Play It Safe | Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary

[@sassiejoan]

Commenting in the hope someone will like it in the future and remind me of this gem. 🤞🏼💕

[@CrazyMaryJo]

Killer Tim. Clever as usual. Australia’s national treasure.

[@shadowstrlke]

This song come out in a period when I was considering a career change away from my 'safe' government job. Now a few months later I'm in the process of getting a new degree and working towards a better life, and I attribute a huge part of that decision to this song. Thanks!

[@courtneyact]

What a brilliant film and an honour to be a part of.

[@Bushranger28]

You did it perfectly

[@96518]

You were awesome

[@ramzisramce1272]

Tim Minchin is an absolute gift to this world 😍😍

[@samanthabrunt4162]

Love how the costumes gradually get more colourful, starting all beige and brown, Ziggy's purple hood comes in, Tim's pocket square, dancers' and musicians' shirts under their jackets. Ah, it's so clever.

[@katiafenton618]

This has brought me to tears in the best way possible!!! As a Sydney local who always loved the opera house and performed there as a school kid this has brought me so many memories, and as a queer young adult the comfort this video bring me is like no other, what an amazing way to celebrate 50 years of the opera house.

[@icook1723]

It is truely unique building. There are only a few around the world as iconic and wonderful.

[@gillesphilippe7542]

Quel beau message ! L’Opéra de Sydney est, je crois, le symbole architectural du XXᵉ siècle. This is a matter of Pride!

[@clareronda4843]

"On the first day the Lord gave you television, on the next he delivered a couch" - only Tim would write that lyric, I love it

[@Rhythmattica]

Only Tim would care thats what you'd think.

[@نورسس-ث7د]

ب. ظيزئ ذذ

[@alexwalter9074]

Very proud to have been part of the chorus for this special event. Tim is a joy and has delivered yet again! Bravi tutti!!

[@wilsonwilson137]

Good job!

[@suekennedy1595]

It must have been fun.

[@jacobdye2471]

Fantastic video, a real celebration! My grandfather was a wonderful man, but one of the things of which he was most proud was being in charge of all of the carpentry inside of the Opera House. It is such a beautiful and interesting building and this is a fitting celebration of that.

[@suekennedy1595]

Such a great legacy!

[@alisonturner2799]

Brilliant - Tim Minchin knocks it out of the park yet again. Pertinent, poignant and powerful as per normal. He manages to nail it EVERY time. Hats off to you Tim - love it.

[@suekennedy1595]

Very clever man who thinks in the bigger picture I still like watching “come home cardinal Pell” .

[@blueboy4244]

holy hell.. I've never been to the Opera House, I've never visited Australia.. but I am here all choked up.. what a brilliant film... kudos to the opera house for choosing Tim.. kudos to Tim and a big shout out to the writer(s) and editor and director of the film and live action - just a perfect score

[@sweetsyerra]

I wish there were a version where every performer ... SOH architects, etc ... in this video had their names appear near them, so it would give everyone credit. In the group scenes, we can always pause if they go by quickly to catch them if we wish. How nice it would be, just once, for everyone who participated to be personally known.

[@suekennedy1595]

Yes I recognise so but I am sure I am missing some important people like who was the rapper?

[@Bofeministspider]

Ziggy Ramo is the rapper

[@headwuss]

This is the kind of top notch tribute AND biting social commentary that only Australians can do. Protect the arts. Nothing great every came of playing it safe. Love this so much.

[@whylifeis]

Had the pleasure of hearing Tim Minchin perform this live a few days ago and am now here watching the video repeatedly. Brilliant. Universally poignant.

[@craven5328]

Just saw him perform in Toronto, and I was hoping he'd play this, and I lucked out. Gave this hard determinist some transcendence. Quite possibly the most brilliant show I've ever seen.

[@caidica]

Saw him perform tonight in Boston! And here for the same reason; he told the story and performed this song and I had to see the video that went with it.

[@JanG_GC]

​@@caidicaquite a few of us going back to it for the same reason, I reckon. (DC and NY for me, tho I'm a Brit. But he didn't play it on the UK leg so it was a real bonus)

[@jeffsstuff]

I was in NYC last week to get my daughter situated in her new college apartment and was delighted to see that he was performing there. Excellent show!!!

