Do not underestimate Men At Work. These guys were HUGE in 1983. Their Debut album "Business As Usual" was #1 for 15 weeks (a world record for a debut album)...Just behind "Synchronicity" (#1 for 17 weeks) and "Thriller" (22 weeks). MTV was still new and Men At Work had great videos...thanks to the charisma and humor of Colin Hay...which definitely helped their popularity. "Down Under" was #1 for 4 weeks. There were 5 hit singles on the album and they won the Grammy for Best New Artist. They achieved a lot in a very short time.
@@Deborahtunes True, but it became #1 in the US in late 1982 and into 1983. "Down Under" was #1 in 1983, all the singles except "Who Can It Be Now?" were released in 1983 and they won their Grammy in 1983. Plus they toured the US and did the US Festival in 83. So 83 was their big year.
they were so huge, and i think they were savvy to jump on the video as a promotional art form, and to play up their humorous side. i think their humor really helped their broad appeal, especially during that early 80s period when New Wave and New Romanticism was rather serious-feeling.
Remember this band well. Back then the sax / other instruments were common in our music. Great musicianship in the bands. More variety. Reminds me of Huey Lewis and the News, which i recall had big hits just a few years later.
ah yes...the kiss of death that is that best new artist grammy...other casualties of which were Jody Watley, Christopher Cross, Toni Braxton and most cringingly, Milli Vanilli which was later rescinded.
This song blew in and blew up SO fast. It was SO refreshing when it hit the scene. Overkill is one you MUST listen to if you do more from them. It is still relevant today.
Love INXS. third vote for Never Tear us Apart. What you need, need you tonight,new sensation, beautiful girl all worth a listen. Beds are burning by midnight oil is a good call.
Colin Hay (Men At Work lead) is a great songwriter and is still going strong. In Men At Work, the track Overkill from their second album Cargo is probably the standout. If you're curious, he's got some great solo material. The record "Going Somewhere" from 2000 is absolutely brilliant and highly recommended.
I’m so glad you finally got to Men At Work. Their music still makes me happy to this day. My favorite by them is “Overkill”. “Down Under” has fun lyrics and “It’s a Mistake” is great too. Big Country was another band from the early 80s with the song “In A Big Country” that used a bagpipe type sound that was really good. I still remember all of the videos from these songs. It really takes me back to good times.
The solo, slowed-down, acoustic version of their song "Overkill" done by their lead singer / writer Colin Hay is for sure worth a listen. Incredible song.
The element of this song that always tickled me was how the drums mimicked " knocking " when Colin Hay would sing " who can it be knocking at my door ? ... " and the drumbs would echo this with the three more pronounced " bang-bang-band "
INXS. Another Aussie band from the 80s. They became HUGE in 1987 but I love their early stuff and I think you would too. The song Don't Change broke them into the States. A minor hit at the time but it has become better known over the years.
I’d love to see an introduction to INXS with something earlier like that! Other reactors hit their later hits, but Don’t Change, Burn For You, and The One Thing were my introduction to them and I fell in love with their sound.
Watching the music video is a must. The song stands on its own but the lead singer in the video is all in for this one. His mannerisms and facial expressions are perfect for playing the part of a recluse who’s paranoid about visitors, especially ones who come over without knocking! I can relate. “Overkill,” is my favorite of theirs. The music video is also great.
@@JKM395 It is truly saddening. It was a rock-and-roll staple from the Stones’ “Brown Sugar” to Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” We need more brass.
I think they actually had a lot of great songs with "Beds Are Burning" just being the best-known. "The Dead Heart" on that same record is even better IMHO. And when we're diving into Aussie bands then there's no way around INXS, I'd say. Certainly one of the best 80s bands in general. Oh, and Crowded House, of course, another Aussie gem from that era.
