Australia (Gyroscope song)
Encyclopedia
"Australia" is a song by Australian rock band Gyroscope
, from the album Breed Obsession
. It was released as the third single
from their highly successful album, which peaked at number one on the Australian Albums Chart
. The song was released to radio in May 2008, and was released as a CD single and digital download
on 14 June 2008, along with two acoustic pieces. One of those being a live acoustic version of "Australia", the other a live acoustic cover
of Chris Isaak
's "Wicked Game
".
, Diggers
and recent reconciliation efforts
." "Australia" is said to have risen Gyroscope's "songwriting to new heights", it's a track that confirms the Australian rock band "are equally capable of creating softer numbers as well as the harder hitting ones".
Lead vocalist and songwriter Daniel Sanders speaking about the story behind the song, said "It was essentially written about myself leaving England as a tot and coming to Australia, and then growing up here, appreciating and embracing our culture and heritage and falling in love with it all. I wanted to express it for my own sake... So I could rejoice in what I love about this country".
Access All Areas said an "intimate delivery" adds to the song's "inspiring" message, which "is set to spark feelings of national pride" amongst Australians.
and stringed instruments to create its sound. The use of the violin and cello are said to give the "song some extra depth". The "strong marching-band beat" of Rob Nassif's drum kit, along with the contribution of Sanders' "intimate delivery" on vocals are a main feature of the song, which is credited for its "lush melodic arrangement with perfectly placed orchestral flourishes".
when it received its first national coverage from Australian television and radio programs. The music video debuted on the Australian music program Rage
on 23 May 2008. It also played a second time the next morning, and then again the next night, closing the show.
Upon release of Breed Obsession, "Australia" was already heralded as an "unofficial anthem" of the country. It had been earmarked by commercial stations who were "already calling it a hit". The song even took an impressive compliment from Mushroom Records
chief executive officer Michael Parisi, who said "this is a new anthem. Massive, massive, massive."
Gyroscope's third single off their third – and most successful to date – album, has been compared to Australian classics as "Solid Rock" by Goanna
, "Sounds of Then
" by Ganggajang
and the anthemic "I Am Australian
" from The Seekers
. This comparison was made by rock historian Glenn A. Baker
, who said "these are songs that invoke in us feeling of who we are and where we are," and notably that "the Gyroscope track would have the same effect."
The song has been used for the advertisement of the final season of Australian TV show, McLeod's Daughters
. It was also used as an inspiration to the Australian athletes who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with the quote "So close, but so far". This was in reference to the song's lyrics, "So close, yet we've come so far/So close, still we've got so far".
The song reached number 50 on the ARIA physical singles chart and number 52 on the Australian Singles Chart
.
and national television programs on 19 May 2008. It was filmed on 2 May 2008, in Sydney, Australia. The video was directed by Tom Sparks. It features the band walking along a beach, with cut shots of an indigenous
girl, eventually the band comes to a cliff edge, where aerial shots are used to create a scenic shot of the band.
Production
Gyroscope (band)
Gyroscope is an Australian rock band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 1997. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Daniel Sanders, guitarist and back up vocalist Zoran Trivic, bassist and back up vocalist Brad Campbell and drummer Rob Nassif....
, from the album Breed Obsession
Breed Obsession
Breed Obsession is the third studio album by Australian rock band Gyroscope, produced by Dave Eringa and released through Warner Music on 8 March 2008.The album was recorded, mixed and produced in the United Kingdom...
. It was released as the third single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
from their highly successful album, which peaked at number one on the Australian Albums Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
. The song was released to radio in May 2008, and was released as a CD single and digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 14 June 2008, along with two acoustic pieces. One of those being a live acoustic version of "Australia", the other a live acoustic cover
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of Chris Isaak
Chris Isaak
Christopher Joseph "Chris" Isaak is an American rock musician and occasional actor.-Early life:Isaak was born in Stockton, California, the son of Dorothy , a potato chip factory worker, and Joe Isaak, a forklift driver. Isaak's mother is Italian American, originating from Genoa...
's "Wicked Game
Wicked Game
"Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart...
".
Meaning
The song lyrically covers a range of issues surrounding the bands home country, Australia. It notably "pays tribute to indigenous people, first settlersFirst Fleet
The First Fleet is the name given to the eleven ships which sailed from Great Britain on 13 May 1787 with about 1,487 people, including 778 convicts , to establish the first European colony in Australia, in the region which Captain Cook had named New South Wales. The fleet was led by Captain ...
, Diggers
Digger (soldier)
Digger is an Australian and New Zealand military slang term for soldiers from Australia and New Zealand. It originated during World War I.- Origin :...
and recent reconciliation efforts
National Sorry Day
The National Sorry Day is an Australian event, held each year on 26 May since 1998, to express regret over the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples. The day was chosen in commemoration of the Bringing Them Home report being handed to the federal government on 26 May 1997. It is not an...
." "Australia" is said to have risen Gyroscope's "songwriting to new heights", it's a track that confirms the Australian rock band "are equally capable of creating softer numbers as well as the harder hitting ones".
Lead vocalist and songwriter Daniel Sanders speaking about the story behind the song, said "It was essentially written about myself leaving England as a tot and coming to Australia, and then growing up here, appreciating and embracing our culture and heritage and falling in love with it all. I wanted to express it for my own sake... So I could rejoice in what I love about this country".
