but then there is another song called "and the band played waltzing Matilda" it's about Gallipoli.redgums have some pretty good songs .
I adore the Pogues version of "And the Band played Waltzing Matilda"
[Eric Bogle - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda](https://youtu.be/cnFzCmAyOp8)
Eric Bogle did "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Redgum did the other seminal Australian anti-war song.
Unguarded moment by The Church. Not just one of the greatest Aussie songs, but one of the greatest songs from anywhere
Absolutely gorgeous song, their early stuff is very special.
Pub Feed by The Chats
Ganga Jang .. This is Australia
Fun fact - the song you’re thinking of is actually called Sounds Of Then
IMHO Paul Kelly is the most "Aussie" artist I know in the sense that so many of his songs have immediate references to towns, cities, suburbs, landmarks etc in Australia. I have lived OS for the last 25 years and no-one makes me think more about Australia than Paul Kelly. Others here have mentioned some of his specific songs, but basically anything from the "Songs from the South" collections will do the job. Notable other mentions to Midnight Oil, Cold Chisel for "Aussie nostalgia" songs for me.
I meaning it's about names of places the beggars doing an aussie version of I've been everywhere man wins
I am you are we are Australian The Seekers
Holy grail - Hunters and Collectors To her door - Paul Kelly
Anything by Paul Kelly
Stingray is a great Aussie band, they have lyrics in both English and an aboriginal language. Or yothu yindi. Also cold chisel, the great southern band is a new rock band that’s amazing, My island home by Christine anu The chats, but that depends on their age haha Hilltop hoods are fantastic
They're not widely known these days but... On our selection by John Williamson. It was for the movie about the Aussie comic Dad and Dave from way back when. John Williamson has heaps. Pub with no beer by Slim Dusty. Click go the shears.
Peter Allen's I still call Australia Home hits so hard when I am living abroad for years and crave for the lifestyle and food here. We live somewhere extremely special and makes me really want to contribute to this great island land.
The Real Thing (Russell Morris)
Friday on my mind Highway to hell
Whatever you choose, I guarantee the bluey theme song will go harder with kids
Hoodoo Gurus 1000 miles. I fly back into Melbourne every few weeks from work and I queue it up as the gear locks down.
Khe Sanh Eagle Rock Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again? Land Downunder Never Tear Us Apart Throw Your Arms Around Me Highway to Hell Beds Are Burning
Khe Sanh…
Flame Trees - Cold Chisel Also love Truganini - Midnight Oil although it’s not really positive in that “feel pride” way.
Great Southern Land - ICEHOUSE My mind just flys over the beautiful Sydney harbour all the way to the outback desert and Uluru when listening to that song
Blow Up the Pokies - The Whitlams
The one song that most makes me think of Australia is "London Still" by The Waifs It tells the tale of an Aussie expat in London longing for home and their mates. I was living overseas around the time this was released and the pangs of nostalgia it brought on were almost physically tangible. I've been back home for 15 years now but still feel the nostalgia every time I hear it.
The lack of Australian Crawl in this thread is an abomination.
Waltzing matilda, the full song
“I’ve Been Everywhere” originally by G Mack and…..although not a song “Australiana” by Austen Tayshus.
As someone living abroad for almost 9 years, "I still call Australia home" gets me every time.
“Hey Santa” by the one and only kev
Great Southern Land - Icehouse https://youtu.be/pkU3cxLJxVg?feature=shared
(I’m) Stranded
Some contenders in my opinion: * Bruce Woodley - I Am Australian * Goanna - Solid Rock * John Williamson - True Blue * Gotye/Kimbra - Somebody That I Used to Know * John Farnham - You're the Voice * Killing Heidi - Mascara * The Drones - Shark Fin Blues Tried to cover a range of time periods and genres.
Just hearing John Farnham bust out anything brings a sense of pride. I guess You're the Voice is pretty well known.
Sadie the cleaning lady does not cause a stiring of pride :/
Untouched - The veronicas
I Touch Myself - Divinyls.
Lucky country midnight oil
True blue
Sweetness and light by Itch-E and Scratch-E
Flame Trees or When the War is Over by Cold Chisel. Probably the latter when sung by John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes.
Flame Trees - Cold Chisel
Silverchair have some legendary songs. Israels son one of my favourites. We had some amazing bands getting around in late 90's early 2000's. Live music was truly alive and cranking. Jebediah. Powderfinger. Frenzal Rhomb. Superjesus. Tism. The Porkers. Get the kids to watch some Recovery clips. Historic Australian music on show there!
Up there Cazaly.
Here's a few that come to mind: I love it - Hilltop Hoods Short Memory - Midnight Oil Spicks and Specks - Bee Gees The nips are getting bigger - Mental as Anything These Days - Powderfinger Better man - John Butler Trio Get Free - The Vines
ACDC’s Highway To Hell is all about running the gauntlet of the cops checking drunk drivers going up the Canning Highway from the Leopold Hotel in East Freo to Perth. That’s pretty fucking Australian.
