My former 8th grade 80's teenager can attest. At a school dance in 1983 the DJ played it and the local police came to the school and said the neighbors all around the school could hear us getting DOWN to that song. I remember the 2nd floor auditorium of our old brick building, built in the 1800's in a typical New England town, had wood floors and we were jumping up and down so hard that if you stood still the floor felt like it was going to give way. That was easily the biggest song of the year that year.
"Down Under" is what people often refer to Australia... where Men At Work were from. The song's lyrics are about how Australians experience people outside of Australia... The lady serving breakfast to an Australian tourist... The man selling bread in Brussells who turns out to be Australian himself... The den in Bombay... places and people the Australian tourist experiences. AC/DC was one of the first Australian acts to break big worldwide... The Easybeats were a 60's beat rock combo that were also popular (featuring George Young on guitar) ... In the 80's, we got more Australian bands - INXS, Men At Work, Little River Band, Midnight Oil, Ice House, Crowded House, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Silverchair, Jet, Wolfmother, etc.
Colin Hay says it about loss of spirit in Australia and the over development of it by greedy people. And a celebration of Australia. That's from an interview he gave at one point.
BP, the line that they repeat in the song, "You better run, you better take cover" was something that Australian soldiers used to shout to the enemy during WWI to taunt them, letting them know that Australians were nearby! You should check out "It's a Mistake" by Men At Work. It came out during the height of the Cold War when Reagan was President and is about nuclear war. BTW, I'm 58 years old and LOVE your reactions. It's awesome to see you discovering all the incredible music that you missed out on. I think my generation was so lucky to have all that music make up the soundtrack of our lives! God Bless you and your family, Buddy! Be well.
Also, certain parts of Australia experience horrible dangerous thunderstorms, lightning strikes and flash flooding at times. The extreme weather used to be part of just about every conversation about Australia.
its more a case of being relevant to the greed and plundering of australias lands and resources and the need to escape the 80's mentality of self serving arrogance. they were indeed quite politicaly motivated. not sure about the war reference, it doesn't seem to come up amongst the interviews with the band members but i am no expert on australian history 😉
People who didn't live through the 80' can't grasp that we lived in the most easy, non-stressed existence and our music was mindless, fun, and no deep AT ALL. i wasn't just he music. I was truly last REALLY great time be alive. No hate. No anger. Just sunny days and good memories. I feel so sorry for kids today. They won't ever feel real JOY.
Wrong. There’s always a deeper meaning for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Depth in life brings quality to life. Most of us don’t get this until we’re older, though. I use to not give AF about deep shit either
@@Ontheroxxwithsaltthe lyrics were deep. You were not. You feel more comfortable not thinking about it, as you did not think about it then. It’s easier for you if other people act that shallow too, lest *you* have to notice and put thought into it and have to introspect in the slightest I’m sorry having to change your mind scares you that much, but you have to know how pathetic that makes you look, since you’re trying so hard to justify it. You could just…change and not look bad, instead of needing to posture all the time. Your life sounds exhausting ngl
“The lyrics are really about my belief about what Australia was becoming,” Hay told Songfacts. “Really, the selling of Australia in many ways, none of them particularly pleasant, with the overdevelopment of the country. It was what I was feeling at that particular time. It was really a song about the loss of spirit of that country, because it’s truly an awesome place. It’s difficult to explain and it’s very hard for me to put into a sentence. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about this, but it’s just really about the plundering of the country by greedy people.”
Yes. apparently the coffin and 'funeral' at the end were meant to represent the death of the unspoiled Australia. 'Can't you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover' was Colin's warning about the direction the country was heading in.
The lyrics were written by lead singer Colin Hay, who explained in his Songfacts interview: "The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It's really more than that."
I thought I knew what it meant 45 years ago, then there were explanations of what the lyrics meant…protesting the use of the country and its people. Somewhere in ‘zombie land’ I just decided that the song was freakin’ great even if I didn’t ’speak the language’! ✌️ ✌️
It means that no matter where you go you will bump into another travelling Aussie and that means family.. Aussies treat each other like long lost relatives. It's an Aussie anthem... we have a few. It's a small world.
This song came out in 1981. It was played almost as the "theme" for Australia's victory over the US in the America's Cup ( international sailing race) in 1983. The song was huge! It topped the US billboard chart for 4 consecutive weeks.
As a preteen and teen when Men At Work were popular, I didn’t care what the songs were about; I just liked them. Other great songs from them- Who Can It Be Now, It’s A Mistake, Be Good Johnny, and Overkill, just to name a few. The 80s were full of great music from all genres; there will never be another decade like it!
Fried-out Kombi - A broken-down van. The lyrics are often translated as "Combie," but the correct spelling is Kombi. It comes from the VW Kombivan, which was very popular in the '60s and early '70s, especially with surfers and hippies. Head full of Zombie - Zombie was a particularly strong batch of marijuana that was floating around Australia for a long time. People called it "Zombie Grass." Where beer does flow, and men chunder - "Chunder" is Aussie slang meaning to vomit.
The flute riff is an Australian nursery rhyme: "Kookabura sits in an old gum tree..." Men at Work had to pay 5% royalties for using that tune. Find a copy of the nursery song and you'll hear exactly the little tune.
@NoNameNoFace-7li We did too. Our Music/Art teacher was kind of a free spirit. I remember singing all kinds of music - Three Dog Night. Joy to the World and The Band The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, come to mind. He name was Mrs Clark. Good. memories.
Had to scroll down a ways to see if anyone else mentioned it. "Down Under" was the theme song of the Australian team that challenged for the America's Cup in 1983. That song was playing constantly in reports on the Aussie's progress in the competition. The Aussies made history that year: the first challenger ever to win the Cup away from the American defending team, in 130 years of competition.
