Down Under (song): Difference between revisions
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{{short description|1981 single by Men at Work}} |
{{short description|1981 single by Men at Work}} |
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{{Use Australian English|date=December 2012}} |
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2012}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date= |
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}} |
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{{Infobox song |
{{Infobox song |
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| name = Down Under |
| name = Down Under |
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| cover = Down under men at work australia single.jpg |
| cover = Down under men at work australia single.jpg |
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| border = yes |
| border = yes the bolder is goin to 15,000 dollers. |
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I well have to do a call at 9;00 |
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| alt = |
| alt = |
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| caption = 7" Australian single |
| caption = 7" Australian single |
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| album = [[Business as Usual (Men at Work album)|Business as Usual]] |
| album = [[Business as Usual (Men at Work album)|Business as Usual]] |
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| B-side = "Crazy" (AUS/NA)<br/>"Helpless Automaton" (EU) |
| B-side = "Crazy" (AUS/NA)<br/>"Helpless Automaton" (EU) |
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| released = |
| released = {{Start date|1981|11|2|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|title= Platterlog: Singles – Supplementary |publisher= [[Kent Music Report|Platterlog]] |page= 7 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 2 November 1981 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/C8xUtDx.jpg}}</ref> |
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| recorded = 1981 |
| recorded = 1981 |
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| studio = |
| studio = |
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| genre = |
| genre = *[[New wave music|New wave]]<ref>{{cite web|first= Lyndsey |last= Parker |title= Men at Work vs. The Man: '80s Band Charged with Plagiarism |date= 4 February 2010 |publisher= [[Yahoo! Music]] |url= https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/men-at-work-vs-the-man-80s-band-charged-with-plagiarism.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002438/https://music.yahoo.com/blogs/stop-the-presses/men-at-work-vs-the-man-80s-band-charged-with-plagiarism.html |archive-date= 15 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="AllMusic">{{AllMusic |class=album |id= mw0000190990 |
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|title= Men At Work - ''Business As Usual'' (1982) Review |last= Erlewine|first= Stephen Thomas|access-date= 2 February 2024}}</ref> |
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|title= Men At Work - ''Business As Usual'' (1982) Review |last= Erlewine|first= Stephen Thomas|access-date= February 2, 2024}}</ref>|[[pop rock]]<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref>{{cite news|first= Ryan |last= Reed |date= 2 March 2011 |title= Colin Hay Is Still at Work, 25 Years After 'Down Under' |newspaper= [[Metro Pulse]] |url= http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/mar/02/colin-hay-still-work-25-years-after-down-under/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110315103450/http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/mar/02/colin-hay-still-work-25-years-after-down-under/ |archive-date= 15 March 2011}}</ref>|[[Pub rock (Australia)|pub rock]]<ref name="RS 1983">{{cite magazine|last= Sheffield|first= Rob|date= February 24, 2023|title=The 100 Best Songs of 1983, the Year Pop Went Crazy|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-1983-1234681014/|access-date=September 4, 2023|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|quote=Men at Work did happy-go-lucky pub-rock singalongs like “Down Under,” one of the year’s first Number One hits.}}</ref>|[[reggae]]<ref>{{cite news|first= Troy L. |last= Smith |title= Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best |website= [[Cleveland.com]] |date= 13 May 2021 |access-date= 30 January 2023|url= https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/05/every-no-1-song-of-the-1980s-ranked-from-mad-bogus-to-totally-bodacious.html}}</ref><ref name= "Matos 2020">{{cite book|first=Michaelangelo|last=Matos|title=Can’t Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year|chapter= Island Records, London: May 8, 1984|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Can_t_Slow_Down.html?id=RGLbDwAAQBAJ|date=8 December 2020|publisher=[[Hachette Books]]|isbn=978-0-306-90337-3|page=112}}</ref>}} |
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*[[pop rock]]<ref name="AllMusic"/><ref>{{cite news|first= Ryan |last= Reed |date= 2 March 2011 |title= Colin Hay Is Still at Work, 25 Years After 'Down Under' |newspaper= [[Metro Pulse]] |url= http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/mar/02/colin-hay-still-work-25-years-after-down-under/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110315103450/http://www.metropulse.com/news/2011/mar/02/colin-hay-still-work-25-years-after-down-under/ |archive-date= 15 March 2011}}</ref> |
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*[[Pub rock (Australia)|pub rock]]<ref name="RS 1983">{{cite magazine|last= Sheffield|first= Rob|date= 24 February 2023|title=The 100 Best Songs of 1983, the Year Pop Went Crazy|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-1983-1234681014/|access-date=4 September 2023|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|quote=Men at Work did happy-go-lucky pub-rock singalongs like “Down Under,” one of the year’s first Number One hits.}}</ref> |
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*[[reggae]]<ref>{{cite news|first= Troy L. |last= Smith |title= Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best |website= [[Cleveland.com]] |date= 13 May 2021 |access-date= 30 January 2023|url= https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/05/every-no-1-song-of-the-1980s-ranked-from-mad-bogus-to-totally-bodacious.html}}</ref><ref name= "Matos 2020">{{cite book|first=Michaelangelo|last=Matos|title=Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year|chapter= Island Records, London: May 8, 1984|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RGLbDwAAQBAJ|date=8 December 2020|publisher=[[Hachette Books]]|isbn=978-0-306-90337-3|page=112}}</ref> |
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| length = 3:42 |
| length = 3:42 |
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| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]] |
| label = [[Columbia Records|Columbia]] |
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| composer = |
| composer = *[[Colin Hay]] |
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*[[Ron Strykert]] |
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| lyricist = Colin Hay |
| lyricist = Colin Hay |
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| producer = Peter McIan |
| producer = Peter McIan |
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| header = Music videos |
| header = Music videos |
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| 1 = {{YouTube|XfR9iY5y94s|"Down Under"}} |
| 1 = {{YouTube|XfR9iY5y94s|"Down Under"}} |
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}} |
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⚫ | "'''Down Under'''" is a song recorded by Australian [[rock music|rock]] band [[Men at Work]]. It was originally self-released in 1980 as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] to their first local single, "Keypunch Operator", before the band signed a recording contract with [[Columbia Records]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.colinhay.com/music/men-at-work-down-underkeypunch-operator/ | title=Men at Work - Down Under/Keypunch Operator }}</ref> Both early songs were written by the group's co-founders, [[Colin Hay]] and [[Ron Strykert]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/master/88211-Men-At-Work-Down-Under/image/SW1hZ2U6MTA0NjU0NzA=|title=Down Under (7" vinyl single release)|date=9 September 1981 |publisher=discogs.com}}</ref> The early version of "Down Under" has a slightly slower tempo and different arrangement from the later Columbia release.<ref>{{cite book|first= Ian |last= McFarlane |author-link= Ian McFarlane |year= 1999 |title= [[Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop]] |chapter= Encyclopedia entry for 'Men at Work' |chapter-url= http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=482 |publisher= [[Allen & Unwin]] |isbn= 1-86448-768-2 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20030513171104/http://www.whammo.com.au/encyclopedia.asp?articleid=482 |archive-date= 13 May 2003}}</ref> The best-known version was then released on Columbia in 1981 as the second single from Men at Work's debut studio album ''[[Business as Usual (Men at Work album)|Business as Usual]]''. |
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}} |
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⚫ | "'''Down Under'''" is a song recorded by Australian [[rock music|rock]] band [[Men at Work]]. It was originally released in |
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The hit song went to number one in their home country Australia in December 1981, and then topped the New Zealand charts in February 1982. The song topped the Canadian charts in October 1982.<ref name="CAN"/> In the United States, the song debuted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on 6 November 1982 at No. 79, and reached No. 1 in January 1983. Topping the US ''Billboard'' chart for four non-consecutive weeks, it eventually sold over two million copies in the US alone. ''Billboard'' ranked it at No. 4 for 1983.<ref name="US"/> In the UK, the song topped the charts in January and February 1983: the only Men at Work song to make the UK top 20.<ref>{{cite web|title= Men at Work |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date= 9 February 2012 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/19843/men%20at%20work/}}</ref> The song also went to No. 1 in Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland, and was a top 10 hit in many other countries. |
The hit song went to number one in their home country Australia in December 1981, and then topped the New Zealand charts in February 1982. The song topped the Canadian charts in October 1982.<ref name="CAN"/> In the United States, the song debuted on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] on 6 November 1982 at No. 79, and reached No. 1 in January 1983. Topping the US ''Billboard'' chart for four non-consecutive weeks, it eventually sold over two million copies in the US alone. ''Billboard'' ranked it at No. 4 for 1983.<ref name="US"/> In the UK, the song topped the charts in January and February 1983: the only Men at Work song to make the UK top 20.<ref>{{cite web|title= Men at Work |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date= 9 February 2012 |url= http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/19843/men%20at%20work/}}</ref> The song also went to No. 1 in Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland, and was a top 10 hit in many other countries. |
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"Down Under" is perceived as a patriotic song in [[Australia]]; it remains popular and is often played at sporting events.<ref name="aa34"/><ref name="bbcmag"/><ref>{{cite news|first= Bonnie |last= Malkin |title= Men at Work sued over 'stolen' riff in Down Under |newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |date= 30 July 2009 |access-date= 13 December 2017 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/5939883/Men-at-Work-sued-over-stolen-riff-in-Down-Under.html}}</ref> In January 2018, as part of [[Triple M]]'s "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time so far, "Down Under" was ranked number 2 behind [[Cold Chisel]]'s "[[Khe Sanh (song)|Khe Sanh]]".<ref>{{cite news|title= Here Are the Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100' |work= [[Music Feeds]] |date= 27 January 2018 |access-date= 4 January 2020 |url= http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/songs-made-triple-ms-ozzest-100/}}</ref> |
