I Survived Australia Day

When a person thinks of the word “patriotic”, the country that automatically comes to mind is America – we sing the national anthem at EVERY sporting event, every citizen knows the lyrics of “Proud to be an American” (or you better at least know the chorus...), and we even make our children PLEDGE their ALLEGIANCE to our flag every morning of the working week from kindergarten until they graduate high school.  America bleeds patriotism, and I love that about my country.  Without a doubt, the most patriotic day of the year is Independence Day – we dress in our country’s colors, we tattoo ourselves in American flags and bald eagles, and we drink Budweiser out of limited edition American flag cans as we get drunk on our country’s pride and awesomeness…

Well, Australia also believes in this patriotism, and they also thrive at it.  Although they may not sing their national anthem before EVERY rugby and cricket match, they do know how to celebrate their country’s heritage and independence, and they cram it all in one day. This day is simply called: Australia Day.  On the 26^th of January every year, Australians take out their flag capes and blow up their Australian sandal floatation devices and head to the nearest beach or park to have a BBQ with friends and family. Think 4^th of July celebrations, but instead of slurring the lyrics to “God Bless America”, Australians religiously listen to the national radio station, Triple J, which counts down the “Hottest 100” songs of the past year.  I have never met so many people with the same tradition – no matter if the Aussie was stuck at work, relaxing at home, or partying it up on a yacht in the middle of the Sydney Harbour… they were listening to Triple J and eagerly hoping that their “hot list” would make the national list of popular songs. 

You must know this about Triple J: there is no Katy Perry, or Brittany Spears, or Lil Wayne – these artists are all too mainstream for this radio station.  The artists that typically* play on Triple J are independent artists, although it has become more common throughout the years for an overplayed “Top 40” song to slip its way into the Hottest 100.  Beginning late December, Triple J features a countdown to Australia Day, as well as a short list of songs (around 200 songs) by artists that have proven to be popular throughout the past year.  The short list typically gives the browser (me) an idea of what songs to choose for my personal Hot List, which featured A$AP Rocky, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Flume, The Wombats and a few others. Although the featured short list typically holds the Top 10 songs of the year, your personal Hot List does not have to have any of the suggested songs - YOU chose who YOU think should be considered the Best Song of the Year.

The countdown started midday on Australia Day with the 100^th song and made its way down to the Top 10 around 8pm. By this time, Australians are typically drunk off of VB – [point of reference: VB is their Budweiser, so for all of you that thought Australians drink Fosters – you are very wrong] – and full from eating sausages with grilled onions and barbecue sauce.  The Top 10 is what everyone has been waiting for the entire day; all anticipating who will make the number one spot of 2013…

… everyone thought it was going to be Royals by Lorde (I ranked Team by Lorde #8 in my hot list) or Get Lucky by Daft Punk (ugh so overplayed)…

…I wanted it to be Do I Wanna Know by Arctic Monkeys…

…but everyone was stumped when #1 came in and it was Riptide by Vance Joy. Great song – and a great win for a song featuring the ukulele!  

If you want to see the entire Hottest 100 list - click here.

I have celebrated 22 years of American pride, but this year marked my first official Australia Day celebration - and let me tell you, I was not disappointed. Australians sure know how to take pride in their wonderful country! They don't say it often (although, I bet you think otherwise), but if they do, they say it on Australia Day - so I'll end on this...

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!