Thank you so much Nick!! This is my request. Aussie rock classic with an important message explained so well in the comments below. One of my all time favourites from the early 1980s. Love your channel 💛

Hey Nick, Rose here . I am the curly haired keyboard player in the clip . Thanks very much for giving it a spin and I really enjoyed hearing your comments… very interesting to hear your thoughts on first hearing the song after 49 years .I’ve just tagged Shane Howard who wrote the song and his Sister Marcia . I’m sure they will get a kick out of it . Lotsa love, Rose Bygrave

Just some background: "They were standing on the shore one day, saw the white sails in the sun". Put yourself in the place of the Australian Indigenous community when either Cook or the first fleet arrived. Ships from Europe. It's kind of the point of the song. The land is a solid rock. It's sacred ground. Maybe the very next line, "living on borrowed time", is the saddest part of the song... Love this song so very, very much.

I'm not sure if this has come up before, but generally when you hear references to dreaming in Australian music they're talking about the Dreamtime, this is the beginning of the world in Aboriginal culture. You'll also hear references to a serpent or great snake, that's the Rainbow Serpent who created life. Solid Rock is about the European invasion of Australia and genocide, it was released in 1982, the 70s and 80s were the height of the fight for recognition of native title and land rights, so rock music doing what it does best, produced some of the finest music reminding us of our moral obligations. Midnight Oil's Beds Are Burning, Yothu Yindi's Treaty are a couple you've already reacted to, but even David Bowie filmed his Let's Dance video here to highlight the fight for indigenous rights.

According to Howard, the inspiration came on a ten-day camping trip at Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) during 1980 where he had a "spiritual awakening" which brought "the fire in the belly" to the surface over injustices to Australia’s indigenous peoples. Howard said "I realised that this country that I grew up in, that I thought was my country, wasn't. I had to reassess my whole relationship with the land and the landscape, and understand that we had come from somewhere else, and we had dis-empowered a whole race of people when we arrived. "Well, they were standin' on the shore one day They saw the white sails in the sun Wasn't long before they felt the sting White man, white law, white gun Don't tell me that it's justified 'Cause somewhere, well, someone lied Yeah, well, someone lied Someone lied, a genocide Well, someone lied, oh, ah. Peace out

I loved how you were getting into the sound and then stopped when you realised he was saying something important. It’s all about dispossession of the Indigenous owners of Australia. A very powerful song when you know the context.

Shout out to all the elders of the first peoples nations on who's land we stand. And may their knowledge and guidance help us to bring about a brighter future for all people's whom call Australia their home. Let us have respect and change the date.

To me as an Aussie This song is for all of us to keep us in check. This land is scared and we all must respect it and never forget that the First Nation people are the rightful custodians.

DreamTime is our proud Indigenous/Aboriginal folklore, belief system referring to all things about the Land (Australia) and its connection to the people. Until… “white sails”… arrived and colonised it. You wouldn’t sell it in a “marketplace “ … but unfortunately we did… someone “lied” refers to the injustices of how we treated our proud people. Deep, deep song and relevant to so many other cultures IMHO.. 👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

I am a big fat old Australian, I saw them perform this song live in 1982 or 83 - I was 10 feet from the stage. The song has sent shivers done my spine for the past 40 years.

Out here nothin' changes Not in a hurry anyway You can feel the endlessness With the comin' of the light of day You're talkin' 'bout a chosen place You wanna sell it in a marketplace, well Well, just a minute now You're standin' on solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line Right down the line Well, round about the dawn of time The dreamin' all began A crowd of people came Well, they were lookin' for their promised land We're runnin' from the heart of darkness Searchin' for the heart of light With their paradise Well, they were standin' on solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Were blowin' cold that night, oh Well, they were standin' on the shore one day Saw the white sails in the sun Wasn't long before they felt the sting White man, white law, white gun Don't tell me that it's justified 'Cause somewhere, someone lied Yeah, well someone lied Someone lied Genocide Well, someone lied And now you're standin' on solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line Solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line Solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line No!

