‘Beds Are Burning’ and ‘Friday on My Mind’ Among First Songs Inducted Into Australia’s National Songbook

Australia’s National Songbook inducted its first 10 works on Wednesday, Nov. 4, including Midnight Oil’s “Beds Are Burning,” the Easybeats’ “Friday On My Mind” and Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman.”

The inaugural entries were announced at an event at the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) in Canberra. Other inductees include The Presets’ “My People,” Yothu Yindi’s “Treaty” and Andrew “Banjo” Paterson’s “Waltzing Matilda.”

The National Songbook is a new annual initiative from APRA AMCOS and the NFSA that recognizes songs, songwriters and composers “whose creative vision has given voice to Australian stories.” It launches to coincide with APRA’s 100th anniversary and aims to preserve “the songs that have helped shape Australia’s cultural identity.”

An expert panel selected the inaugural works, which are said to represent more than a century of Australian storytelling, creativity and cultural expression. As it grows, the songbook will serve as a permanent digital archive.

“No ten songs could ever tell the whole story of Australia, but together these inaugural inductees help us understand, as a nation, where we’ve come from, who we are and the values we’ve carried through generations,” said APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.

“As APRA celebrates 100 years of championing songwriters, composers and music publishers, we welcome these debut entries into The National Songbook as songs that have helped become part of our shared cultural story, reflecting the extraordinary breadth, diversity and richness of Australian songwriting and composing.”

“The National Songbook reflects the remarkable breadth of Australian songwriting and composition, from songs of protest, belonging and identity to works that have become woven into our national story and our DNA,” said NFSA chief curator Meagan Loader.

“As Australia’s audiovisual archive, the NFSA will ensure these songs and stories are preserved in our national collection of works of significant cultural heritage, heft and heart, providing a new way for Australians now and into the future to engage with the songs and songwriters who have shaped us.”

The National Songbook playlists are available on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube Music. More information is available from the NFSA.

The first 10 works entered into The National Songbook:

“Beds Are Burning”
Written by Peter Garrett / Rob Hirst / Jim Moginie
Released: 1987

“Down City Streets”
Written by Ruby Hunter
Released: 1990

“Earth Cry”
Composed by Peter Sculthorpe
Released: 1990

“Friday on My Mind”
Written by Harry Vanda and George Young
Released: 1966

“I Am Woman”
Written by Helen Reddy and Ray Burton
Released: 1971

“My Island Home”
Written by Neil Murray
Released: 1987 (Warumpi Band), 1995 (Christine Anu)

“My People”
Written by Julian Hamilton / Kim Moyes
Released: 2007

The Boys soundtrack by The Necks
Written by Chris Abrahams / Tony Buck / Lloyd Swanton
Released: 1998

“Treaty”
Written by Dr M. Yunupingu / Stuart Kellaway / Witiyana Marika / M. Mununggurr / Cal Williams / G. Yunupingu / Peter Garrett / Paul Kelly
Released: 1991

“Waltzing Matilda”
Written by Andrew ‘Banjo’ Paterson – lyrics, Christina Macpherson – melody
Released: 1927

Source: Billboard