Sunday, April 04, 2010

Sling commented on my last post about singing the kookaburra song when he was in school - over in the US -

In Australia there has been a controversy about a band from the 70's pinching a bit of it for their song - as it is a folk tune from way back - Wales or somewhere (the tune not the song which was written by a school teacher before I was born -) i don't think anyone has rights on it... The band is called Men at Work




and if you liked that golden oldie you might like this oldie which is all based on Australian place and animal names - you have to be Australian to get all the subtleties

9 comments:

Mal Kiely [Lancelots Pram] said...

The whole "Kooka" Vs "Down Under" copyright debacle was a bloody disaster, as far as original local music and songwriters is concerned.
Any muso worth his pound of flesh would tell you, even before this happened, that there was NO way it even sounded like it. I mean, seriously, four notes? Get a grip! I think we're trying to turn us into "Ligigation USA" over here. Ferk that!

In any case, the argument for ANY musical improvised solo is always an imitation - "IF" the flute solo was a distant salute to an old Aussie icon, they should be HAPPY about that, not wanting to sue people just to make more ferking MONEY! Bastards!

[gets down off his soapbox]

Anonymous said...

I remember both fondly. Good fun.

FoxyMoron said...

Oh Oh! Let me name drop again! My brother was married to the sister of the little curly headed fellow, Ron Strykert.
And what Mal said, what a load of old bollocks over a few notes. Most popular music is made up of only a few musical notes after all.

FoxyMoron said...

Australiana! I've been telling my kids about this forever. I mean, how much can a koala bear?

Middle Child said...

Mal you won't get an arguement from me - I have always liked this song and if anything its made the Kookaburra song more well known just by association in the courts. I sure hope they don't have to pay out Larrikan.

Andrew - such good fun and in simpler more silly times

Foxymoron - they were great times - before some became worldly wise and serious

Random Thinker said...

I love that song, the Men at Work one. I don't understand everything in the second one, but very entertaining nontheless.

Anne said...

Intereesting catching up on the last few entries. Love the Men at Work song.

Cazzie!!! said...

We were lucky enough to camp next to a guy who played many tunes on an acoustic guitar by the fire. He did play and sing this song very well, I love it still :)

Middle Child said...

Random Thinker - the second one is "Australiana" slang which we all know...those of us over 30.

Anne thats good glad you are back

Cazzie - wow what a small world