The popular Double J podcast and ABC series ‘Take Five’ has the following mantra: where the people you love share five songs they love.
I have really enjoyed the latest series of Take Five, particularly the most recent guests: Neil Finn and Bernard Fanning.
Earlier this week, in a typically diverse conversation with three Year 8 boys in ‘RAVE’ (Relationships and values education) the discussion meandered to “what’s your favourite song, Mr Hansen?”
I referred to the ‘Take Five’ podcast. One of the lads said he knew the podcast, via his parents’ playlist.
Thank you for the prompt, boys from Trinity College (North Campus) 8C!
As I sit by the phone, waiting for Double J’s Zan Rowe to call, here are five songs I love, and some reasons why.
Yothu Yindi: Treaty
1991: written by Yothu Yindi and Paul Kelly
What a significant song this is. (refer to article below)
Like many, I had not heard a song quite like this. The stories of how the song came to be only adds to its legacy.
Growing up near Kingaroy, in Southeast Queensland, just down the road from the settlements of Murgon and Cherbourg, only adds to this song’s importance for me.
Another Yothu Yindi song, Calling every nation, was played often around the time of the Sydney Olympics.
The writing, the impact, and the legacy of Yothu Yindi’s ‘Treaty’ – Double J
Midnight Oil: Only the strong
Album: 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1(1982)
I have seen the mighty Oils live nine times, including in Alice Springs, as part of the Great Circle Tour in 2017. It was a 50th birthday celebration of sorts, with my great friend Stuart – aka Reverend Red – also an Oils fanatic.
It would be fair to say that Rev Red indoctrinated me to both the Oils and red wine.
Only the strong became an anthem for us many years ago.
We have a series of three specially embroidered, limited edition of two, ‘Only the strong’ caps – 1997, 2007, 2017 – for our 30th, 40th and 50th birthdays.
Only the strong is the standout track on 10-1 – possibly a big statement, considering this iconic album includes: ‘Short memory’, ‘Read about it’, ‘US forces’, and ‘Power and the passion’.
Energy in absolute abundance. P Garrett owning the stage as only he can.
Midnight Oil – Only The Strong (triple j Live At The Wireless – Capitol Theatre, Sydney 1982)
Powderfinger: Love your way
Album: Vulture Street (2003)
School assemblies: I’ve been to many. As a staff member over 37 years, as a student for 12 years. I am not retiring yet, so there will be more.
However, if there is a more memorable school assembly occasion sometime in the future than this, I will write about it!
The Powderfinger band members’ education was very Brisbane private school – Bernard Fanning at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, while other members wore blue blazers up the road at Brisbane Grammar School. As a tribute to the cricket enthusiasts in the band, Terrace play Grammar for the ‘Powderfinger Cup’.
Darren Middleton, guitarist and songwriter, is a Brisbane Boys’ College old collegian (1988) – green, white, black.
Schools love their ‘old boys’ giving back. I admit, when one of the BBC guitar tutors announced that he had convinced Darren Middleton to support an annual song writing competition at BBC, I circled the week in my diary.
The most memorable school assembly of my approximately 52 years in school:
In 2017 at Brisbane Boys’ College, I happened to present some cross-country pennants at the same assembly Darren Middleton jammed ‘Love your way’ with several students!
BBC assemblies were reasonably formal. I needed to be in suit and tie to present those pennants, even if I’d been on the oval for a lesson earlier in the day.
As I sat a few metres from Darren and friends belting out one of the great tunes from the iconic Vulture Street album, suddenly wearing a suit jacket and tie for an hour that day was completely fine!
Later that day, a colleague enquired: “Russel, did you manage to take some sneaky footage of the musical item in assembly today?!”
I did manage about two and a half minutes of unique footage from my phone, strategically resting on my hip. I wish I’d filmed the whole song.
As far as school assemblies go, this one was an absolute ripper!