"Down Under" is perceived as a patriotic song in [[Australia]]; it remains popular and is often played at sporting events.<ref name="aa34"/><ref name="bbcmag"/><ref>{{cite news|first= Bonnie |last= Malkin |title= Men at Work sued over 'stolen' riff in Down Under |newspaper= The Daily Telegraph |date= 30 July 2009 |access-date= 13 December 2017 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/5939883/Men-at-Work-sued-over-stolen-riff-in-Down-Under.html}}</ref> In January 2018, as part of [[Triple M]]'s "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time so far, "Down Under" was ranked number 2 behind [[Cold Chisel]]'s "[[Khe Sanh (song)|Khe Sanh]]".<ref>{{cite news|title= Here Are the Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100' |work= [[Music Feeds]] |date= 27 January 2018 |access-date= 4 January 2020 |url= http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/songs-made-triple-ms-ozzest-100/}}</ref> |
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==Lyrics== |
==Lyrics== |
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The lyrics to "Down Under" depict an Australian man travelling the globe, meeting people who are interested in his home country. The story is based in part on singer Colin Hay's own travels abroad, including a prominent reference to a [[Vegemite]] sandwich (a popular snack in Australia), which derived from an encounter with a tall baker from Brussels who emigrated from [[Brunswick, Victoria|Brunswick, Melbourne]].<ref name="bbcmag"/> Hay has said the lyric was partly inspired by [[Barry Humphries]]' character [[Barry McKenzie]], a comically stereotypical Australian who tours abroad.<ref name="SF"/> |
The lyrics to "Down Under" depict an Australian man travelling the globe (specifically mentioning [[Brussels]] and [[Bombay]]), meeting people who are interested in his home country. The story is based in part on singer Colin Hay's own travels abroad , including a prominent reference to a [[Vegemite]] sandwich (a popular snack in Australia), which derived from an encounter with a tall baker from Brussels who emigrated from [[Brunswick, Victoria|Brunswick, Melbourne]].<ref name="bbcmag"/> Hay has said the lyric was partly inspired by [[Barry Humphries]]' character [[Barry McKenzie]], a comically stereotypical Australian who tours abroad.<ref name="SF"/> |
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[[Slang]] and drug terms are featured in the lyrics. It opens with the singer "travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie". In Australian slang, "fried-out" at that time meant that it is in really poor condition and overheating (as in a [[short circuit]] rather than drunk/high), "Kombi" is short for "Kombinationskraftwagen" and refers to the [[Volkswagen Type 2]], and "full of zombie" refers to the use of a type of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]].<ref name="bbcmag"/> "[[Hippie trail]]" refers to a subcultural tourist route popular in the 1960s and 1970s which stretched from Western Europe to South-East Asia. The song also contains the refrain "where beer does flow and men chunder". To "chunder" means to [[Vomiting|vomit]].<ref name="bbcmag">{{Cite news |title=Down Under-covered |work=[[BBC News Magazine]] |date=1 August 2009 |access-date=10 June 2014 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8178913.stm}}</ref> |
[[Slang]] and drug terms are featured in the lyrics. It opens with the singer "travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie". In Australian slang, "fried-out" at that time meant that it is in really poor condition and overheating (as in a [[short circuit]] rather than drunk/high), "Kombi" is short for "Kombinationskraftwagen" and refers to the [[Volkswagen Type 2]], and "full of zombie" refers to the use of a type of [[Cannabis (drug)|marijuana]].<ref name="bbcmag"/> "[[Hippie trail]]" refers to a subcultural tourist route popular in the 1960s and 1970s which stretched from Western Europe to South-East Asia. The song also contains the refrain "where beer does flow and men chunder". To "chunder" means to [[Vomiting|vomit]].<ref name="bbcmag">{{Cite news |title=Down Under-covered |work=[[BBC News Magazine]] |date=1 August 2009 |access-date=10 June 2014 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8178913.stm}}</ref> |
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Speaking to Songfacts about the overall meaning of the lyric, Hay remarked: |
Speaking to Songfacts about the overall meaning of the lyric, Hay remarked: |
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{{ |
{{blockquote|The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It's really more than that.<ref name="SF">{{cite web|title= Down Under by Men at Work |publisher=[[Songfacts]] |access-date= 11 February 2010 |url= http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2962}}</ref>}} |
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The |
The music video comically plays out the events of the lyric, showing Hay and other band members riding in a Volkswagen Kombi van, eating [[muesli]] with a 'strange lady', eating and drinking in a café, and lying in an [[opium den]]. The band are moved along at one point by a man in a shirt and tie who places a 'Sold' sign in the ground. Exterior shots were filmed at the [[Cronulla sand dunes]] in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web|title= Men at Work's Colin Hay on Friday Night Videos intro for Down Under |date= 16 May 2012 |publisher= [[YouTube]] |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF6nUqtldt0 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/zF6nUqtldt0 |archive-date= 21 December 2021}} {{cbignore}}</ref> The band are seen carrying a coffin across the dunes at the end. This, Hay has explained, was a warning to his fellow Australians that their country's identity was dying as a result of overdevelopment and [[Americanization|Americanisation]]. Hay has also stated that the same ominous sentiment lies behind the choral line, "Can't you hear that thunder? You'd better run; you'd better take cover".<ref name="bbcmag"/> |
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==Critical reception== |
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==Reception== |
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''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "tongue-in-cheek story song that relies on percussion and vocals more than sax."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|title=Top Single Picks|date= |
''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' called it a "tongue-in-cheek story song that relies on percussion and vocals more than sax."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Billboard|title=Top Single Picks|date=6 November 1982|accessdate=8 February 2023|page=62|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AiQEAAAAMBAJ}}</ref> |
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==Cultural significance== |
==Cultural significance== |
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The song is a perennial favourite on Australian radio and [[Television in Australia|television]], and topped the charts in the US and UK simultaneously in early 1983.<ref>{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title= Men at Work – Artist Biography |website= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/men-at-work-mn0000873085/biography |quote= second American number one early in 1983 and it became the band's first British hit single; the song reached number one in both countries simultaneously.}}</ref> It was later used as a theme song by the crew of ''[[Australia II]]'' in their successful bid to win the [[America's Cup]] in 1983.<ref name="Readex">{{Cite web |url=https://www.readex.com/blog/we-come-land-down-under-australia%E2%80%99s-thrilling-victory-1983-america%E2%80%99s-cup |title=We Come from a Land Down Under: Australia's Thrilling Victory in the 1983 America's Cup |last=Paolacci |first=Louise |date=12 September 2013 |website=Readex |language=en |access-date=24 September 2018 |
The song is a perennial favourite on Australian radio and [[Television in Australia|television]], and topped the charts in the US and UK simultaneously in early 1983.<ref>{{cite web|first= Stephen Thomas |last= Erlewine |author-link= Stephen Thomas Erlewine |title= Men at Work – Artist Biography |website= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/artist/men-at-work-mn0000873085/biography |quote= second American number one early in 1983 and it became the band's first British hit single; the song reached number one in both countries simultaneously.}}</ref> It was later used as a theme song by the crew of ''[[Australia II]]'' in their successful bid to win the [[America's Cup]] in 1983.<ref name="Readex">{{Cite web |url=https://www.readex.com/blog/we-come-land-down-under-australia%E2%80%99s-thrilling-victory-1983-america%E2%80%99s-cup |title=We Come from a Land Down Under: Australia's Thrilling Victory in the 1983 America's Cup |last=Paolacci |first=Louise |date=12 September 2013 |website=Readex |language=en |access-date=24 September 2018 |publisher=[[NewsBank]]}}</ref> Men at Work played this song in the [[2000 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|closing ceremony]] of the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] in Sydney, alongside other Australian artists.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|title= Men at Work lose plagiarism case |work= BBC News Online |date= 4 February 2010 |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8497433.stm}}</ref> |
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The song is also the walkout music for Australian former [[UFC Featherweight Champion]] [[Alexander Volkanovski]].<ref name="walkout">{{cite news|title= Alexander Volkanovski Walkout Song: Which Track Does the Featherweight Champ Walk Out To? |work= Essentially Sports |date= |
The song is also the walkout music for Australian former [[List of UFC champions#Featherweight Championship|UFC Featherweight Champion]] [[Alexander Volkanovski]].<ref name="walkout">{{cite news|title= Alexander Volkanovski Walkout Song: Which Track Does the Featherweight Champ Walk Out To? |work= Essentially Sports |date= 16 February 2024 |access-date= 25 February 2024 |url= https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-alexander-volkanovski-walkout-song-which-track-does-the-featherweight-champ-walk-out-to/}}</ref> |
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In May 2001, [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Best Australian Songs]] from 1926 to 2001, as decided by a hundred-strong industry panel. "Down Under" was ranked as the fourth song on the list.<ref>{{cite web|title= The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs |date= 28 May 2001 |publisher= [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] |url-status= dead |url= http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |archive-date= 8 March 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080308150930/http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp}}</ref> |
In May 2001, [[APRA AMCOS|Australasian Performing Right Association]] (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the [[APRA Top 30 Australian songs|Best Australian Songs]] from 1926 to 2001, as decided by a hundred-strong industry panel. "Down Under" was ranked as the fourth song on the list.<ref>{{cite web|title= The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs |date= 28 May 2001 |publisher= [[Australasian Performing Right Association]] |url-status= dead |url= http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp |archive-date= 8 March 2008 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080308150930/http://www.apra.com.au/awards/music/2001_topten.asp}}</ref> |
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The song was ranked number 96 on [[VH1]]'s "100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s" in October 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Greatest » Ep. 167 "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s (Hour 1)" |publisher= [[VH1]] |url= http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=106853 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111210013209/http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=106853 |archive-date= 10 December 2011}}</ref> |
The song was ranked number 96 on [[VH1]]'s "100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s" in October 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title= The Greatest » Ep. 167 "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s (Hour 1)" |publisher= [[VH1]] |url= http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=106853 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111210013209/http://www.vh1.com/shows/the_greatest/episode.jhtml?episodeID=106853 |archive-date= 10 December 2011}}</ref> |
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"Down Under" was one of the goal songs for [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]] during the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hamilton|first1=Tom|title=World Cup goal music: Every team's song choices in Qatar, with Gala's 'Freed From Desire' topping the chart |
