Australian Music Trivia

1. What kind of jolly person camped by a billabong?

From Quiz Waltzing Matilda: Anatomy of a Song

Answer: Swagman

A swagman is an Australian term for a person of no fixed abode who travels around doing what work is available where he goes. A billabong is a pool of water that was formerly part of a river. It only fills up with water from the river at the time of a flood.

From Quiz Red Rock

Answer: The Seekers

In 1964, London was considered to be the epicenter of culture on the globe and Beatlemania was in full swing. In the midst of this revolution an Australian band, considered too pop to be folk and too folk to be rock, found popularity and fame at a level similar to the Fab Four. Their single, "I'll Never Find Another You", written by Dusty Springfield's brother, Tom, found its way to number one in the UK and Australia and number four on Billboard's Hot 100. This also made them the first Australian band to have a top five hit in those three countries. Hits such as "A World of Our Own", "Morning Town Ride" and "The Carnival is Over" soon followed and, in 1965, The Seekers found themselves at Wembley Stadium on the same bill as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and the Animals. In January of 1968 they were announced as the "Australians of the Year" for their achievements in music, but the following month the band broke up after lead singer, Judith Durham, announced she wished to embark on a solo career.

From Quiz Australian Musicians' Cover Song Medley

Answer: Darryl Braithwaite

Darryl Braithwaite was the lead singer of Sherbert where he obtained a lot of success and the band's song "Howzat" became a cricket anthem. I think this is his best solo song.

From Quiz Australasian Musicians' Demise

Answer: Queensland - 29 August 2001 - Helicopter Crash

Shirley was the lead singer of Skyhooks, who hit the big time in the 1970s. Shirley was a man of many talents; he became a television personality firstly with a kid's show, "Shirl's Neighbourhood" and later as a chippy on "Better Homes and Gardens".

From Quiz Australian Music Medley

Answer: Kush

Leon and all the band came to see the unique Jeff Duff perform a fantastic set.

From Quiz Australian Bands and Singers

Answer: Original Sin

"Original Sin" was released in 1984 from the album "The Swing".

From Quiz Australian Music

Answer: Dame Nellie Melba

Dame Nellie was an internationally feted soprano with a powerful and lyrical voice. She performed publicly between 1886 and 1928. Her choice of stage name was derived from the city of her birth, Melbourne. Melba was made Dame Commander of the British Empire in 1918 and had dishes named after her by the great French chef Escoffier. These included Peach Melba and Melba Toast. Other accolades include her being the first Australian to appear on the cover of Time magazine (1927), and more latterly her featuring on the AUS$100 banknote. Dame Joan Sutherland was a famous Australian opera singer of the mid-20th century and although dubbed La Stupenda, her parents had been born in Scotland, just as Melba's had been. Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton John are of course more contemporary divas. Question added by Airmale.

From Quiz Who'll Come a Waltzing Matilda With Me?

Answer: A B 'Banjo' Paterson

In January, 1895, "Waltzing Matilda" was created in the sitting room at Dagworth Station, Queensland. Christina McPherson, the daughter of the owners, used to play a zither and 'Banjo' Patterson, a young solicitor and poet, made up the lyrics to go with a Scottish tune that she used to play.

From Quiz U S Hits From Australian Artists

Answer: Kangaroo

"Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" was a song abut a dying Australian stockman that hit the Top Ten in the US in 1963. Rolf Harris offered the backing musicians who helped him record the song co-writing credits but they opted to take the session fee, thinking the song would never be a success. Rolf was working for a television studio when he wrote and recorded "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" in the late fifties. He also invented the wobble board, the unusual instrument heard on "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport". The song became a worldwide hit and Rolf even sang the song with different lyrics with the Beatles on the BBC radio show, "From Us to You" at the height of the song's popularity. "The Rolf Harris Show" debuted on the BBC in 1967. Rolf is also a talented artist. In 2008 he sang "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" with other Australian musicians when he was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

From Quiz Australian Country Music #2

Answer: Dianna Corcoran

Dianna Corcoran was born and raised in Parkes, New South Wales. She is a self taught singer/songwriter and released her debut CD in 2003. In 2007 Dianna travelled to the Middle East and Solomon Islands to entertain the troops. In January 2010 Dianna released her fourth CD at the Tamworth Country Music Festival.

