Happy day of whatever where you don't go to work
It's Australia Day! Which means lots of things to lots of different people and is kind of a weird holiday no matter what, which I guess is why we have the Triple J Hottest 100, so that there's something to celebrate today other than our messy colonial past. I don't know if it's better or worse to kind of forget the reasons behind the holiday to listen to a music countdown, but I guess at least it's a change from the national pride vs black armband debates. Or something.
Nevertheless, Australia Day is always going to be about music for me, for reasons beyond just the Hottest 100, so here are some songs for your day.
First and foremost, Australia Day will always be anniversary of Stevie Plunder's death in 1996. Stevie was then the frontman of my favourite band, The Whitlams, and wrote some beautifully bright and sad songs when he was in the band. 'Following My Own Tracks' is the most cheerful song about addiction that I've ever heard.
On a happier note, today marks two years since I saw Nic Cester perform 'Back in Black' with Muse at the Big Day Out. It was one of a few events that summer that had a huge impact on my life from that point on, and it remains one of the best days of my life so far. Even aside from their collaboration, no show in the last two years has given me a high like moshing to Jet did that day.
Kate Miller-Heidke has always been great at bringing the funny. 'Southern Cross Tattoo' is the only song I've ever heard specifically about Australia Day, and it pretty much sums it up. Extra love for the chorus, which just goes "yeah nah yeah nah yeah nah yeah".
Our national anthem is kind of boring, and we are notorious for not really knowing the words. Adam Hills isn't the best singer but he sings the best Advance Australia Fair ever.
And finally a shout-out to Gotye, because if this song doesn't top the Hottest 100 today then I think Triple J might just implode or something.
And because I've said it before, but you know how fandom sometimes talks about id-fic? 'Somebody I Used To Know' is like my id-song. It has a slow build-up, it's about breakups and longing and guilt, it's a duet, there are two sides, there's ambiguity, and a bit of wailing in the chorus.
Anyway, hope you have a good day wherever you are. I'm going to be trying to get to two BBQs with a badass motherfucking salad I made last night while watching a Spiderbait concert.
Nevertheless, Australia Day is always going to be about music for me, for reasons beyond just the Hottest 100, so here are some songs for your day.
First and foremost, Australia Day will always be anniversary of Stevie Plunder's death in 1996. Stevie was then the frontman of my favourite band, The Whitlams, and wrote some beautifully bright and sad songs when he was in the band. 'Following My Own Tracks' is the most cheerful song about addiction that I've ever heard.
On a happier note, today marks two years since I saw Nic Cester perform 'Back in Black' with Muse at the Big Day Out. It was one of a few events that summer that had a huge impact on my life from that point on, and it remains one of the best days of my life so far. Even aside from their collaboration, no show in the last two years has given me a high like moshing to Jet did that day.
Kate Miller-Heidke has always been great at bringing the funny. 'Southern Cross Tattoo' is the only song I've ever heard specifically about Australia Day, and it pretty much sums it up. Extra love for the chorus, which just goes "yeah nah yeah nah yeah nah yeah".
Our national anthem is kind of boring, and we are notorious for not really knowing the words. Adam Hills isn't the best singer but he sings the best Advance Australia Fair ever.
And finally a shout-out to Gotye, because if this song doesn't top the Hottest 100 today then I think Triple J might just implode or something.
And because I've said it before, but you know how fandom sometimes talks about id-fic? 'Somebody I Used To Know' is like my id-song. It has a slow build-up, it's about breakups and longing and guilt, it's a duet, there are two sides, there's ambiguity, and a bit of wailing in the chorus.
Anyway, hope you have a good day wherever you are. I'm going to be trying to get to two BBQs with a badass motherfucking salad I made last night while watching a Spiderbait concert.
