Earlier this year we celebrated one of the biggest milestones in Australian music history when Lee Harding’s timeless single ‘Wasabi’, which reigned atop the ARIA Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks, turned 10.
Today marks yet another flashpoint in Australia’s cultural history. 18th May marks the day that Daryl Braithwaite’s imperishable 1991 single ‘The Horses’ made it to the top of the ARIA Singles Chart.
The single stayed at the top of the chart for a mere two weeks, but it was just long enough for it to make its way into the hearts and minds of Australians everywhere, including Monte Morgan and Harvey Miller of Client Liaison.
The Melbourne electronic duo famously invited Braithwaite onto the stage at Beyond The Valley for a rousing performance of his signature tune. The uplifting chorus and heartfelt lyrics no doubt brought a tear to the eyes of many BTV punters.
If you’re not old enough to remember the song from its original music video, which featured Braithwaite smiling on a beach with a pretty lady, you might know it from its association with Bingle car insurance.
Of course, the famous cut from Braithwaite’s 1990 album Rise has a few skeletons in its closet. For one thing, the Sherbet frontman did not actually write the song. It was penned by Rickie Lee Jones and Walter Becker.
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The original was released on Jones’ 1989 album Flying Cowboys, later featuring in the hit 1996 film Jerry Maguire and also being included on the film’s soundtrack.
Secondly, the pretty lady that appeared in the video had nothing to do with the recording of Braithwaite’s version. Model Gillian Mather lip synced to vocals provided by singer Margaret Urlich.
Despite all this, we still love ‘The Horses’ for the way it speaks to our souls. Watch the video below and imagine yourself being whisked away from wherever you are by the song’s titular steeds and being galloped to freedom.