"Overkill" and "Be Good Johnny" are also really good songs by them. Such a big and refreshing arrival by them. Too bad they didn't have more legs. IMHO, in this period there were a lot of 70s rock bands do bad reimaginings that were probably driven by record company execs, and also a lot of 80s pop that was utterly sterile, from simpler arrangements but also the newish digital recordings. Men at Work were a refreshing element in this time. They also had some nice staying power in pop culture. I like this version in "Scrubs" more than I like the original! th-cam.com/video/jrGmcuj44DQ/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=HugeScrubsFan
Men At Work's popularity was due to MTV airing their videos non-stop (Who Can It Be Now, Down Under and Be good Johnny) in 1982/1983. Colin Hay lead singer was magnetic on screen-he had weird google eyes.. My younger sister liked them-they were slightly teenybopperish for me but better than most of the bands that came out of the 80s.
Men At Work are an Australian rock band formed in1978. Their biggest hits were "Who Can It Be Now?" & "Down Under". They had some other songs such as "Be Good Johnny", "Overkill", "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", "It's A Mistake", "Everything I Need", "Maria", "The Longest Night". Men At Work performed "Down Under" at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, alongside Paul Hogan of "Crocodile" Dundee.
I was in 6th grade when this dropped in the early 80’s…and for all you younger folk, this album was HUGE in its time…this was everywhere on pop radio stations and MTV (when they actually played videos).
That Scrubs cameo was great! I actually bought the show's soundtrack on CD back in the day just to have that stripped down version of Overkill. Good stuff!
These guys were churning out hits right out of the gate. You may have had to experience that era first hand to really appreciate their music though. Very unique and refreshing. Their album Cargo had my personal faves "It's A Mistake" and "Overkill".
The 80's saw a bit of an invasion of music from Australia and New Zealand with artists entering the scene such as Split Enz (and later Crowded House), INXS, Men at Work, Nick Cave, The Church, Midnight Oil, The Go-Betweens, and many others. Your next Men at Work song should be "Overkill." The chorus is a total earworm. But I hope you'll get around to the other artists, too. INXS released some of the biggest songs of the '80s. And in '88 The Church, who are still recording great music today, released one of my favorite songs of all time -- "Under the Milky Way." It is atmospheric, dreamy, and completely intoxicating.
Overkill is a great one by them. Colin Hay guest starred in Scrubs and performed an awesome solo acoustic version of the song, which is on one of his solo albums. He’s on tour with Ringo’s All Starr Band. He’s a great story teller and his shows are great.
You should also do "It's a Mistake", "I Come From A Land Down Under" (gave Americans their introduction to Vegemite), "Be Good Johnny" and "Overkill" by them.
I saw Men at Work in concert with their backup band INXS. I WENT TO SEE MEN AT WORK BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT INXS WAS GREAT! I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THEM BEFORE.
I hadn’t connected this to the Outfield like Andy did, but that’s really true. I think Men at Work was a much better band, but those songs have similarities. It’s fun to see A&A build such extensive reference points - part of the reason this is the best reaction channel on YT. Feel like a proud older brother, lol. 🙂
Hay's voice on this track especially always makes me think of Huey Lewis, especially from stuff like "The Heart of Rock and Roll". An Australian Huey Lewis singing for The Outfield definitely comes pretty close to describing at least this particular Men at Work song I think.
Outfield were much later in the '80s and, lucky, one-hit wonder pop-blather. They are '80s boredom while Men At Work are genius. Relating the 2 is: not acceptable nor viable. No.
Man, I had (and wore out...lol) all of the cassettes of both the Outfield and Men at Work. I liked both bands very much, but in NO way shape or form were Men at Work "better" than The Outfield! They both had many good songs that I liked, but overall, Cover to Cover of all albums added, The Outfield were much better songwriters and moved me more with their songs. But don't get me wrong they Both influenced me much because I listened to them a LOT. A lot of it is timing probably...I was only 11/12 when this album came out, and the outfield stuff came out just a few years later really after the men at work were on the backside of their huge success! But cheers to the listen!
