Australia's music scene is a rich tapestry, woven with the sounds of many great artists and songs that resonate with Aussies at home and abroad. From rock to pop, folk to country, the music is as diverse as the land.
While this list may not cover every beloved Australian song, we're sure there are a few that you believe deserve a spot here. If you have any recommendations or personal favourites or want to mention some of Australia's newer artists, we'd love to hear from you in the comments.
Here are all the songs we'll cover in chronological order. Keep reading to discover their ranking.
| Song | Artist | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Friday on My Mind | The Easybeats | 1966 |
| The Real Thing | Russell Morris | 1969 |
| Eagle Rock | Daddy Cool | 1971 |
| It’s a Long Way to the Top | AC/DC | 1976 |
| Khe Sanh | Cold Chisel | 1978 |
| You Shook Me All Night Long | AC/DC | 1980 |
| I Still Call Australia Home | Peter Allen | 1980 |
| Down Under | Men at Work | 1981 |
| Great Southern Land | Icehouse | 1982 |
| Original Sin | INXS | 1983 |
| Throw Your Arms Around Me | Hunters and Collectors | 1986 |
| You’re The Voice | John Farnham | 1986 |
| To Her Door | Paul Kelly | 1987 |
| Beds Are Burning | Midnight Oil | 1987 |
| Never Tear Us Apart | INXS | 1988 |
| Under the Milky Way | The Church | 1988 |
| The Horses | Daryl Braithwaite | 1990 |
| I Touch Myself | Divinyls | 1990 |
| Treaty | Yothu Yindi | 1991 |
| Tomorrow | Silverchair | 1994 |
| Torn | Natalie Imbruglia | 1997 |
| Prisoner of Society | The Living End | 1997 |
| The Captain | Kasey Chambers | 1999 |
| My Happiness | Powderfinger | 2000 |
| Shark Fin Blues | The Drones | 2005 |
25. "The Real Thing" – Russell Morris (1969)
This is an iconic psychedelic rock anthem from the 1960s, written by Johnny Young and produced by Ian "Molly" Meldrum.
The song topped the charts in Australia and is still a significant part of Australian music history. It used innovative production techniques for the time, including echo and reverb.
It helped make Russell Morris one of Australia's most famous rock artists at the time.
24. "Shark Fin Blues" – The Drones (2005)
For many, this is considered one of the greatest Australian rock songs of the 21st century.
The song was featured on the band's album “Wait Long by the River and the Bodies of Your Enemies Will Float By”.
It was voted the greatest Australian song of all time in a poll by Triple J in 2009.
23. "I Touch Myself" – Divinyls (1990)
This song was incredibly controversial when it was released in 1990. It featured on Divinyls' self-titled album.
The lyrics, an unapologetic expression of female sexuality, caused outrage and propelled the song up the charts.
It remains Divinyls' most successful international hit, outlasting the initial uproar. Chrissy Amphlett is still regarded as one of Australia's most iconic female singers.
22. "The Captain" – Kasey Chambers (1999)
This song was featured on Kasey Chambers' debut solo album under the same name and won several ARIA awards.
This helped establish Kasey Chambers as one of the country's most talented alt-country musicians with its blend of country, folk, and Americana sounds.
21. "Tomorrow" – Silverchair (1994)
"Tomorrow" by Silverchair was written when the band members were only 15. This powerful grunge anthem, influenced by the Seattle sound of Nirvana and Pearl Jam, featured heavy guitar riffs and growling vocals.
The song reached number one on the Australian charts. It also gained international recognition for the band and performed well in the US.
20. "To Her Door" – Paul Kelly (1987)
This is one of the most iconic songs by the Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. It was released in 1987 and featured on his album "Under the Sun".
This is a folk-rock and country song that features some incredibly lyrical storytelling, which resonated with fans.
19. "Under the Milky Way" – The Church (1988)
"Under the Milky Way" by The Church is a dreamy, atmospheric song. It's hard to define The Church's genre, but some call it dream-pop or neo-psychedelia.
The song reached the top 30 in the US and is still one of the band's most popular tracks.
18. "Khe Sanh" – Cold Chisel (1978)
This song, written by Don Walker, tells the story of a Vietnam War veteran trying to return to a peaceful society.
The song is named after one of the biggest confrontations during the Vietnam War, though the song talks more about after the war.
The song was originally banned from the radio but was still a hit.
17. "Torn" – Natalie Imbruglia (1997)
Though the song was originally by the American rock band Ednaswap, Natalie Imbruglia's pop version was a much bigger hit, making her one of Australia's biggest artists from just one song.
It was on her album "Left of the Middle" and charted in Australia, the UK, and the US. It became one of the most popular songs on Australian radio, and it's suggested that it's been played more than any other song in Australian radio history.