"Down Under" was one of the goal songs for [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]] during the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hamilton|first1=Tom|title=World Cup goal music: Every team's song choices in Qatar, with Gala's 'Freed From Desire' topping the chart |
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|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37634221/world-cup-goal-music-every-teams-song-choices-qatar|magazine=ESPN|access-date= |
|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37634221/world-cup-goal-music-every-teams-song-choices-qatar|magazine=ESPN|access-date=29 November 2022}}</ref> |
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"Down Under" was named the greatest song of all time on [[Triple M]]'s GOAT 600 countdown in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://articles.listnr.com/music/triple-m-goat-song/amp/ | title=Triple M's GOAT Song Countdown: Full List | date=19 July 2024 }}</ref> |
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==Copyright lawsuit== |
==Copyright lawsuit== |
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{{ |
{{Further|List of songs subject to plagiarism disputes}} |
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In 2007, on the [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] quiz show ''[[Spicks and Specks (TV series)|Spicks and Specks]],'' the question was posed, "What children's song is contained in the song 'Down Under'?" The answer, "[[Kookaburra (song)|Kookaburra]]", a song whose rights were owned by [[Larrikin Records|Larrikin Music]], resulted in phone calls and emails to Larrikin the next day.<ref>{{cite news|title= Down Under and Kookaburra in copyright battle |work= [[News.com.au]] |date= 12 October 2009 |access-date= 12 October 2012 |url= http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/quiz-show-sparks-aussie-anthems-battle/story-e6frfn09-1111117725552}}</ref> Larrikin Music subsequently decided to take legal action against Hay and Strykert, the song's writers. |
In 2007, on the [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC-TV]] quiz show ''[[Spicks and Specks (TV series)|Spicks and Specks]],'' the question was posed, "What children's song is contained in the song 'Down Under'?" The answer, "[[Kookaburra (song)|Kookaburra]]", a song whose rights were owned by [[Larrikin Records|Larrikin Music]], resulted in phone calls and emails to Larrikin the next day.<ref>{{cite news|title= Down Under and Kookaburra in copyright battle |work= [[News.com.au]] |date= 12 October 2009 |access-date= 12 October 2012 |url= http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/quiz-show-sparks-aussie-anthems-battle/story-e6frfn09-1111117725552}}</ref> Larrikin Music subsequently decided to take legal action against Hay and Strykert, the song's writers. |
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Sections of the flute part of the recording of the song were found to be based on "Kookaburra", written in 1932 by Marion Sinclair. In fact, producer Peter McIan remembered the inclusion of the melody being a "musical joke" by flautist [[Greg Ham]] – he can even be seen sitting on a [[Eucalyptus|gum tree]] in the song's music video while playing the riff.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Gordon |title= Production viewpoint: Peter McIan |magazine= Recording Engineer/Producer |volume= 14 |issue= 4 |date= August 1983 |page= 29 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Recording-Engineer/80s/Recording-1983-08.pdf}}</ref> Sinclair died in 1988<ref name="aa34">{{cite news|title= '80s hit Down Under copies kids' song: court |agency= [[Associated Press]] |publisher= [[CBC News]] |date= 4 February 2010 |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/80s-hit-down-under-copies-kids-song-court-1.925823}}</ref> and the rights to "Kookaburra" were deemed to have been transferred to publisher Larrikin Music on 21 March 1990.<ref>{{cite AustLII|FCA|799|2009|litigants=Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited|courtname=auto|quote=170. ... with effect from 21 Match 1990 ... Yes}}</ref> In the United States, the rights are administered by Music Sales Corporation in New York City. |
Sections of the flute part of the recording of the song were found to be based on "Kookaburra", written in 1932 by Marion Sinclair. In fact, producer Peter McIan remembered the inclusion of the melody being a "musical joke" by flautist [[Greg Ham]] – he can even be seen sitting on a [[Eucalyptus|gum tree]] in the song's music video while playing the riff.<ref>{{cite magazine|first= David |last= Gordon |title= Production viewpoint: Peter McIan |magazine= Recording Engineer/Producer |volume= 14 |issue= 4 |date= August 1983 |page= 29 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Archive-Recording-Engineer/80s/Recording-1983-08.pdf}}</ref> Sinclair died in 1988<ref name="aa34">{{cite news|title= '80s hit Down Under copies kids' song: court |agency= [[Associated Press]] |publisher= [[CBC News]] |date= 4 February 2010 |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/80s-hit-down-under-copies-kids-song-court-1.925823}}</ref> and the rights to "Kookaburra" were deemed to have been transferred to publisher Larrikin Music on 21 March 1990.<ref>{{cite AustLII|FCA|799|2009|litigants=Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited|courtname=auto|quote=170. ... with effect from 21 Match 1990 ... Yes}}</ref> In the United States, the rights are administered by [[Wise Music Group|Music Sales Corporation]] in [[New York City]]. |
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In June 2009, 28 years after the release of the recording, Larrikin Music sued Men at Work for copyright infringement, alleging that part of the flute riff of "Down Under" was copied from "Kookaburra". The counsel for the band's record label and publishing company (Sony BMG Music Entertainment and EMI Songs Australia) claimed that, based on the agreement under which the song was written, the copyright was actually held by the [[Girl Guides Australia|Girl Guides Association]].<ref>{{cite news|first= Lisa |last= Davies |title= Claims Men at Work hit Down Under is a rip-off of Kookaburra song |work= News.com.au |date= 25 June 2009 |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.news.com.au/national/claims-men-at-work-hit-down-under-is-a-rip-off-of-kookaburra-song/story-e6frfkp9-1225739849023 |quote= claiming Larrikin doesn't actually have copyright to Kookaburra – the Girl Guides do.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Angus |last= Hohenboken |title= Girls may have guided Men at Work's song Down Under |newspaper= [[The Australian]] |date= 25 June 2009 |url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/girls-may-have-guided-men-at-works-song-down-under/story-e6frg6n6-1225739843275}}</ref> On 30 July, Justice Peter Jacobson of the Federal Court of Australia made a preliminary ruling that Larrikin did own copyright on the song, but the issue of whether or not Hay and Strykert had plagiarised the riff was set aside to be determined at a later date.<ref>{{cite news|title= Men at Work face plagiarism case |work= BBC News Online |date= 30 July 2009 |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8175974.stm}}</ref> |
In June 2009, 28 years after the release of the recording, Larrikin Music sued Men at Work for copyright infringement, alleging that part of the flute riff of "Down Under" was copied from "Kookaburra". The counsel for the band's record label and publishing company ([[Sony BMG|Sony BMG Music Entertainment]] and [[EMI|EMI Songs Australia]]) claimed that, based on the agreement under which the song was written, the copyright was actually held by the [[Girl Guides Australia|Girl Guides Association]].<ref>{{cite news|first= Lisa |last= Davies |title= Claims Men at Work hit Down Under is a rip-off of Kookaburra song |work= News.com.au |date= 25 June 2009 |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.news.com.au/national/claims-men-at-work-hit-down-under-is-a-rip-off-of-kookaburra-song/story-e6frfkp9-1225739849023 |quote= claiming Larrikin doesn't actually have copyright to Kookaburra – the Girl Guides do.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Angus |last= Hohenboken |title= Girls may have guided Men at Work's song Down Under |newspaper= [[The Australian]] |date= 25 June 2009 |url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/girls-may-have-guided-men-at-works-song-down-under/story-e6frg6n6-1225739843275}}</ref> On 30 July, Justice Peter Jacobson of the [[Federal Court of Australia]] made a preliminary ruling that Larrikin did own copyright on the song, but the issue of whether or not Hay and Strykert had plagiarised the riff was set aside to be determined at a later date.<ref>{{cite news|title= Men at Work face plagiarism case |work= BBC News Online |date= 30 July 2009 |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8175974.stm}}</ref> |
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On 4 February 2010, Jacobson ruled that Larrikin's copyright had been infringed because "Down Under" reproduced "a substantial part of 'Kookaburra{{'"}}.<ref>{{cite AustLII|FCA|29|2010|litigants=Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited|courtname=auto}}</ref> |
On 4 February 2010, Jacobson ruled that Larrikin's copyright had been infringed because "Down Under" reproduced "a substantial part of 'Kookaburra{{'"}}.<ref>{{cite AustLII|FCA|29|2010|litigants=Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited|courtname=auto}}</ref> |
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When asked how much Larrikin would be seeking in damages, Larrikin's lawyer Adam Simpson replied: "anything from what we've claimed, which is between 40 and 60 per cent, and what they suggest, which is considerably less."<ref>{{cite news|first= Sarah |last= Dingle |title= Australian court rules 'Down Under' riff plundered |publisher= [[Australia Plus]] |date= 3 January 2012 |url= http://www.australiaplus.com/international/2010-02-04/australian-court-rules-down-under-riff-plundered/198080}}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Sarah |last= Dingle |title= Men at Work plundered Kookaburra riff: court |work= [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date= 4 February 2010 |url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2809848.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Kim |last= Arlington |title= Infringement Down Under |date= 5 February 2010 |quote= Larrikin is entitled to recover damages |newspaper= [[Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/men-at-works-down-under-ripped-off-kookaburra-court/2010/02/04/1265151932344.html}}</ref> In court, Larrikin's principal Norman Lurie gave the opinion that, had the parties negotiated a licence at the outset as willing parties, the royalties would have been between 25 and 50 per cent.<ref name="FCA698">{{cite AustLII|FCA|698|2010|litigants=Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited (No 2)|courtname=auto|pinpoint= para. 45|quote=45. Mr Lurie expressed the opinion that having regard to his experience in conducting license negotiations in the industry, and taking into account percentages that were agreed in other instances of sampling, a fair remuneration for the license to use the copyright in "Kookaburra" for the purpose of writing and exploiting Down Under negotiated on an arm's length basis between willing parties would have been a royalty in the order of between 25% and 50% of the total income of Down Under. ... 222. The 5% figure is the total percentage payable to Larrikin of the APRA/AMCOS income.}}</ref> On 6 July 2010, Jacobson handed down a decision that Larrikin receive 5% of royalties from 2002.<ref name="FCA698"/><ref>{{cite news|first= Joel |last= Gibson |title= Kookaburra sits on a small fortune: ruling on Down Under royalties |newspaper= Sydney Morning Herald |date= 6 July 2010 |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/kookaburra-sits-on-a-small-fortune-ruling-on-down-under-royalties-20100706-zy5l.html?autostart=0 |quote= to pay Larrikin 5 per cent of royalties from the song dating back to 2002 and on royalties from future earnings}}</ref> In October 2011, the band lost its final court bid when the [[High Court of Australia]] refused to hear an appeal.<ref>{{cite news|title= Men at Work lose appeal over Kookaburra riff |agency= Associated Press in Sydney |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |date= 7 October 2011 |access-date= 9 October 2011 |location= London |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/men-at-work-lose-appeal}}</ref> |