@@geneferguson7408 I fear, sir, that you may be using the term "good songs" in the commonized fashion: i.e.: "...I like them... ...so, they're 'really good'..." However: what I was referring to (and, likely, should have been more specific about) was: actual song-writing (and arrangement). The Outfield had "attractive head-boppers" which were" earworms and made girls shake & bounce ... ...they weren't terrible, or anything, however: they, also, were: pretty basic and unspectacular. ...from a song-writing standpoint. Also: much poppier and "flood the radio - years later: the elevator..."🤪 ...I mean name me ONE Outfield track that has the mood or texture or nuance of, say: "Down By The Sea"; the GORGEOUS "Catch A Star" or, even "Touching The Untouchables". ...or a song like: "It's A Mistake" (which may be the finest pop-rock song of the '80s!) ... Colin Hay and Ron Strykert were geniuses ...and even after Men At Work came apart, Colin was giving solo performances, in rooms; sometimes with 20 people in them (sometimes 200🤷🤷), at the same level of excellence, intimacy and strength, night-after-night. -It's ...whatever. You came out preferring The Outfield (for whatever reasons). I cannot, nor would ever want to, "fight with" your memories or the pleasing sense of nostalgia that their music offers you. As I believe I, already, stated: they didn't "suck," outright ...but: I see little to compare these 2 bands and ...if we are going to start breaking-down songs: MEN AT WORK wins. Easily. (...which is why I recommend their music to those who have an interest in learning about/pursuing the craft.). 👍
If you listen to "Overkill" - and you should! - you have to listen to the album version, and then the acoustic version done by lead singer Colin Haye, years later. You'll understand how the delivery can change your perception of the song. My favorite song of theirs.
You barely scratched the surface of Men at Work. They have a ton of very cool songs that wasn't popular but really awesome tunes. Dr Jeckle and Mr. Jive is one of them. They just had fun songs.
Men at Work were my #1 favorite group growing up... their debut album, Business as Usual, came out when I was 12 years old and their follow up album, Cargo, just a year later. I wore those two records out I played them so much. But even more than recommending other great MaW songs, I would recommend the many fantastic songs by lead singer Colin Hay from his solo career. Colin is an amazing talent and so great to see live. His solo work is thoughtful with gorgeous melodies. Highly recommended!
I've noticed other reaction vids on Prince not being taken down. As a Gen Xer, the American party record of the mid-80s was 1999, hands down. Maybe you guys could try hitting that? Little Red Corvette might be THE quintessential New Wave song, so effin' good.
Either one would be great. I wish the Prince estate wasn’t so stingy with copyright. Could introduce a lot of younger people my age (I’m 20) to his stuff
In one of the odder line-ups, I saw them open for Fleetwood Mac. In any case, and speaking of Aussie bands, I am surprised you haven't reacted to any Inxs.
The song was written about a friend who is hiding in his house trying to act like no one's home to keep the bill collectors from knocking on the door all day without leaving.
The key to having fun with Men at Work is to watch their videos. They really captured what early music videos were supposed to be - - entertaining. I don't think a band had more fun than these guys with that kind of media.
Always loved Men at Work. This song Who Can it be Now was foreshadowing society change in attitude of isolation. Prior to mid-90s, everyone would race to the door when someone would knock. Now, we (I) hide if someone unexpectedly come over. 😂😂😂
Business as Usual is a GREAT album. I was in the Navy on a 7-month West Pac/IO cruise when this came out. When I came back, my 4-year old daughter introduced me to this album by playing "Down Under" for me. She loved it and I did, too Hit "Be Good Johnny" next. Cheers....
80s classic! I’m loving all of these early to mid 80s songs you’re going through! With each passing song, you’re liking the decade more, I can tell
I agree about this song...my least favorite of their hits.
Y'all gotta go to "Down Under," "Overkill," and especially "It's a Mistake."
I remember this as a kid when it came out lol I'm 47 now and still love it
@@christopherdeguilio6375 down under is their best imo, followed by its a mistake, a Cold War song
Do not underestimate Men At Work. These guys were HUGE in 1983. Their Debut album "Business As Usual" was #1 for 15 weeks (a world record for a debut album)...Just behind "Synchronicity" (#1 for 17 weeks) and "Thriller" (22 weeks). MTV was still new and Men At Work had great videos...thanks to the charisma and humor of Colin Hay...which definitely helped their popularity. "Down Under" was #1 for 4 weeks. There were 5 hit singles on the album and they won the Grammy for Best New Artist. They achieved a lot in a very short time.
