Bangers for your barbie
NEED SOME AUSSIE CLASSICS FOR A PARTY PLAYLIST? THESE HOMEGROWN CRACKERS ARE FOOLPROOF
YOU’RE THE VOICE JOHN FARNHAM
Aussieness: not written by Australians, but some folk whose bank managers would be very happy this has become an unofficial Australian national anthem.
Unity factor: can bring people together (pre-COVID) within seconds, however Farnsey has been quick to express his displeasure at the song being used as a soundtrack for racist rallies or ‘freedom’ marches by anti-maskers.
THE HORSES
DARYL BRAITHWAITE
Aussieness: Again written by Americans, but Dazzler has made this the seventh highest-selling song by an Australian in ARIA history – it’s now sold 560,000 copies.
Unity factor: from rock festivals (remember them) to barbies to umpteen racing events, The Horses has been good to everyone involved.
KHE SANH COLD CHISEL
Aussieness: Penned by Queenslander Don Walker, Khe Sanh was voted the ‘Most Australian Song’ by Triple M in 2018 and you cannot argue with that. You can argue with the fact it’s never charted higher than No. 40. That is unAustralian.
Unity factor: Opening lines can start a singalong in under 10 seconds flat. IT’S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP (IF YOU WANNA ROCK AND ROLL)
AC/DC
Aussieness: The late Bon Scott was born in Scotland, but we’ve embraced him as one of our finest rock stars and this ode to life in a band still rings true.
Unity factor: If you’re not on board by the bagpipes, there’s no hope.
AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN
THE ANGELS
Aussieness: It doesn’t get much more Aussie than a song that audiences create their own explicit call and response to.
Unity factor: see above, it’s crossed generations since the song’s release in 1976.
DOWN UNDER MEN AT WORK
Aussieness: A song about
Australians overseas that would go to No. 1 in the US and UK.
Unity factor: This indeed somehow manages to address being Australian looking from outside and from within. So something for everyone.
GREAT SOUTHERN LAND ICEHOUSE
Aussieness: It’s a love letter to missing Australia, but without speaking in cliches. Plus, that chorus. Unity factor: Did we mention that chorus.
BOYS IN TOWN DIVINYLS
Aussieness: These playlists can get very blokey. So Chrissy Amphlett bagging out rotten dudes will break stuff up.
Unity factor: This song is a sure-fire party starter.
DANCE MONKEY TONES AND I
Aussieness: Written by Toni
Watson, aka Tones on her lonesome (that’s a rarity in the world of modern pop) this was literally about how people treated her while she was busking on the streets of Byron Bay. Unity factor: This song will get a toddler moving, let along a grandparent, and comes with its own in-built drop. If you have one of those rusted-on playlists that never gets updated, this is a safe option to bring it into this century.