From Quiz Classic Australian Album Covers

Answer: "Living in the 70's" - Skyhooks

One of THE defining albums of Australian music to emerge in the seventies, Skyhooks took the local scene by storm with their 1974 debut album. Featuring the unique high-pitched voice of Graeme "Shirley" Strachan and the clever everyday-life lyrics of bassist songwriter Greg Macainsh, Skyhooks were the sharp-edged alternative to the softer melodic sound offered by Sherbet, their rivals in the mid to late 70s period. Two singles were lifted from the album, the title track and "Horror Movie". Six tracks were banned for commercial airplay, including "You Just Like Me 'Cos I'm Good in Bed", "Motorcycle Bitch" and "Smut". Sadly, Shirley Strachan passed away in August 2001 after flying a helicopter into the side of a mountain in Queensland, not far from this author's home. Album image available for viewing at: http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/FussBudgetVP/Skyhooks.jpg

From Quiz Australian Country Music #1

Answer: Lee Kernaghan

Lee Kernaghan was Australian of the year in 2008 ,because of his generous work and money he raised from his concerts for Australian farmers doing it hard.

From Quiz Aussie Songs And Their Singers

Answer: The Angels

This song was released in 1976.

From Quiz Australian Music

Answer: Savage Garden

Album of the Year - 'Savage Garden' Single of the Year - 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' Song of the Year - 'To The Moon And Back' Highest Selling Single - 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' Best Group Breakthrough Artist/Album - 'Savage Garden' Best Pop Release - 'To The Moon And Back' Best Independent Release - 'Savage Garden' Producer of the Year - Charles Fisher for 'Savage Garde' Engineer of the Year - Charles Fisher for 'Savage Garden'

From Quiz Aussie Band Blast

Answer: Dave Faulkner

The Hoodoogurus are an Aussie band that formed in Sydney in 1981.

From Quiz Australian Lyrics

Answer: Great Southern Land

"Icehouse", creators of the song "Hey Little Girl", "Great Southern Land" and many others used to be known as "Flowers".

From Quiz Oz Rock Lyrics!

Answer: Four Walls

From Cold Chisel's "Four Walls." The song is about the Bathurst riots and life in jail.

From Quiz Australians and their music

Answer: Missy Higgins

Missy's real name is Melissa.

From Quiz Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi! Oi! Oi!

Answer: Kate DeAraugo

Kate was the under dog and everyone assumed that Emily was going to win. The worst thing was, the look on the judge's faces when Kate was announced the winner was disturbing. They were shocked and didn't even congratulate Kate on her victory. They went straight to Emily and told her everything is fine and she will get a recording contract. Nice.

From Quiz Australian Music

Answer: Just As I Am

After winning 'Idol', Guy Sebastian was given a short time period to release his first album with BMG Australia.

From Quiz Some Good Old Aussie Music Pt. 2

Answer: Cold Chisel

The song is from the album 'Breakfast at Sweethearts' and was later remixed for the album 'Radio Songs'.

From Quiz Some Good Old Aussie Music Pt. 1

Answer: Men at Work

'Down Under' is from the album 'Business as Usual'.

From Quiz Another Taste of Aussie Song Lyrics

Answer: Paul Kelly

Paul Kelly, with his band the Messengers, recorded "Sydney from a 727" with Mushroom records on their "Comedy" album in May 1991.

From Quiz Which Australian Artist Was That? 90's-2000

Answer: 28 Days

Featuring Apollo 440 who 28 Days met through their record company. Apollo 440 went to see a 28 Days gig and the end result was "Say What". For those that are curious about their name the band have this to say - "If you have ever received a sheriff's warrant or fine you will notice you usually have 28 days to pay it. It's all becoming clearer now isn't it? " ~ www.28-days.com.au ~

From Quiz Australian Lead Singers

Answer: Chrissie Amphlett

They had hits such as "Science Fiction" and "Pleasure and Pain".

From Quiz Aussie Backing Bands

Answer: The Aztecs

The Aztecs went through many lineup changes through the years. Members included Vince Maloney, Tony Barber, Warren (Thumpin' Pig) Williams, Lobby Loyde etc.

From Quiz 1960s Surf Music Aussie Style

Answer: Surfside

Transistor radios or 'trannies' would be cranked up along our beaches when this song was on!

From Quiz Aussie Lyrics of the 1990s and 00s

Answer: Savage Garden

Aussie duo Savage Garden had a huge hit with their self-titled debut album both in Australia ond overseas. The above line is from the title track of their second album "Affirmation" (1999). Sadly, Savage Garden decided to call it quits at the end of 2001 after only 2 studio albums.

From Quiz More Aussie Song Lyrics

Answer: Baby Animals

From their first, self-titled album, the Baby Animals song "Rush You" was a huge hit for the band from Perth when it was released in August 1991.

From Quiz Brisbane New Wave 1977-82

Answer: The Desperate Bicycles

Titley was one of the very few Brisbane musicians of the late 70s (aside from the Saints and the Go-Betweens) to have done the impossible and perform in the UK. He later played in the likes of Antic Frantic, who became Tinytown when the band itself relocated to the UK.

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Last Updated Jul 12 2025 5:45 AM

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