[@alexdavis5766]

Tim Minchin is a lyrical genius! Watched this a few times both on his channel and here but a massive thank you to the person on here who added human written captions. As a deaf person they made the video so much more enjoyable. That said the video and lyrics conveyed the emotion so well, I didn’t even miss the music! Happy birthday Sydney Opera House!

[@maryjaneocampo6078]

😊

[@Anticrystal88]

As far as the music goes, it starts out very simple and slow, then becomes increasingly uptempo and fun, adding other instruments besides the piano. This transition is reflected in the perfomers' colorful outfits and improv.

[@alewan5307]

Why has it brought me to tears? I have some suspicions: it's bloody brilliant! ❤ Tim just knows how to pull the right strings in our hearts! Happy 50th to Sydney Opera from the newly revived Poland!

[@Anne--Marie]

I cried too. For me it's regret

[@NebraskaGonvilleJones]

Congrats on your recent election, so glad to hear you feel “revived” and I’m not surprised 😊 🇦🇺 ❤ 🇵🇱

[@PLANETIA01]

What a great tribute to the Sydney Opera House. I was only 8 years old in 1973 when I went with Dad and my Sister for the opening of the majestic building. Long live the Sydney Opera House for over yet another 50 years :) DM.

[@suekennedy1595]

I remember watching the opening on TV in Brisbane and the women’s weekly cover of all the balloons going up I was 9 years old.

[@suekennedy1595]

I remember watching it on tv in Brisbane I was 10 and an old bloke was interviewed walking up the stairs and he said I been watching it go up for 13 from across the harbour so I better be here for the opening and then he complained about all the stairs.

[@dbaggs011]

What an awesome number. Classic Tim Minchin. Creative, meaningful, in-your-face, aggressive, super-sightful, cometely unexpected and fantastic! What a brain in that wonderful man.

[@yourwellnesscheck]

Hi from Portland, Oregon, USA. I am calling it right now. I'm coming to Australia to the Sydney Opera House and I'm bringing my family. We're gonna have a good time and I'm gonna spend an abnormal amount of time talking about Tim Minchin to the Ushers. Be prepared for this Black American Woman has entered the chat!!!

[@Sharyn-x8e]

Tim Minchin nails it again. Happy birthday Opera House

[@Lee-astrololee]

Tim, whom has inspired us all to never play it safe, how boring would life have been without these two marvels! Happy Ann. to the Opera House Thanks Tim for reminding me there is beauty in all forms of life, love, lyrics and architecture. A great Tribute indeed!

[@geraldinebull1683]

Thank goodness 'they' didn't play it safe in 1963, as we wouldn't have this extraordinary building now, in spite of all the ups and downs in its construction. I watched the balloons going up 50 years ago from my home in Paddington. Happy birthday.

[@tammyforward4865]

F*cking hell Tim… I’m smiling, crying, tapping my foot. Again, you give us what we never thought we needed. Love ❤️

[@melanielewis-flegal4910]

Tim Minchin, I wish I had an ounce of your energy..you've been doing this and your live shows.!You never cease to amaze me. I love this and they've chosen the best frontman for this! Congrats !

[@nicolareeves4645]

So good! Wouldn't expect anything less from the incredible Tim Minchin 💜

[@sarahbrady-de6ro]

It’s the widening of the screen that does it for me.

[@rosejustice]

I love seeing Tim Minchin show his love for his adopted hometown as well as his country. Not the ram-it-down-everyone's-throat patriotism that we Americans tend to follow (🙄), but a this is my home and here's what I'm doing to make it better for everyone. Would love to invite him & Sarah out for lunch or to just have coffee.

[@patriciajackson2565]

Absolutely fabulous! Maybe it's because a lot has been going on the past couple weeks, but this song made be a little weepy. Well done!

[@damienc003]

Me too! Utterly poignant, and relevant at a remarkably deep level.

[@paulisaacs6579]

😅 funny!

