Russell Morris - The Real Thing (1969)

[@pwatts8846]

Should have been a hit worldwide.

[@GiselleGrape]

Totally agree!!!!!!!

[@simplesimon4717]

According to Molly, he wouldn't travel to the States, so he missed his chance to promote it!

[@shannonpincombe8485]

Yeah...hard to have an international hit when you won't travel to promote it. Still, after years it was a super smash through word of mouth and being played at stoner parties. One of the "songs of the hippie generation" for sure. The vocals are amazing and Russell still has souring chops on 'Jesus Christ Superstar' album in Australia in 1993. Amazing singer. And a great guy.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

I think it hit No.1 in New York and Chicago.

[@ronfreeman5857]

Yep..

[@bfitton]

I'm glad it's not just me that thinks this is up there with the greatest modern Aussie songs.

[@ronfreeman5857]

Agree

[@jasminestephens7565]

It's a truly great song, but 1969 hasn't been modern for a very long time, my friend

[@allotrope2978]

It's not hard to achieve. Just use American or British song-writing standards and be Australian. John Farnham knew it.

[@markhilditch775]

In the top 3 Aussie songs of all time in my opinion with Khe Sanh and Turn up your radio

[@mick2881]

yeah,the real thing Vietnam watergate moon landing peace man hippies mini skirts dawn of modern surfing pot bands that were and still Rock 15 yrs for 28g or more young love colour ! behave or a belting very violent cartoons we loved and little sister we knew arrived in 1984. and you

[@Leftfield71]

I think this is the greatest Psychedelic song of all time, but because it's Australian and not American or English is gets forgotten about. It's a work of art.

[@TheSilmarillian]

True that indeed .

[@robertfisher5595]

Ian Meldrum and Johnny Young. Hard to believe they were behind this classic. This sounds good today.

[@lupcokotevski2907]

The best psychedelic track of all time. And the musicians are superb. I think it made No.1 in New York City.

[@davnelflashington]

And Chicago and Houston too apparently

[@raymondsommerfeldt2817]

53 years after its release. Great song., great performance . Russell was up there and still is in my books. Timeless!

[@pwatts8846]

Russell was a fine singer/songwriter/guitarist in the 70s and beyond, but this song was the work of Ian Meldrum.

[@glenyceszymkarczuk9241]

This was the first Russell Morris song I heard and loved it straight away, still do.❤❤

[@ianmontgomery7534]

Did you ever hear Hush by Somebody's Image? If so that was Russell singing.

[@carmie9400]

What a powerhouse song that still stands the test of time after more than 50 years! A true Aussie classic! 😁

[@lannyheinemann5810]

In my humble opinion, a lot of modern singers, don’t hold a candle to the older musicians

[@JR-ci4ev]

Totally agree

[@66secularist]

The new are prefabricated. The old are organic.

[@cherylfrank6468]

Fabulous unique tone

[@leatherandtactel]

@@66secularist They were the real thing...

[@samanthamay6714]

Lana Del Rey is wonderful (check out her songs Mariners Apartment Complex and Ride to start with). But many do have talent, just not enough guidance in the industry and great producers are rare now.

[@latenightlogic]

That part that kicks off at 1:44 elevates this to god tier. The most epic aussie song of all time and a brilliant conclusion song to the 60s. This should have been a global hit.

[@timeconstrained2400]

exactly what I was thinking….should have been a global hit. Either marketing or snobbery must have got in the way.

[@philipking-s1n]

That moment just takes me away with the Fairies. Glad I am not alone alone with this feeling. Thanks.

[@michaelnaisbitt7926]

This is ranked one of the best Australian songs

[@annaseireklidou4270]

OMG haven't heard this in decades was 12 when I heard it when living in Australia. Now in Greece and still love listening to the songs of the 60s. Russell was fantastic back then . Love this song. Was so ahead of it's time

[@georgielancaster1356]

Have a few more memories on me... Where in Greece? Crete? Smiley Ronnie Burn (about Normie Rowe having to go to Vietnam. Written by Johnny Young) Dear Prudence Doug something? Gingerman Brian Cadd Sorry The Easybeats Monday I got Friday on my mind... The Easybeats Turn on your radio Master's A Apprentices? Oh and another wacky one... The Eagle Rock Daddy Cool

[@cakubea1015]

@@georgielancaster1356 It's Turn *Up* Your Radio. Brilliant track 😊

[@5ty717]

One of the songs that marked the time and place … floating in my memories… wonderful

[@marlenesullivan3113]

IF ONLY WE COULD GO BACK & LIVE THOSE DAYS AGAIN THE WORLD WAS A NICER PLACE.

