Single:
Australia was only released as a single in Australia, in 1969, but it failed to sell enough copies to enter the Australian singles chart*.
Album:
The song is on The Kinks’ 1969 album Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire).
Songwriter:
Ray Davies
Producer:
Ray Davies
Record label of Australian release:
Astor
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Original mix:
Ray Davies re-mixed the song in 2019 for The Kink’s 60th anniversary celebration:
Australia was written by Ray Davies and inspired by his sister Rosie’s emigration to Australia. The seven-minute song serves as a satirical yet poignant pitch for a better life away from Britain. The lyrics promote the utopian prospects of life in Australia, such as surfing and “no drug addiction”. The song features a Wobble Board, an instrument synonymous with Australia.
Wikipedia:
In the song, the character Derek (who is featured in the story line of Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire)) attempts to convince his father, Arthur, of the great opportunities available in Australia, where there’s “no drug addiction” and you can “surf like they do in the USA”. The song also features a jam sequence lasting for approximately half the song, which is atypical for the Kinks.
Read more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_(The_Kinks_song)
Lyrics:
Opportunities are available in all walks of life in Australia
So if you’re young and if you’re healthy
Why not get a boat and come to Australia?
Click for full lyrics
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