Everything I Need #47 1985 Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive #28 1983 It's A Mistake #6 1983 Overkill #3 1983 Down Under #1 1982 Who Can It Be Now? #1 1982 Also, "Be Good Johnny."
When this came out in '81, you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing it or go into any club and not see a full dancefloor here in the U.K. it was huge, one of their other big hits was 'Who Can It Be Now', lead singer Colin Hay has an amazing and distinctive voice, I suggest you check out another Australian star, the beautiful Tina Arena, with her massive hit Sorrento Moon 🇬🇧
I found this on an old forum, it's an excerpt from an interview made with Colin Hay back in 2008: Hay had been working as half of an acoustic duo with Ron Strykert, but they were yet to become Men At Work. "The idea was formed in Power St in Hawthorn in 1978," said Hay. "I was working with Ron, and he used to do little home tapes and he had a tape that had a little bass riff and percussion thing and it was really hypnotic. "And I had this thing in my head for a few weeks and all it was was (sings) 'living in a land down under'. "That was it. All I had. And one day I was playing this tape that Ron had and I connected the two and felt very excited and then went home the next day and wrote the whole thing out." That idea for the song was born as Hay drove down Power St, near the corner of Riversdale Rd. "The choruses were really about the death of the spirit of this place, my fear of the over-corporatisation of this country, which I think has happened and will continue to happen and is inevitable, perhaps," Hay says. "The desecration of coastlines, wood-chipping, cutting down old-growth forests, all that stuff which is happening now is really what that song is about. "Which is why we had to 'run and take cover'. "In the video clip film, when you see the end of it and you see us all walking along with what looks like a coffin, that's what that was."
My sister lived in Power St in Hawthorn and I lived in Auburn Rd, but a little later, 1979. Great to hear this story. This will always remind me of Australia winning the Americas Cup in sailing in 1983!! That was huge!
Men at Work hit big in the summer of 1982 and through the next year had five Top 40 singles: "Who Can It Be Now?," "Down Under," "Overkill," "It's A Mistake" and "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive." The first two, both from their debut album, vaulted all the way to #1 on the American charts and helped them win the Best New Artist Grammy Award. This was a huge worldwide hit. For two weeks, both the single and album were #1 in the US and UK. In their native Australia, the album stayed at #1 for nine weeks, and the single topped the chart for six.
On a hippy trail full of zombie refers to the 70s and 80s when young Australians would travel for a minimum of 6 months to years at a time cause the airfare was too expensive for a 2 or 4 week trip. They’d go to Bali and then Thailand and make their way to Europe. Hence hippy trail. Zombie refers to smoking dope.
If you were alive in 1983 you would have heard this song all over America, it was used as the anthem for the assault on the "America's Cup" yacht race that the crew of (the Yacht) "Australia 2" triumphed in, being the first ever non-American team to ever win that particular regatta and bring the trophy home to Australia. The crew of that boat played this song every day whilst leaving and entering the Harbour in Rhode Island, and seeing that it was a televised event, the song was heard on the news all the time.
A very tactically clever race by Dennis Conner. Dennis was from San Diego. The cup was in the New York Yacht Club , it was theirs and Dennis wanted it. So he lost to Alan Bond ,cup goes to Australia. Next Dennis wins and takes it to San Diego. Saying ha ha NYYC.
@mikeythehat6693 Living in RI at the time. We all loved Dennis Connor & team but as baby crew rats, loathed the NY Yacht Club. No tears when the rich suckers lost the Cup. They'd manipulated the race's rules for years. Felt gutted for Connor & crew, though. Great sailors all. Aussies were in Newport in numbers, fun to party with & the wealthy yachties we ran into weren't at all snobby. Great to be in the bay whilst the Aussies were blasting this tune.
Classic Aussie song! Colin Hay has an amazing voice. Now you need to watch ‘Who can it be now’ also by Men At Work and includes amazing 80s saxophone 🎷
A lot of the early Australian settlers were actually sent there from England as convicts. They served their sentences, mainly as laborers, then were left in Australia. Being sent 'down under' was a one-way trip. Most convicts were banned from ever returning to Britain. (which is where the shackles and whips symbolism comes from.)
They weren't banned from returning but most couldn't afford to pay the passage back and in any case, they realised that after they had served their sentence they were better off staying in Australia.
I deployed to Australia in 2001. This song was playing in every mall, shop, and restaurant. I was convinced that it was playing on 24 hour repeat at every radio station in Australia.
"OVERKILL", "WHO CAN IT BE NOW?", "IT'S A MISTAKE", "JOHNNY BE GOOD" are other Men At Work songs to react to!! Love them and Love the lead singers, Colin Hay, voice. He still sounds Awesome!!
From Google: "The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It's really more than that."
This is basically a statement of .... Hey Aussies are everywhere man and what we want more than anything is to have a good time with YOU... and believe me we know how to have a good time.
love your take on it! For some reason, There are a few Australian bands that have a self-critical message underlying their stuff (thinking e.G. of Midnight Oil). The song does refer to the fact that at the time (80s) there were a lot of Australian Globetrotters around who were very willing to work in Commonwealth Countries (where they were automatically allowed to work as Australians) to earn their living. They were recognizable by their can-do attitude. And it was, of course, a thing for them to meet other Australians. At the same time, people who do this kind of stuff (i.e. travel around the globe between leaving school and starting to study or work) are often pretty conscious of the less glorious aspects of their countries' histories. That, too, is expressed here. And i think the video shows more of the latter, the song itself more of the former.
I wish we could all get together and give you a crash course in 80s music. There are a number of things you have to know about Australia to get this song.
Ahhh the Australia craze (Oh Olivia Newton John you minx)! Swept America in the early 80s. Colin Hay is still touring and is an amazing story teller. Also, super nice guy.
