Soundtrack of My Life – Aussie Jingle Bells

Soundtrack of my Life This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.

If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

Aussie Jingle Bells – Bucko & Champs

In a country where Christmas Day is generally somewhere between hot and scorching, it seems odd that we still listen to so many Christmas songs about snow and trying to stay warm in the cold weather. The imagery on Christmas cards, on our decorations and throughout our shopping centres also reflect a frosty Christmas. Nothing could be further from the truth.

That’s why Aussie Jingle Bells by Bucko & Champs has become such a classic down under. It’s a little closer to our experience of the season and the day.

Bucko & Champs is Colin Buchanan and Greg Champion. Aussie Jingle Bells was just one of the many Christmas songs that got an Australian update on their 1996 album, Aussie Christmas with Bucko & Champs.

Aussie Jingle Bells – Bucko & Champs

Dashing through the bush
In a rusty Holden Ute
Kicking up the dust
Esky in the boot
Kelpie by my side
Singing Christmas songs
It’s Summer time and I am in
My singlet, shorts and thongs

Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute.

Engine’s getting hot
We dodge the kangaroos
The swaggie climbs aboard
He is welcome too
All the family’s there
Sitting by the pool
Christmas day, the Aussie way
By the barbecue!

Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute.

Come the afternoon
Grandpa has a doze
The kids and uncle Bruce
Are swimming in their clothes
The time comes round to go
We take the family snap
Pack the car and all shoot through
Before the washing up

Oh! Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Christmas in Australia
On a scorching summer’s day
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Christmas time is beaut
Oh what fun it is to ride
In a rusty Holden Ute.

(And if you’re not from Australia, it might help you to know that ‘thongs’ are a kind of footwear down here.)

I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?

Do you have a favourite Christmas song? Do you have a favourite artist at Christmas time? I’d love to hear about what you listen to at Christmas time each year.



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Soundtrack of My Life – Almost Threw It All Away

Soundtrack of my Life This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.

If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

Almost Threw It All Away – Charlie Peacock

I’m not one of those people who generally remembers where I was the first time I heard a song … but this song is different. It was early in my radio career back in the late eighties and the Program Manager at the radio station called a few of us into his office. He had just received a cassette sampler of some new music and there was one song he just had to share.

With all the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning, Barry told us we juts had to listen to this song. He hit the play button and for the next six minutes and eleven seconds … we listened.

I don’t know what was happening for anyone else at that point but for me it was like listening to one of your all time favourite songs. It was instantly part of the soundtrack of my life. How could this song feel so familiar and at the same time be so fresh? How could a song grab me so quickly and make such an impact with just one listen?

Back in the day, we’d get sample cassettes, then at some stage get the CD copy, and then record the song from the CD onto a broadcast cartridge to play on-air. Not with this song. Barry wasn’t going to wait for the CD. This song had to be heard and so the cassette copy was recorded direct to cartridge and it was being broadcast later that day.

I still get a chill when I hear this song.

I was driving to work a few days ago with my iPod set to random shuffle. Almost Threw It All Away started playing and the volume immediately went north. I’m sure that most of the cars around me on the freeway were wondering why the ‘old guy in the blue car’ was playing his music so loud.

I can’t guarantee that this song will grip you in the same way that it still grips me, but I do hope you enjoy it.

I remember when you were just a girl
I was a boy in a big man’s world
We had no idea what time would reveal
Little did we know that
Over a million tears had to fall
That is no exageration
‘Cause I’ve counted them all
Every sad and senseless incident
Has been mine to recall

You never gave up, you never gave in
You didn’t say no…I can’t take anymore of this
You never gave up on me, you never gave in
You refused to believe that love had come to and end

I almost threw it all away
Traded truth for a lie, diamonds for clay
Oh I, almost threw it all away

Through some clever thinking and a strong imagination
I could twist the truth into any configuration
And find myself doing things
That I never dreamed I could do

I’ve known the kind of pain
Where you can’t catch your breath
You sayt if this is life
Then please bring me death
Thank God that that wish I made never ever came true

You never gave up, you never gave in
You didn’t say no…I can’t take anymore of this
You never gave up on me, you never gave in
You refused to believe that love had come to an end

True love doesn’t come and go
Here today then gone tomorrow
Doesn’t speak the wicked word
That breaks the heart in two
Doesn’t renegotiate
What it knows is true
Doesn’t give up, give in, throw it all away

I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?



