Hottest 100 of Australian songs has celebrities shouting out their favourites

Social media feeds are quickly filling up with people’s votes for the Hottest 100 of Australian songs, which triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed will count down on Saturday, July 26.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t waste much time getting his votes in, opting for a very classic list of Aussie favourites from the past.

The CSIRO had a go at lodging votes (the corella must have just missed out), and the Australian Sporting Commission confirmed that “Bradman” was a better Paul Kelly song than “Shane Warne” in their votes.

We’ve spoken to a heap of beloved Australians to get a sneak listen to the songs they’re voting for as well. Below you’ll see a handful of choices from musicians, footy players and entertainers, hopefully giving you a little inspiration to get those votes completed.

You can hear plenty more on The Hottest Seat, and once you’re inspired, make sure to get your votes in. No time to muck around — voting closes on Thursday!

Andy Lee

Powderfinger — Whatever Makes You Happy

Powderfinger have so many brilliant songs that I don’t think Whatever Makes You Happy is going to even touch the first 1,000 songs. But that one is special to me.

When Hamish and I first finished our radio show, we’d done a show at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. U2 had come and performed, we got knighted by Bono, then John Farnham had come out of retirement to sing the final songs.

Hamish and I went straight to Vegas after that. We bought two suits, one each, and that’s all we wore. As we got there, Hame said, “I just wanna show you something,” and pulled out a DVD — that’s how old we are — and he played a compilation of photos from this ride of our lives: meeting at university, mucking around, having a TV show that got axed, and then suddenly being on the radio.

Whatever Makes You Happy by Powderfinger was the song he put it to. So that one certainly would be almost #1 for me as Australian songs of all time, probably cause it’s sentimental. But, sorry Bernie and the gang, I doubt it’s gonna make the top 1,000 for Australians.

Hilltop Hoods

Sia — Chandelier

Sia is a fellow South Australian. When we were younger, we used to go see her play with a band called Crisp, which was an acid jazz band. Later on in our lives, we’d do a song with her called I Love It.

We picked this song because Sia is a bloody Australian legend and icon. We’re huge fans, and this is probably the perfect pop song.

If you were writing a pop song and you walked out of the room after writing this, you’d be like, “10 out of 10. I did it. I wrote the perfect pop song”.

Conor Watson

Flume — Holdin’ On

I remember this song from house parties, and by the time I was going out [to clubs] it was still around. It is such a great track that brought back so many memories.

I listened to it for the first time in a little while the other day, and it’s still such a good song. Flume’s done some amazing tracks, but this one’s my favourite by him.

G Flip

BZ — Jackie {ft. Joanne}

This is a very late-90s kind of song, and it just reminds me of my mum. I think this was her favourite song when I was a kid because I remember it being blasted everywhere.

When I was looking at the triple j website at all the songs you could pick, I saw this song and it made me giggle. I was like, “Oh my God, I remember that song!” I haven’t listened to it in years, but I just have fond memories of mum blasting it in the car on the way to primary school, so I had to include it.

Amy Shark

Silverchair — Miss You Love

I could pick every song, I’m such a massive Silverchair fan. But Miss You Love was [released] at a time where I was in and out of young love.

I remember this time my friend was talking about that song, she’s like, “I’m going to get married to that song”. But I was such a Silverchair fan that I knew that Daniel had said the song is about not being in love, not believing in love and not caring about it.

Looking back on it now, it is a love song, and it’s the best love song ever.

Alex Pearce

Violent Soho — Covered In Chrome

Lots of memories of listening to these guys when I was first listening to triple j on a worksite as a labourer for an electrician.

At Falls Festival back in the mid to late 2000s, Violent Soho brought in the New Year, and I distinctly remember being at the bottom of a triple [speaker] stacker, my mate Liam on my shoulders, someone else on his. A recollection of joy and happiness. This song is easy to get lost in when that chorus hits, particularly at a live gig.

Missy Higgins

Divinyls — Back To The Wall

Chrissy Amphlett was a bit of a hero of mine growing up. I just thought she was so bad-arse, and it was so cool to see a really strong woman out the front of a rock band being such an individual, and being so engaging as a performer.

I was so inspired. Not that I’ve turned out anything like that, but it was really cool to see that you could be anything you wanted as a female performer.

Bernard Fanning

Angie McMahon — Letting Go

There’s something about Angie’s songs that have this tension and release that I absolutely love. I get massive goosebumps when it goes to this outro, she lets go, and her voice just goes into the stratosphere.

It’s exactly what you want from music, what you want from art. You want to be moved, you want goosebumps, you want the hairs to stick up on the back of your neck. Angie’s music does that. What an inspiring song, especially at this time and the way the world is at the moment, it’s very difficult to let go of all the tension that’s around.

The Veronicas

John Farnham — You’re The Voice

As Aussies, he’s the eighth wonder of the world. We always used to try and sing like John. We went to his concerts when we were very young, and we became obsessed with him. We saw him in Jesus Christ Superstar, and we thought he might actually be Jesus.

Emily Wurramara

Warumpi Band — My Island Home

Growing up on a little island in the Northern Territory, this song takes me back to my country, to my place. It brings back memories of sitting in the Troopy with my family and going fishing, and sitting on the beach.

This song is such a statement and a true representation of that nostalgic feeling. When you’re so far away from home, this song calls you back.

Rufus Du Sol

Flight Facilities — Claire De Lune

This is a really special song. It’s so spacious, the time that it takes from start to finish is something I find endearing and nice to listen to. It’s a really beautiful headphone listen.

I don’t know if it’s the strings or the glockenspiel or the naked vocal … it’s just a really beautiful electronic track. The kick is so subdued and dialled back and quiet, it’s just to keep your attention as opposed to needing to be something that’s making you dance or making you move.

When you see the song live, it’s absolute euphoria from the crowd. They are still dancing, even though the kick is subdued. There’s enough within it to make you wanna dance and smile.

Gordi

Tina Arena — Sorrento Moon

I heard someone say once that you are either a Chains person or a Sorrento Moon person, and I have always been a Sorrento Moon girly.

I just love the melody, the harmonics, the emotion and feel of the track. I just don’t think we can talk about the best songs in Australian music without mentioning the queen, Tina Arena.

The Hottest 100 of Australian songs happens on triple j, Double J and triple j Unearthed on Saturday, 26 July. Voting is open until 5pm AEST this Thursday.

Listen to Hottest Seat on the ABC listen app.