I bought my first 45 (if you’re under 50, ask your parents) in 1964 — The Seekers’ “I’ll Never Find Another You.” My 13-year-old self loved the lyrics, music, and especially the incredible voice of the group’s lead singer, Judith Durham. My six-days-short-of-75 self still does.
Yesterday, when I heard it on the radio, I went online to find out whatever happened to the group. One thing led to another, and on YouTube I stumbled across a Seekers song I had never heard that made me well up with pride and love of country. Not my country, theirs — Australia.
“I Am Australian,” co-written by Seekers member Bruce Woodley, chronicles the country’s identity, starting with the first Australians — the Aborigines, who were there 40,000 years before Europeans; its convict foundations; its hardworking, risk-taking pioneers. It gives a nod to natural wonders like Ayers Rock and cultural touchstones like the outlaw Ned Kelly and "Waltzing Matilda." The chorus celebrates Australia’s multiculturalism, made up of immigrants from every corner of the globe.
The song gave me goosebumps. I’m American through and through, but could just as easily have been Australian — there are many Drydens down under. My Scottish ancestors just happened to board the boat headed west instead of southeast.
The Seekers reunited for a farewell tour in 2014 when they were in their seventies and performed a stirring version of the song in London, shown in the video (link below). I’ve learned that most Australians know the song by heart, much the way we Americans know “God Bless America.” Many think it should be Australia’s national anthem. Durham’s voice — she was 71 at the time — is every bit as beautiful, strong, and distinctive as it was when she was 20. (She died in 2022.)
I wish someone would write a song like this about America, bringing together singers from all backgrounds to perform it, a la “We Are the World.” The recording would sell millions of downloads and might be exactly what we need at this point to bring Americans of all ages, colors, ethnicities, religions, and political persuasions together to celebrate who and what we are.
If you have a few moments, take a look at the video. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrLTe1_9zso&list=RDKrLTe1_9zso&start_radio=1
It’ll make you feel good, and you’ll be humming it all day, just as I am as I write these words.