Simple Translation - A VW Kombi van is the Australian poor man's road trip vehicle of choice. "Fried out" means that it's in really poor condition and overheating. "Zombie" is marijuana, though some other people claim it's other drugs. The thunder refers to both Australia's tropical storminess, and also to the awesomeness of the people/country (like footsteps, ie: we're coming! Better take cover!) Vegemite is the national sandwich spread, made from yeast extract (beer scum, kind of). Usually only Australians can stand the taste (I eat it from the jar, haha), so eating a Vegemite sandwich is a good way to prove you're an Aussie (it's our secret "language" overseas). To "Chunder", in Australian slang, is to puke. So, they're saying we get drunk and barf a lot, which...is true. Ahem. And of course, Australia is the land down under all the other countries. Hence, the land down under. The entire song is about a man missing home written in Australian slang terms or as its known as Strine .[ a rhyming slang originating from the English Cockney slang from the East End of London and brought to Australia in the 19th century]
13:37 "Yeah, He Didn't Say Where She Was From" One the front of the Volkswagen Bus (The Kombi) it had the destination of them going to Tannlorn, which is basically the Australian version of Woodstock
Song came out shortly after Mtv hit. When the bands found out that Mtv could spread your music through another media besides radio, it was a rush to make music videos. In the early days, the videos didn't have to make a lot of sense. But eventually everyone became more creative.
You should check out their song "Who can it be now", that's my favourite song by them. These guys are still constantly on radio today here in Australia, even though their albums came out in the 80's. Fun (and sad) fact, they got sued in about 2010 by the copyright owners of the kids song "Kookaburra sits in the old gumtree" because of the flute part. A game show mentioned that it sounded the same, then they sued and even the bad said that they didn't even notice it until it came up on the show about 30 years after the song came out
the song is mainly clebrating our spirit: The sixties and the seventies young Aussies travelled the world and travelled around europe in vw kombi vans. Outside of 'Australia house' in London kombi vans were parked around to sell to the next Traveller (I know this is fact , as I saw it) Some even travelled back to australia overland via turkey, afghanistan etc. Then the end is pointing out the change, loss of our true heritage due to development.
If you think you're confused, there's a clip about an Australian submarine exercising with a US Navy aircraft carrier. The sub got right under the carrier without being detected, then blasted out this tune to let them know they were 'down under' them.
Or "Short Memory" by Midnight Oil since he's just listened to Billy Joel- We Didn't Start the Fire. Similar vibe. "US Forces" would be a fun conversation starter.
11:03 "What's The Symbolism Here?" Basically, Pegasus, this song's talking about Australia losing its resources to corporations from other countries outside of Australia, setting up shop in Australia. The guys dressed in black carrying that case are supposed to represent pallbearers carrying a coffin ( meant to represent the loss of Australian resources)
BP, Australia and New Zealand sent a LOT of kick-ass bands out into the world during the early days of MTV. Men at Work, Split Enz, Crowded House (an offshoot of Split Enz), and a lot more. Definitely want to see you check out more of those bands.
The song is considered patriotic by most Aussies and is about the common experiences they have abroad but also points out how our natural environment has been over-exploited by greedy folks. The guys who sing 500 Miles are the Proclaimers and are Scottish. The lead singer of Men At Work, Colin Hay, is a Scottish Australian so BPs probably picking up on his accent. Vegemite is not green.
imdb: "In the video, the band carries a coffin. According to Colin Hay, this was meant as a warning to their fellow Australians about what he perceived as their country losing their identity." -- So the coffin would represent the death of the Australia they knew.
Yes, the 500 Miles song is from a different group, The Proclaimers, and the title is I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), fyi. And Men At Work were huge back in the 80s, part of the massive influx of Aussie bands and artists!
Another great Australian band is “ICEHOUSE”, songs: Hey Little Girl, Electric Blue, Crazy, Kingdom, Great Southern Land, Touch of Fire, Cross The Border, Mr. Big & so many more. Iva Davies is the lead singer and they are fire.
I wore this tape out ! No, not one it wonders. Try WHO CAN IT BE NOW next or maybe IT'S A MISTAKE one of my personal favorites is BE GOOD JOHNNY but that might be a little strange for you, but I found it really funny. Yes, keep going with MEN AT WORK!!! TY for this reaction
Love Men at work know they weren't one hit wonders they had a few bops as you say. Sometimes you may not understand the lyrics and its meaning but the ear candy is sure good. 😊
The kombi is an iconic van-type vehicle, originally produced by VW. They were an instant hit around the world, but especially in the southern hemisphere - so useful for just about anything, from toting hay bales to camping out, to carrying bands and their equipment, or for family jaunts, beach trips, etc. They were also nicknamed "passion wagons" for obvious reasons. They evolved into camper vans and mini-taxis, ice cream vans... and Toyota and then others also began making them. Nowadays a visit to just about any African country will demonstrate their popularity, and the taxi ranks are filled with them. But there's nothing like the good old '70s versions by VW! Google images to see the huge variety!
Its crazy growing up listening to all these songs and still listening to all the songs you react to and you never heard these songs that are a large part of my life. Its cool to watch.
Men at Work were an amazing band! I love their music and have been a fan since they debuted in the USA. If you haven't seen their concert Men At Work - Live in San Francisco...or was it Berkeley? 1983 be sure and check it out. They are awesome gifted performers!! Colin Hay is phenomenal and I wish I could have seen them live in concert! Colin Hay is the lead singer/songwriter/guitarist and he is from Scotland originally. His family moved to Australia when he was young. You should definitely check out more tunes! I love "Who Can it Be Now" "Overkill" "I Can See it in Your Eyes" "Blue for You" "Down by the Sea" is especially amazing and beautiful. "It's a Mistake" "Be Good Jonny" "Catch a Star" is amazing "The Longest Night" is one of my most favorites. They have many more amazing songs!! Thanks BP!
