New songbook captures 'living collection of our unofficial national anthems'

Australia has inaugurated the National Songbook, a new cultural initiative designed to preserve and honour the country’s most influential songs and songwriters. This project, a collaboration between the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NSFA) and APRA AMCOS, aims to create an evolving archive of compositions that represent the nation’s diverse heritage and identity.

The first cohort of ten songs inducted into the National Songbook spans over a century of Australian music history, embracing a variety of genres and narratives. Among the earliest inclusions is the iconic bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda," composed by Andrew "Banjo" Paterson and Christina Macpherson and first recorded in 1927, which remains a cornerstone of Australia’s musical folklore.

The collection also highlights songs with significant cultural and political resonance. Midnight Oil’s 1987 anthem "Beds Are Burning" and Yothu Yindi’s 1991 release "Treaty" stand as powerful protest songs that have contributed to broader conversations about Indigenous rights and social justice in Australia. Similarly, Helen Reddy’s 1971 hit "I Am Woman," co-written with Ray Burton, is recognised for its lasting impact on feminist movements.

Personal storytelling and expressions of place play a central role in the songbook’s selections. Ruby Hunter’s "Down City Streets," featured originally on Archie Roach’s 1990 album "Charcoal Lane," offers a poignant narrative from an Indigenous perspective. "My Island Home," initially popularised by the Warumpi Band in 1987 and later by Christine Anu in 1995, also exemplifies connection to land and identity.

The songbook further honours The Easybeats’ 1966 global hit "Friday On My Mind," a track that captured the spirit of the 1960s music scene and showcased the influential songwriting duo Harry Vanda and George Young. Adding a contemporary and avant-garde element, The Necks’ improvised jazz soundtrack for the 1998 thriller "The Boys" is also included, alongside Peter Sculthorpe’s "Earth Cry," a composition that melds European classical traditions with Indigenous Australian influences to evoke the nation’s landscapes.

The establishment of the National Songbook coincides with significant milestones for its founding organisations: APRA AMCOS’s centennial and NSFA’s 90th anniversary. The songbook will expand annually, with new works selected for their artistic merit and cultural significance. A panel of ten experts, comprising musicians, academics, journalists, and industry professionals, conducted the inaugural selection process under the guidance of APRA AMCOS chair Jenny Morris and NSFA chair Annette Shun Wah.

This initiative not only preserves the music itself but also emphasizes the stories and historical contexts behind each composition, aiming to provide future generations with insight into Australia’s evolving national identity. The organisers envision the songbook as a dynamic and ongoing conversation about what defines Australian music and culture.

The National Songbook distinguishes itself from the NSFA’s existing Sounds of Australia collection by focusing on songwriting and compositions that have demonstrated enduring cultural relevance beyond individual recordings. It reflects a commitment to recognising songs that resonate with communities and capture pivotal moments in the country’s social and musical landscape.

Amid challenges facing the Australian music industry—including venue closures, reduced live attendance, and limited local representation on streaming platforms—the songbook offers a vital reminder of the richness of Australia’s musical heritage. Recent data shows Australian music makes up a small fraction of local streaming, underscoring the importance of initiatives that celebrate and support homegrown artistry.

By acknowledging these defining songs, the National Songbook aspires to foster greater appreciation of Australia’s musical contributions and encourage investment in the arts as a crucial element of national culture and identity. It serves not only as a repository but as a cultural touchstone, connecting Australians to their shared past through the power of music.