Australia (Manic Street Preachers song): Difference between revisions

"Australia"
"Australia"
Single by Manic Street Preachers
from the album Everything Must Go
B-side	"Velocity Girl"; "Take the Skinheads Bowling"; "Can't Take My Eyes Off You";
Released	2 December 1996
Length	4:05 (album version); 3:42 (edit);
Label	Epic
Songwriter(s)	James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore, Nicky Wire
Producer(s)	Mike Hedges
Manic Street Preachers singles chronology

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"Australia" is a song by Welsh alternative rock band Manic Street Preachers, released on 2 December 1996 through Epic Records as the fourth and final single from the fourth studio album, Everything Must Go (1996). The song peaked at number seven in the UK Singles Chart and was the fourth consecutive top-10 hit for the band.

Background

The sentiment of the song is that Australia is just about the furthest one can go to get away from their home in Wales and is a metaphor for Nicky Wire's desire to escape from the emotional turmoil caused by the disappearance of his close friend and co-lyricist, Richey Edwards.^[2]

The music helps the lyrics convey the sense of freedom, featuring heavy guitar sound coupled with a raw emotion, and a crescendo bolstered by Sean Moore's drumming.^[3]

Release

On 14 December 1996, "Australia" reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart, giving Manic Street Preachers their fourth consecutive top-10 hit, and charted for nine weeks. With this, all singles from Everything Must Go charted within the top 10 in the UK.^[4] It also made an appearance on Forever Delayed, the band's greatest hits album, released in November 2002.^[5]

The first CD included "Velocity Girl", "Take the Skinheads Bowling" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (all three being cover versions of songs originally performed by Primal Scream, Camper Van Beethoven and Frankie Valli, respectively) and the cassette featured a live recording of "A Design for Life". All 3 of the CD cover versions would later feature on the Lipstick Traces compilation album in 2003 (although it "Take the Skinheads Bowling" was re-recorded).^[6] The lack of original Manics material for the single's extra tracks was attributed to Nicky Wire having a case of writer's block as he approached writing material for the band's next album. He attributed this to the fact that it was the first time he had written a whole album without Richey's help.^{[citation needed]}

Legacy

In October 2011, NME placed "Australia" at number 150 on its list of "the 150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".^[7] The song was the theme tune to the Nickelodeon UK sitcom Renford Rejects and has also been used in adverts for the Australian Tourist Commission.^[8]

Track listings

All music was written by James Dean Bradfield and Sean Moore except where indicated. All lyrics were written by Nicky Wire except where indicated.

UK CD1 and Australian CD single^[9]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Australia" (radio edit)		3:41
2.	"Velocity Girl" (originally by Primal Scream)	James Beattie, Robert Gillespie	1:41
3.	"Take the Skinheads Bowling" (originally by Camper Van Beethoven)	Chris Molla, David Lowery, Greg Lisher, Victor Krummenacher	2:32
4.	"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (originally by Frankie Valli)	Bob Crewe, Robert Gaudio	3:12

UK CD2^[10]
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"Australia" (radio edit)		3:41
2.	"Australia" (Lionrock remix)		5:57
3.	"Motorcycle Emptiness" (Stealth Sonic Orchestra remix)	Bradfield, Moore (music); Richey James, Wire (lyrics)	6:15
4.	"Motorcycle Emptiness" (Stealth Sonic Orchestra soundtrack)	Bradfield, Moore (music); James, Wire (lyrics)	6:20

UK cassette single^[11]
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Australia" (radio edit)
2.	"A Design for Life" (live)

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[12]	26
Scotland (OCC)^[13]	5
UK Singles (OCC)^[14]	7

References

^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 30 November 1996. p. 45. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
^ Power, Martin (17 October 2010). Manic Street Preachers. Omnibus Press.
^ "AUSTRALIA".
^ "Manic Street Preachers". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
^ "Manic Street Preachers singles".
^ "Manic Street Preachers albums".
^ "Best songs of the past 15 years".
^ Whitehead, Jennifer (23 January 2003). "Manic Street Preachers tempt Brits to Australia". campaignlive.com. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
^ Manic Street Preachers (1996). Australia (UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes). Epic Records. 664044 2.
^ Manic Street Preachers (1996). Australia (UK CD2 liner notes). Epic Records. 664044 5.
^ Manic Street Preachers (1996). Australia (UK cassette single sleeve). Epic Records. 664044 4.
^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

[1] "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. 30 November 1996. p. 45. Retrieved 3 July 2021.