[@66secularist]

Let the music take you there. It's the closest thing we have to a time machine.

[@lyndihodson101]

I was 11 when I started following RM..am now 66 n still listening to soo many brilliant songs/albums Russ has written over the years..one of Australia's greats 🥰👌

[@VK3CSJ]

Agree Lyn....same here. I was 12 when I saw Russell preform Sweet Sweet Love on the back of a Truck parked outside the Dandenong Hospital 1972 ish, right now, I've just received the DVD release of his live concert recording done in July 2023, 22 tracks, can't wait to put it on!....;) 14/06/24

[@poweringon864]

I saw Russell play in Newcastle in 2019 and I was just so blown away. He was brilliant

[@Judy.LoveandLightAlways]

Still Amazing and still quite the spunk.

[@gnnmusic]

Still love this song. Well done to Johnny Young and Molly Meldrum for being ahead of their time in this arrangement. I would love to see them give the credit to the musicians and the engineer on this track. It seems they were all searching for the "real" thing.

[@roxtonfone3510]

Saw the Australian Movie "The Dish" yesterday, this song was playing at the beginning. A couple clicks on IMDB and here I am. Fantastic song (And movie)

[@sheronlyn2693]

Just did the same 3 years later after seeing the Dish on Netflix. Being an 18 year old in NZ then just loved this and found I still do, hes fantastic.

[@roxtonfone3510]

@@sheronlyn2693 😄Ha! I had forgotten about this comment.. It's nice to see it got a few likes. Thanks for reminding me of this and the song too!

[@georgielancaster1356]

One of my favorite movies - and what a laugh I got from the theme tune to Hawaii 5 O

[@hayselliot397]

Found this song from my past at last! The song was way before it's time, Aussie classic. What a song 50yrs old and still the best song ive heard by an Aussie.

[@sexobscura]

the term 'before its time' doesn't really mean a thing

[@georgielancaster1356]

Oh. You only had to ask me. I was there and am always pushing it at young people. Have you watched THE DISH? This is in it and you will get the hugest laugh from the original Hawaii 50 theme music.

[@shirlettewilliams8517]

Love this song,was on the top 40 when I was at high school,very pychadelic also love Rachel,he is such a talent

[@monty_sultana]

I wish I lived in the 60s I love the music and all the cool hippie vibes I’m 35 own a 1986 vw t25 camper n I love blasting these tunes out ❤

[@debradireen3625]

Gorgeous man I met him yrs ago in Melbourne he gave off the most beautiful vibes, I remember watching this on Uptight in the 60’s it blew my mind and I was about 8 yrs old.

[@antonydean8063]

This Magnificent songs defines early 70's music era.....what a great legend is Mr Russell Morris. Thankyou Johnny Young and Mr Mollie

[@garrycomloquoy1320]

What an Aussie piece of music history. We heard it and we’ll never forget it. A true masterpiece that was perfect in it’s entirety and suits the times absolutely spot on. Can’t beat living in OZ in the 60s and 70s💪💪💪💪💪💪🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊✊

[@GiselleGrape]

Totally agree!!!!!!

[@kathrynwilson3985]

I can't believe this song is 50 ( !!!! ) years old. Just as good now as it was then. They don't write them like this anymore.I was 10 when it came out - loved it then and still love it now.

[@marie-louisefryer4783]

Absolutely agree Kathryn. I was 6ish but hearing my older brothers and sister play it has been a fundamental episode in my life x

[@carmie9400]

I was 7 or 8 & loved this song - still do today - a true Aussie piece of psychedelia!

[@66secularist]

The distorted sounds in this song make for a great aural psychedelic trip; a1969 one. It takes me there.

[@asmodeus0454]

Russell Morris's "The Real Thing" the Australian Underground Rock classic from 1969! Still sounds great!

[@pwatts8846]

Don't know about underground. It was played on every radio station in the land and was No 1 for months.

[@davidjohnzenocollins]

Did your parents hear it? If they didn't, it was underground. 🙂

[@grahamnewman-kg4wx]

A true Australian classic every time I hear it, it takes me back to that time

[@FrankFloyd-rh1bd]

Growing up in central Florida I first heard this song in the summer of 1969 on WFSO radio station. I was sixteen years old and fell in love with it immediately. What a great song!

[@multigerbs550]

I was a teenager when this came out, still play it to this day.

[@11vec]

What an awesome song and it still sounds good 55 years later in 2024. I still have the 45 on Columbia Records, it was so ahead of it's time, in terms of sound mixing effects. I always wandered, was it Russell that made that evil laugh. It always reminded me of the Joker. Anyway, thanks to writer Johnny Young and producer Molly Meldrum!