[@melissahoile2778]

It's amazing how many people have said the same thing. Everyone I shared it with had a little cry on the first hearing.

[@ruwatchingtoo]

What compelling and extraordinary visual storytelling. 👏 Well done Tim & Co. Congratulations on 50 years 🎉

[@PianoDiary85]

Saw Tim's Unfunny show last night and it was the best show I've been to (and I've been to quite a few, including Ben Folds about 7 times). Incredibly talented, hilarious (between his intentionally unfunny songs) and a genuine good guy. Had the whole audience laughing between every song. Highly recommend.

[@Capt_Saicin]

Almost same! I saw the unfunny show this past week and it was my second favorite concert I've been to! (The only show I'd put higher than it was 1 of the 3 Ben folds concerts I've been to where Ben took my request via paper airplane, I got two songs with one request, and on my birthday no less)

[@wombats5128]

Brilliant song once again by a brilliant wordsmith

[@Upshall-ih1by]

No better place to appreciate this than sat on the steps of the opera house.

[@kyonghan5011]

Happy birthday, Sydney Opera House. You turning into 50 today. How beautiful you are and how grateful we all have you in this beautiful harbourside city. Great work by Tim Minchin, too. So proud❤

[@nisoes92]

What a marvelous way to honour this marvelous Opera House! But I'm not listening to the lyrics, I just want to see him dance.

[@allisonbergh4429]

😂 *wiggle* 😂

[@jimw859]

Fantastic song Tim and worthy of one of the world's iconic buildings. Having visited Sydney a number of times over the years each time I come I always look forward to my first view of this truly beautiful piece of architecture. Sydney and Australia should be proud of this landmark. Congratulations SOH on 50 years and here's to the next 50. Love from Ireland. 🇮🇪 🇦🇺

[@hillsy333]

Tim bloody Minchin everybody!

[@Bushranger28]

Great song Tim, with a nice cameo by Barnsy

[@robertlaughlin4538]

Thank you for another brilliant piece of art, to all of the people involved in this clip.

[@brucekives2194]

Holy $hit. I'm at work here. How dare you get me laughing and crying at the same time while waiting for a phone call to be returned. Damn you for that celebration!

[@RLeaguer_Saint]

I didn't like this at the first hearing of it. It wasn't that I missed the satire, just that it didn't resonate with me musically. But I have been I huge fan of Tim's for many years now, and know that his songs grow and develop on you, as you start to appreciate the genius behind what he's done. On the second listening, I really liked it, and now, on the 103rd listen, I can't stop listening! I love everything this man does, and genius drips from every line, from every motif, from every artistic decision. So, as so many times before, I've learned not to trust my ears on first listening - I don't think we actually hear it the first time. But from the moment of the 2nd listening... I'm totally hooked. Thank you Tim. My kids quote your lyrics of so many songs in so many situations. Congrats Australia - not only one of the best architectural structures in the world, but THE best lyricist/songwriter.

[@PianoDiary85]

Yep. It's because there usually a few different messages and double meanings to things that unless you process things as quickly as Tim does (there would be few people capable of this), his songs usually take multiple listens before truly understanding what he is capturing. It took me a while to realise how much of the lyrics had double meanings that referred both to the Opera House and to people/artists.

[@caprea.]

Absolutely unbelievable song that shows off the absolute beauty of a key part of Aussie culture - the Sydney Opera House. As an Aussie teenager, I just need to make sure everyone knows how great this video is, and how emotional it made me despite me being born after its creation. I was brought to tears when the song slowed down towards the end and showed both physical forms of the Opera House - the creation of the physical model when the Opera House was still merely an idea, and the completed Opera House we all know and love. The song itself is so good that I even added it to my personal playlist. Great job, this absolutely deserves more likes than it has. "Your mind is like a house. If you keep it locked up tight, you just might keep the world out."