[Power-2] Power, Martin (17 October 2010). Manic Street Preachers. Omnibus Press.

[3] "AUSTRALIA".

[4] "Manic Street Preachers". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

[5] "Manic Street Preachers singles".

[6] "Manic Street Preachers albums".

[7] "Best songs of the past 15 years".

[8] Whitehead, Jennifer (23 January 2003). "Manic Street Preachers tempt Brits to Australia". campaignlive.com. Retrieved 22 August 2022.

[9] Manic Street Preachers (1996). Australia (UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes). Epic Records. 664044 2.

[10] Manic Street Preachers (1996). Australia (UK CD2 liner notes). Epic Records. 664044 5.

[11] Manic Street Preachers (1996). Australia (UK cassette single sleeve). Epic Records. 664044 4.

[12] "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 51/52. 21 December 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 16 December 2020.

[sc_Scotland_-13] "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

[sc_UK_-14] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 March 2018.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{short description|1996 single by Manic Street Preachers}}
+{{Short description|1996 single by Manic Street Preachers}}
 {{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2013}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
 {{Infobox song
 | name       = Australia
@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 | artist     = [[Manic Street Preachers]]
 | album      = [[Everything Must Go (Manic Street Preachers album)|Everything Must Go]]
-| released   = 2 December 1996
+| B-side     =
+* "[[Velocity Girl (song)|Velocity Girl]]"
-| format     = [[Compact Disc|CD]], [[Compact Cassette|cassette]]
+* "[[Take the Skinheads Bowling]]"
+* "[[Can't Take My Eyes Off You]]"
+| released   = {{start date|1996|12|2|df=y}}<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-11-30.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=45|date=30 November 1996|access-date=3 July 2021}}</ref>
 | recorded   =
 | studio     =
 | venue      =
-| genre      = [[Alternative rock]], [[Britpop]]
+| genre      = <!-- Do not add unsourced genres -->
-| length     = 4:05 (album version)<br />3:42 (edit)
+| length     =
+* 4:05 (album version)
+* 3:42 (edit)
 | label      = [[Epic Records|Epic]]
 | writer     = [[James Dean Bradfield]], [[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]], [[Nicky Wire]]
-| producer   =
+| producer   = [[Mike Hedges]]
 | prev_title = [[Kevin Carter (single)|Kevin Carter]]
 | prev_year  = 1996
@@ Line 25: / Line 30: @@
 }}
-"'''Australia'''" was released by Welsh alternative rock band [[Manic Street Preachers]] on 2 December 1996 through [[Epic Records|Epic]] and was the fourth and final single release from the ''Everything Must Go'' album of May that same year. The song peaked on number 7 in the [[UK Singles Chart]], and it was the fourth consecutive top 10 hit for the band.
+"'''Australia'''" is a song by Welsh alternative rock band [[Manic Street Preachers]], released on 2 December 1996 through [[Epic Records]] as the fourth and final single from the fourth studio album, ''[[Everything Must Go (Manic Street Preachers album)|Everything Must Go]]'' (1996). The song peaked at number seven in the [[UK Singles Chart]] and was the fourth consecutive top-10 hit for the band.
 ==Background==
+The sentiment of the song is that Australia is just about the furthest one can go to get away from their home in [[Wales]] and is a metaphor for Nicky Wire's desire to escape from the emotional turmoil caused by the disappearance of his close friend and co-lyricist, [[Richey Edwards]].<ref name="Power">{{cite book |last=Power |first=Martin |title=Manic Street Preachers |date=17 October 2010 |publisher=Omnibus Press}}</ref>
-The sentiment of the song is that Australia is just about the furthest one can go to get away from their home in [[Wales]] and is a metaphor for Nicky Wire's desire to escape from the emotional turmoil caused by the disappearance of his close friend and co-lyricist, [[Richey Edwards]].<ref name="Power">{{cite book |last=Power |first=Martin |title=Manic Street Preachers |date=17 October 2010 |publisher=Omnibus Press}}</ref> Though Australia is almost the furthest one can get from Wales, [[New Zealand]] is actually an additional 2,000 kilometers (1,340 miles) away.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://furthestcity.com/city.php?ID=CARDIFF_UNITED_KINGDOM|title=What's the Farthest City and Country from Cardiff, United Kingdom?|website=furthestcity.com|language=en|access-date=2017-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.freemaptools.com/how-far-is-it-between-sydney_-australia-and-auckland_-new-zealand.htm|title=How Far is it Between Sydney, Australia and Auckland, New Zealand|publisher=Free Map Tools|accessdate=13 January 2018}}</ref>
