Blackfella/Whitefella facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Blackfella/Whitefella" |
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| Single by Warumpi Band | ||||
| from the album Big Name, No Blankets | ||||
| A-side | "Blackfella/Whitefella" | |||
| B-side | "Fitzroy Crossing" | |||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Recorded | January 1985 | |||
| Genre | Country rock, Aboriginal rock | |||
| Length | 3:25 | |||
| Label | Powderworks | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Neil Murray, George Rrurrambu | |||
| Producer(s) | Warumpi Band | |||
| Warumpi Band singles chronology | ||||
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"Blackfella/Whitefella" is an Australian rock song. It was written by Neil Murray and George Rrurrambu. Their Aboriginal rock group, Warumpi Band, recorded it. The song was released in 1985. It was the second single from their album, Big Name, No Blankets.
Even though it wasn't a big hit on the music charts, the song brought attention to important issues. Its lyrics encourage people from all backgrounds to work together and live in harmony. The song became well-known across Australia in 1986. This happened when the band Midnight Oil, who were known for their social messages, joined Warumpi Band. They went on a free concert tour of remote Aboriginal communities. This tour was called the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour.
In January 2018, the radio station Triple M created a list. It was called the "Ozzest 100" and featured the 'most Australian' songs. "Blackfella/Whitefella" was ranked number 82 on this list.
The Story Behind the Song
Songwriter Neil Murray got the idea for "Blackfella/Whitefella" from his own life. He is a white man who worked in Papunya. This is a community in the Northern Territory where most people are Indigenous. He lived there starting in 1980.
Even though he was part of a small group, Murray noticed something special. In this isolated community, everyone got along well. They enjoyed doing things together, like playing music and football. In 1985, Murray talked about the song with his bandmates. Sammy Butcher and George Rrurrambu were part of the discussion. George Rrurrambu suggested adding "yellafella" to the lyrics. This term is sometimes used for people of mixed race. Adding it made the song's message even bigger. It showed that the song was for people from all places and backgrounds. In the song's music video, when "yella fella" is sung, Asian Australians are shown.
In 1985, "Blackfella/Whitefella" was the second song on Warumpi Band's first album. The album was called Big Name, No Blankets.
Other Ways the Song Was Used
The song "Blackfella/Whitefella" was also included on some releases of Midnight Oil's single. This was for their song "The Dead Heart" in July 1986.
A 30-minute documentary film was made in 1987. It was also called Blackfella/Whitefella. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) produced it. The film was inspired by the song. It showed both Warumpi Band and Midnight Oil. They were touring together through Central Australia in 1986. The film explored both music and important social topics.
In 2012, a children's book with the same name was published. It contained the song's lyrics. Australian children created the illustrations for the book. Blackfella Whitefella is part of a series of books. These books use the lyrics of famous songs. They aim to teach children about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. They also teach about their efforts to be recognized and have equal rights. The book was launched by musician Archie Roach. A part of the money from book sales helps the Papunya community.
Other Artists Covering the Song
Many other musicians have performed "Blackfella/Whitefella".
- The Australian rock band Powderfinger included their version of the song. It was on their 1996 single, "D.A.F.". A note on the back cover of the single said, "help support the indigenous people of Australia. Educate yourself."
- Aboriginal country and folk singer Jimmy Little covered the song. It was on his 1999 album, Messenger. This album was a collection of covers of popular Australian rock songs from the 1980s.
- Australian singer Missy Higgins included the song on her 2014 album OZ. Crystal Itjuwalyi Butcher sang supporting vocals on this version. The "Oz" album features covers of many Australian songs. It also includes another song by Neil Murray called "Calm and Crystal Clear".
- The Australian band Bad//Dreems covered the song. They performed it with Peter Garrett, Emily Wurramara, and Mambali. This was for the "Like A Version" program on November 15, 2019.
