Decomposing Trees

The National Film and Sound Archive has set up a registry of recorded sound called the Sounds of Australia and included in the 2007 inductees (along with famous speeches like Whitlam’s Kerr’s curr) were the songs ‘Friday On My Mind’ by The Easybeats, (I’m) Stranded by The Saints and ‘Jailanguru Pakarnu’ by The Warumpi Band.

The United States Library of Congress has a similar sound registry which it established in 2002. It has a huge archive of songs, speeches and famous albums. You can have a look at the full registry here.

Just last year Daydream Nation by Sonic Youth was inducted and it joined the likes of Frank Zappa, Marvin Gaye, the Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles to name but a few.

Looking at the registry’s website I came across a nomination form for 2008 inductees. To be eligible it must be at least 20 years since the recording (so nothing after 1987) and must be culturally, historically or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in Australia.

It got me thinking. What Australian songs or famous speeches would I nominate to be inducted?

The first song I thought of was ‘Beds Are Burning’ by Midnight Oil but that won’t be eligible until 2009.

Others that came to mind were:

‘It’s A Long Way To The Top’ by AC/DC.
‘Aloha Steve and Danno’ by Radio Birdman
‘Real Thing’ by Russell Morris
‘Cattle and Cane’ by the Go-Betweens

What would you nominate for the registry?