I saw them in concert when I was in college - great show. This was in Ames, Iowa in 1983 or so. Their warm-up band was INXS and the sponsor was Foster's Beer!
I lived in Japan during the 1980's. Men at Work were a super big band at the time. So were all Aussie bands. Check out 'The Safety Dance' by Men Without Hats. Odd was interesting at that time. 🙃
The Proclaimers did the song I would Walk 500 Miles. Love Men at Work. Had it on a 45 and played it all the time. Who Can It Be Now is another hit of theirs you should check out.
That’s exactly why you should not think, this reminds me of something (like you said, it puts it in a box). If you stay in the moment and dissect the musicality or the instruments, that is different. But the other thing takes you straight out of the music moment. I have to try hard not to do it, too, when listening to any new music. Sorry for the lecture, really just trying to help because I enjoy you so much, and your insight and intelligence. “Who Can it Be Now” was a huuuge hit. ETA: When I say it reminds me of something, I mean when you are thinking, Oh, I heard this before, this sounds like this, etc. Which is cool, but I am not talking about digging into meaning and historical significance, etc. That is more important and does not take away from the song you are listening to. Universal thought means everything is a little bit of something else, built upon something else, ya know?
Hey Pegasus, a viewer from Trinidad here 😊 How's your family doing? I always always always enjoy your reactions, it's the way you analyze the songs man! I always loved this song not understanding it fully but you give me a much much better understanding of it, thanks man, keep up the fine works 😊😊
In the 70s and the 80s, there were so many different sounds of music coming out that you really had a buffet for your ears. No one was trying to sound like the other. It was a fantastic time for music and music lovers.
for context, Australia was really popular world wide at the time. Movies like Crocodile Dundee and Papillon and others were hitting the big screens and they had several hits.
Love this band. Rock/reggae. They were only around for a few years but had a heap of great songs. The lead singer, Colin Hay, has had a long solo career and is still performing. Overkill or Catch a star are well worth a listen. Zombie is a strain of pot.
Men at Work had “Who Can It Be Now “ a massive hit record.
'Who can it be now is my ring tone...😂 love Men at Work
My former 8th grade 80's teenager can attest. At a school dance in 1983 the DJ played it and the local police came to the school and said the neighbors all around the school could hear us getting DOWN to that song.
I remember the 2nd floor auditorium of our old brick building, built in the 1800's in a typical New England town, had wood floors and we were jumping up and down so hard that if you stood still the floor felt like it was going to give way.
That was easily the biggest song of the year that year.
This song always reminded me of Australian Reggae if I had to describe it.
@@stoveboltlvr3798 absolutely!
@DeliaDevlin-eu6oj That's a good one. I used to have "Rikki don't lose that number" as mine.
The proclaimers are Scottish. They sing "500 Miles".
I met them at an HMV (record store) in Toronto when I worked there. Early to mid 90s at the height of that song. Nice guys actually.
@@EmmaBadOne I think when the song was the theme song to Benny and June it was playing like hourly on MTV.
Aye...
@@EmmaBadOne 🙏🍁🙏
Correct. But, for what it's worth, Men At Work lead singer Colin Hay is originally from Scotland.
"Down Under" is what people often refer to Australia... where Men At Work were from. The song's lyrics are about how Australians experience people outside of Australia... The lady serving breakfast to an Australian tourist... The man selling bread in Brussells who turns out to be Australian himself... The den in Bombay... places and people the Australian tourist experiences.
AC/DC was one of the first Australian acts to break big worldwide... The Easybeats were a 60's beat rock combo that were also popular (featuring George Young on guitar) ... In the 80's, we got more Australian bands - INXS, Men At Work, Little River Band, Midnight Oil, Ice House, Crowded House, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Silverchair, Jet, Wolfmother, etc.
I thought crowded house was Canadian
Colin Hay says it about loss of spirit in Australia and the over development of it by greedy people. And a celebration of Australia.
That's from an interview he gave at one point.
@@andreadeamon6419omg lol
@Dr_KAP well I heard it when they just came out so what - almost 40 years ago. Do you remember things you heard about 40 years ago?
@andreadeamon6419 Mostly from New Zealand although there might have been some Aussies in the band too.
BP, the line that they repeat in the song, "You better run, you better take cover" was something that Australian soldiers used to shout to the enemy during WWI to taunt them, letting them know that Australians were nearby! You should check out "It's a Mistake" by Men At Work. It came out during the height of the Cold War when Reagan was President and is about nuclear war. BTW, I'm 58 years old and LOVE your reactions. It's awesome to see you discovering all the incredible music that you missed out on. I think my generation was so lucky to have all that music make up the soundtrack of our lives! God Bless you and your family, Buddy! Be well.
Also, certain parts of Australia experience horrible dangerous thunderstorms, lightning strikes and flash flooding at times. The extreme weather used to be part of just about every conversation about Australia.
Amen
its more a case of being relevant to the greed and plundering of australias lands and resources and the need to escape the 80's mentality of self serving arrogance. they were indeed quite politicaly motivated. not sure about the war reference, it doesn't seem to come up amongst the interviews with the band members but i am no expert on australian history 😉
Love this little Aussie band. You're overthinking again. Just listen and enjoy
Yesss and thank you!
People who didn't live through the 80' can't grasp that we lived in the most easy, non-stressed existence and our music was mindless, fun, and no deep AT ALL. i wasn't just he music. I was truly last REALLY great time be alive. No hate. No anger. Just sunny days and good memories.
I feel so sorry for kids today. They won't ever feel real JOY.
@@Ontheroxxwithsalt Amen... bring back the 80s... thank you in advance Dear God!!!!
