First Time Hearing Men At Work - Down Under (Reaction!)

[@dagmar.6954]

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 "It's A Mistake", "Be Good Johnny", "Overkill", "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive", "Everything I Need", "Maria", "The Longest Night" etc. Men At Work performed "Down Under" at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, alongside Paul Hogan of "Crocodile" Dundee.

[@zztij]

I remember buying their first hit album on cassette back in the early 80's..!

[@aprilstewart5929]

Love them. I'd call them 80's Rock, definitely their own brand. "Who Can It Be Now" is so famous it got annoying to hear it every 20 minutes,, but that happened with this song, too. Major, major hits. And I remember watching the opening ceremonies for those same Olympic games, which featured every popular performer and musician in the country, especially Olivia Newton-John. I'll never forget her joy and beauty.

[@shopldt538]

This is a timeless feel good song. This is 40 years old and still is as big now as it ever was.

[@IsabelleRSG]

this is a timeless classic and fun song! glad you enjoyed it!

[@zatgeye7320]

Youve made this aussie happy. Great reaction

[@Superknullisch]

"Down by the sea" is my favourite of theirs. Very chill groove and vibe.

[@katehunter538]

One thing to know about Australians - you run into them EVERYwhere. Doesn't matter where I've gone in the world, I've always bump into Australians, and they are good travelers, not obnoxious bratty tourists. Brussels, Bombay - and many other places. Based on how many of them I'd seen on my own travels, I was STUNNED to learn how small their population is. Fun song, and fun reaction.

[@revgurley]

Another little tidbit about this song - the flute parts that runs through the entire song is the tune to the Australian nursery rhyme, "Kookaburra Sits In The Old Gum Tree." Listen to the Kookaburra song and you'll immediately hear it in this song. Great reaction!

[@42Mrgreenman]

LOL, I remember learning Kookaburra on the recorder back in elementary school in the 90's. Then I got into classic rock and was like, wow, what a cool throwback to old Australian culture... Kookaburra sits on the old gum tree Merry merry king of the bush is he. Laugh, Kookaburra, laugh, Kookaburra, Gay your life must be!

[@mattblatchley2061]

very important point^^^

[@mattblatchley2061]

did you follow the story about how some corporate a-hole bought the rights to Kookaburra and then sued Men At Work??? horrible.

[@42Mrgreenman]

@@mattblatchley2061 What?! Really? Damn, everyone wants to own something, people can't accept that you can use a thing for what you need then move on and let someone else use it, they all seem like hoarders to me...honestly, I seriously admire those like Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett...he was so passionate about helping the aboriginal Australians that he actually got elected to public office...

[@mattblatchley2061]

@@42Mrgreenman it really really broke his heart too if I remember correctly...

[@rodb9275]

You are such a charming young man. I love watching you get into the songs that I grew up with. Great reaction, as always.

[@josephmckinney9660]

A Kombi is a small passenger van like the Volkswagen Bus featured in this video.

[@lisaviscotha9723]

YES!!!!!! Thank you so much for doing this song, you made my day. The flute kicks ass in this song! This flute looked at all the electric guitar solos and said “hold my beer” lol. “Who Can It Be Now” is their next biggest hit, the video is fun as well. Keep ‘em coming man you are one of my very favorites

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Another MUST HEAR Australian Group,, Midnight Oil "Beds Are Burning",, "Dead Heart" & "Put Down That Weapon"

[@wulfgold]

I don't think there's any race or nation that'd not get a groove on listening to this. Music's near universal.

[@katrinacash6393]

Another great Australian band is “The Little River Band”. Fabulous harmonies and so many hits. “Reminiscing”, “Cool Change”, “Lonesome Loser”, “Help Is On The Way” and “Lady” are just some of their great songs.

[@adamyoung480]

Aloha. You’re right. They were all over the airwaves back in the day.

[@timmarshall2491]

These guys were one of my faves in the 80s! I learned to play drums while listening to their songs.

[@MrRavager420]

there was a sort of jamaican adaptation with bands from, australia, england, and canada. red red wine by ub40 and snow - informer, are songs that were very popular

[@laneykehel5057]

Another fantastic flute solo is in the song "Locomotive Breath" by Jethro Tull.

