Poppy Reid is the Editor in Chief at Brag Media, overseeing Rolling Stone Magazine Australia and Variety Magazine Australia. All of which means to say she has unrivalled access to the Aussie music scene, and has spent more time than most pondering what is the best of our music. We challenged her to give us her Top 10 ahead of our exclusive behind the scenes interview with her coming out next week.
Passenger by Powderfinger.
Powderfinger may have started their career in 1994 with a record that had no obvious singles or memorable melodies, but by the time Internationalist was released in ’98, the band were on the path to reach legendary status. As one of the album’s singles, “Passenger” beautifully outlines that feeling of existential crisis. It’s full of lyrics that stay with you too. Just try singing along to the line, “You will be bound by what you are” and not feeling all the feels.
Better in Blak by Thelma Plum.
The title track from one of the most pertinent album releases from any Australian artist, Thelma Plum powerfully captured an individual and collective experience of generational trauma and Blak pride in just under three-and-a-half-minutes. Released in 2019, the track became an anthem to soundtrack the instigating of dialogue around Indigenous matters. In January of 2020 it made history as the highest ranking song to date by an Indigenous artist in the triple j Hottest 100.
That’s The Way A Woman Feels by Tina Arena.
The soaring colour of “That’s the Way a Woman Feels” seemed to arrive right on time for women the world over in 1994. Tina Arena, a one-woman inferno who is as driven and creative now as she ever was, has this unique ability to portray the resolve of a woman who did everything in her power to make the relationship work. This song has gotten me — and I imagine millions of other women — through some dark moments in my life and turned my pain into blissful resolve.
Where the Wild Roses Grow by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Kylie Minogue.
Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue knew exactly the power they could harness when they combined his baritone grandeur with her hushed fragility. At the time of release in 1996, the pair dodged speculation about a romantic relationship but the way their vocals dance and interplay with one another still feels utterly electric.
I Want You by Savage Garden.
In some ways, it’s a true shame that we have lost the dynamic duo of Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones. Who could forget the rapid-fire lyrics of “I Want You” when Hayes busts out chic-a-cherry cola! My fellow Millennials will know how much this track — and the self-titled album which housed it — soundtracked an era of sun-drenched youth and a burgeoning pop obsession.
Since I Left You by The Avalanches.
Lifted from one of favourite debut records, the title track felt like it came out of the sky and reimagined an entire music underground. Filled with brain-tickling samples and a Jackson Five-inspired elation, the early-2000s banger sounded like nothing else, and to this day remains like nothing else. Longevity and icon status was unwittingly secured from the get-go.
Luxurious by Sarah Blasko.
You know a song is perfect when you still listen to it, despite it being your ‘first dance song’ at the wedding to your ex-husband. Delicate, unassuming, and not overtly metaphorical or flowery in its lyricism, “Luxurious” is an ode to how the most pure love can make you feel free whilst betrothed to just one other.
Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House.
As a Kiwi, it does feel a little wrong to include a Crowded House song in a list of top Aussie songs. But by the time we awarded the band the Icon Award at this year’s Rolling Stone Australia Awards, I had already made peace with the fact that both countries can share bragging rights. “Don’t Dream It’s Over” has a sad groove to it and a melody that sticks with you, proving Crowded House are the ultimate pop songwriters. I think Neil Finn described the weight of the song best when he said: “It was just about on the one hand feeling kind of lost, and on the other hand sort of urging myself on — don’t dream it’s over.”
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS.
From its bluesy riff, to Kirk Pengilly’s heroic saxophone solo, to the music video — shot in Prague during the fall of Czech communism — “Never Tear Us Apart” is still in a league of its own. This song is why I have two Chris Cuffaro-shot photographs of Michael Hutchence hung up on my wall at home. INXS was, and forever will be, adored and imitated, but never duplicated.
Baby Steps by Amy Shark.
We know you’ll have very charming and polite suggestions! Keep them nice and if you have any ideas for other tracks feel free to leave in the comments. You’ll find all the above tracks neatly put together in our latest Irresistible Playlist so Take It Home.