[@b.daymike5373]

The song was way before it's time, Aussie classic. The best bloody brilliance music you won't here this again. I saw Russell play in Newcastle in 2019 and I was just so blown away. He was brilliant

[@Kingmick58]

Great tune. And love the drumming.

[@apfelprincess45]

Happy Birthday The Real Thing on your 50th in 2019! Still going strong as a song!

[@marie-louisefryer4783]

Now I feel old hahaha. LOVE this.

[@paradise3156]

Amazing unique voice style! I heard it when I was in year 6 overseas. I just learned he's an Aussie. Lots of great Aussie musicians

[@glenmunro3]

The best bloody brilliance music you won't here this again.

[@张小伟-u2c]

WELL DONE JOHNNY & MOLLY !!! The best bloody brilliance music you won't here this again. 💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐

[@georgielancaster1356]

And Russell!!!

[@georgielancaster1356]

And Russell!!!

[@ianmontgomery7534]

When i lived in China my girlfriend had a bar and I put the video of this on but I forgot it had Tain'anmen Square in it. The people in bar included 7 police from Guangzhou. They asked me about it (they weren't concerned about it and they were familiar with the incident) and we had a great discussion on it as well and how the students killed policemen, and i had to explain some of the other things in the video.

[@LenapeSF]

The scenery in Australia is amazing and so is this guy. The Real Thing in the 60's to his latest LP Black and Blue Heart shows a journey of musical evolution. Wow.

[@joannetucker8769]

I was so young, he was so young....oh to have youth on my side again. What a great Aussie talent

[@samanthaschofield743]

joanne tucker true

[@peterbrown6224]

I was tiny, but this iconic song leaked into the 70s and still has appeal.

[@dougstubbs9637]

Youth is so wasted on young people

[@nwjh1957]

And little Johnny Young produced the record!

[@spello8191]

@nwjh1957. Oh I thought it was Molly Ian Meldrum?

[@mindfulness1118]

Takes me right back to being a young kid. My parents Torana: with those hot black vinyl seats. No air conditioning. Parents smoking with the car windows rolled down. Yup: everyone was smoking back then. Stopping at 7-11 for a giant coke slushy. Argghhhh.......The good old days!

[@susanarager1002]

I saw Russell play in Newcastle in 2019 and I was just so blown away. He was brilliant WELL DONE JOHNNY & MOLLY !!!

[@donaldmoore9306]

Oh yes. I have seen him twice and it was absolutely awesome. How are you doing. Hope you are fine and staying safe out there?

[@gailhokin4571]

I have loved that song since i was 17 18 years old i am now 70 years young

[@Heather-xz3eo]

I was 13 when this came out & was one of my fave 1969/70s songs ... Epic

[@kimtamm9954]

What a song 50yrs old and still the best song ive heard by an Aussie.

[@marlenesullivan3113]

2023- I STILL GET GOOSEBUMPS💙🎶

[@johnslaviero2080]

This song grabs you and hurls you into the stratosphere. A mini dark side of the moon

[@KH-rc7tl]

A real classic. Stands the test of time.

[@melissamccoy5198]

One of the best rock songs Legendary

[@jaspergrosse6965]

WELL DONE JOHNNY & MOLLY !!! The best bloody brilliance music you won't here this again. I saw Russell play in Newcastle in 2019 and I was just so blown away. He was brilliant

[@redtale6527]

I arrived in April 1969 so you could say this was my introduction to Australian music.

[@LouiseBarling]

Meet Russell late 1968 on a TV show. He was on to promote his music and I my modelling and art. Show went live early 1969 as did "The Real Thing". We are both still 'real'

[@graeme6667]

As good as this is, his blues trilogy is even better; great Australian blues, with good song-writing and excellently performed.

[@neilcawsey7189]

The song was way before it's time, Aussie classic.

[@froomist]

Wow, I actually dimly remember this. I doubt it got much airplay on Albuquerque or El Paso stations, but I must have heard it a few times. Be nice to hear a decent remaster.

[@MarieAnneLeClerc]

Psychedelic and brilliant 💫💗💗

[@helen9289]

always loved this song

[@threadfix]

Russell Morris, a true music man, singing and writing so many genres!😘

[@kerriewoodford635]

My life in at the time so into this song even today and I'm 66 but it is still in me

[@gerza71]

Imagine this song was played over the USA Presidential debate last night Last minute or so when the kids came in and that bomb at the end Always put a chill up my spine.

[@spello8191]

Let’s not relate this tract to any American debate. This track is far about that…

[@louise7552]

Genius , you wont believe who helped write this, ...... Johnny Young from Young Talent Time.😊

[@LaSorciereFeuillue]

Reading Molly Meldrum's autobiography and just had to watch this again, having danced around my room singing it! Hmm, I wonder if they have this at karaoke?

