Throwback Video Of The Week: Men At Work “Down Under”
If you’ve ever wondered what a Vegemite sandwich looks like, here’s your chance to catch a glimpse.
Men at Work made a massive debut on the U.S. music charts in 1982 with their album Business As Usual, which shot to #1 on the Billboard album chart. It stayed in the top spot for an astounding fifteen weeks. The first two singles, “Who Can It Be Now” and “Down Under,” were also U.S. chart toppers. It was a very impressive start for the five-man band from the other side of the world.
For many Americans, “Down Under” was an introduction to Australian culture. Crocodile Dundee didn’t hit theaters until 1986. The lyrics are peppered with Aussie references, including the aforementioned Vegemite sandwich. Lead singer Colin Hay (above) said the song was written as a warning about his country’s eroding identity.
The video for “Down Under” comes across as more lighthearted than the intent behind the song. It looks as though the director might have been inspired by the Monkees, making Men At Work appear more like boys at play.
