Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Sam's the man to take Julie's crown

Sam Moran is the man. When I saw him singing the National Anthem at tonight’s State of Origin, I thought ‘finally, a contender’. To the crown. Julie Anthony’s crown, that is.

When I was growing up, Julie Anthony was Australia’s anthem singer. No matter what the occasion, no matter what the crowd, she’d be there. She knew the rules – you sing it straight, you sing it loud, you allow enough time between notes for the people in the cheap seats to catch up.

Somewhere around about the time that Gen X realised that the idea of ‘jobs for life’ was no longer viable, singing the anthem went from being an honour to being a ‘marketing opportunity’. And so began a long and varied parade of ‘personalities’ giving us their version of what is, essentially, a not very exciting song. Important, but not that exciting.

The ones I particularly dislike are the vocal gymnasts, more interested in showing us what they ‘got’ than delivering the song. And you often get the impression that they couldn’t launch into the second verse if, by some strange twist of fate, an encore was demanded.

Julie wasn’t like that. She could have sung that song backwards, sideways and upside down, through as many choruses as there are (only two officially now, though it began life with four). She knew the original version (‘Australian sons etc’) as well as the current, more inclusive version (‘Australians all etc’).

And now we have Sam. As the lead singer of The Wiggles, Sam knows how to deliver a tune to a packed, squirming stadium. He knows that his audience wants to sing along, not be sung at. He knows that a fast game is a good game, and his audience suffers from the modern syndrome known as ‘Short Attention Span’.

He and Julie have a lot in common. The same ringing, bell-like tone to the voice (though his is admittedly considerably deeper). The dark hair. The serious expression softened with a smile. He’s even promoting a grown-up album of love songs, a genre which Julie made her own.

The decisive point, however, is the fact that both work/ed with large, green faux animals, albeit one a dragon and one a dinosaur. (I just don’t know that Julie married hers.)

I fully expect to see him wheeled out again in the near future to claim his crown.

23 comments:

  1. First the scrapbooking, now The Wiggles!! NO!!!I suppose I ought to give the guy a chance, never having heard him belt out your National Anthem. But I could probably get by.

    Don't know Julie Anthony. Only Julie Andrews!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do you know my husband?! He said nearly exactly the same thing!

    I am glad. I am a Wiggles slapper: there is no purist in me: I like Sam.

    ReplyDelete
  3. @deer baby Sorry, this was a bit 'for the viewers at home', I know. Let me reassure you that there was no Wiggles context lest you think me a total tragedy. Is your national anthem a marketing opportunity or do you have a select roster of those allowed to sing it at big occasions? Genuinely interested to hear.

    @Lucy Yes, your husband was here on our sofa, right next to my husband. We had quite a discussion about all this. Mostly about the need to keep it simple. And, after seven years in their company, I am a person with 'favourite' Wiggles songs. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oooh, I'm sad I missed it. I loved Julie's renditions of the anthem. I have a theory when I watch sport. Those who sing along, hand of heart, with the anthem are those most likely to triumph in the game. Tragically, the vocal gymnasts always seemed to stun the players too - how can you sing along with someone who spans three octaves in the space of one note?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ohhh, Sam. We have only recently graduated to Disney Princess land (with Hannah Montana aspirations) leaving the Wiggles behind, and I can't believe you have reminded me that I actually miss Sam's dulcet tones.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I don't really do Sam. I'm a Wiggles purist. But, it's true we need a Julie Anthony torch bearer and if Sam's the man, then I'm okay with it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh my goodness, you are possibly quite the brilliantest person I have met. I had never realised what was lacking from our National Anthems at Sporting Events until you reminded me of Julie Anthony. Yes. Straight singing, clear, get the job done Julie. No need to cringe or dissect the performance. Sing the song, done, kick the ball.

    Didn't see Sam sing, but if he accomplished the Julie-factor, then I will happily sign the petition to get him to sing the anthem at all televised events from now on.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I loved Sam.

    Do you remember when Barry Crocker used to sing at 'our' Carols By Candlelight {and sometimes Julie Anthony too} and we all thought it was THE best thing EVER?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those who don't 'do' Sam should realise that I'm giving you an out here - he will be so busy singing the anthem and all that... But Greg is ill, and can no longer give the yellow skivvy the energy it requires (and it requires a lot). I don't think we should hold that against Sam. The kids love him. As, apparently, do I - in an anthem-singing kind of way.

    As for Barry Crocker - god love you for bringing him up @FatMumSlim My overwhelming memory of him is how he managed to slip the Neighbours theme into every occasion. Even the Christmas carols.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I wish I had something witty to add, but I'm laughing so hard, I can't think straight, let alone type! You've once again brightened my rather overcast, grey day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Did not see the anthem, but know just what you mean - succinctly and hilariously put!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Last time I had to have a Wiggles DVD on Greg was the yellow skivvy wearing singer. I have nothing against Sam, although he did marry a rosy tea drinking dinosaur. I do however have a thing against the vocal gymnastics performed on our national anthem... and I'm not all that patriotic...

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm with Kylie L. - I miss Greg - I'm a Wiggles Purist too. Hot Potato hot potato ... that's my favourite song and I have attended a concert. They were big when my 16 yo was a little 'un. We still put on the Wiggles Christmas CD at Christmas time for old time's sake lol. Tragic.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bring back The Cockroaches! That is all.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I've said it before. I'll say it again:

    The Wiggles must die.

    (Sorry Australia)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh yes, and didn't we sing it with gusto at the Carols. Bless. x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Spooky Al! And agree, the man can sing! He was the best of all The Wiggles so am sure he will be gainfully employed again soon!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great comparison! Never realized how similar they are!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Aha, I remember Julie Anthony from way back when... she was a ral trouper. I think I've missed out on the whole Sam situation... I was so over-Wiggled with my big boys that I didn't encourage any Wigglmaia with the next too. Whoosh - there goes another popular cultural stoushie, right over my head!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ah, just one of what I'm sure will be many new employment opportunities for dear Sam. Great post, and I agree 100%. Visiting via the Rewind.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Gosh, you knew Sam'd be looking for a new job MONTHS ago! Do you happen to know the Lotto numbers?

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is actually quite spooky now huh? Poor ol' Sam. Thank goodness he *can* sing is all I can say. He'll need to get himself a new gig. Thanks for joining the Rewind x

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for popping by the Fibro. I love to hear from you!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...