Voice of Real Australia is a regular newsletter from the local news teams of the ACM network, which stretches into every state and territory. Today's is written by regional digital editor and millennial Kim Chappell, and national social producer Rachel Clark representing Gen Z.
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Millennial says:
Picking just 10 songs to give my votes to for Triple J's Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time was like choosing between children.
So many Aussie bands shaped my teens and 20s - they filled my weekends and week nights with gigs and made the soundtrack to many road trips.
But after days of hard-fought decisions, I made my picks and then on Saturday tuned in to see who made the list and where they landed.
The number one song, Never Tear Us Apart by INXS, is an Australian classic, and to be honest, I would have been shocked if anything knocked it off the top of the tree.
But the song in spot three. That was a shock. The Veronicas! Say what?! It's not even 20 years old yet - hasn't even stood the test of time.
To see The Veronicas get two songs in the countdown and long-standing Aussie legends like Jebediah get none and incredible acts like You Am I and Augie March get just one... they were robbed!
As for You Am I not even cracking the top 50? In the words of many a countdown listener.... should have been higher!
Gen Z says:
Untouched by the Veronicas absolutely deserved to nab the third spot on Triple J's Hottest 100 Australian songs of all time list.
As it is now and forever, the unofficial Aussie national anthem for all Gen Zers.
The duo's 2007 hit song shaped our childhoods and teenage years, from swimming carnivals and school discos to teen house parties and nights out.
Even now, when I or any of my friends hear those first few notes, we rush to the dance floor.
The song brings a sense of nostalgic joy for the early 2000s; the iPhone had only just been introduced, YouTube had not peaked yet, magazines were still in high circulation, and no one lived their life through a camera lens.
Plus, I suspect most listeners could name more than one of The Veronicas songs compared to half of the artists on the list.
The Veronicas are not the only band that holds a sentimental spot in young Aussies' hearts; Hilltop Hoods, Gotye, Temper Trap, Tame Impala, and Thelma Plum gave us the soundtracks to our young adult lives.
But I do have to say, despite our disagreements about who deserved which spot, at least we can agree that Never Tear Us Apart by INXS rightfully deserved the number one spot.
There is not a more iconic song that can bring all Aussies together.
Kim Chappell
As Senior Producer - Digital for ACM's regional titles I assist newsrooms in digital best practice. Before this role, I was the digital journalist with ACM's national team and prior to that, the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division. I started as a general rounds journalist with The Land in 2006, moving up to hold the title of chief of staff before switching to digital reporting in 2015.
Rachel Clark
Rachel is a former Northern Daily Leader reporter who covered education, Liverpool Plains and Gunnedah council, renewable energy, and country music—just missing out on interviewing Keith Urban. Now, she spends her days playing in the digital space as a national audience engagement producer across national news and Explore Travel. Be sure to say g'day: rachel.clark@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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Voice of Real Australia
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