When asked how much Larrikin would be seeking in damages, Larrikin's lawyer Adam Simpson replied: "anything from what we've claimed, which is between 40 and 60 per cent, and what they suggest, which is considerably less."<ref>{{cite news|first= Sarah |last= Dingle |title= Australian court rules 'Down Under' riff plundered |publisher= [[Australia Plus]] |date= 3 January 2012 |url= http://www.australiaplus.com/international/2010-02-04/australian-court-rules-down-under-riff-plundered/198080}}{{dead link|date=May 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Sarah |last= Dingle |title= Men at Work plundered Kookaburra riff: court |work= [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date= 4 February 2010 |url= http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/04/2809848.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first= Kim |last= Arlington |title= Infringement Down Under |date= 5 February 2010 |quote= Larrikin is entitled to recover damages |newspaper= [[Sydney Morning Herald]] |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/men-at-works-down-under-ripped-off-kookaburra-court/2010/02/04/1265151932344.html}}</ref> In court, Larrikin's principal Norman Lurie gave the opinion that, had the parties negotiated a licence at the outset as willing parties, the [[Royalty payment|royalties]] would have been between 25 and 50 per cent.<ref name="FCA698">{{cite AustLII|FCA|698|2010|litigants=Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited (No 2)|courtname=auto|pinpoint= para. 45|quote=45. Mr Lurie expressed the opinion that having regard to his experience in conducting license negotiations in the industry, and taking into account percentages that were agreed in other instances of sampling, a fair remuneration for the license to use the copyright in "Kookaburra" for the purpose of writing and exploiting Down Under negotiated on an arm's length basis between willing parties would have been a royalty in the order of between 25% and 50% of the total income of Down Under. ... 222. The 5% figure is the total percentage payable to Larrikin of the APRA/AMCOS income.}}</ref> On 6 July 2010, Jacobson handed down a decision that Larrikin receive 5% of royalties from 2002.<ref name="FCA698"/><ref>{{cite news|first= Joel |last= Gibson |title= Kookaburra sits on a small fortune: ruling on Down Under royalties |newspaper= Sydney Morning Herald |date= 6 July 2010 |access-date= 7 July 2010 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/kookaburra-sits-on-a-small-fortune-ruling-on-down-under-royalties-20100706-zy5l.html?autostart=0 |quote= to pay Larrikin 5 per cent of royalties from the song dating back to 2002 and on royalties from future earnings}}</ref> In October 2011, the band lost its final court bid when the [[High Court of Australia]] refused to hear an appeal.<ref>{{cite news|title= Men at Work lose appeal over Kookaburra riff |agency= Associated Press in Sydney |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |date= 7 October 2011 |access-date= 9 October 2011 |location= London |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/07/men-at-work-lose-appeal}}</ref> |
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Until this high-profile case, the standing of "Kookaburra" as a traditional song, combined with the lack of visible policing of the song's rights by its composer, had led to the general public perception that the song was within the [[public domain]].<ref>{{cite news|first1= Larissa |last1= Ham |first2= Kim |last2= Arlington |title= Kookaburra case: publisher hits back at Colin Hay's "greed" claim – Music |newspaper= The Age |location= Melbourne |date= 5 February 2010 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/articles/2010/02/05/1265151962768.html}}</ref><ref name="Mudcat">{{cite web|title= Origins: Kookaburra – possible copyright info |publisher= [[Mudcat Café]] |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=90351}}</ref> |
Until this high-profile case, the standing of "Kookaburra" as a traditional song, combined with the lack of visible policing of the song's rights by its composer, had led to the general public perception that the song was within the [[public domain]].<ref>{{cite news|first1= Larissa |last1= Ham |first2= Kim |last2= Arlington |title= Kookaburra case: publisher hits back at Colin Hay's "greed" claim – Music |newspaper= The Age |location= Melbourne |date= 5 February 2010 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/music/articles/2010/02/05/1265151962768.html}}</ref><ref name="Mudcat">{{cite web|title= Origins: Kookaburra – possible copyright info |publisher= [[Mudcat Café]] |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=90351}}</ref> |
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The revelation of the copyright status of "Kookaburra", and more so the pursuit of royalties from it, has generated a negative response among sections of the Australian public.<ref>{{cite web|title= Men at Work steal children's song... |website= Forums.whirlpool.net.au |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1252185}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Kookaburra vs Down Under? |publisher= Mudcat Café |date= 30 July 2009 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=121812 |quote= From: Paul Burke ... illustrates the stupidity and tragedy of copyright. ... From: bodgie ... down to two rather stubborn music industry companies ... only ones making money out of this fight are the lawyers. Damn them all. Warren Fahey}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Lawyers sue, men plunder |newspaper= Sydney Morning Herald |date= 2 November 2009 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/lawyers-sue-men-plunder/2009/11/01/1257010103921.html |quote= For some, Larrikin's suit will be seen as a brazen and opportunistic attempt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Neda |last= Ulaby |author-link= Neda Ulaby |title= A Kookaburra Causes Trouble 'Down Under' |publisher= [[NPR Music]]|date= 1 December 2009 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120984958 |quote= number of Australians, including Westwood, found this a bit much.}}</ref> In response to unsourced speculation of a Welsh connection, Rhidian Griffiths pointed out that the Welsh words to the tune were published in 1989, and musicologist Phyllis Kinney stated neither the song's metre nor its lines were typical Welsh.<ref name="Mudcat"/> |
The revelation of the copyright status of "Kookaburra", and more so the pursuit of royalties from it, has generated a negative response among sections of the Australian public.<ref>{{cite web|title= Men at Work steal children's song... |website= Forums.whirlpool.net.au |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1252185}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title= Kookaburra vs Down Under? |publisher= Mudcat Café |date= 30 July 2009 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=121812 |quote= From: Paul Burke ... illustrates the stupidity and tragedy of copyright. ... From: bodgie ... down to two rather stubborn music industry companies ... only ones making money out of this fight are the lawyers. Damn them all. Warren Fahey}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Lawyers sue, men plunder |newspaper= Sydney Morning Herald |date= 2 November 2009 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/lawyers-sue-men-plunder/2009/11/01/1257010103921.html |quote= For some, Larrikin's suit will be seen as a brazen and opportunistic attempt}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Neda |last= Ulaby |author-link= Neda Ulaby |title= A Kookaburra Causes Trouble 'Down Under' |publisher= [[NPR Music]]|date= 1 December 2009 |access-date= 27 April 2010 |url= https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120984958 |quote= number of Australians, including Westwood, found this a bit much.}}</ref> In response to unsourced speculation of a Welsh connection, Rhidian Griffiths pointed out that the Welsh words to the tune were published in 1989, and musicologist [[Phyllis Kinney]] stated neither the song's metre nor its lines were typical Welsh.<ref name="Mudcat"/> |
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Colin Hay has since suggested that the deaths of his father, Jim, in 2010, and Men at Work flute player [[Greg Ham]], in 2012, were directly linked to the stress of the court case.<ref>{{cite news|first= Cameron |last= Adams |title= Men at Work's Colin Hay says Down Under lawsuit 'contributed' to death of his dad and bandmate |work= [[News.com.au]] |date= 10 August 2015 |access-date= 13 December 2017 |url= http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/men-at-works-colin-hay-says-down-under-lawsuit-contributed-to-death-of-his-dad-and-bandmate/news-story/db47d17797386c960b7a7737974ea1ce}}</ref> |
Colin Hay has since suggested that the deaths of his father, Jim, in 2010, and Men at Work flute player [[Greg Ham]], in 2012, were directly linked to the stress of the court case.<ref>{{cite news|first= Cameron |last= Adams |title= Men at Work's Colin Hay says Down Under lawsuit 'contributed' to death of his dad and bandmate |work= [[News.com.au]] |date= 10 August 2015 |access-date= 13 December 2017 |url= http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/men-at-works-colin-hay-says-down-under-lawsuit-contributed-to-death-of-his-dad-and-bandmate/news-story/db47d17797386c960b7a7737974ea1ce}}</ref> |
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===Weekly charts=== |
===Weekly charts=== |
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{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
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!Chart (1981–1983) |
! Chart (1981–1983) |
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!Peak<br/>position |
! Peak<br/>position |
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!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Australia No. 1 hits -- 1980's |website= World Charts |access-date= 9 June 2013 |url= http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus80.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 May 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110520060413/http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus80.htm}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Australia No. 1 hits -- 1980's |website= World Charts |access-date= 9 June 2013 |url= http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus80.htm |url-status= dead |archive-date= 20 May 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110520060413/http://www.worldcharts.co.uk/chartfeatures/aus/aus80.htm}}</ref> |
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|1 |
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{{single chart|Flanders|6|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
{{single chart|Flanders|6|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
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{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=6942|rowheader=true|access-date=1 June 2013|refname="CAN"}} |
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=6942|rowheader=true|access-date=1 June 2013|refname="CAN"}} |
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!scope="row"|Finland ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|first= Jake |last= Nyman |year= 2005 |title= Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja |edition= 1st |publisher= Tammi |location= Helsinki |isbn= 951-31-2503-3 |language= fi}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Finland ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>{{cite book|first= Jake |last= Nyman |year= 2005 |title= Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja |edition= 1st |publisher= Tammi |location= Helsinki |isbn= 951-31-2503-3 |language= fi}}</ref> |
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|4 |
| 4 |
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!scope="row"|France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Le Détail par Artiste |website= InfoDisc |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url= http://www.infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_M.php |id= Select "Men at Work" from the artist drop-down menu |language= fr}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| France ([[Institut français d'opinion publique|IFOP]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Le Détail par Artiste |website= InfoDisc |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url= http://www.infodisc.fr/Tubes_Artistes_M.php |id= Select "Men at Work" from the artist drop-down menu |language= fr}}</ref> |
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{{single chart|Germany|9|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|songid=851|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
{{single chart|Germany|9|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|songid=851|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
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{{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
{{single chart|Norway|2|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
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|- |