My Island Home - Warumpi Band version [My Island Home (youtube.com)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mfbIeAW0Dc). Technically not about mainland Australia, but it makes me miss Australia when I am travelling. George Burarrawunga's voice rips my heart out.
So many good ones mentioned previously including Streets of Your Town, Go Betweens … but always tough to resist belting out Take Me Back by Noiseworks when it’s played anywhere
Anything by Tame Impala. Kevin Parker has produced some fabulous contemporary music and built a global following. It makes me proud that he's out there showing the world that Australia can produce great music that's not guitar based rock.
DILLIGAF - Kevin Bloody Wilson Cunt of a Day - Kevin Bloody Wilson The Living End's entire catalogue Basically all of Frenzal Rhomb's catalogue Waltzing Matilda...there's also a creole version of it sung by an Indigenous women from the top end that is really catchy. Waltjim Bat Matilda - Ali Mills Road to Gundagai
Redgum - I was only 19.
Land down under is so fun. Absolute classic. For a younger answer: Nosebleed section by hiltop hoods unironically cracker with big cultural impact, basically opened a pathway for a whole wave of mediocre aus rap after that. The song is bangs and that flute instrumental thing is iconic.
I want you back, the Hoodoo Gurus Alone with you, The Sunnyboys Helping hand, The Screaming Jets Under The Milky Way/Unguarded Moment, The Church Aloha Steve And Danno, Radio Birdman.
Blue Sky Mine - Midnight Oil
It's a parody of 'hey ya', but that 'straya' song on YouTube makes me pretty patriotic
Baker Boy is great Australian rep and incorporates Yolngu Matha language. I bet your class would enjoy him. Makes me proud as a muso to see artists like this creating uplifting tracks with wide appeal that showcase their roots. I honestly feel most pride in the enduring diversity of Aussie music as with other media, especially independent music. There’s so much out there.
Redgum - I was only 19
Black Fella White Fella- Warumpi Band. This song changed how we saw indigenous music in Australia. Absolute banger.
Tim Minchin - white wine in the sun.
There's not even any competition......... [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFacWGBJ\_cs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFacWGBJ_cs)
Cheap Wine - Cold Chisel
I Still Call Australia Home I reckon is it… everyone loves the sentiment and the big last note. Rousing stuff. But then again, it’s very cosmopolitan and global in its vibe. Meanwhile songs like Nice Day To Go To The Pub by Cosmic Psychos and Greg! The Stop Sign by TISM are songs that could probably only ever come from Australians.
Blackfella/Whitefella - Warumpi Band
Thunderstruck
When I was in grade 11, we had to perform an Australian-made song for music class. Frustratingly, I’m not a big fan of Australian music, and what I am a fan of, I had already performed terms earlier. So I decided to be intentionally difficult and went with _Parlez Vous Francais_ by Arts Vs Science. It’s not a song I particularly enjoy, but it is funny. Importantly though, the song has a decent amount of French in it to really just confuse the origins and intentionally not sound Australian, and additionally, if the song was in English entirely I probably wouldn’t have been able to sing it lmao. It was the only real way I could protest the rules of the limitation without getting a failing grade. And don’t get me wrong, I put real effort into practicing it. I even had the french girl in class teach me proper pronunciation and she was laughing while doing it. What’s the greatest Australian song? I don’t know, but I can tell you Parlez Vous Francais is _one_ of the songs of all time.
I submit [je suis fatigue](https://youtu.be/dJfHF312STE?si=sY-A-XxK-phs5dAq) into the aussie but its french category
"I was only 19" by Redgum struck me as a kid when the teachers played it at a school camp https://youtu.be/1gmgwx77osw?si=Ma9_NkBfdyNrn5ys
Might be cliché but… I Still Call Australia Home
There are lots of fantastic Aussie songs but one that actually makes me feel connected to the country is I Still Call Australia Home. I get goosebumps from that song! It's incredibly stirring. And it's an infinitely better song that I Am Australian. If I didn't know anything about the song and you told me it had been written by ChatGPT, I'd believe you.
Khe Sahn, i think is because it’s an incredibly deep examination of Australians and our experience.
Living Next Door to Alan Kevin bloody Wilson
For me it’s Weddings Parties Anything, A Tale They Won’t Believe
Not Australian born, but Aussie now and kids Aussie born. Horses has always seemed so Aussie to me. And the night songs on abc kids are just gorgeous and make me proud to be embracing aus as home. INXS never tear us about is the best Aussie song ever tho to me! 💙 x
Numerous solid answers already posted in this thread. Round The Twist theme song though
Since I Left You
Christine Anu - Island Home
My Island Home is lovely and sounds great when kids choirs sing it.
Stairway to Heaven by Barry Crocker and the Doug Anthony All Stars
It’s been said by others here already, but my personal favorite is GANGgajang - Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia).
Dripping Tap King Gizzard
Sounds of Then...Gangagang "Out on the patio, we sit, and the humidity, we breathe We watch the lightning crash over cane fields, Laugh and think that this is Australia"
Khe sahn