D.A.F. (song)
Encyclopedia
"D.A.F." is a song by Australia
n alternative rock
band
Powderfinger
, released as a single
from their second studio album
, Double Allergic
, on 5 August 1996.
"D.A.F." reached #39 on the Australian music chart. The song was doubly nominated in the 1997 ARIA Awards, once for "Song of the Year" and once for "Single of the Year," however won neither.
Recovery
ran a competition asking one the song's title stood for. Powderfinger guitarist
Darren Middleton
recalls that "people wrote in saying something like Dylan something farts" (referring to then host Dylan Lewis
), but Middleton stated that the title was actually the song's chord
progression - D,A,F. When asked about the naming of the song, bassist
John Collins
replied "It's just because we were stupid".
"D.A.F." received healthy radio airplay from numerous mainstream stations
including the Today Network
. This came as a surprise for the band, as only their previous single, "Pick You Up
", had achieved such airplay. Lead singer Bernard Fanning
commented that "You can't really control who plays what you do on the radio, so it's pretty weird hearing your song on B105
".
Although it was produced as a mainstream song, "D.A.F." was released as a single which included the song "Blackfella Whitefella"
, which was in recognition of Australian Indigenous people. Fanning commented on the band choosing to include the song, saying "we don’t set out to preach or give social commentary, but we do have the opportunity to put forward an opinion". He also explained that the topic of social justice was on the band felt strongly about, and that the song had "the perfect lyrics to reflect that opinion".
In a separate interview, with Juice, Fanning said that "D.A.F." centered around "the old theme of searching for truth". He said the song related heavily to the ideal of "being honest with yourself so you can be honest with other people".
"D.A.F." was nominated for "Song of the Year" and "Single of the Year" at the 1997
ARIA Awards, but failed to win either. It appeared at #18 on the Triple J Hottest 100
in 1996
, and appeared on the CD release. "D.A.F." charted moderately, reaching #39 on the ARIA singles chart
, and spending four weeks on the chart.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
Powderfinger
Powderfinger
Powderfinger was an Australian rock band that formed in Brisbane in 1989. From 1992 until their breakup the band lineup consisted of vocalist Bernard Fanning, guitarists Darren Middleton and Ian Haug, bassist John Collins, and drummer Jon Coghill....
, released as a 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 second studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Double Allergic
Double Allergic
Double Allergic is the second studio album by Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger. Released in Australia on 2 September 1996 Polydor, the album was produced by Tim Whitten and widely considered Powderfinger's mainstream breakthrough....
, on 5 August 1996.
"D.A.F." reached #39 on the Australian music chart. The song was doubly nominated in the 1997 ARIA Awards, once for "Song of the Year" and once for "Single of the Year," however won neither.
History
When "D.A.F." was first released, Australian television programTelevision program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
Recovery
Recovery (TV series)
Recovery was a music and youth interests television series broadcast by ABC TV in Australia. It was aired each Saturday morning from 9:00am to 12:00pm following Rage. It aired from 20 April 1996 to its last show on 29 April 2000...
ran a competition asking one the song's title stood for. Powderfinger guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
Darren Middleton
Darren Middleton
Darren Stuart Middleton is an Australian lead guitarist for alternative rock band Powderfinger. He is also the lead singer for Drag....
recalls that "people wrote in saying something like Dylan something farts" (referring to then host Dylan Lewis
Dylan Lewis
Dylan Lewis is an Australian television and radio personality.-Personal life:He was educated at Caulfield Grammar School, graduating in 1990, and studied for a Bachelor of Education in Drama and Music degree at the University of Melbourne. John Bannon, former South Australian premier is Dylan's...
), but Middleton stated that the title was actually the song's chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
progression - D,A,F. When asked about the naming of the song, bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
John Collins
John Collins (Australian musician)
John Andrew Collins is the mainstay bass guitarst for Australian rock band Powderfinger since 1989. He is one of the founding members of the band, along with guitarist Ian Haug, forming at their high school, Brisbane Grammar School as a three piece. Powderfinger has released seven studio albums, a...
replied "It's just because we were stupid".
"D.A.F." received healthy radio airplay from numerous mainstream stations
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
including the Today Network
Today Network
The Today Network is a network of Contemporary Hit Radio stations run by Southern Cross Austereo in Australia.-Affiliates:-History:The Today Network started when the Austereo Radio Network secured the first commercial FM licence in Adelaide in 1980. Austereo launched a station called Double SA FM,...
. This came as a surprise for the band, as only their previous single, "Pick You Up
Pick You Up
"Pick You Up" is the first single released from Powderfinger's second album Double Allergic. The single was released on 13 April 1996, and was Powderfinger's first moderate success both on commercial and Indie radio stations, and the most successful single from the album reaching #23 on the ARIA...
", had achieved such airplay. Lead singer Bernard Fanning
Bernard Fanning
Bernard Joseph Fanning is a musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and frontman of Australian alternative rock band Powderfinger from its formation in 1989 to its dissolution in 2010....
commented that "You can't really control who plays what you do on the radio, so it's pretty weird hearing your song on B105
B105 FM
B105 is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting on 105.3 MHz in Brisbane, Australia. It is part of the Austereo Radio Network. B105's primary audience is 10 to 24 age group.-History:...
".
Although it was produced as a mainstream song, "D.A.F." was released as a single which included the song "Blackfella Whitefella"
Warumpi Band
The Warumpi Band is an Australian band from the bush, coming from Papunya, Northern Territory, Australia.The band was formed in 1980 by Neil Murray, a Victorian "whitefella" working in the region as a schoolteacher and labourer, George Burarrwanga, from Elcho Island, and local boys Gordon and...
, which was in recognition of Australian Indigenous people. Fanning commented on the band choosing to include the song, saying "we don’t set out to preach or give social commentary, but we do have the opportunity to put forward an opinion". He also explained that the topic of social justice was on the band felt strongly about, and that the song had "the perfect lyrics to reflect that opinion".
In a separate interview, with Juice, Fanning said that "D.A.F." centered around "the old theme of searching for truth". He said the song related heavily to the ideal of "being honest with yourself so you can be honest with other people".
Response
"D.A.F." was generally received well by reviewers. Allmusic reviewer Jonathan Lewis commended the song, calling it "superb" and stating it was a "radio staple". Sputnikmusic reviewer blueyxd described "D.A.F." as "quirky" and "straight forward rock", recommending it for those who prefer songs "Plain and simple, Powderfinger like they are these days". Juice stated that "D.A.F." was "driven by dramatic tension"."D.A.F." was nominated for "Song of the Year" and "Single of the Year" at the 1997
ARIA Music Awards of 1997
The eleventh Annual Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards were held on 22 September 1997 at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. The event was hosted by Australian actor–comedian Paul McDermott, with presenters Elle McFeast, Kylie Minogue, Ben Folds and The Presidents of the United...
ARIA Awards, but failed to win either. It appeared at #18 on the Triple J Hottest 100
Triple J Hottest 100
The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll, based on the votes of national Australian radio station Triple J listeners, in order to determine their favourite song of the year. Voting is conducted by the internet and begins roughly two weeks prior to the new year for the previous year's songs...
in 1996
Triple J Hottest 100, 1996
The 1996 Triple J Hottest 100, counted down in January 1997, was a countdown of the most popular songs of the year, according to listeners of the Australian radio station Triple J. A CD featuring 31 of the songs was released. A countdown of the videos of most of the songs was also shown on the ABC...
, and appeared on the CD release. "D.A.F." charted moderately, reaching #39 on the ARIA 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...
, and spending four weeks on the chart.