Kid friendly Australian music

May 30, 2008 5:16 PM

I'm desperately looking for some upbeat, modern Aussie pop/rock songs to play to kids for my new job. Preferably something that could be sung along to w/catchy chorus. No swearing or sexual themes allowed. Anyone got any ideas!!?
posted by nicole.hilder to Society & Culture (20 answers total)

The Living End?

You didn't say non-political.
posted by self at 5:19 PM on May 30, 2008

Savage Garden
Natalie Imbruglia
Delta Goodrem
posted by fire&wings at 5:20 PM on May 30, 2008

Rolf, of course.
posted by rhizome at 5:45 PM on May 30, 2008

Best answer: Upbeat and Aussie? Why, that's The Lucksmiths. They have inoffensive lyrics for the most part, and have written many a catchy pop song on just the weather. Do a search on YouTube for samples of their music.
posted by zerbinetta at 5:48 PM on May 30, 2008

cat empire!
posted by Acer_saccharum at 6:00 PM on May 30, 2008

Mental as Anything - Live it Up from Crocodile Dundee!

Haven't heard the song for a long while and I'm at work so I can't actually click on that Youtube link to verify it, but I think the lyrics would be OK for kids.
posted by uk_giffo at 6:00 PM on May 30, 2008

Spiderbait
Eskimo Joe

Could make some little fingers tap. Seconding the lucksmiths (or the guild league).
posted by Mil at 6:07 PM on May 30, 2008

Maybe Architecture in Helsinki?
posted by pilibeen at 6:25 PM on May 30, 2008

For singalong type stuff for kids, John Williamson's Crocodile Roll could be fun. In terms of modernness, he's probably more John Denver era and ilk. But that's the good singalong stuff. He's got some other fun/funny/simple ones. If it needs to be cool, as in you'd hear it on popular radio or kids would want it on their youtube pages, then that wouldn't be it.
posted by kookoobirdz at 6:30 PM on May 30, 2008

Frente, perhaps? "Ordinary Angels" might be a nice song for kids, in particular. Watch out, some of their other tracks have a few profanities.

I also second The Lucksmiths.
posted by polyester.lumberjack at 8:02 PM on May 30, 2008

Powderfinger's Internationalist ought to be right up your alley, there are some good catchy tunes on there. Or their "My Happiness" single from whatever stupid album came after that.
posted by turgid dahlia at 8:04 PM on May 30, 2008

definitely Cat Empire. Boy, that's a fun band.
posted by roombythelake at 8:43 PM on May 30, 2008

Lucksmiths are all you need, but Frente is also good.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:43 PM on May 30, 2008

I have recently fallen in love with The Cat Empire, so I third it. I dare you to not like them.
posted by mumkin at 10:30 PM on May 30, 2008

I dunno if kids would like it but.. new Australian catchy tune.. Cut Copy - Lights and Music

yay :)
posted by citron at 11:29 PM on May 30, 2008

"With the Exception of Saturn" by Fred Astereo, perhaps? It's on his MySpace, if you want to have a listen.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 7:46 AM on May 31, 2008

Darren Hanlon played a bit with the Lucksmiths and has made some charming solo albums. Clever lyrics and easy to sing to.
posted by brism at 8:23 AM on May 31, 2008

What age are these kids? Ben Lee's first album, written when he was 16, is full of charming (and short) hooky songs. "Song 4 You," maybe?
posted by waxpancake at 10:40 AM on May 31, 2008

Third the Cat Empire, kids will find it lots of fun! I don't particularly like them myself, but know if I ever saw them live I would be unable to stop myself from dancing. Catchy stuff. Try "Hello" for starters.
posted by chronic sublime at 3:28 AM on June 1, 2008

Continuing on Savage Garden - look for Darren Hayes's solo stuff.
posted by divabat at 3:06 PM on June 1, 2008