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Beautiful People (Australian Crawl song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Beautiful People'" is the 1979 debut single released by Australian rock band Australian Crawl and the song later appeared on their debut album 'The Boys Light Up' (1980). It was written by James Reyne and Mark Hudson, former bandmates.
The music video for "Beautiful People" was filmed in 1979 at the then dilapidated and graffitied (but now renovated and heritage listed) Bellevue House, Glebe.
Background
Australian Crawl caught the attention of Little River Bands guitarist David Briggs, who helped them to a recording contract with EMI and produced their first single. "Beautiful People" was released in August, 1979 and peaked at No. 22 on the Australian Singles Chart. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until the Australian Recording Industry Association created its own charts in mid-1988.
The song satirised the vacuous elite of mid-1970s Melbourne's Toorak society:
In 1975, Reyne was living in South Yarra, whilst attending Monash University and playing drums for Archie Slammit and the Doors.
'The Making of "Beautiful People"' (1979) was a mini-documentary broadcast on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV pop show 'Countdown'. The film featured Geoff Cox (who later hosted 'Coxy's Big Break') guiding viewers from the studio sessions to the pressing of the 7" vinyl, finishing with Australian Crawl's performance of the song on 'Countdown'.
The Crawl made a memorable debut on 'Countdown' performing "Beautiful People" because Reyne appeared with both arms encased in plaster. He was also shown in the official music video with his arms in plaster. He had been hit by a car in Swanston Street, Melbourne breaking bones in both wrists, an episode chronicled in the song "Indisposed". Although "Beautiful People" only reached No. 22, it remains one of their most popular songs.
Track listing
#"Beautiful People" (James Reyne, Mark Hudson) - 2:56
#"Man Crazy" (Reyne) - 3:40
Charts
References
Category:1979 debut singles
Category:1979 songs
Category:Australian Crawl songs
Category:EMI Records singles
Category:Songs about Australia
Category:Songs written by James Reyne
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