Actually "Business As Usual" was released in April of 1982 in the US, (1981 for Australia)...
@@Deborahtunes True, but it became #1 in the US in late 1982 and into 1983. "Down Under" was #1 in 1983, all the singles except "Who Can It Be Now?" were released in 1983 and they won their Grammy in 1983. Plus they toured the US and did the US Festival in 83. So 83 was their big year.
they were so huge, and i think they were savvy to jump on the video as a promotional art form, and to play up their humorous side. i think their humor really helped their broad appeal, especially during that early 80s period when New Wave and New Romanticism was rather serious-feeling.
Remember this band well. Back then the sax / other instruments were common in our music. Great musicianship in the bands. More variety. Reminds me of Huey Lewis and the News, which i recall had big hits just a few years later.
ah yes...the kiss of death that is that best new artist grammy...other casualties of which were Jody Watley, Christopher Cross, Toni Braxton and most cringingly, Milli Vanilli which was later rescinded.
"Overkill" would have been a good one to include in your Halloween poll. Great tune.
There’s an acoustic version of Overkill that’s amazing!
That’s my favorite Men At Work song!
@@dancingmachine47 Yup, from SCRUBS. I remember it VERY well... so much so I learned how to play it.
That is an outstanding MAW song. The melody always takes me back mentally to that time period.
@@dancingmachine47 This one, I always loved Colin Hays voice, very underrated. th-cam.com/video/quzZaJI4b1A/w-d-xo.html
This song blew in and blew up SO fast. It was SO refreshing when it hit the scene. Overkill is one you MUST listen to if you do more from them. It is still relevant today.
Yes, if you listen to nothing else from MAW, you must listen to Overkill.
I agree. Love this song ❤️
@@philiphatterman5335 That's the one I came here to suggest.
As someone who suffers from depression, Overkill is so relatable.
Overkill is up there with their best. (On a side note to post Gen X'ers, observe of the correct use of "there" and "their" in the previous sentence).
Men at Work was HUGE. Their videos were excellent. Rest in Peace, Greg Ham (saxophone)
Their song "Overkill" is on a completely different level. Really, really good. Super tasteful.
Definitely need to hit INXS, love “Never Tear us apart”, plus they have a pretty deep catalog. I second Midnight Oil “ Beds are burning “
Definitely second "Never Tear us apart."
I remember watching them live in concert on Mtv and they were just tearing it up! Big fan!
Love INXS. third vote for Never Tear us Apart. What you need, need you tonight,new sensation, beautiful girl all worth a listen. Beds are burning by midnight oil is a good call.
Also love Overkill and It's a Mistake from them. Good tunes both.
Colin Hay (Men At Work lead) is a great songwriter and is still going strong. In Men At Work, the track Overkill from their second album Cargo is probably the standout. If you're curious, he's got some great solo material. The record "Going Somewhere" from 2000 is absolutely brilliant and highly recommended.
I’m so glad you finally got to Men At Work. Their music still makes me happy to this day. My favorite by them is “Overkill”. “Down Under” has fun lyrics and “It’s a Mistake” is great too.
Big Country was another band from the early 80s with the song “In A Big Country” that used a bagpipe type sound that was really good.
I still remember all of the videos from these songs. It really takes me back to good times.
Overkill is probably my favorite song of theirs!
Agreed on 'In A Big Country'! Also, it was one of my favorite songs to play on Rock Band (2?).
@@sirhoopalot1 It’s so good isn’t it? I love it when it comes up on my playlist.
I think the instrument Big Country used was called an ebow. I could be spelling that wrong.
The bagpipe sound was achieved using an MXR M-129 Pitch Transposer
So the next Aussie band you have to hit is INXS. Must listen for 80's.