[@suekennedy1595]

So I just flew to Sydney to celebrate my husbands and mine 37 wedding anniversary we went to the Kandinsky exhibition and to Bennelong Restaurant at the Sydney opera house for dinner . It was so good seeing it up close ,I can remember watching the queen open the HOUSE in 1973 and the cover of the woman’s weekly with the balloons,I was ten years old . It is such a magical place I love it,I have this on my down loads with all the BTS and I played on the plane there and back. Congrats Tim a beautiful song with greater and deeper meanings . I love how the opera house proved all the naysayers and cynics wrong it’s a masterpiece and modern classic.

[@sarahrose1968]

Wonderful. This, as always, I magnificent. I’ve said it before and it’ll keep saying it… thank you so much Tim for sharing your brain and making me feel more comfortable in mine x

[@allisonbergh4429]

Very well put. He does have a real knack for making “weird” brains feel more comfortable inside, doesn’t he? I know it’s true for me, and a lot of the wonderful friends (including my husband!) I’ve met in Tim’s fan community 🥰

[@alexandragrace8164]

This song makes me cry every time! It makes me proud to be an Australian and a Sydney girl! 😊❤ Thank you Tim, thank you Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet at the Sydney Symphony Orchestra!

[@suekennedy1595]

Just heard this got an award at Cannes film festival so well deserved,congrats Tim and all your team.

[@catiebea]

This. Is. Art! Thank you to everyone involved in this masterpiece. 💜

[@brenathome]

I can’t stop playing this. It’s been 2 days now. Just brilliant. Pure gold…. Encore !!!

[@samanthabrunt4162]

Ah, this is just brilliant. Not that Tim Minchin would ever come up with anything else!

[@jeffsstuff]

I saw Tim perform this in NYC last week and it was amazing and I knew I had to see the video. I definitely was not disappointed!

[@julianaFinn]

JIMMY AND TIM!!!!❤❤❤

[@ampelaudio]

A perfect tribute by a national treasure for an international icon.

[@sgardoll]

Tim pushing the aspect ratio out at 3:09 gets me every time. Brilliance.

[@laranorbertorenzeti4439]

This is stick to the status quo 17 years later and australian (it's wonderful congratulations ❤)

[@janesmith7128]

Got something stuck in my throat. When Australia does ideas, we do it good. Or we did. Don't seem to hav the broad bold vision anymore; too many people scared to take a punt. Thanks for this song and video, Tim. Amazing.

[@KylieRitter]

Tim Minchin is a complete gift

[@suecartwright4395]

He really is a gift. And his heart is always in the right place and on the right side of history.

[@JanG_GC]

Absolutely loved hearing this live, in DC and NY. What a treat. 🥰

[@suzetteirvine7567]

I love the way you are celebrating its controversial beginning and love the Aussie twang in the song.

[@antoniabeemster7745]

Congratulations to the best and beautiful Opera House. Saw the opening in 1973. Love it.

[@RenataRedman-x3k]

How lucky are we to have Tim Minchin and the Opera House??? Just perfect!!!

[@LordSothMajere]

Happy 50th Birthday Sydney Opera House!! What a fabulous song and video 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@aaronfuller881]

I cry every time I hear this.

[@ChristineScott-x6d]

Absolutely brilliant Tim. Love this so much. The lyrics are so pertinent to what has been going on in Australia recently. Thank you to all of the performers. 🎉🎉🎉

[@theholidaylady1]

OMG! Once again, a new song of yours have given me goosbumps, a shiver, I laughed and cried and my husband got emotional, too! Please keep these great songs coming, Tim and congratulations to all for a marvellous video and for your anniversary!

[@vsgunning]

wonderful song and wonderful film. Made me cry. Life is like a house, don't keep it locked up. Thank you so much Tim. As an immigrant to this country I always feel so special seeing the Opera house.

[@NekolatheDruid]

Jaw dropping! Gorgeous! What an amazing tribute to 50 years 🎉🎂 I can't wait to visit someday ❤❤❤

[@56music64]

So proud of my country, as they say in that famous song "we did it our way" and continue to do so. We have a way to go on some very important issues, but overall. Go Aussie Go

[@jacksony5380]

Happy 50th birthday SOH!!! Here’s to the next 50!!🎉🎉🎉

[@itbe]

I've come back to this over and over now. Uplifting! Tim, when you mentioned the Opera House at the Unfunny Tour (Portland) my son and I cheered. Can't believe we got to see you perform it right in front of us. Thank you for keeping us inspired!