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!scope="row"|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M) |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 1 June 2013 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(M).html}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title= South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (M) |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 1 June 2013 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(M).html}}</ref> |
||
|2 |
| 2 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{single chart|Sweden|6|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
{{single chart|Sweden|6|artist=Men At Work|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
||
Line 153: | Line 159: | ||
{{single chart|UK|1|date=19830129|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
{{single chart|UK|1|date=19830129|rowheader=true|access-date=10 June 2014}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref name="awards"/> |
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' [[Adult Contemporary (chart)|Adult Contemporary]]<ref name="awards"/> |
||
|13 |
| 13 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="awards">{{cite web|title= Business as Usual – Awards |website= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 1 June 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/business-as-usual-mw0000190990/awards}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="awards">{{cite web|title= Business as Usual – Awards |website= [[AllMusic]] |access-date= 1 June 2013 |url= http://www.allmusic.com/album/business-as-usual-mw0000190990/awards}}</ref> |
||
|1 |
| 1 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]]<ref name="awards"/> |
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' [[Dance Club Songs|Hot Dance Club Play]]<ref name="awards"/> |
||
|33 |
|33 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US ''Billboard'' [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Top Tracks]]<ref name="awards"/> |
! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' [[Mainstream Rock (chart)|Top Tracks]]<ref name="awards"/> |
||
|1 |
| 1 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JANUARY 22, 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19830122.html |archive-date= 11 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042501/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19830122.html}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending JANUARY 22, 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19830122.html |archive-date= 11 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042501/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19830122.html}}</ref> |
||
|1 |
| 1 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
||
!Chart (2021) |
! Chart (2021) |
||
!Peak<br/>position |
! Peak<br/>position |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{single chart|Poland|79|chartid=3647|year=2021|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2021}} |
{{single chart|Poland|79|chartid=3647|year=2021|rowheader=true|access-date=1 February 2021}} |
||
Line 179: | Line 185: | ||
===Year-end charts=== |
===Year-end charts=== |
||
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
||
!Chart (1981) |
! Chart (1981) |
||
!Rank |
! Rank |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1981 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 393 |page= 7 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 4 January 1982 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/RgsDOOc.jpg}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref>{{cite web|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1981 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 393 |page= 7 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 4 January 1982 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/RgsDOOc.jpg}}</ref> |
||
|88 |
| 88 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
||
!Chart (1982) |
! Chart (1982) |
||
!Rank |
! Rank |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1982 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 445 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 3 January 1983 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/iP7HHqt.jpg}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|title= National Top 100 Singles for 1982 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 445 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 3 January 1983 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/iP7HHqt.jpg}}</ref> |
||
|24 |
|24 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Belgium ([[Ultratop|Ultratop 50]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten 1982 |publisher= [[Ultratop]]. Hung Medien |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1982 |language= nl}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Belgium ([[Ultratop|Ultratop 50]] Flanders)<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten 1982 |publisher= [[Ultratop]]. Hung Medien |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1982 |language= nl}}</ref> |
||
|41 |
| 41 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Canada Top Singles (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Top 100 Singles of 1982 |magazine= [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |volume= 37 |issue= 19 |date= 25 December 1982 |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6167&URLjpg=https%3a%2f%2frp.liu233w.com%3a443%2fhttp%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6167.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6167}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (''[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|title= Top 100 Singles of 1982 |magazine= [[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |volume= 37 |issue= 19 |date= 25 December 1982 |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url= http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.6167&URLjpg=https%3a%2f%2frp.liu233w.com%3a443%2fhttp%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.6167.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.6167}}</ref> |
||
|11 |
| 11 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Netherlands ([[Dutch Top 40]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982 |publisher= [[Dutch Top 40]] |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url= http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1982 |language= nl}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Netherlands ([[Dutch Top 40]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982 |publisher= [[Dutch Top 40]] |access-date= 15 May 2016 |url= http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1982 |language= nl}}</ref> |
||
|16 |
| 16 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Netherlands ([[Single Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1982 |publisher= [[Single Top 100]]. Hung Medien |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1982&cat=s |language= nl}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Netherlands ([[Single Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Jaaroverzichten – Single 1982 |publisher= [[Single Top 100]]. Hung Medien |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1982&cat=s |language= nl}}</ref> |
||
|15 |
| 15 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1982 |publisher= Recorded Music New Zealand |access-date= 25 April 2016 |url= http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3871}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| New Zealand ([[Recorded Music NZ]])<ref>{{cite web|title= End of Year Charts 1982 |publisher= Recorded Music New Zealand |access-date= 25 April 2016 |url= http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3871}}</ref> |
||
|19 |
| 19 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 20 Hit Singles of 1982 |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1982.html}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| South Africa ([[Springbok Radio]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Top 20 Hit Singles of 1982 |website= Rock.co.za |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1982.html}}</ref> |
||
|8 |
| 8 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Switzerland ([[Swiss Hitparade|Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1982 |publisher= Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1982 |language= de}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Switzerland ([[Swiss Hitparade|Schweizer Hitparade]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1982 |publisher= Hitparade.ch. Hung Medien |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://hitparade.ch/year.asp?key=1982 |language= de}}</ref> |
||
|7 |
| 7 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
||
!Chart (1983) |
! Chart (1983) |
||
!Rank |
! Rank |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|UK Singles ([[UK Singles Chart|Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Chart Archive – 1980s Singles |website= everyHit.com |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.everyhit.com/chart4.html}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| UK Singles ([[UK Singles Chart|Official Charts Company]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Chart Archive – 1980s Singles |website= everyHit.com |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://www.everyhit.com/chart4.html}}</ref> |
||
|7 |
| 7 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="US">{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1983 |website= The Longbored Surfer |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1983}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| US [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]]<ref name="US">{{cite web|title= Top 100 Hits for 1983 |website= The Longbored Surfer |access-date= 10 June 2014 |url= http://longboredsurfer.com/charts/1983}}</ref> |
||
|4 |
| 4 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html |archive-date= 11 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042042/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| US ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]]''<ref>{{cite magazine|title= The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1983 |magazine= [[Cashbox (magazine)|Cash Box]] |url= http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html |archive-date= 11 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120911042042/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1983YESP.html}}</ref> |
||
|8 |
| 8 |
||
|} |
|} |
||
{{col-end}} |
{{col-end}} |
||
==Certifications |
==Certifications== |
||
{{Certification Table Top}} |
{{Certification Table Top}} |
||
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=Men at Work|title=Down Under|award=Gold|relyear=1981|certyear=1982|certref=<ref>{{cite web|title= Platinum and Gold Singles 1982 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 453 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 28 February 1983 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/totLqGG.jpg}}</ref>}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=Australia|artist=Men at Work|title=Down Under|award=Gold|relyear=1981|certyear=1982|certref=<ref>{{cite web|title= Platinum and Gold Singles 1982 |publisher= [[Kent Music Report]] |issue= 453 |via= [[Imgur]] |date= 28 February 1983 |access-date= 22 December 2020 |url= https://i.imgur.com/totLqGG.jpg}}</ref>}} |
||
Line 243: | Line 249: | ||
==Colin Hay versions== |
==Colin Hay versions== |
||
An acoustic version of the song was recorded for Colin Hay's eighth studio album ''[[Man @ Work]]'', which was released in 2003. |
|||
A new version of the song was produced by Colin Hay, coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the original's release.<ref>{{cite news|first= Giles |last= Hardie |title= Down Under loses its infringing flute |newspaper= [[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date= 27 July 2012 |access-date= 27 July 2012 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/down-under-loses-its-infringing-flute-20120727-22yte.html}}</ref> Requested by [[Telstra]] for use in an Australian advertising campaign during the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] period, the song was available through [[iTunes]] on 31 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title= Colin Hay to Celebrate 'Down Under' 30th Anniversary with Global Re-Release |website= Colinhay.com |date= 24 July 2012 |access-date= 27 July 2012 |url= http://www.colinhay.com/2012/07/24/colin-hay-to-celebrate-down-under-30th-anniversary-with-global-re-release-2/}}</ref> |