The solo, slowed-down, acoustic version of their song "Overkill" done by their lead singer / writer Colin Hay is for sure worth a listen. Incredible song.
YES!!!
Watch the ‘Scrubs’ montage. Brilliant
Definitely.
The element of this song that always tickled me was how the drums mimicked " knocking " when Colin Hay would sing " who can it be knocking at my door ? ... " and the drumbs would echo this with the three more pronounced " bang-bang-band "
INXS. Another Aussie band from the 80s. They became HUGE in 1987 but I love their early stuff and I think you would too. The song Don't Change broke them into the States. A minor hit at the time but it has become better known over the years.
"Don't Change" would be an outstanding intro to INXS.
I’d love to see an introduction to INXS with something earlier like that! Other reactors hit their later hits, but Don’t Change, Burn For You, and The One Thing were my introduction to them and I fell in love with their sound.
@@amyk9175 absolutely agree! Those early songs really hooked me and stay with me today.
I’ve been begging
INXS is a deep dive. They never had a bad song. “Never Tear Us Apart” would be my favorite if I were forced to pick.
I was predicting a B+ rating, so I'm happy with that. It is a purely pop song, and it fulfills that role. I miss all those sax solos from the 80's!!
Colin Hay's solo work is nice, too. His acoustic version of "Overkill" and "Waiting for My Real Life to Begin" are notable.
Watching the music video is a must. The song stands on its own but the lead singer in
the video is all in for this one. His mannerisms and facial expressions are perfect for
playing the part of a recluse who’s paranoid about visitors, especially ones who come
over without knocking! I can relate. “Overkill,” is my favorite of theirs. The music video
is also great.
Yes Colin is definitely an animated artist, it's better watching him live.
Overkill and It's a Mistake are the two moderate hits that need explored. Overkill before Mistake
"It's a Mistake" was another big one for them.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Whoever decided we don’t need saxophone music anymore should be flogged.
You mean saxophone in popular music, correct?
@@fuchsiaswing8545 I do indeed. It’s disappeared in recent years.
@@JKM395 It is truly saddening. It was a rock-and-roll staple from the Stones’ “Brown Sugar” to Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side.” We need more brass.
You need to hit Big Country.....In a Big Country...Hearing Men at work queued up Big Country in my mind..Hit It...will not disappoint!
Stewart Copeland's drum tracks are always amazing. It's like, they sound live. It doesn't sound like a recording.
OVERKILL is their best. A gem!!! 🧡🧡🧡
If you’re going to do Aussie bands, I’d love to see you do Midnight Oil’s “Beds are Burning”
I second that!
Can't agree, I tried liking Midnight Oil, but their in-your-face politics are the very definition of "jejune"
I think they actually had a lot of great songs with "Beds Are Burning" just being the best-known. "The Dead Heart" on that same record is even better IMHO.
And when we're diving into Aussie bands then there's no way around INXS, I'd say. Certainly one of the best 80s bands in general.
Oh, and Crowded House, of course, another Aussie gem from that era.
Some INXS!!
That whole album kicks ass!
y'all need to hit INXS before I pass out because you haven't.
New Sensation, Need You Tonight, What You Need, and Never Tear Us Apart are all great songs by them.
Suicide Blond, too.
@@Kraffff Suicide Blond
Start with Don't Change.
Listen Like Thieves
Devil Inside
Disappear
A&A, their other big hit was "Down Under"!! Very catchy and unique sound of the vocals and music. Colin Hay on lead vocals.
"Overkill" and "Be Good Johnny" are also really good songs by them. Such a big and refreshing arrival by them. Too bad they didn't have more legs.
IMHO, in this period there were a lot of 70s rock bands do bad reimaginings that were probably driven by record company execs, and also a lot of 80s pop that was utterly sterile, from simpler arrangements but also the newish digital recordings. Men at Work were a refreshing element in this time.
They also had some nice staying power in pop culture. I like this version in "Scrubs" more than I like the original!
th-cam.com/video/jrGmcuj44DQ/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=HugeScrubsFan
Andy mentioned he has heard Down Under. Overkill. But I saw them in Australia and they far better live!
