19 Of The Greatest Aussie Songs Gen Z Truly Missed Out On
The ’00s was quite a time for Aussie music… if you were old enough to remember the early days that is.
It was a time when every Neighbours or Home and Away star had a shot at a singing career. A time before reality singing shows got too polished. A time where someone could release a song named ‘Wasabi’ and have it be an instant hit.
For anyone born after 1997, you sure missed out on a lot of good* tunes, so we’ve decided to collect a whole bunch for you. It’s time to listen back and go on a spiritual journey, my friends!
*May or may not be the standard definition of good.
Here are some of the most iconic Australian songs Gen Z missed out on.
1. ‘Kiss Kiss‘ – Holly Valance
This video was SCANDALOUS back in the day. A good girl gone raunchy! Our tiny brains were shook.
Standout lyric: “When I look at you I wanna be, I wanna be somewhere close to heaven with Neanderthal man”
2. ‘Whatever Will Be’ – Tammin Sursok
Summer Bay was always too small for Tammin who launched a short, kinda successful music career before relocating to LA. Also please never forget her debut single ‘Pointless Relationship‘ about a boyfriend who was absolutely useless.
Standout lyric: “Cause although we like to know what life’s got planned/No one knows if shootings stars will land”
3. ‘All Seats Taken’ – Bec Cartwright
Bec may not have been quite as musically successful as former co-star Tammin, but she did gift us with this song and proved that pink pants and a yellow halter was a ~lewk~.
Standout lyric: “
4. ‘Movin’ On‘ – Scott Cain
Scott Cain won the third (and last series) of Popstars and delivered us some short-lived Sk8er Boi realness with his debut single ‘Movin On’.
Standout lyric: “I bet you thought you’d end up leavin’ me, that was just a fantasy/But baby the tail has wagged the dog, yeah”
5. ‘All I Need Is You’ – Guy Sebastian
OK, yes, we all still know who Guy Sebastian is and everyone knows ‘Angels Brought Me Here’. But what about his second ever single, ‘All I Need Is You’? Does it ever get the respect it deserves? Probably not.
Standout lyric: “Finally I can see/What a life really means to me, to me babe”
6. ‘Drive‘ – Shannon Noll
Another idol we’ll never forget, another single filled with emotional lyrical prowess Gen Z will never appreciate.
Standout lyric: “I’ve got a car/I’ve got a big black shiny car”
7. ‘Poison’ – Bardot
The original Popstars, Bardot, were the SHIT back in the day. Imagine being born into the world after ‘Poison’ was released? I just can’t even fathom.
Standout lyric: “Don’t you treat me bad, don’t you make me sad/Our love could be as deep as the ocean”
8. ‘Mistake‘ – Stephanie McIntosh
Stephanie McIntosh burst on the scene in the mid-’00s to prove to us not all soap actors had to come out with pure bubblegum. She added a tiny sprinkle of rock edge and released this banger.
Standout lyric: “I don’t sleep/It’s kind of hard when you cry”
9. ‘Predictable’ – Delta Goodrem
Looking back this breakup anthem did NOT get the respect it truly deserved. Or maybe it did at the time, but it still deserves to be played just as much today.
Standout lyrics: “You’re just so predictable in every way/I want you to know I know your game”
10. ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head‘ – Kylie Minogue
THIS IS WHAT AN ICON LOOKS LIKE AND THIS IS WHAT AN ICONIC SONG SOUNDS LIKE.
Case closed.
Standout lyric: “La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la/La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la”
11. ‘So Beautiful’ – Pete Murray
This was about as savage as 2004 ever got.
Standout lyric: “God, my fingers burn/Now when I think of touching your hair”
12. ‘Do It With Madonna’ – The Androids
YES, there was a song called ‘Do it With Madonna’ and yes it was all about these guys’ wanting Madonna over Britney, Xtina or Pink.
Standout lyric: “I’d rather do it with Madonna/She’s really got me on my knees”
13. ‘O Yeah‘ – End Of Fashion
Feeling real bad for the kids who never grew up with the lyrics “I’m a raisin, she’s a cow” blaring from the radio.
Standout lyric: Well. The above.
14. ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl?‘ – Jet
Perhaps it was Australia’s most repetitive rock song or perhaps it was Australia’s greatest rock song. Either way, still a banger.
Standout lyric: “So one, two, three, take my hand and come with me/Because you look so fine, that I really wanna make you mine”
15. ‘Not Pretty Enough’ – Kasey Chambers
Now, this was and still is an absolute ANTHEM. All my ladies sing it loud, sing it proud.
Standout lyric: “Am I not pretty enough, is my heart too broken?/Do I cry too much, am I too outspoken?”
16. ‘Buses & Trains’ – Bachelor Girl
STILL a banger. If you’ve never heard it before I am high-key judging you.
Standout lyric: “So I walked under a bus, I got hit by a train, keep falling in love, which is kinda the same”
17. ‘Everywhere You Go’ – Taxiride
This tune was the perfect mashup of a rock x love song. It should still be played in all pubs across Australia.
Standout lyric: “You say you got a lot of good reasons, I know I told a lot of good lies now, I could lose everything for you”
18. ‘Stop Calling Me‘ – Shakaya
This song was a kickass tune you belted out with your mates about some loser guy when you were 12, not knowing guys continue to be losers late into life. Still a banger.
Standout lyric: “Stop callin’ me, callin’ me, please stop stalking me, stalking me. just a fantasy, fantasy, that you have with me”
19. ‘Me, Myself & I’ – Scandal’us
Australia did pop bands so well back in the day. While no one remembers any other song from Scandal’us or any of the people in it, ‘Me, Myself & I’ was a certified BOP. Do most of the lyrics make sense? Not really. Does it matter? Absolutely not.
Standout lyric: Will I find the strength to carry on? To respect my needs? Not to take you back, every time you say “Forgive me.”