A new version of the song was produced by Colin Hay, coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the original's release.<ref>{{cite news|first= Giles |last= Hardie |title= Down Under loses its infringing flute |newspaper= [[Sydney Morning Herald]] |date= 27 July 2012 |access-date= 27 July 2012 |url= http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/down-under-loses-its-infringing-flute-20120727-22yte.html}}</ref> Requested by [[Telstra]] for use in an Australian advertising campaign during the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] period, the song was available through [[iTunes]] on 31 July 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title= Colin Hay to Celebrate 'Down Under' 30th Anniversary with Global Re-Release |website= Colinhay.com |date= 24 July 2012 |access-date= 27 July 2012 |url= http://www.colinhay.com/2012/07/24/colin-hay-to-celebrate-down-under-30th-anniversary-with-global-re-release-2/}}</ref> |
||
Line 257: | Line 265: | ||
| artist = [[Luude]] featuring [[Colin Hay]] |
| artist = [[Luude]] featuring [[Colin Hay]] |
||
| album = |
| album = |
||
| released = |
| released = {{Start date|2021|11|19|df=y}}<ref name="AUT"/> |
||
| recorded = |
| recorded = |
||
| studio = |
| studio = |
||
Line 273: | Line 281: | ||
}} |
}} |
||
In 2021, Australian producer [[Luude]] (real name Christian Benson, from the Tasmanian |
In 2021, Australian producer [[Luude]] (real name Christian Benson, from the Tasmanian electronic dance music duo [[Choomba]]),<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Will |last= Brewster |title= EMI Music announces electronic duo Choomba as latest signing |magazine= [[The Music Network]] |date= 23 August 2021 |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://themusicnetwork.com/emi-choomba-signing/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first= Hayden |last= Davies |title= Premiere: Australian duo Choomba continue to soar with Wantchu |work= Pilerats |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= http://pilerats.com/music/electronic/premiere-choomba-wantchu/}}</ref> remixed "Down Under" as a [[drum and bass]] track, with [[Colin Hay]] re-recording the vocals for the track's release on the [[Sweat It Out (record label)|Sweat It Out]] record label.<ref name="Dodge">{{cite web|first= Mitch |last= Dodge |title= Luude, Colin Hay – Down Under [Sweat It Out] |website= Music is 4 Lovers |date= 23 November 2021 |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://www.musicis4lovers.com/luude-colin-hay-down-under-sweat-it-out/}}</ref><ref name="George">{{cite news|title= Listen: Luude officially releases 'Down Under' rework |publisher= [[George FM]] |date= 19 November 2021 |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://www.georgefm.co.nz/home/music/2021/11/listen--luude-officially-releases--down-under--rework-.html}}</ref> In January 2022, the drum and bass version of "Down Under" debuted at number 32 on the Official UK Singles Chart Top 40<ref name="OCC">{{cite web|title= Luude ft. Colin Hay |publisher= [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/61726/luude-ft-colin-hay/}}</ref> and at number 48 in Australia.<ref name="AUS"/> The single climbed into both countries' Top 10 a month later.<ref name="AUS"/><ref name="OCC"/> In New Zealand, the record climbed to number one on the [[Official New Zealand Music Chart|Official Singles Chart]], and by 6 February 2022 had spent four weeks at number one.<ref name="NZ"/> On 22 January 2022, the Luude version of "Down Under" was ranked at number 65 on the [[Triple J Hottest 100, 2021]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first= Tyler |last= Jenke |title= triple j's Hottest 100 of 2021: Live Updates |magazine= [[Rolling Stone Australia]] |date= 22 January 2022 |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/triple-js-hottest-100-of-2021-live-updates-36386/l/70--61/}}</ref> |
||
At the [[2022 ARIA Music Awards]], the song was nominated for [[ARIA Award for |
At the [[2022 ARIA Music Awards]], the song was nominated for [[ARIA Award for Single of the Year|Song of the Year]], [[ARIA Award for Best Dance Release|Best Dance/Electronic Release]] and [[ARIA Award for Best Video|Best Video]] and Luude was nominated for [[ARIA Award for Breakthrough Artist – Release|Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist]].<ref name="2022ARIAnoms">{{cite web|url=https://themusicnetwork.com/2022-aria-awards-nominees/|title=Rüfüs Du Sol Leads 2022 ARIA Awards Nominees (Full List)|website=The Music Network|date=12 October 2022|access-date=12 October 2022|author=Lars Brandle}}</ref> |
||
====Weekly charts==== |
====Weekly charts==== |
||
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
||
|+Weekly chart performance for "Down Under" (Luude featuring Colin Hay version) |
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Down Under" (Luude featuring Colin Hay version) |
||
!Chart (2021–2022) |
! Chart (2021–2022) |
||
!Peak<br/>position |
! Peak<br/>position |
||
|- |
|- |
||
{{single chart|Australia|10|artist=Luude feat. Colin Hay|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022|refname="AUS"}} |
{{single chart|Australia|10|artist=Luude feat. Colin Hay|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022|refname="AUS"}} |
||
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{{single chart|Ireland4|13|date=20220318|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022}} |
{{single chart|Ireland4|13|date=20220318|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Lithuania ([[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]])<ref>{{cite web|title= 2022 8-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100) |publisher= [[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]] |date= 25 February 2022 |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s08/ |language= lt}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Lithuania ([[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]])<ref>{{cite web|title= 2022 8-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100) |publisher= [[AGATA (organization)|AGATA]] |date= 25 February 2022 |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= https://www.agata.lt/lt/naujienos/s08/ |language= lt}}</ref> |
||
|17 |
|17 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Netherlands ([[Dutch Charts|Single Tip]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Luude feat. Colin Hay – Down Under |publisher= [[Dutch Charts]] |access-date= 21 April 2022 |url= https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Luude+feat%2E+Colin+Hay&titel=Down+Under&cat=s |language= nl}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Netherlands ([[Dutch Charts|Single Tip]])<ref>{{cite web|title= Luude feat. Colin Hay – Down Under |publisher= [[Dutch Charts]] |access-date= 21 April 2022 |url= https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Luude+feat%2E+Colin+Hay&titel=Down+Under&cat=s |language= nl}}</ref> |
||
|7 |
|7 |
||
|- |
|- |
||
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{{single chart|Poland|49|chartid=4044|year=2022|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022|refname=Poland}} |
{{single chart|Poland|49|chartid=4044|year=2022|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022|refname=Poland}} |
||
|- |
|- |
||
!scope="row"|Slovakia ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|Singles Digitál Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|title= ČNS IFPI |publisher= IFPI ČR |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?hitp=D |id= Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202208 into search.}}</ref> |
! scope="row"| Slovakia ([[International Federation of the Phonographic Industry|Singles Digitál Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|title= ČNS IFPI |publisher= IFPI ČR |access-date= 4 May 2022 |url= http://hitparada.ifpicr.cz/index.php?hitp=D |id= Note: Select SK SINGLES DIGITAL TOP 100 and insert 202208 into search.}}</ref> |
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|37 |
|37 |
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{{single chart| |
{{single chart|Slovakia2|38|year=2022|week=8|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022}} |
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{{single chart|Switzerland|54|artist=Luude feat. Colin Hay|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022}} |
{{single chart|Switzerland|54|artist=Luude feat. Colin Hay|song=Down Under|rowheader=true|access-date=4 May 2022}} |
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====Certifications==== |
====Certifications==== |
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{{Certification Table Top}} |
{{Certification Table Top}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Luude|title=Down Under|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2024 |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Luude Feat. Colin Hay|title=Down Under|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2024|access-date= 18 April 2024}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Luude|title=Down Under|award=Platinum|number=2|id=5383|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=26 August 2022}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Luude|title=Down Under|award=Platinum|number=2|id=5383|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=26 August 2022}} |
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{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Luude Ft Colin Hay|title=Down Under|award=Platinum|id=1931-5885-1|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=12 August 2022}} |
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Luude Ft Colin Hay|title=Down Under|award=Platinum|id=1931-5885-1|type=single|relyear=2021|certyear=2022|access-date=12 August 2022}} |
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| artist = [[King Stingray]] |
| artist = [[King Stingray]] |
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| released = {{Start date|2022|10|19|df=y}} |
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Australian rock |
Australian rock band [[King Stingray]] released a version on 19 October 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://studios301.com/releases/down-under-under-one-sun/ |title= DOWN UNDER (UNDER ONE SUN) King Stingray|website=[[Studios 301]]|date= October 2022|access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> and featured on the soundtrack of the Tourism Australia short film, ''Come and Say G'day''. "Down Under" is the band's first release since their self-titled debut studio album, which was released in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/king-stingray-share-cover-of-men-at-works-down-under-3330767 |title =King Stingray share cover of Men At Work's 'Down Under'|website= [[NME]]|date=18 October 2022|access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> |
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For their iteration, King Stingray had discussions with Colin Hay and recorded their version in a combination of English and their local Indigenous language, [[Yolŋu Matha]], and comes with the subtitle "Under One Sun".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/king-stingray-unveil-cover-of-men-at-works-down-under/ |title=King Stingray Unveil Cover Of Men At Work's 'Down Under' |website=[[Music Feeds]]|date=22 October 2022 |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> |
For their iteration, King Stingray had discussions with Colin Hay and recorded their version in a combination of English and their local Indigenous language, [[Yolŋu languages|Yolŋu Matha]], and comes with the subtitle "Under One Sun".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://musicfeeds.com.au/news/king-stingray-unveil-cover-of-men-at-works-down-under/ |title=King Stingray Unveil Cover Of Men At Work's 'Down Under' |website=[[Music Feeds]]|date=22 October 2022 |access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> |
||
King Stingray performed the song with Colin Hay at the [[APRA Music Awards of 2023]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/apra-music-awards-songwriters-celebrated-from-flume-to-miiesha-to-colin-hay/|title= APRA Music Awards: Songwriters celebrated – from Flume to Miiesha to Colin Hay|website=Media Week|date= 28 April 2023|access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> |
King Stingray performed the song with Colin Hay at the [[APRA Music Awards of 2023]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaweek.com.au/apra-music-awards-songwriters-celebrated-from-flume-to-miiesha-to-colin-hay/|title= APRA Music Awards: Songwriters celebrated – from Flume to Miiesha to Colin Hay|website=Media Week|date= 28 April 2023|access-date=30 June 2023}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s#1981 (Kent Music Report)|List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s]] |
*[[List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s#1981 (Kent Music Report)|List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s]] |
||
*[[List of Billboard Hot 100 number |
*[[List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1983|List of ''Billboard'' Hot 100 number ones of 1983]] |
||
*[[List of Billboard Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s#1982|List of ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s]] |
