SomeOldGuys bring you a pack of updated classics and a new track, courtesy of FujiSkunk and CapnKris!
MEN AT WORK were an internationally renowned Australian rock band, that rose to prominence in the early 1980’s with back-to-back platinum selling albums. Formed in 1978 in Melbourne by Colin Hay (vocals, guitar) and Ron Strykert (guitar), later joined by Greg Ham (flute, saxophone, keyboards), John Rees (bass), and Jerry Speiser (drums).
“WHO CAN IT BE NOW?” (1981)
Authored by: Farottone, FujiSkunk, CapnKris
Their breakthrough album “Business as Usual” in 1981 spent an impressive 15 consecutive weeks at number one, topping the charts worldwide where it sold over 10 million copies. The album featured two standout and timeless pop singles – “Down Under” (which became an UN-official Australian anthem in later decades) and “Who Can It Be Now“. The former song was provided by Harmonix, and we present to you is a fully updated version of Farottone‘s early C3 release.
Colin Hay wrote the song while living in St. Kilda, a suburb of Melbourne, at a time when he had very little money and his apartment was often mistaken for a neighbouring drug dealer. He’d had many people knocking at odd hours, and was consequently struggling with personal anxiety and a fear of ‘the taxman’ coming for him and his few possessions.
The song is defined by the iconic saxophone riff by Greg Ham, a ‘call and response’ to the vocal line, and the tight production which features very little reverb on any instruments, to heighten the feel of claustrophobia for the listener, which matches the lyrical content perfectly.
“BE GOOD JOHNNY” (1981)
Authored by: Nunchuck/Sygenysis, FujiSkunk, CapnKris
“Johnny” was co-written by Greg Ham and Colin Hay, and is a song which explores the frustration of adolescence from the perspective of a troubled and misunderstood boy, who is constantly bombarded by adults in his life commanding him to obey, behave, study, and conform.
It features a frantic staccato keyboard riff, to mirror the hyperactivity of the main character, and touches on themes of alienation and having too much ‘imagination’. The chorus “Be good be good be good” mimics the nagging and repetitive nature of a parent scolding their child.
Originally charted by the duo of Nunchuck/Sygenysis, this one has been fully updated.
“IT’S A MISTAKE” (1983)
Authored by: Dash Riprock, FujiSkunk, CapnKris
Written as a direct (albeit comedic and darkly satirical) response to Cold War tensions of the early 1980s, when a nuclear escalation of tensions between the USA and Soviet Union felt inevitable. A hapless mid-level military officer is asking his Generals if the blips on his radar screen are glitches or in fact real threats. The song theorizes that the end of the world could be triggered by computer error, or purely by accident.
By the time their second album Cargo was written, the band had almost entirely abandoned the reggae influences and were solidly focused on rock and new wave. The song features a very distinct and melodic guitar solo, and Cargo‘s cleaner pop-rock production sound.
This chart was released by our dear friend Dash Riprock, and we have updated and polished it up for this pack.
“EVERYTHING I NEED” (1985)
Authored by CapnKris
Unlike the paranoia, dark comedy, and satire of their previous hits, “Everything” is a straightforward, mid-tempo rock song about a relationship in decline. Gone are the ‘pub rock’ feel and any glimpse of humour, what remained was a mature, polished and radio-friendly production style. The song is anchored by a slide-guitar riff, giving it a slower, bluesy feel, and featured a heavier drum sound which was typical of the mid eighties.
Unfortunately this was a direct metaphor for the disintegration of Men At Work itself, which by the time of recording had been reduced to the duo of Hay and Ham. The frustration of four years on the road, featuring multiple world tours, led to fractured relationships and a complete communication breakdown. The album and the song failed to reach the commercial heights that the band was accustomed to, and the era of their dominance had come to an end.
This is an original chart by CapnKris for the C3 Customs Holiday Bash ’25.
Despite their short run, Men At Work defined the 80’s new wave and pop scene for the first half of the decade. Their fusion of humor, memorable melodies, and distinctive Australian identity continues to influence artists worldwide and secures their legacy as one of Australia’s most enduring pop-rock exports.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
FROM SOME OLD GUYS