Wrong. There’s always a deeper meaning for those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Depth in life brings quality to life. Most of us don’t get this until we’re older, though. I use to not give AF about deep shit either
@@Ontheroxxwithsaltthe lyrics were deep. You were not. You feel more comfortable not thinking about it, as you did not think about it then. It’s easier for you if other people act that shallow too, lest *you* have to notice and put thought into it and have to introspect in the slightest
I’m sorry having to change your mind scares you that much, but you have to know how pathetic that makes you look, since you’re trying so hard to justify it. You could just…change and not look bad, instead of needing to posture all the time. Your life sounds exhausting ngl
"Overkill" and "Who can it be now" (my ringtone, in fact😊) are two of their biggest hits. Love the band❤
I love “Overkill”
“Who Can it be Now” is one of my ring tones too! 😂
Mine too
love overkill but live please
I also had that as my ringtone for a few years.
I heard that this was a protest song against the greedy land developers in the 80s destroying the natural beauty. And yes, Zombie is slang for weed.
Yes! I heard this. Just goes to show how much spot on your discernment is, Black Pegasus. You really do have a “prophetic” gifting
“The lyrics are really about my belief about what Australia was becoming,” Hay told Songfacts. “Really, the selling of Australia in many ways, none of them particularly pleasant, with the overdevelopment of the country. It was what I was feeling at that particular time. It was really a song about the loss of spirit of that country, because it’s truly an awesome place. It’s difficult to explain and it’s very hard for me to put into a sentence. It’s been a while since I’ve thought about this, but it’s just really about the plundering of the country by greedy people.”
Yes. apparently the coffin and 'funeral' at the end were meant to represent the death of the unspoiled Australia. 'Can't you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover' was Colin's warning about the direction the country was heading in.
And it's funny, vegemite is an acquired taste, it's brown/black, best served on toast with ultra thick butter
oh cool, thanks for the history
The lyrics were written by lead singer Colin Hay, who explained in his Songfacts interview: "The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It's really more than that."
I thought I knew what it meant 45 years ago, then there were explanations of what the lyrics meant…protesting the use of the country and its people. Somewhere in ‘zombie land’ I just decided that the song was freakin’ great even if I didn’t ’speak the language’! ✌️ ✌️
You were young at the time, but this was the Theme Song for Australia 2 when it won the Americas Cup in 1983
It means that no matter where you go you will bump into another travelling Aussie and that means family.. Aussies treat each other like long lost relatives. It's an Aussie anthem... we have a few. It's a small world.
I met some Aussies in Seychelles, when I was in the Navy. Nice people. That Aussie girl was going to get me in trouble. 🙂
😂😂😂😂
I nearly fell off my chair when he described The Proclaimers as Australian
This song came out in 1981. It was played almost as the "theme" for Australia's victory over the US in the America's Cup ( international sailing race) in 1983. The song was huge! It topped the US billboard chart for 4 consecutive weeks.
I’m an Aussie, this band was huge at the time. One of my favourites. Colin Hay is touring Australia at the moment, he is brilliant to see live.
As an Aussie, I always turn up the volume when it comes on the radio! ❤️
Me too. I am Swedish! 🎶🥰
As a preteen and teen when Men At Work were popular, I didn’t care what the songs were about; I just liked them. Other great songs from them- Who Can It Be Now, It’s A Mistake, Be Good Johnny, and Overkill, just to name a few. The 80s were full of great music from all genres; there will never be another decade like it!
Men at Work has so many cool songs. They were just so different. Nobody really has this sound.
Fried-out Kombi - A broken-down van. The lyrics are often translated as "Combie," but the correct spelling is Kombi. It comes from the VW Kombivan, which was very popular in the '60s and early '70s, especially with surfers and hippies.
Head full of Zombie - Zombie was a particularly strong batch of marijuana that was floating around Australia for a long time. People called it "Zombie Grass."
Where beer does flow, and men chunder - "Chunder" is Aussie slang meaning to vomit.
The flute riff is an Australian nursery rhyme: "Kookabura sits in an old gum tree..." Men at Work had to pay 5% royalties for using that tune. Find a copy of the nursery song and you'll hear exactly the little tune.
we sang that song in grade school in the early 70s..
@NoNameNoFace-7li We did too. Our Music/Art teacher was kind of a free spirit. I remember singing all kinds of music - Three Dog Night. Joy to the World and The Band The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, come to mind. He name was Mrs Clark. Good. memories.
I learned that nursery rhyme from my dad in Germany as well :d
Waltzing matilda.
That didn't get picked up on until a Spicks and Specks episode.
Had to scroll down a ways to see if anyone else mentioned it. "Down Under" was the theme song of the Australian team that challenged for the America's Cup in 1983. That song was playing constantly in reports on the Aussie's progress in the competition. The Aussies made history that year: the first challenger ever to win the Cup away from the American defending team, in 130 years of competition.
and let us a chance to capture it next time.
Everything I Need #47 1985
Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive #28 1983
It's A Mistake #6 1983
Overkill #3 1983
Down Under #1 1982
Who Can It Be Now? #1 1982
Also, "Be Good Johnny."
All great recommendations
Be good Johnny just pops straight into my head still after all these years never hearing it since the 80s
They had two phenomenal albums in a row
Ya this was a #1 song in America. Super catchy.
When this came out in '81, you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing it or go into any club and not see a full dancefloor here in the U.K. it was huge, one of their other big hits was 'Who Can It Be Now', lead singer Colin Hay has an amazing and distinctive voice, I suggest you check out another Australian star, the beautiful Tina Arena, with her massive hit Sorrento Moon 🇬🇧
Sorrento Moon - really nice song
I found this on an old forum, it's an excerpt from an interview made with Colin Hay back in 2008:
Hay had been working as half of an acoustic duo with Ron Strykert, but they were yet to become Men At Work.
"The idea was formed in Power St in Hawthorn in 1978," said Hay.
"I was working with Ron, and he used to do little home tapes and he had a tape that had a little bass riff and percussion thing and it was really hypnotic.
"And I had this thing in my head for a few weeks and all it was was (sings) 'living in a land down under'.