The Goanna Band were formed as an Australian folk-rock group by singer-songwriter and guitarist Shane Howard in Geelong, in 1977. Alongside Howard, the original line-up was Mike Biscan (guitar), Richard Griffiths (bass guitar) and Rod Hoe (drums). During their early years the line-up changed numerous times, with only Howard as the mainstay. In 1979, the group consisted of Howard, keyboardist & vocalist Rose Bygrave, lead guitarist & vocalist Warwick Harwood, bass guitarist Carl Smith, drummer Gary Crothall and vocalist & harmonica player Ian Morrison. They recorded the independent 12" EP, The Goanna Band. The four-track EP was produced by Broderick Smith, ex-The Dingoes, and released on the EMI Music. By 1981 the band was now Shane Howard, Rose Bygrave, Warrick Harwood, Peter 'Brolga' Coughlan on bass guitar, Marcia Howard (vocalist & synthesisers), Graham Davidge (electric guitar) and Robbie Ross on drums. They had shortened the name to Goanna, and with their increasing popularity they attracted the interest of major record companies. Peace out.

All we have ever wanted was the land, to nuture and maintain our amazing country and continue our ways...

"white man, white law, white gun" is such a powerful lyric

Such a great Aussie rock anthem with a lot of meaning and heart, also love the Essendon VFL jumper on the drummer

Gives me goosebumps as soon as that guitar riff starts ❤️

God, this song is so powerful! 200+ years later and shit still hasn't changed! #alwayswasalwayswillbe

The song deals with issues of land rights for Indigenous Australians and was released in September 1982 after the lead singer went camping on a trip to Uluṟu (The big red rock you see in the video) and found great injustice towards the real landowners being ‘real’ Australians - Indigenous people. Love this song it reminds me of my youth. Thanks Nick ❤️

Hey Dom, Goanna is pronounced as ‘Go-Anna’, it’s the name of a large Oz lizard, somewhat similar to a monitor type. It’s shown thru the vid, depicted often in First Nation’s paintings/artwork.. very powerful lyrics and that beat as you said, just lifts you beyond Cheers mate 🍻

This is an iconic Aussie song - we love it. It's about the white invasion of Australia and how the indigenous people were treated.

One of the greatest songs ever produced in Australia. Great band live saw them when I was 18 (now 57) at the Blacktown RSL. This song is still on my play list.

Have always loved this song because the land is sacred to us and understanding the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Thankfully there is more information about our sites and all we ask that they understand our sacred womens and mens business 🖤💛❤️

Love this song. Not only the beat but the imagery it conjures up. You can see the land, the people and the incoming ships. You feel the sting of bullets and the cries of pain. But I think it's also a song about the future and it's inevitability. But you have to consider the past to move on. The most important thing is that to truly recover you must move on and the hardest part is to put the past behind us when the past isn't yet resolved. Here's to a brighter future for ALL Australians.

Another great 80’s Aussie band. And I’m lucky enough to have been born just at the right time to see all these bands. This was an anthem / protest song here in Australia. It was clever as it was rock but the story behind the song was country. As we call it. Or our Rock. If you listen closely there is a story to be told about the English landing here and what they did to our proud indigenous people. So it touched a lot of hearts here. It was a great song and they were a great live band to see as a teenager. Also the rock part can be Uluṟu or what was once named by the settlers of the country Ayres rock.!

I think the "justified" part refers to "Terra Nulious" an old law that meant if an explorer found "new land" they could claim it as their own. AS LONG AS NOBODY ELSE WAS LIVING THERE ". To be kind you could say The British Claimed Terra Nulious because they didn't recognize Aboriginal people as having a society with law and culture OR you could say they flat out lied so they could" legally" claim the land as their own. Either way the outcome was not good for the people that had lived here since Funny thing is, if the British asked an elder "who owns the land". He may have said "nobody". Because we belong TO the land and have serious obligations to care for the land.. Not own it.

