What defines an ‘Australian song'? Triple J's hottest 100 sparks national identity debate

Economic Times

2 days ago

Agencies
Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown spotlights evolving definitions of 'Australian songs,' highlighting shifts from pub rock traditions to diverse modern voices like Thelma Plum and Baker Boy.
Debating what makes a song 'Australian'
As Triple J prepares to broadcast the Hottest 100 Australian Songs on July 26, attention turns beyond the rankings to a broader cultural question: What defines an 'Australian song'? Is it the nationality of the artist, the thematic content, the sonic elements, or a combination of these factors?
Musical cultures have existed in Australia for tens of thousands of years. The sound of the didgeridoo, for instance, has often been used to signal 'Australianness' in film, television, and occasionally in popular music. Yet, due to colonization and systemic exclusion, much of this Indigenous musical heritage has been marginalized in the commercial music landscape.
Also read: Wave to Earth announce first-ever Aussie & NZ tour; find out when & where they're playing Since colonization in the late 18th century, Australia's music has reflected broader global influences. Settlers imported genres such as jazz, country, rock, and pop, which local musicians adapted. However, questions remain about whether these adaptations constitute a distinctly Australian sound or reflect cultural imitation. These tensions parallel historical questions about Australian national identity — whether it functions as a sovereign country or remains culturally tethered to its colonial past.
The legacy of pub rock and cultural identityIn the 1970s, the pub rock movement, characterized by distorted guitars and grassroots energy, emerged as one of Australia's earliest contributions to global post-rock 'n' roll culture. Bands such as Midnight Oil and Cold Chisel gained popularity not only for their sound but also for references to Australian places, politics, and working-class life.During this period, then-Prime Minister Gough Whitlam expanded funding for the arts to help shape an Australian identity. Simultaneously, the launch of youth radio station 2JJ, now Triple J, offered a broadcast platform for emerging local acts. This era laid the groundwork for what is now referred to as the 'Oz rock canon,' a collection of Australian rock music that has shaped cultural perceptions.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's selections for the Hottest 100, composed almost entirely of white male musicians, reflect the enduring influence of this canon. Despite political differences, both he and his predecessor submitted strikingly similar lists, underscoring the narrow scope of what has traditionally been recognized as 'Australian music.'
Evolving canons and new Australian sounds
Triple J's 2009 Hottest 100 of All Time reaffirmed the dominance of the rock canon. However, it also signaled the rising popularity of Australian hip-hop, with Hilltop Hoods' The Nosebleed Section ranking highest among Australian entries.
In 2011, Triple J released the Hottest 100 Australian Albums of All Time. Powderfinger's Odyssey Number Five secured the top spot, with entries from electronic groups such as The Presets and The Avalanches reflecting a broader sonic range. Still, the list was male-dominated, with Missy Higgins's The Sound of White at number 29 being the highest-ranking woman-fronted album.
Recent years have seen increased Indigenous representation across Australian music. Artists such as Thelma Plum, Barkaa, A.B. Original, and Baker Boy use diverse genres to celebrate cultural identity and critique the national narrative. A.B. Original's January 26, which ranked number 17 in 2016, exemplifies music's role in social commentary. That same year, Triple J moved the countdown from Australia Day to a different date, indicating a shift in public sentiment.
Music, disagreement, and national reflection
A strong contender in the 2024 countdown is Treaty (Radio Mix) by Yothu Yindi, a track that reached number 11 in 1991's all-time list. Its continued relevance highlights how musical canons can evolve to reflect societal change.
Also read: Lorde announces 2026 arena tour in Australia; Know the dates, her family, and net worth Recent controversies, including criticism of Creative Australia's handling of politically-charged art, have sparked debate over how cultural expression intersects with social cohesion. Critics argue that democratic societies must accommodate disagreement and that art plays a vital role in questioning dominant narratives.
As Triple J's Hottest 100 continues to showcase a spectrum of artists, it offers a platform for reconsidering Australian identity. Whether through traditional rock or Indigenous hip-hop, the songs selected, and the discussions they prompt, reflect the complexities of what it means to live on these lands today.