"That was it. All I had. And one day I was playing this tape that Ron had and I connected the two and felt very excited and then went home the next day and wrote the whole thing out."
That idea for the song was born as Hay drove down Power St, near the corner of Riversdale Rd.
"The choruses were really about the death of the spirit of this place, my fear of the over-corporatisation of this country, which I think has happened and will continue to happen and is inevitable, perhaps," Hay says.
"The desecration of coastlines, wood-chipping, cutting down old-growth forests, all that stuff which is happening now is really what that song is about.
"Which is why we had to 'run and take cover'.
"In the video clip film, when you see the end of it and you see us all walking along with what looks like a coffin, that's what that was."
My sister lived in Power St in Hawthorn and I lived in Auburn Rd, but a little later, 1979. Great to hear this story. This will always remind me of Australia winning the Americas Cup in sailing in 1983!! That was huge!
Ahhh Men at Work... one of my favourite bands from the 80's. Underrated legends!
Men at Work hit big in the summer of 1982 and through the next year had five Top 40 singles: "Who Can It Be Now?," "Down Under," "Overkill," "It's A Mistake" and "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive." The first two, both from their debut album, vaulted all the way to #1 on the American charts and helped them win the Best New Artist Grammy Award.
This was a huge worldwide hit. For two weeks, both the single and album were #1 in the US and UK. In their native Australia, the album stayed at #1 for nine weeks, and the single topped the chart for six.
The craziest thing is that Who Can It Be Now, which was number 1 in the USA, didn't even reach the top 40 in the UK.
On a hippy trail full of zombie refers to the 70s and 80s when young Australians would travel for a minimum of 6 months to years at a time cause the airfare was too expensive for a 2 or 4 week trip. They’d go to Bali and then Thailand and make their way to Europe. Hence hippy trail. Zombie refers to smoking dope.
If you were alive in 1983 you would have heard this song all over America, it was used as the anthem for the assault on the "America's Cup" yacht race that the crew of (the Yacht) "Australia 2" triumphed in, being the first ever non-American team to ever win that particular regatta and bring the trophy home to Australia. The crew of that boat played this song every day whilst leaving and entering the Harbour in Rhode Island, and seeing that it was a televised event, the song was heard on the news all the time.
A very tactically clever race by Dennis Conner. Dennis was from San Diego. The cup was in the New York Yacht Club , it was theirs and Dennis wanted it. So he lost to Alan Bond ,cup goes to Australia. Next Dennis wins and takes it to San Diego. Saying ha ha NYYC.
Aussies I've know over the years called this the national anthem for exactly this reason!
The movie was called Aussie Assault and my husband produced it.
@mikeythehat6693
Living in RI at the time.
We all loved Dennis Connor & team but as baby crew rats, loathed the NY Yacht Club.
No tears when the rich suckers lost the Cup. They'd manipulated the race's rules for years.
Felt gutted for Connor & crew, though. Great sailors all.
Aussies were in Newport in numbers, fun to party with & the wealthy yachties we ran into weren't at all snobby.
Great to be in the bay whilst the Aussies were blasting this tune.
Classic Aussie song!
Colin Hay has an amazing voice.
Now you need to watch ‘Who can it be now’ also by Men At Work and includes amazing 80s saxophone 🎷
A lot of the early Australian settlers were actually sent there from England as convicts. They served their sentences, mainly as laborers, then were left in Australia. Being sent 'down under' was a one-way trip. Most convicts were banned from ever returning to Britain. (which is where the shackles and whips symbolism comes from.)
They weren't banned from returning but most couldn't afford to pay the passage back and in any case, they realised that after they had served their sentence they were better off staying in Australia.
The Brits had done the same 150 years earlier in the future USA.
@@erikrichards5072 yup. The state of Georgia began as a penal colony.
My First Unchaperoned concert in 1983 with INXS as the opener.
Kings Island represent!!
Also "Who Can It Be Now?" was another great song of theirs
Their best, IMO
We had such crazy, great, eclectic, fun music in the 80's! It brings me back to my teen years right away.
Ohhh... to be young again... 😌
"500 Miles" is by The Proclaimers, a Scottish duo (identical twins).
I’ll sing this line 500 times, I’ll sing this line 500 more…….
Scotland, Australia, it's all the same to the Americans. 🙂
@@AndersonDawesWasRightyep, there is America and Not America
Love them ❤❤❤.
Try their song “it’s a mistake” and “who can it be now?”
Who can it be now is my ringtone 😂
This was a major hit and very popular group back in my day!
Men at Work "Who Can It Be Now" 👍🎼
Burns when I pee now
Love that song n film clip
Colin Hay's voice makes me happy!
Me too.
Men at work were one of a kind, very unique and they were way underrated, keep checking them out, they kicked a$$
I deployed to Australia in 2001. This song was playing in every mall, shop, and restaurant. I was convinced that it was playing on 24 hour repeat at every radio station in Australia.
It's iconic in Oz.
Who Can it Be Now and Overkill were also huge from Men At Work
Men at work Overkill is another hit.
"OVERKILL", "WHO CAN IT BE NOW?", "IT'S A MISTAKE", "JOHNNY BE GOOD" are other Men At Work songs to react to!! Love them and Love the lead singers, Colin Hay, voice. He still sounds Awesome!!
From Google: "The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. It's really more than that."
Thank you sweetie! It's such a pleasure whatching you young people digging the music I grew up on, the music that raised me.
This is basically a statement of .... Hey Aussies are everywhere man and what we want more than anything is to have a good time with YOU... and believe me we know how to have a good time.
love your take on it!
For some reason, There are a few Australian bands that have a self-critical message underlying their stuff (thinking e.G. of Midnight Oil).
