Former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay has disavowed the use of the band’s 80s anthem Down Under by Australian anti-immigration protesters, saying the song “does not belong to those who attempt to sow xenophobia”.
In a post to his Facebook and Instagram accounts, the singer-songwriter singled out anti-immigration group March for Australia, who have organised marches around the country on 26 January under the slogan “Our national identity will not be erased”.
The singer, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to Australia with his family as a teen, signed his message “Colin Hay (immigrant)”.
“I most strenuously disapprove of any unauthorized, unlicensed use of Down Under, for any ‘March For Australia’ events,” Hay wrote.
“Down Under, a song I co-wrote, does not belong to those who attempt to sow xenophobia within the fabric of our great land, our great people. Down Under is ultimately a song of celebration. It’s for pluralism and inclusion; unity, not division.
“Go write your own song, leave mine alone.”
Down Under, which Hay co-wrote with bandmate Ron Strykert, became a national and then global hit in the 80s, reaching No 1 in Australia in 1981 and going on to top the charts in New Zealand, Canada, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Switzerland and Italy before a triumphant four weeks at No 1 in the US, where it sold 2m copies.
The lyrics revolve around an Australian travelling the world who has conversations about his home, which is described as a country “where women glow and men plunder” and “where beer does flow and men chunder”. A Vegemite sandwich features prominently.
In the decades since, it has become an unofficial national anthem in Australia, and is often played at sporting events. It also found new audiences via covers by Perth producer Luude and north-east Arnhem Land band King Stingray, singing in Yolngu Matha and English. In 2022, the original song surpassed 1bn streams.
Hay is not the only Australian musician calling out March for Australia for using their music. In October last year, country music legend John Williamson shared a statement on social media after his song True Blue was reportedly played during a March for Australia protest. “True Blue is a song for all Australians and should not be hijacked by any group that seeks to use the song to sow division,” Williamson wrote.
And a month before, after March for Australia played Cold Chisel’s Flame Trees and Icehouse’s Great Southern Land at a rally, a representative for both acts put out a statement disavowing their use by the groups, saying “no approval was sought, and no permission was given”.
The Living End have also denounced the use of two of their songs at March for Australia rallies.
“The goals and philosophies of these marches are abhorrent to us, and we don’t support them in any way,” the band wrote. “We aim for our songs to be a positive influence. We believe in a fair go for everyone. Our songs are written to bring people together not to divide them.”
