Kelly's World

Yesterday I worked from home, and remained glued to the TV set as I watched Obama become the new President-elect for the United States of America. A very moving time no doubt, and one of those times you’ll say “I was doing such and such when the first black president was elected”. Never mind the fact that he is qualified to take the job in many many ways, his race is still a very defining moment for history. As part of his election, it ends the career of one of the most controversial Presidents, George W Bush (junior).

It may just be due to my age (I’m only 24), I’m too young to really know anything about their previous presidents except for Clinton (and the only thing that sticks out to me about him was that he has a thing for cigars and head jobs). With President Bush, I’ve been subjected to a lot of music protesting against his actions. And again, it may only be due to my age, but I’ve only just realised how many overseas artists are willing to sing about their political views. The most notable that springs to mind is Bono and U2 – I even studied Sunday Bloody Sunday in high school! He doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind. And as time goes on, more mainstream artists (if you can call them that) are talking about politics as well e.g. P!nk, Green Day, Dixie Chicks?

Then I look closer to home, and wonder where all our outspoken artists are. Perhaps I don’t listen to enough Australian music, or pay enough attention to their lyrics. But the only songs I could think of was Paul Kelly’s “From Little Things, Big Things Grow” and Midnight Oil’s “Beds are Burning” (another I studied in high school). I’m positive John Butler Trio would have some political songs amongst their mix, John Butler is very outspoken on particular things (like the uranium mining).

(Side note – I was actually at Live Earth in Sydney when they sang this, and the song echoed around the stadium with everyone singing along…fantastic moment)

**update – for more information about the inspiration behind this song, check out this wikipedia article on the Gurindji strike**

I searched for Australian Political Music on Google, and instead found this – an article written in 2006 where Midnight Oil used their induction into the hall of fame to call for more protest songs. I also found another article of a history of Australian Music pushing the boundaries of politics and social acceptance, but it only goes to the year 2000.

I asked the question on Twitter, and immediately got the following suggestions (thanks Oli!!):

• Paul Kelly’s “From Little Things Big Things Grow” (previously mentioned)
• Powderfinger “Day you Come”
• Blue King Brown’s “Water”
• The Herd “King is Dead”

Perhaps I’m either ignorant to the lyrics of music, listening to the wrong radio stations, or just have my head buried in sand….OR is it possible that Australian political music is either not prominent or not getting the attention it deserves? Or are the songs not being written?

Not pointing any fingers at all, otherwise I’m fairly sure I’d be shot down in a second, and I don’t think there is a wrong or right about it. I’m just curious to see where it all is, whether it died in the 90′s or if Australian artists are more conservative about taking a stand. Or whether I’m just being ignorant (have I said that enough already??) I just wonder if we’re going to start hearing music about Kevin Rudd anytime soon.

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