@@jgsrhythm100 and Alex has not heard Down Under.
@@surlechapeau
True, music share Monday
Next up: INXS & New sensation. If anyone appreciated an Orange Slice, it was Michael Hutchence
Agree 💯 %
MY FIRST CONCERT!!
August 83
INXS OPENED!
Men At Work's popularity was due to MTV airing their videos non-stop (Who Can It Be Now, Down Under and Be good Johnny) in 1982/1983. Colin Hay lead singer was magnetic on screen-he had weird google eyes.. My younger sister liked them-they were slightly teenybopperish for me but better than most of the bands that came out of the 80s.
Men At Work are an Australian rock band formed in1978. Their biggest hits were "Who Can It Be Now?" & "Down Under". They had some other songs such as "Be Good Johnny", "Overkill", "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", "It's A Mistake", "Everything I Need", "Maria", "The Longest Night". Men At Work performed "Down Under" at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, alongside Paul Hogan of "Crocodile" Dundee.
Be good is great!
I was in 6th grade when this dropped in the early 80’s…and for all you younger folk, this album was HUGE in its time…this was everywhere on pop radio stations and MTV (when they actually played videos).
The introvert’s anthem! Their song Overkill is top shelf for them to men.
For 80s definitely need to cover inxs
The singer, Colin Haye, has a fantastic, unique voice. His solo work is pretty cool. He had cameos in the show “Scrubs”.
That Scrubs cameo was great! I actually bought the show's soundtrack on CD back in the day just to have that stripped down version of Overkill. Good stuff!
@@albertsmith9315 He also had a great song on the “Garden State” movie soundtrack, another Zach Braff project.
You guys gotta hit Overkill as well, that one bangs
Another great 1983 band was Aztec Camera.!
“Overkill” is the next song you must hear of Men at Work. It’s much more complex and interesting musically
This is a must see video. The crazy eyes that go with it will stay with you forever.
These guys were churning out hits right out of the gate. You may have had to experience that era first hand to really appreciate their music though. Very unique and refreshing. Their album Cargo had my personal faves "It's A Mistake" and "Overkill".
The 80's saw a bit of an invasion of music from Australia and New Zealand with artists entering the scene such as Split Enz (and later Crowded House), INXS, Men at Work, Nick Cave, The Church, Midnight Oil, The Go-Betweens, and many others. Your next Men at Work song should be "Overkill." The chorus is a total earworm. But I hope you'll get around to the other artists, too. INXS released some of the biggest songs of the '80s. And in '88 The Church, who are still recording great music today, released one of my favorite songs of all time -- "Under the Milky Way." It is atmospheric, dreamy, and completely intoxicating.
Absolute YES to The Church !!
@@Xman156 preach! 🙌🌌
Yes to the Church, Midnight Oil, and especially, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds!!
Overkill is THE song of theirs.
Overkill is my personal favorite.
Glad to see you explore the 80s- there is a lot of good stuff to hear from multiple genres
Colin Hayes' voice is amazing. I would recommend "Overkill". His voice is incredible in that song.
Overkill is a great one by them. Colin Hay guest starred in Scrubs and performed an awesome solo acoustic version of the song, which is on one of his solo albums. He’s on tour with Ringo’s All Starr Band. He’s a great story teller and his shows are great.
I totally loved the MAW version, but Colin's solo version is just beautiful!
@@MissAstorDancer and his song from Garden State is awesome. I Just Don’t Think I’ll Ever Get Over You.
Check out their song “Overkill”. It’s clearly their best in my opinion.
Fun, goofy little band. Part of what made the 80s so fun.
Colin Hay (the singer) is current a member of Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band (though they had to cancel because Ringo has COVID).
I’ve been waiting for you guys to do this song; you have to hit Down Under by them next!
Loving you guys hitting the 80’s and 90’s more. Really, there’s soooo much for you to get to and I will certainly be here for it.
Excellent harmonies.
