Sun Arise

Album: Sun Arise (1961)
Charted: 3 61
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Rolf Harris began his recording career with "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport," and most of his following singles releases were in the same genre, i.e. comedy and/or novelty songs; "Sun Arise" is the exception.

    Released on Columbia October 25, 1962, (and January 1961 in Australia) it was co-written with his fellow Australian, the naturalist Harry Butler. It is based loosely on Aboriginal folklore.
  • "Sun Arise" can also probably be credited with introducing the didgeridoo to contemporary Western music, certainly to the mainstream. At the time it was recorded, Harris could not play the didgeridoo so double bases were used to mimic its sound, although it was later re-recorded with the real thing. The B-side was a more typical Harris recording, "The Big Black Hat." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England, for above 2

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.