Friday, May 11, 2012

New Oldies - Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport by Rolf Harris

3 comments:

  1. Brilliant - I love Rolf Harris: the man is a complete legend here in the UK.

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  2. Sorry, but that is not the original 1960 version, which I remember well, having bought a wobble board that year, which unfortunately I no longer have. Many thousands were sold throughout Australia that year and in 1961.

    In your recording Rolf clearly does not say "go loose Bruce"; in fact you mention "Lew", which was not the case with the real original, in which it was most definitely Bruce.

    You have demonstrated your ignorance of Australian history, slang and mores with your suggestion that the aboriginal stockmen were held against their will, a risible assertion by an obvious ignoramus.

    Have you ever heard of the expression "let go", Mr Knapp, when reference is made to terminating someone's employment?

    See if you can work it out from there.



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    Replies
    1. No worries, mate, but with all due respect, pig's arse, rack off! There's no need to get mad as a cut snake over this. I won't claim to be an expert on Australian history, slang, or mores, but that doesn't make me "ignorant" or an "obvious ignoramus." I personally dubbed the recording posted here from the 45 RPM record pictured here. The numbers indicate that this record was pressed in 1960. It's a different version from the later release that became a hit in the states. Therefore, I stand by what I've published here. If you read my disclaimer, you will see that I do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information I provide. I do the best I can given the resources available to me. Perhaps there were two different versions from 1960, one released in Australia and the other released in the USA. The Aussie release was on Columbia 45-DO 4131 with a purple and gold label. However, I doubt that's the case, since this version is exactly the same as the one Rolf lip-synced to when he appeared on Brian Henderson's Bandstand on Aussie television in 1960. Perhaps there was an even earlier recording with different lyrics. If that does exist, I have never seen or heard it, and it was NOT the version released in 1960 on 20th Fox 207. As for my "ignorance" of Australian history, I did not claim that aboriginal stockmen were held against their will. I said that the lyrics "can be interpreted to mean" that. I wasn't attempting to pass judgement on the controversy. I was merely trying to highlight the portion of the song that generated controversy. Of course I've heard the expression "let go" used in that context. However, the expression "go loose" hardly suggests that the subject was originally free to leave. Instead, it conjures up images of animals being released from a cage. If you can point me in the direction of a recorded version of the song where the words "go loose Bruce" are heard, I'd be very grateful. Finally, if you still think my report is not bloody deadset fair dinkum you must also take issue with the good oil on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf_Harris

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