[@Nana_Reads]

Colin Hay is currently touring with Ringo’s All Star Band ….saw them in Nashville a month ago, he sang this and others …. Still an amazing voice

[@oldvet7566]

This is one of my all-time favorites songs, it still has me turning up the volume and chilling out.

[@rokit430]

"Nobody can tell me that Flute aint Fire"🔥❣

[@stacy_rose7820]

You might like "In a Big Country" by Scottish band Big Country, another 80s hit

[@tahitifan100]

so much this

[@renep2220]

STILL LOVIN' THIS SONG ALL THESE YEARS LATER! 😉

[@reborndaughter445]

I think you'd love Midnight Oil another Aussie band, singing Beds Are Burning. They had so many great bands we listened to over and over back in The Day!

[@kimcutts6153]

Their 1981 hit "Who Can It Be Now" is my favourite by this group, its really good. 👌

[@stephenalexander2553]

My FAVORITE song from Men at Work is the 1983 hit "It's a mistake". I was 16 years old when that song come out! I really LOVE the music video to the song it is so GOOD!

[@odieooops4171]

I’m so glad you’ve been introduced to so many great 80’s hits! We had some amazing music 🎶 back then ❤

[@tiacalhoun3841]

This song is so quirky and fun!!!

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Written by Colin Hay. He is the lead singer and rhythm guitarist. The late Greg Ham on flute and keyboards. RIP. This is part of the style Modern Rock 🎸 Formed in Melbourne. AC/DC started in Australia in the 1970s. Men at Work is part of the Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿 explosion in the 1980s. Suggested videos 📹: 1 Men at Work performs Who Can It Be Now? 2 INXS performs Original Sin. 3 Icehouse and John Oates perform Electric Blue. 4 Split Enz performs I Got You. 5 Crowded House performs Something So Strong 💪 6 Little River Band performs Lonesome Loser

[@adamyoung480]

Aloha. I was a huge Icehouse fan, as well as Mental As Anything. They opened for Men At Work when I saw them. How about Australian Crawl? Love The Chills and The Bats as well. Saw Midnight Oil in a bar in Tweeds Head in 81.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

@@adamyoung480 Good old days 😃

[@adamyoung480]

@@WineSippingCowboy Aloha. Luckily, music lasts forever. Memory, not so much.

[@saraohara2504]

1:59 LOL! “Nobody can tell me that flute ain’t fire!” 🤣♥️

[@philliplewis8006]

Shon, i could not stop smiling and laughing to your great reaction to this fun but great song. Brilliant song for its time. Very kind regards from GB ,England, Birmingham, Peaky Blinders Country.

[@lisemzarate4029]

Down by the sea Overkill Upstairs in my house Who can it be now Be good Johnny This was one of my comfort albums in jr high, would put the turntable on repeat at night and listen in my sleep 💜

[@ed-straker]

That's Colin Hay on vocals, and the late Greg Ham on flute. In high school, we had an exchange student from Australia. He brought in a tin of Vegemite one day. It's a yeast paste, not really conducive to the American palette.

[@radiationsnowman]

Hey Shon, it's pure joy and fun to watch your sincere reactions to song I've loved all my life! hahaaa, never stop making these amazing videos Shon!! Cheers!

[@mitchellbeston1033]

Over a 2 to 3 year period in the early 80's, they were one of the biggest bands in the world. The genre is probably rock/reggae. The lead singer, Clin Hay, also has an extensive solo career and is still playing. I suggest you check out Overkill, Dr Heckyl and Mr Jive, No Sign of Yesterday, No Restrictions, Blue for You, Catch a Star, The Longest Night

[@TheStarcruiser]

Top Reaction mate! Cheers from the Land Downunder🦘🍻

[@foldz8459]

What you ought to check out next Is the Safety Dance by Men without Hats

[@xenxike500]

How about Cold Chisel, truly iconic 😊These bands were around for decades , not just a fly by night!!!

[@hibhibb5429]

"OVERKILL" is a must to check out!! Greg Ham was Awesome on the flute!! He Rocked! Colin Hay still sounds Incredible! Check out his solo stuff like "You Saved Me From Myself" (From The Resident: season 2) and "Maggie". RIP Greg Ham.