[@sandraweilbrenner67]

Jeez just found this and I am hooked ... Brilliant

[@adamprozzo4052]

Great song. And I like the “under the nose” camera angle.

[@sesajadasi3670]

Pretty farkin ESOTERIC lyrics there !

[@MagicThys]

Thanks again my friend, going to see him in Nov at the Festival Theatre here in Adelaide!

[@celiliorodriguezcortes950]

The psychedelic music behind him was really good.

[@newsomenathand.4314]

Found this song from my past at last! The real thing 👍 WELL DONE JOHNNY & MOLLY !!!

[@milancoric8787]

Great Aussie song!

[@anne-louise4766]

Russell Morris - playing tonight in Belgrave but I can't get there.😥😥😥 I grew up, musically, with this fine song, one of the best songs in Aus. history. The daughter of mum's best friend, Fiona Bick, ran his fan club. Looooove it. ♥

[@georgiehollander2199]

WELL DONE JOHNNY & MOLLY !!!

[@Watson1]

My girlfriend had the hots for Russell, I had the hots for her mother. Good times. 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@KH-rc7tl]

Love it 😂😂

[@poweringon864]

Just saw Russell Morris and a heap of others at the APIA concert. Russell was brilliant, Kate, Brian Cadd, Joe Camilliri, et, they were all brilliant

[@nikitabauch3612]

Found this song from my past at last! The real thing 👍

[@stephentroisi5827]

Classic.

[@rainertrebbin-vf7nt]

1969❤

[@TheAustralianPatient]

No one, 'No one' nails a song like this guy. But I guess he's had 50 years to perfect it.

[@patdonoghue378]

Awesome!!!

[@JasonDarrell]

This reminds more of '89 than '69 - could have been in any rave in Wolves you cared to name. Fab bit of #psych!!

[@pwatts8846]

Recorded only in mono, thats the giveaway.

[@venkateswarraolakkineni3230]

WELL DONE JOHNNY & MOLLY !!! 💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐💖💐

[@stanmeyer9770]

This song featured in the movie The Dish (2000). About the Apollo moon landing.

[@csills7425]

Yes we ALL KNOW who Johnny and Molly are let’s talk about Russell instead hey? His greatest song in my opinion was Real Love but it’s only my opinion Still performing after all these years

[@ACDZ123]

Well it's johnny youngs greatest song because he wrote it ..russel was the lucky guy chosen to sing it

[@MisterPolitical1]

best hit for a young aussie singer

[@tabfiend]

I'm back in 1969..............

[@r.d.z.spinifex6079]

A classic Australian example of Underground Rock was/is "The Real Thing."

[@domeperruzza]

Fantastic song. ...

[@samanthaschofield743]

D P thank you for your beautiful heart and soul for at least enjoying the music, peace xoxo

[@digger5521]

Remember seeing him live in Adelaide early 70s, the last few seconds of the song were banned on local radio as it was too political at the time . School Children singing and an A Bomb blast FFS glad we have progressed

[@romy4858]

Thanks Molly.

[@stuartjonas7287]

Found this song from my past at last!

[@gordonsargon9167]

Discovered this song it a great song.it sounds eerie and weird .

[@MagicThys]

handsome lad

[@LeonFelixRusso]

Anthem!

[@JohnSmith-rj7zo]

Magic

[@channeltoam2893]

Crikey, imagine being a young Cobber bloke around in 1969 and this comes on the wireless. It would have fair dinkum blown me jocks off.

[@imho2278]

It was on Countdown for ages, which we all watched every week.

[@georgielancaster1356]

Another for you... The Eagle Rock Daddy Cool That would also surprise a young Oz plumber.

[@Ruby16663]

@@imho2278 Don't think it was, Countdown was purely current & new pop chart artists

[@channeltoam2893]

@@georgielancaster1356 A bloody corker of a song, Cobber.

[@jadeshannon2272]

Great

[@syntheticswish7571]

One to remember

[@domeperruzza]

The real thing 👍

[@reflexedrose1879]

Just saw this in a movie Popcorn from 1969. I had to find it. Great song. Was he with the Easy Beats?

[@reallynotyourbusiness1659]

No

[@GarySUPERTRAMPER]

It has to be in the Top Twenty songs ever surely! ... The Real Thing Sequel ... "The Perfect Question" (Gary Paul Simon Shaw KZbin)

[@derek5168]

Back then it was the real thing now it's the real bling

[@HelenBurdis]

Brings back memories of the 1972 Federal Election.

[@bobboy53]

roll this into Paper walls part three they mix