16. "Original Sin" – INXS (1983)
"Original Sin" was the breakout hit for the Australian band INXS. It was the first single on their album "The Swing", which introduced the band to a new sound.
This hugely popular track combines new wave, rock, funk, and dance influences.
15. "You Shook Me All Night Long" – AC/DC (1980)
This is one of AC/DC's most iconic songs and a typical hard rock song you'd expect from one of Australia's biggest bands.
It was included on their album "Back in Black", the first album to include lead singer Brian Johnson after the band's former frontman Bon Scott died.
14. "Treaty" – Yothu Yindi (1991)
This song is a groundbreaking hit that combines Indigenous Australian music with contemporary rock and dance.
The song made it into the top 10 on the ARIA charts. It was written in response to the Australian government's failure to honour a promise made to Indigenous Australians for a treaty acknowledging land rights.
13. "Great Southern Land" – Icehouse (1982)
This song was written by Iva Davies and was the lead single from Icehouse's "Primitive Man" album.
In case you haven't figured it out, the Great Southern Land referred to in the song is Australia, and its lyrics talk about Australia's unique beauty and cultural identity.
12. "The Horses" – Daryl Braithwaite (1990)
Daryl Braithwaite's 1990 hit is one of the most popular songs in Australian music history. It was initially written by Rickie Lee Jones and Walter Becker (of Steely Dan). The cover by Daryl Braithwaite on his studio album "Rise" was a slow-burning hit.
However, it eventually went to number one on the ARIA charts in 1991. It stayed in the top 50 for nearly six months.
11. "Eagle Rock" – Daddy Cool (1971)
Daddy Cool's song "Eagle Rock" topped the Australian charts for ten weeks and became one of the country's best-selling hits.
"Eagle Rock" inspired Elton John to write his hit "Crocodile Rock" after touring Australia in 1972.
Despite the song being over 50 years old, it still remains a popular hit for events, pubs, and sporting events.
10. "My Happiness" – Powderfinger (2000)
This track became one of the band's most successful songs, winning the ARIA Award for Single of the Year 2001.
This uplifting rock ballad topped Australia's charts while performing well in the United States and Europe.
9. "Never Tear Us Apart" – INXS (1988)
This powerful love ballad is another one of INXS' most famous tracks. It combines a great beat, synths, and an orchestral arrangement.
It wasn't the band's highest-charting single but remains one of the most popular songs.
8. "I Still Call Australia Home" – Peter Allen (1980)
This pop ballad, complete with Peter Allen's passionate delivery, is a heartfelt hit about Australia. Naturally, the song resonates a lot with Australians living abroad.
Its popularity was furthered by an ad campaign in the late 90s by Qantas Airways using a version of it recorded by the Australian Girls Choir and National Boys Choir.
7. "Prisoner of Society" – The Living End
This track was included on the band's eponymous album and effectively launched the band's career.
It features punk rock energy with rockabilly influences, fast drumming, and a catchy chorus.
What more could you want?
6. "Throw Your Arms Around Me" – Hunters and Collectors (1986)
This poignant, emotional ballad about love is a staple at weddings. It is probably one of the most famous and popular Australian love songs.
Although it never charted when it was released, its enduring appeal ensures that it remains in rotation at events.
5. "It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" – AC/DC (1976)
This song was on AC/DC's album "TNT" and the international version of "High Voltage". This rock and roll track features bagpipes, unique to the genre.
It features Angus Young's guitar, the aforementioned bagpipes, and vocals from Bon Scott, one of Australia's greatest singers.
This song has become an anthem for musicians worldwide.
4. "Friday on My Mind" – The Easybeats (1966)
This 1966 song topped the chart in Australia, the top 10 in the UK, and charting in the US and many other countries.
This is a classic 1960s sound, and the Australasian Performing Rights Association (APRA) named it the number-one Australian song of all time.
3. "You’re The Voice" – John Farnham (1986)
This iconic Australian song became an anthem and helped make John Farnham a national treasure. The track was on the “Whispering Jack” album.
It was a huge success, going to number one in Australia and charting in the UK and Europe. It won several ARIA awards and was the best-selling single in Australia in 1986.
2. "Beds Are Burning" – Midnight Oil (1987)
“Beds Are Burning” is another iconic protest song for Aboriginal land rights, and it was included on Midnight Oil's “Diesel and Dust” album.
The song is a fine example of blending rock and new wave, complete with a memorable chorus, which you need for a protest song.
1. "Down Under" – Men at Work (1981)
This is the most famous Australian song of all time. It was included on Men at Work's album "Business as Usual".
It went to number one in Australia, the US, the UK, and Canada, becoming synonymous with Australia.
Despite its somewhat humorous nature, this reggae and pop-rock hit provides some excellent examples of Australian culture, including the downright iconic "vegemite sandwiches".
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