Hard to believe this song is 40 years old. An absolute Aussie rock classic with lyrics about the dispossession of Aboriginal ppl from their land.

Just a note...as a teenager I was a big follower of this band. Saw them play many times. Shane Howard still sings it at gigs.

I remember this song getting popular when I was still a child. It was my first introduction to the idea of the desert as a sacred space for the indigenous peoples here. Even back then in all my youth and ignorance its message about sacred sites hit me clear as day. I'm glad you enjoyed it too.

Just listened to this song on the weekend, (I was having an Aussie rock weekend). Sad song really 😢 💔. Can't really compare bands because everyone single one has their own sound and message and are just brilliant in their own way 🤗. I will say that Oz bands definitely have what I call a definite Aussie sound.

This is an Australian anthem song

You're really cracking into the heart of incredible Aussie music now, mate. And you're still only scratching the surface 👍 Please, please, please do Ganga Jang - The Sounds of Then.... Have a look at Midnight Oil as well...Beds Are Burning, Power and the Passion, Short Memory....so much goodness! 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

Saw these guys live many times at the Lady Bay in Warrnambool. They were locals ( Shane and his sister Marcia) and always received a massive reaction. We loved seeing them and it was always a great night. My sister knew Shane well (they went to uni together) and he actually sang at her wedding! Great memories

There is a lot of meaning to this song. Awesome song.

Best Song !!! Awesome band Razor's Edge is another beauty !!! 😎😎👍👍 First verse about Australia Second about the Aboriginals arrival and the Dreamtime Third White man coming. The chorus says it all The lizard painting is a goanna. 1982

This song was so big here that it isn’t easy to put into words. Every single party blasted this out numerous times a night, I know that we did!! It was an amazing time for Australian music!!

This song has a spiritual vibe

What separates them in this case is the message. Powerful stuff!

Aussie Rock isn’t just great music, its a way of life, its what we feel, its what we believe, its what we love. Its what it is to be an Aussie. Rock N Roll Brother.

An Australian classic. So much is within this song, background music and video that escapes a lot of people. Break it down, the lyrics, the beat, the riff, the video, it is telling a story, that will stand the test of time not only for the generation that grew up with this music, but for those to come. Pleased to see that you appreciate it. According to Howard, the inspiration came on a ten-day camping trip at Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) during 1980 where he had a "spiritual awakening" which brought "the fire in the belly" to the surface over injustices to Australia’s indigenous peoples. Howard said "I realised that this country that I grew up in, that I thought was my country, wasn't. I had to reassess my whole relationship with the land and the landscape, and understand that we had come from somewhere else, and we had dis-empowered a whole race of people when we arrived."[3] WEA were reluctant to release it as a single and Howard initially had reservations about whether commercial radio would play it because of its politically sensitive theme but Howard insisted on its release to make a statement about the European invasion of Australia.[3][4] The song was released in September 1982.

Still love this song, it never got old. One of my favourites and still on my playlist.😀

AWESOME CHOICE NICK - a song trying to outline what it must have been like for the Australia's first nation's peoples to see the arrival of the white man to their shores and the subsequent destruction of their cultures. 'Well, they were standin' on the shore one day Saw the white sails in the sun Wasn't long before they felt the sting White man, white law, white gun Don't tell me that it's justified 'Cause somewhere, someone lied'

I love this song and the meaning behind it has a strong message. I was talking with a few didgaredo players and they all have commented that the blow in the bridge in the middle of the song is supposed to be a little dog inside a fence you know the yapping and growling about then full on barking. Thanks for featuring this and the other Aussie songs we do like our home grown music. Btw crowded house isn't strictly an Australian band they're a New Zealand band but us Aussies take anything that's good from our cousins on the other side of the ditch and call it Australian. Thanks again.

