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Australia (Manic Street Preachers song)

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For the song by The Shins, see Australia (The Shins song).
"Australia"
Song

"Australia" was released by Manic Street Preachers on December 2, 1996, and was the fourth single release from the Everything Must Go album of May that same year. 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 James Edwards.

The first CD included "Velocity Girl", "Take The Skinheads Bowling" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (all three songs 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". The lack of original Manics material for the single's extra tracks was attributed to Nicky Wire having a case of writers block, as he approached writing material for the band's next album. He put the block down to the fact that it was the first time he had written a whole album without Richey's help. All 3 of the CD cover versions would later feature on the Lipstick Traces compilation album in 2004 (Although Take The Skinheads was re-recorded)

On December 14, "Australia" reached number seven in the UK charts, giving the Manics their fourth straight top ten hit. It also made an appearance as track number seven on Forever Delayed, the band's greatest hits album, released in November 2002.

The song was the theme tune to the Nickelodeon UK sitcom Renford Rejects and has also been used in adverts for the Australian Tourist Board.

Track listing

CD1

  1. "Australia" (radio edit)
  2. "Velocity Girl" (orig. by Primal Scream)
  3. "Take The Skinheads Bowling" (orig. by Camper Van Beethoven)
  4. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" (orig. by Frankie Valli)

CD2

  1. "Australia" (radio edit)
  2. "Australia" (Lion Rock Remix)
  3. "Motorcycle Emptiness" (Stealth Sonic Orchestra Remix)
  4. "Motorcycle Emptiness" (Stealth Sonic" Orchestra Soundtrack)

MC

  1. "Australia" (radio edit)
  2. "A Design For Life" (live)
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