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Soundtrack of My Life – The Story

Soundtrack of my Life This is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life. You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. Whether it’s the lyrics, the music, a time in my life, or a combination of reasons, the songs in my soundtrack are part of who I am.

If you take a good look you’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too. You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

The Story – Brandi Carlile

It was back in March of 2008 that I met Brandi Carlile. I was working in radio and was absolutely thrilled to be able to interview Brandi. These days I certainly have more than just the one Brandi Carlile song on my personal playlist but back then it was just this one song that had totally captured me.

The Story is a song that slowly builds before taking you on your own story as Brandi’s amazing vocals begin to kick in. It’s beautiful and raw, all at once.

When I met Brandi it was hard to imagine that such a big voice could be wrapped up in the quietly spoken lady on the other side of the studio desk. She was a delight to interview and very generous with her time.

Brandi M. Carlile (born June 1, 1981) is an American alternative country and folk rock singer-songwriter. Born in Ravensdale, Washington, she dropped out of high school to pursue a career in music, teaching herself piano and guitar. Her first commercial album, Brandi Carlile, was released to critical acclaim but to limited commercial success. Carlile garnered wider recognition for her 2007 single The Story, from the album of the same name, was a greater commercial success, and was used by General Motors for commercials.

Carlile has released six albums including The Story (2007), Give Up the Ghost (2009) and Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony (2011), the last reaching number 14 on the Top Rock Albums chart. Her 2015 album The Firewatcher’s Daughter garnered her further acclaim and her first Grammy Award nomination.

Carlile’s music through the years has been categorized in several genres, including pop, rock, alternative country, and folk. She said of her style, “I’ve gone through all sorts of vocal phases, from pop to blues to R&B, but no matter what I do, I just can’t get the country and western out of my voice.” Carlile has been a part of several activism campaigns and advocates for causes ranging from spreading awareness for health issues to women empowerment. – Wiki

Take a few minutes to crank up the volume and enjoy an amazing song from Brandi Carlile then go out and buy some of her albums. You won’t regret it.

I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?



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Soundtrack of My Life – This Head I Hold

Soundtrack of my LifeThis is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life.

You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. You’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too.

You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

This Head I Hold – Electric Guest

Electric Guest has only released one album so far, 2012’s Mondo, but there is a second on the way. They finished recording in February so it’s just a matter of time until we hear some new music from them.

I have a vast music collection with many hundreds of albums. Mondo by Electric Guest is certainly up there among my favourites.

Electric Guest is a Los Angeles-based band formed in 2011. The group comprises Asa Taccone and Matthew “Cornbread” Compton. Brothers Todd and Tory Dahlhoff play bass and keyboards/guitar, respectively, in the touring version of the band. – Wiki

I’m a big fan of their sound and I’m a strong believer that friends don’t let friends go through life without introducing them to Electric Guest’s music.

Here’s the ‘out there’ video for This Head I Hold, a great single from Mondo. You may have heard it behind a TV commercial or two but listen all the way through and enjoy it as the great song it is.

I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?



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Soundtrack of My Life – Farewell Aunty Jack

Soundtrack of my LifeThis is one of a regular series of articles highlighting some of the music that has played a part in my life.

You’ll find a range of songs from old to new. You’ll probably find music that has been part of the soundtrack of your life too.

You can also check out some of the other songs that make up the soundtrack of my life.

Farewell Aunty Jack – Aunty Jack

Today’s song comes from the early 70s and an odd, yet very funny comedy series, Aunty Jack.

“Farewell Aunty Jack” was the closing theme to The Aunty Jack Show, played at the end of each episode. It was re-recorded and released as a hit single in late 1973 and spent 3 weeks at number one in the charts in Australia in March 1974. The music was written by Rory O’Donoghue, who also did the singing as the character “Thin Arthur”, whereas “Aunty Jack” (Grahame Bond) provided wise-cracks and other spoken commentary to the lyrics, addressed to the listener and the singer. – Wiki

I had the pleasure of interviewing Grahame Bond when I worked in radio and then meeting Grahame and Rory after the show when they toured The Aunty Jack Show and Tell in 2006.

I’d encourage you to get involved too. Let me know about some of the songs that are etched in your mind. What are the tunes that bring back a flood of memories every time their opening notes start cranking out on your stereo? Are there songs you love for their music and others that speak deeply through their lyrics?



Do you think some of your friends would enjoy reading Soundtrack of My Life – Farewell Aunty Jack? Please use the buttons below to share the post. Thanks.