Which Australian singer composed and recorded the song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport” in 1957?

In 1957, Australian singer Rolf Harris (born March 30, 1930) composed and recorded the song “Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport”. He was also a comedian, actor, painter and television personality. The song was an international hit around the world in the 1960s. Harris’s song was inspired by the American Harry Belafonte’s (born 1927) calypsos, most noticeably, “The Jack-Ass Song”, about an Australian stockman on his deathbed.

The song is considered in the tradition of a folk and pop tune running for 3:03 minutes. The distinctive sound of Harris’s original recording was achieved by the use of an instrument of his own design called the “wobble board” - a two-by-three-foot piece of hardboard.

The song was used by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the late 1980s as the theme song of an Australian professional talent wrestler named Outback Jack (born 1958). He portrayed a northern Australian bushman coming to America to compete in the WWF.

Harris performed the song during the Opening Ceremony of the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia with a special verse of lyrics written for the event: “Can I welcome you to the Games, friends, / Welcome you to the Games, / Look, I don’t know all your names, friends, / But let me welcome you all to the Games”.

Harris was convicted in 2014 of the sexual assault of four underage girls, which effectively ended his career.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org

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18 Comments

Anita Clark Morton

I always loved Rolf Harris music. I find it so sad and pathetic that he abused young girls, and refused to take responsibility for it. The only way I can justify it is that he may be a very nasty piece of work as a man, but he's still a musical genius. Michael Jackson in America is the same. I don't LIKE him anymore, but I still love his music.

Lynne Zeman

I loved that song as a child. Very disappointing to read of the man's character.

illonabird

Anita Clark Morton, It requires the ability of separating the art from the artist. Sometimes I can, but sometimes it’s a very long reach to get there.

Doris Dallaire

Somebody should have tied his kangaroo down!

Pat Salloum

I remember being so shocked and saddened....

Ray Anderson

Thor Johnson, One of our high school teachers was Fred Edwards, who favoured the liberal use of a cane for punishment. When this song came out, this line prompted the pupils to start referring to him as Dead Fred, a nickname that stayed with him for the rest of his time.

Kim B Ley

Good artist,that's the only good thing l can say about him

Howard Groopman

It wasn't a hit in the US till around 1963 or 1964.

Brian Reynolds

Like many Australians I grew up thinking he was a true blue Aussie and one to be proud of. How wrong I was.

Jas Newman

At age 84!

judy

We don't mention his name here anymore!

Char

Anita Clark Morton, me too

Char

I was five years old but I remember I first part of this song but no clue on singer or writer..Thanks Majority

Thor Johnson

tan my hide when I'm dead, Fred, tan my hide when I'm dead so we tanned his hide when he died, Clyde and its hanging on the side of the shed...my favorite verse