[@4yules]

i can tell you this song crossed over to a lot of different fans ..even hard rock fans love this one...definitly pop music or even could be considered new wave coming from early eighties...they broke new ground with their new sound...jethro tull incorporated the flute as well...try "living in the past"

[@rmacdougallaliasdogviticus]

Love this. Big hit here in Canada. This whole album is good. Some great bands came from down under. Check out 'Split Enz - I Got You' and 'Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over' both bands founded by the same dude btw.

[@wendyryder2708]

I’m not sure, however I think Split Enz were from New Zealand! Someone correct me if I’m wrong!

[@CharCanuck14]

The Finn brothers are from New Zealand - this was why Split Enz was spelled that way with the nz- for New Zealand. Both great bands!

[@jackiesconiers4230]

A plus reaction! Extra credit for loving the flute! Thanks!

[@gordonbulcock2043]

You should listen to the original version of "Locomotive Breath" by Jethro Tull for a great flute solo.

[@polyestawyldesage504]

This takes me back. Who Can It Be Now should be your next one from this group. Even though it sounds completely different than that Rockwell song you reacted to, it is equally masterful at truly capturing the whole vibe of paranoia

[@TheNotedHero]

Men At Work are legendary! So many songs to choose from next! For an iconic (and almost anthem) song about Australia, check out "The Seekers - I Am Australian: Special Farewell Performance (all 5 verses)" - it can be a bit of a tear-jerker for lots of Australians.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Pop rock tune that got huge airplay across the genres. 🙏🍁

[@believer2610]

I got to know about this song when I was watching UFC 294 and volkanovski made his entry for the fight with it playing for him. Have been obsessed ever since.

[@mattblatchley2061]

GREAT early 80's Aussie NEW WAVE! unbelievable era

[@happymethehappyone8300]

Men At Work "Overkill"...Nuff Said.

[@xjstalex1332]

Check out Midnight Oil-Beds are burning!

[@kimmycook2698]

Overkill, It's a Mistake, Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive, Down By The Sea...I still have my original copy of that album on cassette.

[@meatpopsicle6244]

“Who can it be now” is my ringtone for unknown callers.

[@NikkieMaguire]

Would love to see you react to The band played waltzing Matilda. Another Aussie song that we all know and love. Completely different vibe. Much love from down Under ❤

[@randymorrison5513]

Kombi. It’s a Volkswagen van if you see the video, it shows you one at the beginning in Australia they called them. KOMBI’s

[@aircap]

I love these dudes. I was 13 when this dropped and man this whole album was my favorite

[@sallytaylor8724]

An absolute classic.

[@calest6251]

This should be our national anthem.

[@zztij]

I remember buying their first hit album on cassette back in the early 80's..!

[@myowndrum286]

Well, Crow! I haven't heard this song in decades. Men At Work were a staple back then!

[@RLKmedic0315]

Men at Work are my 2nd favorite band from Australia. But AC/DC will always hold the top spot.

[@jokerswildio]

Really enjoy your reactions bro...makes me feel like the kid I was in the 80s hearing these classics for the first time. The genre is called New Wave...there was a whole bunch of great and unique music that came out at this time correlating with Mtv. You should please do a reaction to "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls" if you haven't already. That's probably the most New Wave song and video ever made.

[@frankaq3951]

Love your channel, Shon!

[@MichaelOKC]

Now you need to listen to "Beds are Burning" by Midnight Oil. Another great Australian band IMHO.

[@3DJapan]

As a non-Australian it's fun to look up the lyrics and the meaning of some words you don't know.

[@dianetaylor841]

A fun, goofy video set to an upbeat, happy tune.

[@justme2]

Australia band. OMG! These guys were on the radio ALL THE TIME when this came out. This is before internet came along. We watched MTV all the time to keep up with bands & car radio.

[@eileeng936]

I saw Colin Hay, the lead singer in concert earlier this year. He does wonderful acoustic versions of the Men At Work songs. You should seek them out.

[@chopperdeath]

You have a good ear and just like good music. Keep it up son.

