Released in 1981, "Down Under" by Men At Work became an international phenomenon, eventually serving as Australia's unofficial national anthem. While the music video is celebrated for its quirky, light-hearted humor, it contains a darker undercurrent reflecting songwriter Colin Hay’s concerns regarding overdevelopment and the "plundering" of Australian identity. This paper examines how the video’s visual narrative both reinforces and subverts Australian stereotypes.
The following paper analyzes the music video for by Men At Work , exploring its production, symbolic imagery, and the complex cultural legacy it holds as both a global hit and a misunderstood social commentary.
"Down Under" was the lead single from the band's debut album, Business as Usual . In January 1983, Men At Work achieved the rare feat of simultaneously holding the No. 1 album and No. 1 single on both the US Billboard and UK charts. The song's ubiquity was cemented when it was adopted by the crew of Australia II during their 1983 America’s Cup victory and later performed at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Abstract