Access All Areas said an "intimate delivery" adds to the song's "inspiring" message, which "is set to spark feelings of national pride" amongst Australians.
Style
"Australia" uses a combination of "subtle drumbeats", acoustic guitarAcoustic guitar
An acoustic guitar is a guitar that uses only an acoustic sound board. The air in this cavity resonates with the vibrational modes of the string and at low frequencies, which depend on the size of the box, the chamber acts like a Helmholtz resonator, increasing or decreasing the volume of the sound...
and stringed instruments to create its sound. The use of the violin and cello are said to give the "song some extra depth". The "strong marching-band beat" of Rob Nassif's drum kit, along with the contribution of Sanders' "intimate delivery" on vocals are a main feature of the song, which is credited for its "lush melodic arrangement with perfectly placed orchestral flourishes".
Reception
"Australia" was still a month from its release as a singleSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
when it received its first national coverage from Australian television and radio programs. The music video debuted on the Australian music program Rage
Rage (TV program)
Rage is a popular all-night Australian music video program broadcast on ABC1 on Friday nights, Saturday mornings and Saturday nights. It was first screened on the weekend of Friday, 17 April 1987. With Soul Train no longer being produced, it is the oldest music television program currently still...
on 23 May 2008. It also played a second time the next morning, and then again the next night, closing the show.
Upon release of Breed Obsession, "Australia" was already heralded as an "unofficial anthem" of the country. It had been earmarked by commercial stations who were "already calling it a hit". The song even took an impressive compliment from Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records
Mushroom Records is an Australian recoJrd company formed by Michael Gudinski and Ray Evans in Melbourne in 1972. After its sale in 1998, it merged into Festival Mushroom Records. From 2005 to 2009, it is one of the record labels operated by Warner Bros...
chief executive officer Michael Parisi, who said "this is a new anthem. Massive, massive, massive."
Gyroscope's third single off their third – and most successful to date – album, has been compared to Australian classics as "Solid Rock" by Goanna
Goanna (band)
Goanna is an Australian folk rock group which formed in 1977 in Geelong as The Goanna Band with mainstay Shane Howard as singer-songwriter and guitarist...
, "Sounds of Then
Sounds of Then
"This is Australia" is a 1985 song by Australian band Gang Gajang from their self-titled debut album, Gang Gajang. "Sounds of Then" was written by frontman Mark "Cal" Callaghan....
" by Ganggajang
GANGgajang
Gang Gajang are an Australian rock band who formed in 1984. The three principal figures in the original lineup were former Riptides frontman Mark "Cal" Callaghan and two former members of popular Australian hard rock band The Angels, bassist Chris Bailey and drummer Graham "Buzz"...
and the anthemic "I Am Australian
I Am Australian
I am Australian is a popular Australian poem written in 1987 by Bruce Woodley of The Seekers and Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers. Its lyrics are filled with many historic and cultural references, such as to the 'digger', Albert Namatjira and Ned Kelly, among others...
" from The Seekers
The Seekers
The Seekers are an Australian folk-influenced pop music group which were originally formed in 1962. They were the first Australian popular music group to achieve major chart and sales success in the United Kingdom and the United States...
. This comparison was made by rock historian Glenn A. Baker
Glenn A. Baker
Glenn A. Baker is an Australian journalist, commentator, and broadcaster well known in Australia for his vast knowledge of Rock music. He has written books and magazine articles on rock music and travel, interviewed celebrities, managed bands such as Ol' 55 and promoted tours of international stars...
, who said "these are songs that invoke in us feeling of who we are and where we are," and notably that "the Gyroscope track would have the same effect."
The song has been used for the advertisement of the final season of Australian TV show, McLeod's Daughters
McLeod's Daughters
McLeod's Daughters is a Logie award-winning Australian drama series that aired on the Nine Network from 2001 to 2009. It tells the story of two sisters, Claire and Tess McLeod, who are reunited after they inherit the family farm...
. It was also used as an inspiration to the Australian athletes who competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, with the quote "So close, but so far". This was in reference to the song's lyrics, "So close, yet we've come so far/So close, still we've got so far".
The song reached number 50 on the ARIA physical singles chart and number 52 on the Australian Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
.
Music video
The music video for "Australia" was released to MySpace TVMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and national television programs on 19 May 2008. It was filmed on 2 May 2008, in Sydney, Australia. The video was directed by Tom Sparks. It features the band walking along a beach, with cut shots of an indigenous
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
girl, eventually the band comes to a cliff edge, where aerial shots are used to create a scenic shot of the band.
Track listing
- "Australia" – 3:49
- "Wicked GameWicked Game"Wicked Game" is a 1989 song by Chris Isaak from his third studio album Heart Shaped World. Despite being released as a single in 1989, it did not become a hit until it was later featured in the David Lynch film Wild at Heart...
" (Live & Acoustic) (Chris IsaakChris IsaakChristopher Joseph "Chris" Isaak is an American rock musician and occasional actor.-Early life:Isaak was born in Stockton, California, the son of Dorothy , a potato chip factory worker, and Joe Isaak, a forklift driver. Isaak's mother is Italian American, originating from Genoa...
cover) – 3:20 - "Australia" (Live & Acoustic) – 3:29
Personnel
GyroscopeProduction