Best known for his timeless "Alternative National Anthem," True Blue, a heartfelt, though not-at-all-mawkish, display of good old Aussie pride, sung in a proud Australian accent, the True Blue Balladeer has been at the top of his game now for over 40 years.
Since first hitting the big time with Old Man Emu back in 1970, the talented 66-year-old has continued to be very much in demand, releasing acclaimed albums, performing to appreciative audiences and collecting gongs at prestigious award shows.
John Williamson: "Fair Dinkum"
"‘True Blue’ in Australia is a term adopted from our past, but now has a more down-to–earth meaning than perhaps the patriotic inference initially intended," concedes the native of the Mallee, the most north-westerly district of the southern state of Victoria, explaining the sentiment behind his timeless masterpiece. ‘True Blue’ to us is more about being an honest individual.
"Certainly a loyal friend and loyal to Australia, but not someone who is necessarily over-nationalistic. A person whose word is his or her bond. ‘Fair dinkum’ has a similar meaning - someone you can trust. Steve Irwin was a perfect example of such an individual. Steve and I had a lot in common because we were mutually concerned about the survival of all our native species of flora and fauna."
Steve Irwin: True Blue
The close relationship that the "Mallee Boy" enjoyed with the much-missed "Crocodile Hunter" was there for all to see, when a clearly-emotional Williamson managed to hold back the tears long enough to perform True Blue (Irwin's favourite song) at his friend's memorial service on the 20th September 2006, in front of a 5,000-strong crowd and a worldwide TV audience estimated to be over 300 million.
A particularly heart-breaking moment, in what was a very moving tribute, came when the fearless animal lover's battered old truck was symbolically loaded up for the last time and driven out of the Crocoseum at Australia Zoo - to a spontaneous burst of applause - as the strains of a lone troubadour's most endearingly popular song echoed plaintively around the auditorium.
Visibly-distressed mourners, some of whom had worked closely with the larger-than-life character on various conservation projects, wiped away tears, held their loved ones close or simply stood silently -heads-bowed, hands clasped together in sombre reflection - taking comfort in the simple, yet extremely fitting, words of a song that took on an altogether more poignant significance that day.
"Singing True Blue at Steve Irwin’s memorial service was one of the most challenging things I’ve done in my career," admits John. "He was a mate and I had to sing it in front of his family and closest crocodile-hunting mates.
"I’m an emotional man and found it very hard to keep it together. The rehearsal the day before prepared me well, however, knowing what was coming up on the screen etc. I hid myself away until I was needed to perform. I told myself that it wasn’t my luxury, if you like, to cry when others were hurting more than I."
John Williamson: True Aussie Pride
Suite101: What does being Australian mean to you?
"Being Australian for me is to feel truly free. I think we have a little more control over our destiny than most countries. While politicians are never completely honest, I think Australian politicians are more open to scrutiny than in other countries.
"It is not uncommon for our Prime Minister to go on talk-back radio and ‘cop’ embarrassing questions from the public. I think, because of our convict background, we have a healthy disrespect for authority - that’s why there is no class distinction.
"If you think you are better than others you have to prove it. Respect is not handed down. We have what they call ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’, where if you stick your head up too high it will be chopped off! I think that trait makes us work harder to prove we deserve the right to stand tall.
"What I have fought against, however, is the fact that we are often respected more by fellow Aussies if we have become famous overseas. I believe that is a symptom that lingers from our past of being tied to England (our so called ‘Mother Country’).
"How ridiculous it is that maybe half of us don’t believe we should have our own head of state. (The British Queen is still our head of state.) So that, to my mind, is a combination of ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’ inferiority complex.
"Time and time again we prove to be equal to the world in all endeavours. I have designed a ‘True Blue’ flag that has no British Union Jack, to keep annoying the monarchists."
The Origins of True Blue
"John Singleton, an advertising ‘guru’ in Australia was piloting a TV show called True Blue Aussies in 1983," recalls the million-selling artist, looking back on how he came to pen his most enduring hit almost 30 years ago.
"As I had written some jingles for him, he approached me to write a theme song for the show. It was later donated to the ‘Buy Australian’ campaign, which really made it universally popular. It very frequently is used at funerals by families who regard their lost loved one as an Aussie with the qualities I mentioned earlier.
"But the song also is found to be popular with Aussies overseas who miss Australia. I think my honest accent also underlines our down-to-earth nature."
Adrian Peel - Adrian is an English freelance writer and journalist currently living in Mexico. Over the past eight years, he has had articles, features ...
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