Down Under

Down Under by Men at Work was a UK number 1 hit on Saturday, January 29, 1983 spending 3 week(s) at the top of the UK charts. The "Land Down Under" is Australia, where the group is from. The lyrics were written by lead singer Colin Hay. The chorus is really about the selling of Australia in many ways, the overdevelopment of the country. It was a song about the loss of spirit in that country. It's really about the plundering of the country by greedy people. It is ultimately about celebrating the country, but not in a nationalistic way and not in a flag-waving sense. This song is often misinterpreted as a patriotic anthem. This became an unofficial national anthem when Australia won the America's Cup in 1983, an event the United States had never lost. The then Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke, was so delighted with Australia's win, he gave the whole country the day off and announced on the news that any boss who fired an employee for taking the day off "is a bum!"

Down Under FAQs

Who sang Down Under?

Down Under was performed by Men at Work

What year did Down Under get to the UK number 1 spot?

Down Under first became a UK number 1 on Saturday, January 29, 1983

How long was Down Under at number 1 in the UK?

Down Under spent 3 week(s) at number 1 in the UK.