 The music helps the lyrics convey the sense of freedom, featuring heavy guitar sound coupled with a raw emotion, and a crescendo bolstered by [[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]]'s drumming.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manicsdiscog.wordpress.com/2013/04/18/a87-australia/|title=AUSTRALIA}}</ref>
 ==Release==
+On 14 December 1996, "Australia" reached number seven on the [[UK Singles Chart]], giving Manic Street Preachers their fourth consecutive top-10 hit, and charted for nine weeks. With this, all singles from ''Everything Must Go'' charted within the top 10 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20086/manic-street-preachers/|title=Manic Street Preachers|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 March 2018}}</ref> It also made an appearance on ''[[Forever Delayed]]'', the band's greatest hits album, released in November 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/7161-Manic-Street-Preachers?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases|title=Manic Street Preachers singles}}</ref>
+The first CD included "Velocity Girl", "Take the Skinheads Bowling" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (all three being [[cover versions]] of songs originally performed by [[Primal Scream]], [[Camper Van Beethoven]] and [[Frankie Valli]], respectively) and the cassette featured a live recording of "[[A Design for Life]]". All 3 of the CD cover versions would later feature on the ''[[Lipstick Traces (A Secret History of Manic Street Preachers)|Lipstick Traces]]'' compilation album in 2003 (although it "[[Take the Skinheads Bowling]]" was re-recorded).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/7161-Manic-Street-Preachers?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases|title=Manic Street Preachers albums}}</ref> {{citation needed span|text=The lack of original Manics material for the single's extra tracks was attributed to Nicky Wire having a case of writer's block as he approached writing material for the band's next album. He attributed this to the fact that it was the first time he had written a whole album without Richey's help.|date=May 2022}}
-On 14 December 1996, "Australia" reached number seven in the UK charts, giving the Manics their fourth consecutive top ten hit. It charted for 9 weeks in the UK charts. With this, all singles from ''Everything Must Go'' charted within the top 10 in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20086/manic-street-preachers/|title=Manic Street Preachers|publisher=The Official UK Charts Company|accessdate=23 March 2018}}</ref> It also made an appearance on ''[[Forever Delayed]]'', the band's greatest hits album, released in November 2002. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/7161-Manic-Street-Preachers?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases|title=Manic Street Preachers singles}}</ref>
-The first CD included "Velocity Girl", "Take the Skinheads Bowling" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (all three being [[cover versions]] of songs originally performed by [[Primal Scream]], [[Camper Van Beethoven]] and [[Frankie Valli]], respectively) and the cassette featured a live recording of "[[A Design for Life]]". All 3 of the CD cover versions would later feature on the ''[[Lipstick Traces (A Secret History of Manic Street Preachers)|Lipstick Traces]]'' compilation album in 2003 (although it is believed "[[Take the Skinheads Bowling]]" was re-recorded, yet it sounds identical and may be mis-labelled as (c) 2003, or otherwise may be presented in a new mix).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/7161-Manic-Street-Preachers?filter_anv=0&subtype=Singles-EPs&type=Releases|title=Manic Street Preachers albums}}</ref> The lack of original Manics material for the single's extra tracks was attributed to Nicky Wire having a case of writer's block as he approached writing material for the band's next album. He attributed this to the fact that it was the first time he had written a whole album without Richey's help.{{sfn|Price|1998}}
 ==Legacy==
+In October 2011, ''[[NME]]'' placed "Australia" at number 150 on its list of "the 150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/1|title= Best songs of the past 15 years}}</ref> The song was the [[theme tune]] to the [[Nickelodeon UK]] [[Situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Renford Rejects]]'' and has also been used in adverts for the Australian Tourist Commission.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whitehead |first1=Jennifer |title=Manic Street Preachers tempt Brits to Australia |url=https://www.campaignlive.com/article/manic-street-preachers-tempt-brits-australia/168711 |website=campaignlive.com |access-date=22 August 2022 |language=en |date=23 January 2003}}</ref>
+==Track listings==
-In October 2011, ''[[NME]]'' placed "Australia" at number 150 on its list of "the 150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/list/150-best-tracks-of-the-past-15-years/248648/page/1|title= Best songs of the past 15 years}}</ref>
