Posts by Mark Gibson
Live It Up: Mental As Anything’s 1985 Pop-Rock Triumph
In May 1985, Mental As Anything dropped Live It Up, a pop-rock classic that soared to No. 2 on the ARIA Charts. Released on Regular Records (RRSP 746), it charted for 23 weeks, went platinum, and became their best-performing single. Written by Andrew ‘Greedy’ Smith and produced by Richard Gottehrer, it was the lead single…
Read MoreYou Weren’t In Love With Me: Billy Field’s 1981 Jazz-Pop Gem
In 1981, Billy Field dropped You Weren’t In Love With Me, a jazz-pop ballad that soared to No. 1 on the ARIA Charts. Released on WEA (100173), it charted for 22 weeks, went gold, and became his only No. 1. Written by Field and produced with Tom Price, it was the second single from Bad…
Read MoreJessie’s Girl: Rick Springfield’s 1981 Pop-Rock Triumph
In 1981, Rick Springfield released Jessie’s Girl, a pop-rock earworm that soared to No. 1 on the ARIA Charts. Released on Wizard (ZS-473), it charted for 22 weeks, went gold, and became his only Australian No. 1. Written by Springfield and produced by Keith Olsen, it was the lead single from Working Class Dog. Displacing…
Read MoreBony Moronie: Hush’s 1975 Glam-Rock Anthem
In April 1975, Hush released Bony Moronie, a glam-rock cover of Larry Williams’ 1957 classic that soared to No. 4 on the Kent Music Report. Released on Wizard (ZS-123), it charted for 27 weeks, went gold, and became their biggest hit. Produced by Robie Porter, it was the lead single from their fourth album, Rough…
Read MoreLove Is In The Air: John Paul Young’s 1978 Disco Anthem
In 1978, John Paul Young released Love Is In The Air, a disco-pop gem that reached No. 3 on the Kent Music Report. Released on Albert Productions, it charted for 21 weeks and became a global hit. Written and produced by Harry Vanda and George Young, it was the lead single from JPY’s fourth album.…
Read MoreBetter: The Screaming Jets’ 1991 Pub Rock Classic
In March 1991, The Screaming Jets released Better, a gritty pub rock anthem that soared to No. 3 on the ARIA Charts. Released on rooArt, it charted for 22 weeks, went gold, and became their signature hit. Written by Grant Walmsley and produced by Steve James, it was the lead single from their debut album,…
Read MoreComputer Games: Mi-Sex’s 1979 New Wave Breakthrough
In 1979, Mi-Sex released Computer Games, a synth-heavy new wave hit that topped Australia’s charts for one week. Released on CBS, it charted for 25 weeks, landing at No. 13 for the year. Written by Steve Gilpin and Kevin Stanton, with music by Stanton and Murray Burns, it was the second single from their debut…
Read MoreHelp Is On Its Way: Little River Band’s 1977 Smooth Rock Triumph
In 1977, Little River Band released Help Is On Its Way, a soft rock hit that topped Australia’s charts for one week. Released on EMI, it charted for 20 weeks, landing at No. 20 for the year. Written by Glenn Shorrock, it was the lead single from Diamantina Cocktail, their third album, and their only…
Read MoreThe Real Thing: Russell Morris’s 1969 Psychedelic Breakthrough
In 1969, Russell Morris released The Real Thing, a six-minute psychedelic masterpiece that topped Australia’s charts for two weeks. Released on Columbia, it was written by Johnny Young and produced by Ian “Molly” Meldrum, charting for 26 weeks and landing at No. 4 for the year. It knocked off Peter Sarstedt and bowed to The…
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