I saw Men At Work in Australia mid 90's at
Peter Gabriel's Womad Fest.
They were far better than I expected improvising a lot. Much better live!
You should also do "It's a Mistake", "I Come From A Land Down Under" (gave Americans their introduction to Vegemite), "Be Good Johnny" and "Overkill" by them.
Men At Work ... Brilliant track > " Overkill " My favourite and one of their best.
Agreed...maybe because the lyrics hit too close to home...
@@chuckmeyers1153 It's not a jolly pop song. It brings underlying emotions to the surface. So true for so many people.
This was a great band from Down Under and heavily influenced by the Police Their song It's a mistake was my favorite.
When this first came out I thought it was The Police.
I saw Men at Work in concert with their backup band INXS. I WENT TO SEE MEN AT WORK BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT INXS WAS GREAT! I HAD NEVER HEARD OF THEM BEFORE.
Check out their second album. Bangers throughout. Colin Hay rules.
Business as Usual was such a great album. It is too bad it is pretty much forgotten.
As an introvert, I can identify with this song, LOL.
I hadn’t connected this to the Outfield like Andy did, but that’s really true. I think Men at Work was a much better band, but those songs have similarities. It’s fun to see A&A build such extensive reference points - part of the reason this is the best reaction channel on YT. Feel like a proud older brother, lol. 🙂
Hay's voice on this track especially always makes me think of Huey Lewis, especially from stuff like "The Heart of Rock and Roll". An Australian Huey Lewis singing for The Outfield definitely comes pretty close to describing at least this particular Men at Work song I think.
Outfield were much later in the '80s and, lucky, one-hit wonder pop-blather.
They are '80s boredom while Men At Work are genius.
Relating the 2 is: not acceptable nor viable.
No.
Man, I had (and wore out...lol) all of the cassettes of both the Outfield and Men at Work. I liked both bands very much, but in NO way shape or form were Men at Work "better" than The Outfield! They both had many good songs that I liked, but overall, Cover to Cover of all albums added, The Outfield were much better songwriters and moved me more with their songs. But don't get me wrong they Both influenced me much because I listened to them a LOT. A lot of it is timing probably...I was only 11/12 when this album came out, and the outfield stuff came out just a few years later really after the men at work were on the backside of their huge success! But cheers to the listen!
@@geneferguson7408 I fear, sir, that you may be using the term "good songs" in the commonized fashion: i.e.: "...I like them... ...so, they're 'really good'..."
However: what I was referring to (and, likely, should have been more specific about) was: actual song-writing (and arrangement).
The Outfield had "attractive head-boppers" which were" earworms and made girls shake & bounce ...
...they weren't terrible, or anything, however: they, also, were: pretty basic and unspectacular.
...from a song-writing standpoint.
Also: much poppier and "flood the radio - years later: the elevator..."🤪
...I mean name me ONE Outfield track that has the mood or texture or nuance of, say: "Down By The Sea"; the GORGEOUS "Catch A Star" or, even "Touching The Untouchables".
...or a song like: "It's A Mistake" (which may be the finest pop-rock song of the '80s!)
...
Colin Hay and Ron Strykert were geniuses
...and even after Men At Work came apart, Colin was giving solo performances, in rooms; sometimes with 20 people in them (sometimes 200🤷🤷), at the same level of excellence, intimacy and strength, night-after-night.
-It's ...whatever. You came out preferring The Outfield (for whatever reasons). I cannot, nor would ever want to, "fight with" your memories or the pleasing sense of nostalgia that their music offers you.
As I believe I, already, stated: they didn't "suck," outright
...but: I see little to compare these 2 bands and ...if we are going to start breaking-down songs: MEN AT WORK wins. Easily.
(...which is why I recommend their music to those who have an interest in learning about/pursuing the craft.).
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Welcome to quirky Australian bands!
If you listen to "Overkill" - and you should! - you have to listen to the album version, and then the acoustic version done by lead singer Colin Haye, years later. You'll understand how the delivery can change your perception of the song. My favorite song of theirs.
