Category Archives: KEATING!

Obviously Alexander Downer was always going to have a bit of a Frank-N-Furter time of it. Cam Rogers’ inspired opening-line suggestion plugged into that beautifully, and he inhabited the role for the entire Drowsy run, flashing his perfect pins and … Continue reading →

If you have to ask, you’ll never know. It’s actually just the “Do It In Style” chord progression in a different feel. It was slightly shortened for the Belvoir version, because “Sweet” became the victory celebration song, and because copyright … Continue reading →

One of the most famous Keating quotes – there was already a Dave Graney song along the same lines, though I think his was “I’m Gonna…”. Also a chance to take Hewson and Keating’s relationship in an unconventional direction – … Continue reading →

Some of the whitest rapping ever digitally captured. Not deliberate. All of the insults in Keating’s last long spiel are from Hansard, though some are radically reshuffled (to the point where they don’t really make sense or are pointing at … Continue reading →

In the original version of the show, this was Gareth Evans’ ‘warning’ song to Keating following his rise to the leadership, and in retrospect it’s probably a good example of why ‘show, don’t tell’ is the storytelling maxim it is. … Continue reading →

This was, I think, the very first song idea I had for the show. In both iterations of the live show as I knew it, it was tremendous fun to have the band belting out “Who da man? You da … Continue reading →

I always envisioned this as starting in a kind of mellow Al Green world before getting up on its Wilson Picketts by the end. I’m not sure we ever did it justice in that way; mind you, I’m not sure … Continue reading →

It’s the “I Want” song! Canberra’s never lonelier or colder Than when you feel the heartbreak of defeat You’ll never find a sympathetic shoulder On any bureaucratic street So when I must forgive or be forgiven When all my best-laid … Continue reading →

Always liked the idea of Keating as a swing practitioner; the low-key delivery, the elegant fashion, the underlying confidence (or braggadocio) of it – a nice contrast to Hawke’s sweaty good cheer. The percussiony breakdown in the middle is (of … Continue reading →

Delivered by Bob Hawke as the current PM at the beginning of the show. It seemed a natural fit to take Hawke in a beer-barrel waltz direction, and he was not without the showman’s urge either, so he was well-suited … Continue reading →