+All music was written by [[James Dean Bradfield]] and [[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]] except where indicated. All lyrics were written by [[Nicky Wire]] except where indicated.
-The song was the [[theme tune]] to the [[Nickelodeon UK]] [[Situation comedy|sitcom]] ''[[Renford Rejects]]'' and has also been used in adverts for the Australian Tourist Board.{{sfn|Price|1998}}
-==Track listing==
-All music written by [[James Dean Bradfield]] and [[Sean Moore (musician)|Sean Moore]]; except where indicated.
-All lyrics written by [[Nicky Wire]]; except where indicated.
 {{track listing
+| headline = UK CD1 and Australian CD single<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Australia|author=[[Manic Street Preachers]]|year=1996|type=UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=[[Epic Records]]|id=664044 2}}</ref>
-| headline = CD one
 | title1  = Australia
-| note1   = Radio edit
+| note1   = radio edit
 | length1 = 3:41
 | title2  = [[Velocity Girl (song)|Velocity Girl]]
-| note2   = orig. by [[Primal Scream]]
+| note2   = originally by [[Primal Scream]]
 | writer2 = [[Jim Beattie (musician)|James Beattie]], [[Bobby Gillespie|Robert Gillespie]]
 | length2 = 1:41
 | title3  = [[Take the Skinheads Bowling]]
-| note3   = orig. by [[Camper Van Beethoven]]
+| note3   = originally by [[Camper Van Beethoven]]
 | writer3 = Chris Molla, [[David Lowery (musician)|David Lowery]], [[Greg Lisher]], [[Victor Krummenacher]]
-| length3 = 2:42
+| length3 = 2:32
 | title4  = [[Can't Take My Eyes Off You]]
-| note4   = orig. by [[Frankie Valli]]
+| note4   = originally by [[Frankie Valli]]
 | writer4 = [[Bob Crewe]], [[Robert Gaudio]]
 | length4 = 3:12
@@ Line 69: / Line 68: @@
 {{track listing
+| headline = UK CD2<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Australia|author=Manic Street Preachers|year=1996|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=Epic Records|id=664044 5}}</ref>
-| headline = CD two
 | title1  = Australia
-| note1   = Radio edit
+| note1   = radio edit
 | length1 = 3:41
-| title2  = Australia ([[Lionrock]] Remix)
+| title2  = Australia
+| note2   = [[Lionrock]] remix
 | length2 = 5:57
-| title3  = [[Motorcycle Emptiness]] ([[Apollo 440|Stealth Sonic Orchestra]] Remix)
+| title3  = [[Motorcycle Emptiness]]
+| note3   = [[Apollo 440|Stealth Sonic Orchestra]] remix
-| writer3 = [[James Dean Bradfield|Bradfield]], [[Sean Moore (musician)|Moore]] (music). [[Richey Edwards|Richey James]], [[Nicky Wire|Wire]] (lyrics)
+| writer3 = Bradfield, Moore (music); [[Richey Edwards|Richey James]], Wire (lyrics)
 | length3 = 6:15
-| title4  = Motorcycle Emptiness ([[Apollo 440|Stealth Sonic Orchestra]] Soundtrack)
+| title4  = Motorcycle Emptiness
+| note4   = Stealth Sonic Orchestra soundtrack
-| writer4 = [[James Dean Bradfield|Bradfield]], [[Sean Moore (musician)|Moore]] (music). [[Richey Edwards|James]], [[Nicky Wire|Wire]] (lyrics)
+| writer4 = Bradfield, Moore (music); James, Wire (lyrics)
 | length4 = 6:20
 }}
 {{track listing
+| headline = UK cassette single<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Australia|author=Manic Street Preachers|year=1996|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=Epic Records|id=664044 4}}</ref>
-| headline = Cassette/7' jukebox vinyl
 | title1  = Australia
-| note1   = Radio edit
+| note1   = radio edit
+| title2  = [[A Design for Life]]
-| length1 = 3:41
+| note2   = live
-| title2  = [[A Design for Life]] (Live)
-| length2 =
 }}
 ==Charts==
-{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
+{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
-|-
 !Chart (1996)
-!Peak<br>position
+!Peak<br/>position
+|-
+!scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-12-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=13|issue=51/52|page=25|date=21 December 1996|access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref>
+|26
 |-
-{{singlechart|Scotland|5|date=1996-12-14|song=Australia|artist=Manic Street Preachers|accessdate=23 March 2018}}
+{{single chart|Scotland|5|date=19961214|rowheader=true|access-date=23 March 2018}}
 |-
-{{singlechart|UK|7|date=1996-12-14|song=Australia|artist=Manic Street Preachers|accessdate=23 March 2018}}
+{{single chart|UK|7|date=19961214|rowheader=true|access-date=23 March 2018}}
 |}
 ==References==
-{{reflist|2}}
+{{Reflist}}
-==External links==
-* {{MetroLyrics song|manic-street-preachers|australia}}<!-- Licensed lyrics provider -->
 {{Manic Street Preachers}}
+{{Authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Australia (Manic Street Preachers Song)}}
 [[Category:1996 singles]]
+[[Category:1996 songs]]
+[[Category:Epic Records singles]]
 [[Category:Manic Street Preachers songs]]
-[[Category:1996 songs]]
+[[Category:Songs about Australia]]
+[[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Hedges]]
 [[Category:Songs written by James Dean Bradfield]]
 [[Category:Songs written by Nicky Wire]]
 [[Category:Songs written by Sean Moore (musician)]]
-[[Category:Songs about Australia]]
-[[Category:Epic Records singles]]

