Music isn’t background noise. It’s the spark that takes us back to a first love, a road trip with mates, or a night singing at the top of our lungs in a crowded pub. For Australians, certain artists have become more than entertainers. They’ve become part of who we are.
John Farnham – The Voice of a Nation
Think about the last time you heard You’re the Voice. Did you sing along? Of course you did. Whether it was at a concert, a wedding, or even just on the radio in the car, John Farnham’s anthem pulls everyone together. Funny thing is, Farnham almost didn’t record it — he wasn’t sold on the bagpipes!
Lucky for us, he gave it a go, and the song became our unofficial national anthem.
INXS – Our Rock ‘n’ Roll Export
Michael Hutchence didn’t just walk on stage — he owned it. For many Aussies, watching INXS rise in the ’80s was like seeing one of our own take on the world and win. Their album Kick was supposed to be “too strange” for the American market. Yet, Need You Tonight and Never Tear Us Apart blasted across radios everywhere, showing the world that Australian rock is unstoppable. For fans, those songs still bring back images of big hair, neon lights, and late-night dance floors.
The Seekers – Folk That Found the World
Cast your mind back to the ’60s. Before any of our modern streaming success stories, there were The Seekers, with Judith Durham’s clear-as-crystal voice ringing out. Songs like I’ll Never Find Another You were chart-toppers. When Georgy Girl played, it wasn’t just a hit; it was a sign that our homegrown sound could touch hearts across the globe.
Cold Chisel – The Pub Poets
If you’ve ever belted out Khe Sanh in a sticky-carpet pub with a schooner in hand, you know what Cold Chisel means to Australians. Jimmy Barnes and Don Walker painted pictures of everyday struggles — soldiers returning home, loves lost, the ache of small towns. Flame Trees still tugs at heartstrings, a reminder of how music can capture both the nostalgia and the grit of Aussie life.
Olivia Newton-John – More Than Just Sandy
Sure, the world adored Olivia Newton-John in Grease. But to Aussies, she was so much more. From the sweetness of I Honestly Love You to the energy of Physical, Olivia’s career had range that few could match. Beyond the stage, her grace, warmth, and tireless advocacy for cancer research cemented her as a national treasure.
We still love them!
These artists aren’t just names on a record sleeve — they’re the background to our lives. They take us back to first dances, first loves, first heartbreaks, or just a night out with mates.
At Curtin Radio, we’re proud to keep spinning the tracks that shaped us. Listen here!