10 Aussie Songs Enter National Songbook
Midnight Oil's Beds Are Burning and Yothu Yindi's Treaty among first inductees into new digital archive celebrating Australia's cultural identity
The first 10 Australian songs have been inducted into the National Songbook, a new digital archive that celebrates and preserves songs that have shaped Australia's national cultural identity. The songs were selected by a panel of 11 music experts and include Midnight Oil's Beds Are Burning and Yothu Yindi's Treaty.
The National Songbook is a joint initiative between the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and the music rights organisation Apra Amcos. The launch of the National Songbook coincides with APRA's 100th anniversary and will serve as a permanent digital archive, safeguarding music treasures for future generations.
The oldest song on the list is Andrew 'Banjo' Paterson's Waltzing Matilda, written in 1895. Yothu Yindi's Treaty, written in 1990, was included for being a landmark protest anthem. Other inductees include Helen Reddy's I Am Woman, The Presets' My People, and The Easybeats' Friday On My Mind.
## What it means The National Songbook is a significant initiative that recognizes the songs, songwriters, and composers who have given voice to Australian stories. The inducted songs showcase the diversity and richness of Australian music, with themes ranging from protest to partying, and observations on the great southern land and its people.
The selection process was facilitated by a panel of music experts, including broadcasters Richard Kingsmill and Zan Rowe, composer Cornel Wilczek, and musician Mo'Ju. The panel's discussions were described as a very robust conversation, ensuring that the selected songs truly reflect Australia's cultural identity.
## Why it matters The National Songbook is not just a collection of songs; it's a celebration of Australia's cultural heritage. The inducted songs have helped shape the nation's identity and will continue to inspire future generations. As Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, comments, no ten songs could ever tell the whole story of Australia, but together these inaugural inductees help us understand, as a nation, where we've come from, who we are, and the values we've carried through generations.
The National Songbook will continue to grow, with new songs being inducted annually. This initiative will ensure that Australia's rich musical history is preserved and celebrated, providing a unique window into the nation's cultural identity.
