The art world has now heard of Bendigo. Foodies and wine lovers know about us. Architects know of some of work past and present. Public garden fanciers know how good we are. Even horse racing followers are aware.
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But, I fear there is one area of major cultural pursuit in which we are sadly lacking to the point of being invisible: popular music.
How come American music is saturated by really good music built around place names, yet here, it’s mainly historical folk stuff or daggy sarcastic songs.
One US music site lists the 10 best songs with American cities in their titles: LA Woman, Viva Las Vegas, New York New York, Walking in Memphis, Wichita Linesman, Folsom Prison Blues, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, Philadelphia Freedom, Allentown, Hollywood Nights, Detroit Rock City, Streets of Philadelphia, and The Night Chicago Died. There are hundreds of them.
As well as ones celebrating states, such as California Dreaming, Sweet Home Alabama, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Blue Hawaii, Kentucky Woman, Georgia On My Mind, and so many more memorable songs.
Similar research into Australian place names in songs does not turn up such riches. Sure, there’s been a few about Melbourne, but they’re usually odd little ditties, such as the Painters and Dockers song The Boy Who Lost His Jocks at Flinders Street Station, or Accidentally Kelly Street. Tina Arena’s Sorrento Moon is a notable exception.
But Bendigo … boy, what a popular music composition desert.
We found 15 songs which are either about Bendigo or mention Bendigo. Go on, name one! The great majority are 19th or early 20th century folk and traditional songs about going off to the Diggings, or humping a swag to Bendigo, or (here’s a goodie) The Grog Tent We Got Tipsy In.
There’s a poignant folkish song about the 1908 Sunshine Train Disaster when 44 died and 400 were injured in a collision of the Bendigo and Ballarat trains. Yes, there are some modern contributions, but hardly anything you’d want to hear.
Russell Morris did a song which mentioned Bendigo … Rock. The confectionery. Eric Bogle did a song called The Lady from Bendigo. Irish boy-band singer Derek Ryan did a recent country-style song about Bendigo. The Seekers did one called With A Swag On My Shoulder which touches on Bendigo. In 1973, Melbourne singer/songwriter Keith Glass recorded Bendigo (Welcome Stranger).
Shazza and Michell’s minor 2007 classic ROOT! It included the lyrics: “Down in Bendigo there were these two girls, Shazza and Michelle, they won a talent contest, they could sing that well.” Apparently, comedian Dave Hughes gives us a mention, but I’ve not heard it.
So – here’s the challenge. How can we change this sad situation?
Perhaps we could bribe, err, offer inducements to Delta Goodrem or Jessica Mauboy to come up with something which would take Bendigo to the Top 10, or whatever musical rankings people have these days.
Perhaps something even anthemic: I am, You Are, We Are From Bendigo. Nah, a bit too derivative.
How about (Jacinta) Allan’s Town? With apologies to Billy Joel. I Left My Heart In Saint Killians. KFC Woman. Goornong On My Mind. When the moon hits your eye, like a big pizza pie, that’s Elmore, eh?
Eagle (hawk) Rock. It’s a long way to the shop if you want a Chiko Roll. And, come on, there’s got to be a song in Jackass Flat.
WAYNE GREGSON