Powderfinger – Love Your Way (Live At Big Day Out 2005)
My favourite school assembly over a long career (Brisbane Boys’ College, 2017)
Coldplay: Star full of stars
Album: Ghost Stories (2014)
I enjoy a lot of Coldplay’s music. They are also a great liveband. In 2016, my elder daughter Sophia and I saw Chris Martin and company at Suncorp Stadium. We were on the hallowed turf, almost on the half-way line. A great evening!
Rewind to 5 October 2014, NRL Grand Final night, a 43-year premiership drought had been broken.
This was a ‘where I was’ moment: long after fulltime at the Sydney Olympic Stadium, many of the record 83, 833 crowd were still in the house as the South Sydney players stayed on field, mingling with delirious fans at the fence.
A sky full of stars was part of the stadium play list, along with Glory, glory to South Sydney.
What a night!
Coldplay – A Sky Full Of Stars (Official Video)
Paul Kelly: Meet me in the middle of the air
2005
January 2023, Mrs Hansen, Murray (the golden retriever) and I moved from Brisbane to the Barossa Valley. Before we had unpacked properly, we spent a fantastic afternoon-evening at a music event at picturesque Seppeltsfield, quite a line up: Missy Higgins, Bernard Fanning, Mark Seymour, Troy (the Rabbitoh) Cassar-Daley, Ian Moss, and Paul Kelly. The wine was also adequate!
Paul Kelly performed last, and his wonderful adaptation of Psalm 23 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 was the final song of that beautiful Sunday evening in the Barossa.
Magic.
Paul Kelly – Meet Me In The Middle Of The Air (Live) – YouTube
Just missed the cut:
‘Black and white’, INXS
‘Reptile’, The Church
‘Same old scene’, Bryan Ferry
’Evie’ parts 1, 2 and 3
BAROSSA RED WINE OF THE WEEK:
Still enjoying the spoils of the Vine Vale Winemakers Shed event:
Hart of the Barossa: 2023 Ebenezer Shiraz Noir
Hart of the Barossa – Our Wines
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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RITV- I was only thinking recently what an incendiary, remarkable piece of rock music is Only The Strong. It’s great on the album and beyond magnificent live. Take Five is excellent and I also enjoyed Bernard Fanning’s choice and discussion of Dylan’s Most Of The Time, another great song.
Thanks for this.
Thanks Mickey – yes Bernard – I was always going to be ‘hooked’ on his episode, and when he started talking about growing up in Toowong (my working environment for over 30 years!) and then went to his Countdown memories of “Jail Break” … sensational!
Your Bob Dylan comments are similar to how I enjoyed Neil Finn’s choices and discussion –
Take Five – it’s great!!
As I’m reading this the presenter on Radio Adelaide is playing Evie parts 1, 2 and 3 at 715am!
Beats anything the commercial stations dish up.
I have liked the episodes of tape 5 that I have caught – thanks for sharing your list.
‘Only the Strong’ is a great track, goes well live (as do all tracks on 10-1)
When I you had a RAVE class at school all I kept thinking of was the Pulp song ‘Sorted for E’s & Wizz’ and leaving an important part of your brain somewhere in a field in Hampshire!
Hopefully Zan calls.
Thanks Greg –
Yes: Evie parts 1, 2 & 3: I imagine hearing that epic tune was a great way to start the day!
Speaking of Zan, as a Double J presenter, and your comment about ‘Evie’ – I was chugging along in the Nuriootpa Park Run the other Saturday – and I heard the song All Saints song ‘Pure Shores’ playing in a fellow Park runner’s pocket – I would love to look up his play list – when Richard Kingsmill left Double J, (2023, I think) he played some of his favs on his last show – I vaguely remember him playing ‘Pure Shores’ – which really surprised me at the time
Don’t mind the song, but I did not think it would have been a Richard Kingsmill type of tune
Meanwhile, I wait by the phone for Zan!!
Thanks for your comments !! appreciated