Colin Hay did an acoustic version of Overkill 10-15 years ago, it went big, and he’s toured ever since. Great show.
He did it for an episode of Scrubs. It really reinvigorated his career.
Overkill is one of my favourites, though Alex has to listen to Down Under, it's a cultural landmark.
PLEASE dig into Colin Hay. Incredible talent and a voice like no other.
Check out ‘Overkill’. It’s their best tune in my opinion.
INXS INXS INXS🎤🥁🎻🎸🎙️
#1 in U.S. in October 1982, younger co-workers liked it (yeah, they were at work too).
You barely scratched the surface of Men at Work. They have a ton of very cool songs that wasn't popular but really awesome tunes. Dr Jeckle and Mr. Jive is one of them. They just had fun songs.
I have to add to those suggesting "Overkill" as one of Men At Work's best and well worth a listen.
Singer Colin Hay has consistently been recording and performing to this day.
Men at Work were my #1 favorite group growing up... their debut album, Business as Usual, came out when I was 12 years old and their follow up album, Cargo, just a year later. I wore those two records out I played them so much. But even more than recommending other great MaW songs, I would recommend the many fantastic songs by lead singer Colin Hay from his solo career. Colin is an amazing talent and so great to see live. His solo work is thoughtful with gorgeous melodies. Highly recommended!
I've noticed other reaction vids on Prince not being taken down. As a Gen Xer, the American party record of the mid-80s was 1999, hands down. Maybe you guys could try hitting that? Little Red Corvette might be THE quintessential New Wave song, so effin' good.
Either one would be great. I wish the Prince estate wasn’t so stingy with copyright. Could introduce a lot of younger people my age (I’m 20) to his stuff
I'm putting in another vote for "Overkill".
Be Good Johnny or Overkill are very catchy tunes!
This band's music is so fun. So cheerful. The bass adds so much. I can't imagine it minus the bass.
"Overkill" is their best.
"Overkill" is their best song by far. I recommend listening to it, even if just on your own.
Colin Hay from this band is currently touring in Ringo's All Start Band
In one of the odder line-ups, I saw them open for Fleetwood Mac. In any case, and speaking of Aussie bands, I am surprised you haven't reacted to any Inxs.
Seeing as how Alex says he doesn't know "Down Under", you two should have just made this a two-fer, and played them both.
It's my ringtone! I love "Overkill" too!
The video is worth a watch for this song.
IMO the best of the phase of music is the band Big Country-song Big Country.
You guys should definitely hit “Overkill” next. My pick for their greatest song.
The song was written about a friend who is hiding in his house trying to act like no one's home to keep the bill collectors from knocking on the door all day without leaving.
A review of Men at Work's "Overkill" would be great.
This album was huge in the early 80s, lead singer Colin Hay has also put out a ton of great solo work.
The key to having fun with Men at Work is to watch their videos. They really captured what early music videos were supposed to be - - entertaining. I don't think a band had more fun than these guys with that kind of media.
I can relate to this song so much.
Fun band, fun album, high nostalgic value, nothing ground-breaking. A Solid B+
Check out Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil.
Their music was very much of its time. Overkill is their best and most timeless
First two LPs are great. This song is class. My favorite: "Overkill"
Acceptable. Alex needs to hear "Down Under" ASAP. This plays a lot in the grocery store, lol.
Always loved Men at Work. This song Who Can it be Now was foreshadowing society change in attitude of isolation. Prior to mid-90s, everyone would race to the door when someone would knock. Now, we (I) hide if someone unexpectedly come over. 😂😂😂
Business as Usual is a GREAT album. I was in the Navy on a 7-month West Pac/IO cruise when this came out. When I came back, my 4-year old daughter introduced me to this album by playing "Down Under" for me. She loved it and I did, too Hit "Be Good Johnny" next. Cheers....
Ah, Be Good Johnny is a gem!
Business as Usual is SOLID GOLD!!! Gotta listen to entire album!!!
“Overkill” is a great song by them.
Men At Work...... Too much fun. I definitely dig them!