*[[List of Billboard Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s#1982|List of ''Billboard'' Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s]] |
||
*[[List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1983]] |
*[[List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1983|List of ''Cash Box'' Top 100 number-one singles of 1983]] |
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*[[List of number-one singles of 1982 (Canada)]] |
*[[List of number-one singles of 1982 (Canada)]] |
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*[[List of number-one singles of 1983 (Ireland)]] |
*[[List of number-one singles of 1983 (Ireland)]] |
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*[https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/men-at-work/down-under Lyrics of the song] |
*[https://www.songfacts.com/lyrics/men-at-work/down-under Lyrics of the song] |
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*{{YouTube|XfR9iY5y94s|Men at Work – Down Under (Official HD Video)}} |
*{{YouTube|XfR9iY5y94s|Men at Work – Down Under (Official HD Video)}} |
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*{{discogs master|type=single|88211}} |
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{{Men at Work}} |
{{Men at Work}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
{{Authority control}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Down Under (Song)}} |
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[[Category:1981 singles]] |
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[[Category:1981 songs]] |
[[Category:1981 songs]] |
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[[Category:RPM Top Singles number-one singles]] |
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[[Category:Songs about Australia]] |
[[Category:Songs about Australia]] |
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[[Category:Songs about Brussels]] |
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[[Category:Songs based on children's songs]] |
[[Category:Songs based on children's songs]] |
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[[Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies]] |
[[Category:Songs involved in plagiarism controversies]] |
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[[Category:Songs involved in royalties controversies]] |
[[Category:Songs involved in royalties controversies]] |
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[[Category:Songs written by Colin Hay]] |
[[Category:Songs written by Colin Hay]] |
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[[Category:UK |
[[Category:UK singles chart number-one singles]] |
Latest revision as of 22:13, 16 October 2024
"Down Under" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Men at Work | ||||
from the album Business as Usual | ||||
B-side | "Crazy" (AUS/NA) "Helpless Automaton" (EU) | |||
Released | 2 November 1981[1] | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:42 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Composer(s) | ||||
Lyricist(s) | Colin Hay | |||
Producer(s) | Peter McIan | |||
Men at Work singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Audio sample | ||||
Music videos | ||||
"Down Under" on YouTube |
"Down Under" is a song recorded by Australian rock band Men at Work. It was originally self-released in 1980 as the B-side to their first local single, "Keypunch Operator", before the band signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.[8] Both early songs were written by the group's co-founders, Colin Hay and Ron Strykert.[9] The early version of "Down Under" has a slightly slower tempo and different arrangement from the later Columbia release.[10] The best-known version was then released on Columbia in 1981 as the second single from Men at Work's debut studio album Business as Usual.
The hit song went to number one in their home country Australia in December 1981, and then topped the New Zealand charts in February 1982. The song topped the Canadian charts in October 1982.[11] In the United States, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on 6 November 1982 at No. 79, and reached No. 1 in January 1983. Topping the US Billboard chart for four non-consecutive weeks, it eventually sold over two million copies in the US alone. Billboard ranked it at No. 4 for 1983.[12] In the UK, the song topped the charts in January and February 1983: the only Men at Work song to make the UK top 20.[13] The song also went to No. 1 in Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland, and was a top 10 hit in many other countries.
"Down Under" is perceived as a patriotic song in Australia; it remains popular and is often played at sporting events.[14][15][16] In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time so far, "Down Under" was ranked number 2 behind Cold Chisel's "Khe Sanh".[17]
Lyrics
[edit]The lyrics to "Down Under" depict an Australian man travelling the globe (specifically mentioning Brussels and Bombay), meeting people who are interested in his home country. The story is based in part on singer Colin Hay's own travels abroad , including a prominent reference to a Vegemite sandwich (a popular snack in Australia), which derived from an encounter with a tall baker from Brussels who emigrated from Brunswick, Melbourne.[15] Hay has said the lyric was partly inspired by Barry Humphries' character Barry McKenzie, a comically stereotypical Australian who tours abroad.[18]
Slang and drug terms are featured in the lyrics. It opens with the singer "travelling in a fried-out Kombi, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie". In Australian slang, "fried-out" at that time meant that it is in really poor condition and overheating (as in a short circuit rather than drunk/high), "Kombi" is short for "Kombinationskraftwagen" and refers to the Volkswagen Type 2, and "full of zombie" refers to the use of a type of marijuana.[15] "Hippie trail" refers to a subcultural tourist route popular in the 1960s and 1970s which stretched from Western Europe to South-East Asia. The song also contains the refrain "where beer does flow and men chunder". To "chunder" means to vomit.[15]
Speaking to Songfacts about the overall meaning of the lyric, Hay remarked:
The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It's really more than that.[18]
The music video comically plays out the events of the lyric, showing Hay and other band members riding in a Volkswagen Kombi van, eating muesli with a 'strange lady', eating and drinking in a café, and lying in an opium den. The band are moved along at one point by a man in a shirt and tie who places a 'Sold' sign in the ground. Exterior shots were filmed at the Cronulla sand dunes in Sydney.[19] The band are seen carrying a coffin across the dunes at the end. This, Hay has explained, was a warning to his fellow Australians that their country's identity was dying as a result of overdevelopment and Americanisation. Hay has also stated that the same ominous sentiment lies behind the choral line, "Can't you hear that thunder? You'd better run; you'd better take cover".[15]
Critical reception
[edit]Billboard called it a "tongue-in-cheek story song that relies on percussion and vocals more than sax."[20]
Cultural significance
[edit]The song is a perennial favourite on Australian radio and television, and topped the charts in the US and UK simultaneously in early 1983.[21] It was later used as a theme song by the crew of Australia II in their successful bid to win the America's Cup in 1983.[22] Men at Work played this song in the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, alongside other Australian artists.[23]
The song is also the walkout music for Australian former UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski.[24]
In May 2001, Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) celebrated its 75th anniversary by naming the Best Australian Songs from 1926 to 2001, as decided by a hundred-strong industry panel. "Down Under" was ranked as the fourth song on the list.[25]
The song was ranked number 96 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 1980s" in October 2006.[26]
"Down Under" was added to the National Film and Sound Archive's Sounds of Australia registry in 2007.[27]
"Down Under" was one of the goal songs for Australia during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[28]
"Down Under" was named the greatest song of all time on Triple M's GOAT 600 countdown in 2024.[29]
Copyright lawsuit
[edit]In 2007, on the ABC-TV quiz show Spicks and Specks, the question was posed, "What children's song is contained in the song 'Down Under'?" The answer, "Kookaburra", a song whose rights were owned by Larrikin Music, resulted in phone calls and emails to Larrikin the next day.[30] Larrikin Music subsequently decided to take legal action against Hay and Strykert, the song's writers.
Sections of the flute part of the recording of the song were found to be based on "Kookaburra", written in 1932 by Marion Sinclair. In fact, producer Peter McIan remembered the inclusion of the melody being a "musical joke" by flautist Greg Ham – he can even be seen sitting on a gum tree in the song's music video while playing the riff.[31] Sinclair died in 1988[14] and the rights to "Kookaburra" were deemed to have been transferred to publisher Larrikin Music on 21 March 1990.[32] In the United States, the rights are administered by Music Sales Corporation in New York City.
In June 2009, 28 years after the release of the recording, Larrikin Music sued Men at Work for copyright infringement, alleging that part of the flute riff of "Down Under" was copied from "Kookaburra". The counsel for the band's record label and publishing company (Sony BMG Music Entertainment and EMI Songs Australia) claimed that, based on the agreement under which the song was written, the copyright was actually held by the Girl Guides Association.[33][34] On 30 July, Justice Peter Jacobson of the Federal Court of Australia made a preliminary ruling that Larrikin did own copyright on the song, but the issue of whether or not Hay and Strykert had plagiarised the riff was set aside to be determined at a later date.[35]
On 4 February 2010, Jacobson ruled that Larrikin's copyright had been infringed because "Down Under" reproduced "a substantial part of 'Kookaburra'".[36]
When asked how much Larrikin would be seeking in damages, Larrikin's lawyer Adam Simpson replied: "anything from what we've claimed, which is between 40 and 60 per cent, and what they suggest, which is considerably less."[37][38][39] In court, Larrikin's principal Norman Lurie gave the opinion that, had the parties negotiated a licence at the outset as willing parties, the royalties would have been between 25 and 50 per cent.[40] On 6 July 2010, Jacobson handed down a decision that Larrikin receive 5% of royalties from 2002.[40][41] In October 2011, the band lost its final court bid when the High Court of Australia refused to hear an appeal.[42]
Until this high-profile case, the standing of "Kookaburra" as a traditional song, combined with the lack of visible policing of the song's rights by its composer, had led to the general public perception that the song was within the public domain.[43][44]
The revelation of the copyright status of "Kookaburra", and more so the pursuit of royalties from it, has generated a negative response among sections of the Australian public.[45][46][47][48] In response to unsourced speculation of a Welsh connection, Rhidian Griffiths pointed out that the Welsh words to the tune were published in 1989, and musicologist Phyllis Kinney stated neither the song's metre nor its lines were typical Welsh.[44]
Colin Hay has since suggested that the deaths of his father, Jim, in 2010, and Men at Work flute player Greg Ham, in 2012, were directly linked to the stress of the court case.[49]
Track listing
[edit]7": CBS / BA 222891 Australia
[edit]- "Down Under" – 3:44
- "Crazy" – 2:34
7": CBS / A 2066 Europe
[edit]- "Down Under" – 3:44
- "Helpless Automaton" – 3:23
7": CBS / 43.539 Brazil
[edit]- "Down Under" – 3:44
- "Who Can It Be Now?" – 3:21
12": CBS / BA 12229 Australia / Promo-release 1986
[edit]- "Down Under (Extended mix)" – 5:30
- "Sail to You (Extended mix)" – 5:48
7": Columbia / 38-03303 USA
[edit]- "Down Under" – 3:44
- "Crazy" – 2:34
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[78] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Canada (Music Canada)[79] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[80] | Platinum | 90,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[81] | Gold | 250,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[82] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[83] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[84] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[85] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
Colin Hay versions
[edit]An acoustic version of the song was recorded for Colin Hay's eighth studio album Man @ Work, which was released in 2003.