The song does refer to the fact that at the time (80s) there were a lot of Australian Globetrotters around who were very willing to work in Commonwealth Countries (where they were automatically allowed to work as Australians) to earn their living. They were recognizable by their can-do attitude. And it was, of course, a thing for them to meet other Australians.
At the same time, people who do this kind of stuff (i.e. travel around the globe between leaving school and starting to study or work) are often pretty conscious of the less glorious aspects of their countries' histories. That, too, is expressed here. And i think the video shows more of the latter, the song itself more of the former.
I wish we could all get together and give you a crash course in 80s music. There are a number of things you have to know about Australia to get this song.
Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree is the flute melody
Ahhh the Australia craze (Oh Olivia Newton John you minx)! Swept America in the early 80s. Colin Hay is still touring and is an amazing story teller. Also, super nice guy.
Simple Translation - A VW Kombi van is the Australian poor man's road trip vehicle of choice. "Fried out" means that it's in really poor condition and overheating.
"Zombie" is marijuana, though some other people claim it's other drugs.
The thunder refers to both Australia's tropical storminess, and also to the awesomeness of the people/country (like footsteps, ie: we're coming! Better take cover!)
Vegemite is the national sandwich spread, made from yeast extract (beer scum, kind of). Usually only Australians can stand the taste (I eat it from the jar, haha), so eating a Vegemite sandwich is a good way to prove you're an Aussie (it's our secret "language" overseas).
To "Chunder", in Australian slang, is to puke. So, they're saying we get drunk and barf a lot, which...is true. Ahem.
And of course, Australia is the land down under all the other countries. Hence, the land down under.
The entire song is about a man missing home written in Australian slang terms or as its known as Strine .[ a rhyming slang originating from the English Cockney slang from the East End of London and brought to Australia in the 19th century]
Thank you🎉🎉🎉
This is one of my ringtones! This is a great group! So many forms of art from us, humans!
Always happy to see Aussies represented! Maybe you could do like a week of Aussie songs? There's SO MUCH to dig in here
Men At Work - Who Can it Be Now - Over Kill - Be Good Johnny - It's a Mistake
13:37
"Yeah, He Didn't Say Where She Was From"
One the front of the Volkswagen Bus (The Kombi) it had the destination of them going to Tannlorn, which is basically the Australian version of Woodstock
Song came out shortly after Mtv hit. When the bands found out that Mtv could spread your music through another media besides radio, it was a rush to make music videos. In the early days, the videos didn't have to make a lot of sense. But eventually everyone became more creative.
Vegemite is good when used as a soup base. "Who can it be now" is my favorite song of Men at Work.
that is what the East German kids told us what it was when we tried it on them in 1990.
You should check out their song "Who can it be now", that's my favourite song by them.
These guys are still constantly on radio today here in Australia, even though their albums came out in the 80's. Fun (and sad) fact, they got sued in about 2010 by the copyright owners of the kids song "Kookaburra sits in the old gumtree" because of the flute part. A game show mentioned that it sounded the same, then they sued and even the bad said that they didn't even notice it until it came up on the show about 30 years after the song came out
Australia was originally a Penal colony hence the plunder line, they was never expected to thrive but they did. and that is australian pride!
the song is mainly clebrating our spirit: The sixties and the seventies young Aussies travelled the world and travelled around europe in vw kombi vans. Outside of 'Australia house' in London kombi vans were parked around to sell to the next Traveller (I know this is fact , as I saw it) Some even travelled back to australia overland via turkey, afghanistan etc.
Then the end is pointing out the change, loss of our true heritage due to development.
When I was a kid (11) and this song was popular, I thought he said, “where the women blow…” and I just couldn’t believe it was on the radio, lol.
If you think you're confused, there's a clip about an Australian submarine exercising with a US Navy aircraft carrier. The sub got right under the carrier without being detected, then blasted out this tune to let them know they were 'down under' them.
Kombi was a van made by Volkswagen.
In the U.S. it's called the 'VW Micobus'
Check out Midnight Oil either Beds are Burning or Blue Sky Mine. Another Band from Australia that I remember some time in the 80's.
Or "Short Memory" by Midnight Oil since he's just listened to Billy Joel- We Didn't Start the Fire. Similar vibe. "US Forces" would be a fun conversation starter.
11:03
"What's The Symbolism Here?"
Basically, Pegasus, this song's talking about Australia losing its resources to corporations from other countries outside of Australia, setting up shop in Australia.
The guys dressed in black carrying that case are supposed to represent pallbearers carrying a coffin ( meant to represent the loss of Australian resources)
BP, Australia and New Zealand sent a LOT of kick-ass bands out into the world during the early days of MTV. Men at Work, Split Enz, Crowded House (an offshoot of Split Enz), and a lot more. Definitely want to see you check out more of those bands.
"It's A Mistake" is a great commentary on the foolishness of war. "Overkill" and "Who Could it Be Now" are a couple other good ones. Cheers\=/\=/
The song is considered patriotic by most Aussies and is about the common experiences they have abroad but also points out how our natural environment has been over-exploited by greedy folks. The guys who sing 500 Miles are the Proclaimers and are Scottish. The lead singer of Men At Work, Colin Hay, is a Scottish Australian so BPs probably picking up on his accent. Vegemite is not green.
Men At Work were so hot at one point that a local NYC radio station had "No Men At Work Weekends" to give their listeners a break from the band.
Men at Work........was/is, INCREDIBLE
My son loved them when he was about 16. After having "Down Under" shaking the foundations, I got to like them too, Thanks!
imdb: "In the video, the band carries a coffin. According to Colin Hay, this was meant as a warning to their fellow Australians about what he perceived as their country losing their identity." -- So the coffin would represent the death of the Australia they knew.
Yes, the 500 Miles song is from a different group, The Proclaimers, and the title is I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles), fyi. And Men At Work were huge back in the 80s, part of the massive influx of Aussie bands and artists!
one of my favs.. love how he always has his stuffed koala with him.. love this
Ahhhh, the memories this brings back! Thank you for reacting to them!