[@LSFA-KrissyL16]

Who Can It Be Now, acoustic, is dope af. best version IMO.

[@michaelbarr1411]

They one of the great 80’s bamd

[@ThomasStarnes-d5p]

I love this song it will get stuck in your head. You should check out some of his solo stuff. He’s a great storyteller

[@HeavyTopspin]

The hilarious thing is that if anybody actually understood all the Aussie slang at the time, this song would have never gotten mainstream radio play in America. You're absolutely right that he was high on pot with a "head full of zombie", the song references visiting an opium den, and of course in "where beer does flow and men chunder", chunder means vomit.

[@scottwontorski1274]

Did someone mention the devil's lettuce 👹 puff puff give

[@DGMansell]

Passing gas & other disgusting things? Lol

[@AuthorLaurieAnnSmith]

I love Men at Work!! Be sure and watch this video so you can see just how brilliant they are :) Men At Work - Live in San Francisco...or was it Berkeley? 1983

[@dontgiveinfo]

yes, that flute is fire

[@chopperdeath]

This is a great band.

[@loisrogers9042]

Such a fun song!!!

[@KC-gy5xw]

Love Men at Work. Look up Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons also, fantastic songs.

[@tonyb9007]

Another good song from them is overkill and a group from there is midnight oil and the song is beds are burning

[@ReggaeWise]

this song is reggae pop

[@jackasswhiskyandpintobeans9344]

7:04 Pop rock.

[@That-Ginger-Chick]

Overkill is a great song by men at work

[@clairash2004]

Well you're in for some treats. I highly recommend John Farnham live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, either Help, which is a Beatles cover and epic or You're The Voice. You won't be disappointed in either song. Enjoy 😊

[@peoplesmedicinedrum9916]

i think another Australian Rock band you may enjoy is Midnight Oil and their song "Beds Are Burning". Check it out if you like. I think you would enjoy it.

[@truckinfool3550]

For a great flute song, check out Ride Across The River by Dire Straits, Live Sydney 1986. There’s a call and response between the flute and guitar.

[@adammclennan2627]

Reggae Pop? It's a vibe. I love "Who can it be now?" and the much slower "Overkill". Check them out!

[@MargaretLangley]

When Australia won the American Cup in sailing, this was their theme song.

[@ninawest88]

You need to hear, "Midnight Oil" How Can you sleep When the beds are burning, Would love your reaction, you are my favorite single person reactor❤

[@richtensail]

yeah we need me flute solos, kombi is a vw van, cheers frm way dwn sth

[@ShielaPotts]

Check out "who can it be now" by Men at Work

[@danielt4449]

try "all you zombies", and "and we danced" by the Hooters

[@dannycasson1551]

I WANT MY MTV!!!

[@maine420grow]

I love Collin James Hay's voice

[@nitro_001newman2]

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I heard they were construction workers, before they’re were a famous band, thus the name “Men at Work.” Did the singer lose an eye doing construction work, because he has a glass eye?

[@krystalaura5634]

I considered it pop

[@pedrodebarros4949]

Listen to Michael Learns to Rock Australian Band. Akso South African The Flames

[@mamaflush9945]

Hey Shon, since you've gotten so many wonderful suggestions for more songs by "MAW" I thought I'd suggest another song by a band I believe you've reacted to before, if interested. *"Creedence Clearwater Revival - I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Official Music Video)"* (by the channel: Creedence Clearwater Revival) this is a live performance, not the {studio version} You can't go wrong listening to CCR..I don't think they have a bad song. (IMO)

[@laurakali6522]

Overkill is their best song. IMO.

[@philgonzalez5953]

Other great Aussie bands, little river band, inxs , split enz

[@bob5074]

I saw them at Merriweather Post Pavilion and smoked a cocaine salad with a Rasta named Meon. The ‘80s, what can I say?..

[@Pcytripper]

A 'Zombie' is a mixed drink. Mainly rum with different fruit juices and liqueurs. The ones I make are sneaky... they taste so good you don't realize how hard they hit. 😂

[@eidolonone]

Colin Hay - beautiful world > request ^lead man for men a work

[@carolinehaag5967]

Try Midnight ol- Beds are burning

[@LoriCollis]

Love Overkill!