A new version of the song was produced by Colin Hay, coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the original's release.[86] Requested by Telstra for use in an Australian advertising campaign during the 2012 Summer Olympics period, the song was available through iTunes on 31 July 2012.[87]
In the new version, Hay intentionally changed the flute part that caused the copyright lawsuit.[88]
Luude featuring Colin Hay
[edit]"Down Under" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Luude featuring Colin Hay | ||||
Released | 19 November 2021[89] | |||
Genre | Drum and bass | |||
Length | 2:38 | |||
Label | Sweat It Out | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Luude | |||
Luude featuring Colin Hay singles chronology | ||||
|
In 2021, Australian producer Luude (real name Christian Benson, from the Tasmanian electronic dance music duo Choomba),[90][91] remixed "Down Under" as a drum and bass track, with Colin Hay re-recording the vocals for the track's release on the Sweat It Out record label.[92][93] In January 2022, the drum and bass version of "Down Under" debuted at number 32 on the Official UK Singles Chart Top 40[94] and at number 48 in Australia.[95] The single climbed into both countries' Top 10 a month later.[95][94] In New Zealand, the record climbed to number one on the Official Singles Chart, and by 6 February 2022 had spent four weeks at number one.[96] On 22 January 2022, the Luude version of "Down Under" was ranked at number 65 on the Triple J Hottest 100, 2021.[97]
At the 2022 ARIA Music Awards, the song was nominated for Song of the Year, Best Dance/Electronic Release and Best Video and Luude was nominated for Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist.[98]
Weekly charts
[edit]Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[95] | 10 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[89] | 4 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[99] | 25 |
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[100] | 43 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[101] | 38 |
Germany (GfK)[102] | 9 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[103] | 105 |
Hungary (Single Top 40)[104] | 40 |
Ireland (IRMA)[105] | 13 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[106] | 17 |
Netherlands (Single Tip)[107] | 7 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[96] | 1 |
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[108] | 49 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[109] | 37 |
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[110] | 38 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[111] | 54 |
UK Singles (OCC)[112] | 5 |
UK Dance (OCC)[113] | 3 |
UK Indie (OCC)[114] | 1 |
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[115] | 20 |
Year-end charts
[edit]Chart (2022) | Position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[116] | 28 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[117] | 17 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[118] | 67 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[119] | 46 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[120] | 93 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[121] | 4 |
UK Singles (OCC)[122] | 23 |
US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard)[123] | 86 |
Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[124] | 3× Platinum | 210,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[125] | 2× Platinum | 60,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[126] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
King Stingray version
[edit]"Down Under (Under One Sun)" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by King Stingray | ||||
Released | 19 October 2022 | |||
Length | 3:22 | |||
Label | Cooking Vinyl Australia | |||
King Stingray singles chronology | ||||
|
Australian rock band King Stingray released a version on 19 October 2022[127] and featured on the soundtrack of the Tourism Australia short film, Come and Say G'day. "Down Under" is the band's first release since their self-titled debut studio album, which was released in August 2022.[128]
For their iteration, King Stingray had discussions with Colin Hay and recorded their version in a combination of English and their local Indigenous language, Yolŋu Matha, and comes with the subtitle "Under One Sun".[129]
King Stingray performed the song with Colin Hay at the APRA Music Awards of 2023.[130]
See also
[edit]- List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1980s
- List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1983
- List of Billboard Mainstream Rock number-one songs of the 1980s
- List of Cash Box Top 100 number-one singles of 1983
- List of number-one singles of 1982 (Canada)
- List of number-one singles of 1983 (Ireland)
- List of number-one singles from the 1980s (New Zealand)
- List of number-one singles of the 1980s (Switzerland)
- List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1980s
- List of UK Independent Singles Chart number ones of 2022
References
[edit]- ^ "Platterlog: Singles – Supplementary". Platterlog. 2 November 1981. p. 7. Retrieved 22 December 2020 – via Imgur.
- ^ Parker, Lyndsey (4 February 2010). "Men at Work vs. The Man: '80s Band Charged with Plagiarism". Yahoo! Music. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014.
- ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Men At Work - Business As Usual (1982) Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Reed, Ryan (2 March 2011). "Colin Hay Is Still at Work, 25 Years After 'Down Under'". Metro Pulse. Archived from the original on 15 March 2011.
- ^ Sheffield, Rob (24 February 2023). "The 100 Best Songs of 1983, the Year Pop Went Crazy". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
Men at Work did happy-go-lucky pub-rock singalongs like "Down Under," one of the year's first Number One hits.
- ^ Smith, Troy L. (13 May 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
- ^ Matos, Michaelangelo (8 December 2020). "Island Records, London: May 8, 1984". Can't Slow Down: How 1984 Became Pop's Blockbuster Year. Hachette Books. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-306-90337-3.
- ^ "Men at Work - Down Under/Keypunch Operator".
- ^ "Down Under (7" vinyl single release)". discogs.com. 9 September 1981.
- ^ McFarlane, Ian (1999). "Encyclopedia entry for 'Men at Work'". Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-86448-768-2. Archived from the original on 13 May 2003.
- ^ a b "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6942." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Top 100 Hits for 1983". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
- ^ "Men at Work". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
- ^ a b "'80s hit Down Under copies kids' song: court". CBC News. Associated Press. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Down Under-covered". BBC News Magazine. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
- ^ Malkin, Bonnie (30 July 2009). "Men at Work sued over 'stolen' riff in Down Under". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
- ^ "Here Are the Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Music Feeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ a b "Down Under by Men at Work". Songfacts. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ^ "Men at Work's Colin Hay on Friday Night Videos intro for Down Under". YouTube. 16 May 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
- ^ "Top Single Picks". Billboard. 6 November 1982. p. 62. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Men at Work – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
second American number one early in 1983 and it became the band's first British hit single; the song reached number one in both countries simultaneously.
- ^ Paolacci, Louise (12 September 2013). "We Come from a Land Down Under: Australia's Thrilling Victory in the 1983 America's Cup". Readex. NewsBank. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
- ^ "Men at Work lose plagiarism case". BBC News Online. 4 February 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
- ^ "Alexander Volkanovski Walkout Song: Which Track Does the Featherweight Champ Walk Out To?". Essentially Sports. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ "The final list: APRA'S Ten best Australian Songs". Australasian Performing Right Association. 28 May 2001. Archived from the original on 8 March 2008.
- ^ "The Greatest » Ep. 167 "100 Greatest Songs of the 80s (Hour 1)"". VH1. Archived from the original on 10 December 2011.
- ^ "Down Under (1981)". Australian Screen. Australian Government. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Hamilton, Tom. "World Cup goal music: Every team's song choices in Qatar, with Gala's 'Freed From Desire' topping the chart". ESPN. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
- ^ "Triple M's GOAT Song Countdown: Full List". 19 July 2024.
- ^ "Down Under and Kookaburra in copyright battle". News.com.au. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2012.
- ^ Gordon, David (August 1983). "Production viewpoint: Peter McIan" (PDF). Recording Engineer/Producer. Vol. 14, no. 4. p. 29.
- ^ Larrikin Music Publishing Pty Ltd v EMI Songs Australia Pty Limited [2009] FCA 799, Federal Court (Australia)
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claiming Larrikin doesn't actually have copyright to Kookaburra – the Girl Guides do.
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Larrikin is entitled to recover damages
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- ^ Gibson, Joel (6 July 2010). "Kookaburra sits on a small fortune: ruling on Down Under royalties". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2010.
to pay Larrikin 5 per cent of royalties from the song dating back to 2002 and on royalties from future earnings
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From: Paul Burke ... illustrates the stupidity and tragedy of copyright. ... From: bodgie ... down to two rather stubborn music industry companies ... only ones making money out of this fight are the lawyers. Damn them all. Warren Fahey
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For some, Larrikin's suit will be seen as a brazen and opportunistic attempt
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number of Australians, including Westwood, found this a bit much.
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External links
[edit]- Lyrics of the song
- Men at Work – Down Under (Official HD Video) on YouTube
- "Down Under" at Discogs (list of releases)
- 1981 singles
- 1981 songs
- 1982 singles
- 2021 singles
- 2022 singles
- Men at Work songs
- Luude songs
- King Stingray songs
- APRA Award winners
- Australian patriotic songs
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Cashbox number-one singles
- Columbia Records singles
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Number-one singles in New Zealand
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- RPM Top Singles number-one singles
- Songs about Australia
- Songs about Brussels
- Songs based on children's songs
- Songs involved in plagiarism controversies
- Songs involved in royalties controversies
- Songs written by Colin Hay
- UK singles chart number-one singles