[@LisaSydney]

I love this man and how his brain ticks!! What a fabulous tribute! >>> Happy Birthday SOH... my family and I love spending time with you and your fellows. Thank you for so many amazing memories, and more to come.... from one '73 baby to another, hope to see you soon!!

[@chantanastokes9823]

Wow. Love this

[@kane2522]

The most beautiful building in the world. The best acoustics of any building in the world. Congratulations Sydney Opera House. We love you.

[@StevePretzel1]

OMFG! Extraordinary juxtaposition and an incredible celebration. Bravo!!

[@tanyaking8338]

I've watched this numerous times now and every time I see something else or a new lyric is highlighted and am amazed at Tim's talent. He got it! The SOH is unique as is this song. Well done to all involved in this video from the performers to behind the scenes

[@theresacain6667]

Oh my...brilliant 🎉

[@janetrobertson9199]

Thank you Tim. Thank you SOH for continuing to confound us. Seeing footage of Paul Robeson made me weepy. As others have noted this building shaped us. I played in a school orchestra, on that stage; my mum had a ballet subscription for 20 yrs & I celebrated the opening of Mardi Gras on the steps in 1999 with my partner - yes we are still together. Like the Sydney Opera House, we weren't too sure that day, but we grew and blossomed. Thank you for all the memories still to cone SOH. 💜

[@taniaPBear]

Tim F#@king Minchin! What else do you need to say? Yes, the Opera House is awesome, but only Tim could possibly bring a tear to my eye, singing about it.

[@YFIOFtho]

this is incredible.

[@chrisallan8644]

So good! Have performed there many times and it still overwhelms me when I'm there. Great lyrics! 😀

[@saraholdbury9721]

You certainly pulled it out of the bag Tim ...it's joyous and yet challenges our thinking. Just as we've come to expect from your work 😍

[@BennyTheC_]

What a wonderful celebration!

[@user-fq3ed8ro1h]

Fabulously done Tim Minchin and proud to be living in Sydney where our Opera House shines on a magnificent Harbour

[@aaaaxelle]

Genious! Thank you SOH for all the good time I had within your walls.

[@Renfair333]

F+cking sublime. Made me teary with pride. Bravo Tim et al!

[@suzernathy1]

Wow, what an incredible tribute!!! Bravo to everyone involved! 🎉

[@MyKingFelixYu]

🎂Happy 50th birthday to our 🇦🇺Sydney Opera House!!!

[@charliehatch288]

Bit of good ol Aussie sarcasm What a gem he is

[@jeuskeengelen]

That was absolutely amazing

[@chattychatotchannel]

I love his wittiness and sarcasm it’s so good aaa

[@nigelaubrey7743]

This is such an epic way to help celebrate the 50th birthday of the Opera house. And who better to have written and executed it than Tim. I wish he would run for prime minister.

[@katekw1386]

Love this ❤

[@AlisonHolland-x2t]

Brilliant! Made my afternoon

[@Peter_LiveMusic]

Happy Birthday SOH. Thanks for all the fabulous memories ❤

[@AnjaLSL]

Wonderful. ❤ from 🇩🇰

[@egarth1987]

An amazing song as always, Tim. Your music has brought back a connection to music that I had lost for a while. I'm no contact with my family but "White Wine in The Sun" is a beautiful piece that helps me to see the future and what I hope my son will feel when he's older. 💙💙💙

[@nyandiboy]

Poignant song ❤❤

[@janpannifex783]

Agree its brilliant, well done Tim

[@elizabethdale616]

This is so excellent, and it makes me want to cry how those mantras are my rules of life. God I feel limited.

[@sabinee731]

Happy birthday Sydney Opera House! And thank you Minchin, I love this!

[@sabinee731]

.....although I am biased, I am a fan.

[@susanbellamy9252]

So amazing!!!! Congratulations Tim - love this ❤❤❤❤❤

[@gregengeler9368]

Perfect