v t e Manic Street Preachers
James Dean Bradfield Sean Moore Nicky Wire Richey Edwards
Studio albums	Generation Terrorists Gold Against the Soul The Holy Bible Everything Must Go This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours Know Your Enemy Lifeblood Send Away the Tigers Journal for Plague Lovers Postcards from a Young Man Rewind the Film Futurology Resistance Is Futile The Ultra Vivid Lament
Compilation albums	Forever Delayed Lipstick Traces National Treasures – The Complete Singles Sleep Next to Plastic
EPs	New Art Riot Life Becoming a Landslide
Singles	"Suicide Alley" "Motown Junk" "You Love Us (Heavenly Version)" "Stay Beautiful" "Love's Sweet Exile"/"Repeat" "You Love Us" "Slash 'n' Burn" "Motorcycle Emptiness" "Theme from M.A.S.H. (Suicide Is Painless)" "Little Baby Nothing" "From Despair to Where" "La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)" "Roses in the Hospital" "Faster" "Revol" "She Is Suffering" "A Design for Life" "Everything Must Go" "Kevin Carter" "Australia" "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" "The Everlasting" "You Stole the Sun from My Heart" "Tsunami" "The Masses Against the Classes" "So Why So Sad" "Found That Soul" "Ocean Spray" "Let Robeson Sing" "There by the Grace of God" "The Love of Richard Nixon" "Empty Souls" "Underdogs" "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough" "Autumnsong" "Indian Summer" "(It's Not War) Just the End of Love" "Some Kind of Nothingness" "Postcards from a Young Man" "This Is the Day" "Show Me the Wonder" "Anthem for a Lost Cause" "Walk Me to the Bridge" "Futurology" "Together Stronger (C'mon Wales)" "International Blue" "Distant Colours" "Dylan & Caitlin" "Liverpool Revisited" "Hold Me Like a Heaven" "People Give In" "Orwellian" "The Secret He Had Missed" "Rosebud" "Decline and Fall"
Other songs	"4st 7lb" "Peeled Apples"
Video albums	Everything Live Leaving the 20th Century Louder Than War Forever Delayed
Solo Albums	The Great Western I Killed the Zeitgeist Even in Exile Intimism
Related articles	Discography Culture, Alienation, Boredom and Despair