Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Titles tagged with ‘popular music’

28 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year

1910s

The Landing of the Australian Troops in Egypt historical – c1916

A short commercial recording dramatising the Australian troops arriving in Egypt, before Gallipoli.

Country Gardens music – 1919

A pianola version of Percy Grainger’s ‘Country Gardens’ performed by the composer.

1950s

A Pub With No Beer music – 1957

Slim Dusty’s original recording from 1957 of one of his most famous songs.

Bye Bye Baby music – 1959

The first big hit from Australia’s original rock’n'roll star.

1960s

Cinesound Review: That Mersey Sound: Beatles at the Stadium newsreel – 1964

This newsreel special of the 1964 Beatles tour captures footage of the band in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand, concert excerpts and the attendant 'Beatlemania’.

I’ll Never Find Another You music – 1964

A 1964 song by The Seekers, written and produced by Tom Springfield, which became the first million-selling record by an Australian band.

King of the Surf sponsored film – 1964

In 1964, ten of the world’s best surfers converge on Manly Beach to fight for the title of world champion.

Cadbury’s Crunchie – ‘Golden Groovy Beautiful Crunchie’ advertisement – c1966

This TV commercial conjures up the 1960s par excellence, with a discotheque playing host to a young, groovy couple dancing under a glittering ball and eating Crunchie bars.

Friday on My Mind music – 1966

‘Friday on My Mind’ was the first international pop hit by an Australian band, and a landmark in the distinguished career of songwriting team Harry Vanda and George Young.

1970s

Eagle Rock music – 1971

Dancing the Eagle Rock was one of Australia’s favourite pastimes in the early seventies and it still is today.

ALP: It’s Time advertisement – 1972

This TV commercial for the 1972 Whitlam election campaign targeted elusive Labor voters – women and young people – with a catchy song and starry singers.

I Am Woman music – 1972

‘I am Woman’ by Helen Reddy was a worldwide hit and the first song by an Australian artist or composer to reach number one in America.

Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy) music – 1972

The song ‘Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy)’ saw the coming of age of Australian rock music.

Living in the 70’s music – 1974

Unrestrained by cultural cringe, the title song of this Skyhooks album captured what it was like growing up in the suburbs of Australia in the 1970s.

1980s

Down Under music – 1981

Released in 1981, this catchy pop song was written as a light ‘tongue-in-cheek’ dig at Australian values and became a number one hit in Australia, the UK and US.

New Faces television program – 1982

A 1980s episode from the classic talent show hosted by Bert Newton.

A Girl’s Own Story short film – 1983

In this short film by Jane Campion about changes afoot in 1960s society, teenage girls get in trouble for acting out Beatles concerts in the playground.

The Coca-Cola Kid feature film – 1985

The Coca–Cola company sends its top trouble shooter to boost sales in Australia. He plans to win customers away from a much loved, old-style soft-drink maker.

I Should Be So Lucky music – 1987

The second single from Kylie’s debut album, Kylie (1988), penned by English pop writing-producing phenomenon Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

1990s

Flirting feature film – 1990

In 1965 a rebellious private schoolboy finds his romantic soulmate in an African pupil from the neighbouring girls’ school.

Li’l Elvis and the Truckstoppers – Caught in a Trap television program – 1997

Li’l Elvis wants to be a normal kid, not an Elivis impersonator, but his mother is aghast, 'What about your fans, what about the bank, what about the king!’

Raw FM – What You Can television program – 1997

A series revolving around community youth radio station 99.9 Raw FM and the young people who run it.

2000s

Moulin Rouge! feature film – 2001

Moulin Rouge! was a risky venture for director Baz Luhrmann but is a tour de force of imagination and appropriation.

Hello short film – 2003

In this beautifully realised short film, animated characters communicate using music and recorded sound.

RocKwiz – Series 1 Episode 1 television program – 2005

Hosted by Julia Zemiro, a no frills pub-style cult music trivia night broadcast on SBS.

Bit of Black Business – The Turtle short film – 2007

Jason’s mother sends him to a small coastal town to keep him out of trouble. But it takes a turtle hunt with his grandfather to bring Jason out of his shell.

Choir of Hard Knocks – Episode 3 television program – 2007

A group of homeless and otherwise struggling people join the Choir of Hard Knocks and allow their experience to be recorded.

Bran Nue Dae feature film – 2009

An uplifting musical about an Indigenous boy’s journey back home, Bran Nue Dae encourages the audience to relax, get on board and enjoy the ride.