Oh man I love this. Still got this on my playlist. It’s one of those songs I just never get tired of hearing 😊

Dom, Many songs Aussie's request aren't necessarily to promote their vocal skills. We're more proud of our song writers.

Really catchy music, extremely important lyrics, very much an Aussie anthem

Great Nic and huge thanks to the subscriber who requested this absolute Aussie classic. Such an important song for our country speaking of white colonisation of Australia and coming from the perspective our our traditional owners.

Spending most of the last two days listening to you react to Aussie classics is my teenage years re-lived... I realise just how spoilt I was to have seen near all live at some stage ... How many anthem like songs there actually is... Bless you! ❤

This band wrote many protest songs that joined the fight for indigenous land rights in the 70's and then on into the 80's. You have heard midnight oil, yothu yindi etc. There were many great songs written during those years

This came out in 1981-82 and the beat is instantly recognisable. One of my favourite songs from the 80’s.

Yeah a rock classic. My eldest son’s first concert was Goanna. 🇦🇺🎸⚡️🤘🏿

Song lyrics, really powerful. “Out here nothin' changes Not in a hurry anyway You can feel the endlessness With the comin' of the light of day You're talkin' 'bout a chosen place You wanna sell it in a marketplace, well Well, just a minute now You're standin' on solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line Right down the line Well, round about the dawn of time The dreamin' all began A crowd of people came Well, they were lookin' for their promised land We're runnin' from the heart of darkness Searchin' for the heart of light With their paradise Well, they were standin' on solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Were blowin' cold that night, oh Well, they were standin' on the shore one day Saw the white sails in the sun Wasn't long before they felt the sting White man, white law, white gun Don't tell me that it's justified 'Cause somewhere, someone lied Yeah, well someone lied Someone lied Genocide Well, someone lied And now you're standin' on solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line Solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line Solid rock Standin' on sacred ground Livin' on borrowed time And the winds of change Are blowin' down the line No!”

Thank you so, so much for this reaction. This song chokes me to tears every time I hear it. It also brings out this powerful passion from inside of me. I love this song.

I was 15 in 1983 when I bought this album. Still a favourite today. Goanna have produced songs that will be timeless. At least down here on the island.

Good on you for noticing that this was an important song and for chasing the lyrics. That was just the icing on the cake.

Yay Rose and Marcia...u r both awesome. Great harmonies. Love Shane too... our Aussie anthem. Goanna rocks. Xx

Music with heart. Still in my top 10 Aussie songs big all time. Goanna were a great live act. Great memories. How many pop/rock songs have 'genocide' in the lyrics ...

I saw them at Narara '83 and this song went OFF! Love it. 🖤💛❤

Another one of my favourite songs.

Shane Howard, lead singer of this band Goanna, wrote the song 'Talk of the Town' that John Farnham had a hit with too! Solid rock is a phenomenal song with a deep message!

I love how many aussie bands you are reacting to! We love our artists from Down Under; so much great music!!

It makes you feel and float in the music👍

I just love your journey into Australian music, I get more emotional each time I hear this song

Good channel Great song love Aussie 80’s When you have soul you feel the music…….

I like your channel, watched the Redgum reaction and was hoping you did this song. Standing on solid rock, standing on sacred ground, living on borrowed time. Profound.

Great use of the didgeridoo in this song. Would love you to react to more didgeridoo music. It’s truly unique.

Shane Howard and the other members of Goanna , are all great musicians, huge band back in the day

their debut album circa 1982 'Spirit of Place' is an album full of catchy tunes and the australian landscape. His sister Marcia Howard who sings in this song has some stand out vocals on that album accompanied by her textured piano playing and beautiful vocals

Bombers guernsey on the drummer! 👍

This still gives me goosebumps. A lot of our songs refer to our Australian history.