Another great Australian band is “ICEHOUSE”, songs: Hey Little Girl, Electric Blue, Crazy, Kingdom, Great Southern Land, Touch of Fire, Cross The Border, Mr. Big & so many more. Iva Davies is the lead singer and they are fire.
I wore this tape out ! No, not one it wonders. Try WHO CAN IT BE NOW next or maybe IT'S A MISTAKE one of my personal favorites is BE GOOD JOHNNY but that might be a little strange for you, but I found it really funny. Yes, keep going with MEN AT WORK!!! TY for this reaction
Love Men at work know they weren't one hit wonders they had a few bops as you say. Sometimes you may not understand the lyrics and its meaning but the ear candy is sure good. 😊
"Who Can It Be Now" is an absolutely great song, and I 100% identify with the message, I think you'll love it.
My ring tone😊
The kombi is an iconic van-type vehicle, originally produced by VW. They were an instant hit around the world, but especially in the southern hemisphere - so useful for just about anything, from toting hay bales to camping out, to carrying bands and their equipment, or for family jaunts, beach trips, etc. They were also nicknamed "passion wagons" for obvious reasons. They evolved into camper vans and mini-taxis, ice cream vans... and Toyota and then others also began making them. Nowadays a visit to just about any African country will demonstrate their popularity, and the taxi ranks are filled with them. But there's nothing like the good old '70s versions by VW! Google images to see the huge variety!
I am Australian and my city in Australia is a tourist city. This song is still played in nightclubs and everyone dances around to it 💥
They had hits !!! Check out who can it be now .. and overkill…I loved this song!!! ❤
Its crazy growing up listening to all these songs and still listening to all the songs you react to and you never heard these songs that are a large part of my life. Its cool to watch.
You've gotta remember it was the 80's.....crazy videos were the norm....😂😂😂
So true
You were close- the '500 miles' song is called "I'm Gonna Be" and it's by the Scottiah band The Proclaimers
Men at Work were an amazing band! I love their music and have been a fan since they debuted in the USA. If you haven't seen their concert Men At Work - Live in San Francisco...or was it Berkeley? 1983 be sure and check it out. They are awesome gifted performers!! Colin Hay is phenomenal and I wish I could have seen them live in concert! Colin Hay is the lead singer/songwriter/guitarist and he is from Scotland originally. His family moved to Australia when he was young. You should definitely check out more tunes! I love "Who Can it Be Now" "Overkill" "I Can See it in Your Eyes" "Blue for You" "Down by the Sea" is especially amazing and beautiful. "It's a Mistake" "Be Good Jonny" "Catch a Star" is amazing "The Longest Night" is one of my most favorites. They have many more amazing songs!! Thanks BP!
Colin hay still has a great voice
That's pretty much Australia's national anthem. Lol
Saw the “new” Men at Work 2 years ago opening for Rick Springfield.
I saw them in concert when I was in college - great show. This was in Ames, Iowa in 1983 or so. Their warm-up band was INXS and the sponsor was Foster's Beer!
I highly recommend Cold Chisel singing "Bow River" live from the Ringside tour in 2003. Best Australian band that you have never heard of 🇭🇲
yes please react to this song or any Cold Chisel song from this concert they are all fire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I lived in Japan during the 1980's. Men at Work were a super big band at the time. So were all Aussie bands. Check out 'The Safety Dance' by Men Without Hats. Odd was interesting at that time. 🙃
The Proclaimers did the song I would Walk 500 Miles.
Love Men at Work. Had it on a 45 and played it all the time. Who Can It Be Now is another hit of theirs you should check out.
That’s exactly why you should not think, this reminds me of something (like you said, it puts it in a box). If you stay in the moment and dissect the musicality or the instruments, that is different. But the other thing takes you straight out of the music moment. I have to try hard not to do it, too, when listening to any new music. Sorry for the lecture, really just trying to help because I enjoy you so much, and your insight and intelligence. “Who Can it Be Now” was a huuuge hit. ETA: When I say it reminds me of something, I mean when you are thinking, Oh, I heard this before, this sounds like this, etc. Which is cool, but I am not talking about digging into meaning and historical significance, etc. That is more important and does not take away from the song you are listening to. Universal thought means everything is a little bit of something else, built upon something else, ya know?
"Kombi" is what Australians call the Volkswagen Bus.
Often a "Kombi van". They were a typical hippie vehicle. Probably what Arlo Guthrie called a "VW microbus"
Hey Pegasus, a viewer from Trinidad here 😊 How's your family doing? I always always always enjoy your reactions, it's the way you analyze the songs man! I always loved this song not understanding it fully but you give me a much much better understanding of it, thanks man, keep up the fine works 😊😊
"Who Can it Be Now" is my ringtone! It's 🔥
In the 70s and the 80s, there were so many different sounds of music coming out that you really had a buffet for your ears. No one was trying to sound like the other. It was a fantastic time for music and music lovers.
The first time I heard these guys I was hooked 😂 Great reaction and Peace out 🙏 ✌️ ☮️
for context, Australia was really popular world wide at the time. Movies like Crocodile Dundee and Papillon and others were hitting the big screens and they had several hits.
Awesome song - it was a hit when it came out. You might want to c&eck out who can it be now from men at work.
Love this band. Rock/reggae. They were only around for a few years but had a heap of great songs. The lead singer, Colin Hay, has had a long solo career and is still performing. Overkill or Catch a star are well worth a listen. Zombie is a strain of pot.
Men at Work were also mentioned in the movie Footloose, when they were mentioning bands.
All their songs are awesome!
Great song. You should listen to who can it be now. It’s about being trapped in your house when bill collectors come knocking on your door
They wrote it before they got their record deal
Who can it be now Great song