Jessie’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 More

Love Is In The Air: John Paul Young’s 1978 Disco Anthem

John Paul Young’s Love Is In The Air

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 More

The 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…

Read More

How Farewell Aunty Jack Captured Australia’s ’70s Rebellion

Farewell Aunty Jack

In 1974, a song born from a TV show about a cross-dressing bikie blasted to No. 1 on Australia’s charts, elbowing out David Bowie and holding court for three weeks. Farewell Aunty Jack, penned and performed by Grahame Bond and Rory O’Donoghue, wasn’t just a catchy tune—it was a middle finger to the staid norms…

Read More

Tucker’s Daughter: The Making of Ian Moss’s 1989 Breakout Hit

When Ian Moss released Tucker’s Daughter in 1989, it wasn’t just a song—it was a declaration. After years as Cold Chisel’s guitar wizard, he stepped into the spotlight with a single that roared to No. 1 on the ARIA charts and snagged two ARIA Awards. Released on Mushroom Records (K 690), this track—co-written with Don…

Read More

How John Farnham Turned Raindrops into a 1969 Chart-Topping Classic

Back in December 1969, a young John Farnham stepped into the spotlight with a song that would echo through Australian music history: Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head. Fresh off the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid soundtrack—where B.J. Thomas had already made it a global sensation—this wasn’t just a cover for Farnham. It was…

Read More

How “Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)” Made John Farnham a Star

Before “You’re the Voice” catapulted him to international fame, John Farnham was a young pop star breaking through with an unlikely hit. “Sadie (The Cleaning Lady),” released in November 1967 through the Columbia label, was the song that launched his career—but not without some reluctance from Farnham himself. At just 18, Farnham wasn’t thrilled about…

Read More

The Story Behind Daryl Braithwaite’s “You’re My World”

You're My World Daryl Braithwaite

In 1974, Daryl Braithwaite stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist with his rendition of “You’re My World.” Released through the Infinity label, this heartfelt ballad became an instant classic and marked the beginning of Braithwaite’s journey outside of Sherbet, the band that had already made him a household name. But did you know…

Read More