In 1770 when Captain Cook “discovered” Australia on the Endeavour (the white sails in the sun), after returning to England he declared that the country was “Terra Nullus” meaning it was uninhabited, knowing that there were already native inhabitants here, therefore it could be claimed for England, possibly the lie. Goanna also did a song called Let The Franklin Flow, it was an environmental song protesting the proposed damming of the Franklin river in Tasmania. I remember as a kid it was a big political move and lots of protesters there for years.

As an Aussie, I love that you have found our classic rock, some of the best around. Great videos mate.

They were standing on the shore one day, saw the white sails in the sun, wasn't long before they felt the sting-white man, white law, white gun. Don't tell me thats justified, cos somewhere, someone lied. Genocide. Powerful lyrics written 40 years ago. Sadly, the winds of change are blowing very slowly down the line. Loved this as a teenager, love it even more now.

The message of this song is the most important aspect of it

Thankyou for playing Goanna. Awesome protest group from Australia in late 70s. They played Solid Rock at Womad in Adelaide tonight, Sunday 13th. Great Aussie Rock Sound.

I saw them live in a park just near my home when I was a kid....they were rehearsing for "bandaid" or "liveaid" ir something like that in the 80s, awesome 👌

He is basically singing about the invasion of Australia and the near Genocide of The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. When they sing "Don't tell me it was justified"

The best part of these reaction videos to Aussie singers is the comments section - it's always full of interesting information about the artists, songs, backstories etc.

Love this song.

I remember when this song came out and it rocked my boat BIG time. Still have it on my playlist and is played at least once a week. Curly haired gal on the keyboards... so hot!! One of the very greatest songs to come our of Australia!! Thanks for uploading.

awesome that you took the time to understand what this song is about and how important it is to tell the message of the traditional custodians of this great country which was stolen Big respect brother and to all my fellow indigenous cousins big love always

Thank you so much for taking the time to research more than others. Every song has a special place/meaning to the songwriter / composer, so it's important to understand the backstory. You have won me over.

Shane Howard has a great voice from a great band. They toured the Universities around Australia, and I have seen them live many time. Fantastic songwriting and lyrics, with a story to tell.

I grew up with this song 🇦🇺 The most powerful words are. Throw it down the line . It's only now that we as aboriginal Australian people are being seen as custodians of this land . 65 thousand years is a long time. Do you really think we have nothing to offer Standing on a rock one day.

Have no idea how I missed this one! Wow I have never seen this video clip, the drummer is wearing my Football teams Jersey! Great song with such an important message!

This always gives me chills

Great song!! takes me back to my youth yet again. Still need more change, I'm waiting...hoping one day it will happen. Thank you

You moved so soulfully, here, Rose, one of the most memorable aspects of the video. You appeared to sink yourself entirely into the song, bless you.

I loved this song as a teenager. One of my favourites. Thanks for putting it on. The story is aboriginal lands and the 'endlessness' is the outback and specifically the 'solid rock' is the world's largest monolith - known back then as Ayers Rock, but changed to the aboriginal name Uluru. When referring to white man, white gun etc I think they were referring to the aboriginal sighting of Captain Cook and the first explorers landing at Botany Bay (New South Wales).

Apart from the fact Nic you’re hearing and loving Australian music in the now , that we have loved for decades - but that you’re also getting all the stories behind the songs, the lyrics , the messages … basically a history lesson on our First People and Australian and Indigenous Cultures - how cool 🤟😎🎵

Goanna were such an underrated band, full of substance and musical prowess. Their lyrics were so well thought out, including stories of people downtrodden and lessons on how to be proud of who we are. Musically, up there with the best of them and a true group effort. Shane Howard's brilliance, support by his talented sister and the rest of the group, showcasing the talents of all. Only two albums were produced and Shane's solo album. I sure miss them.

We had a solid and empathetic period in the 80s and early 90s. Bands like this and Midnight oil. Reminding us of our obligations and for some rights.

Great song and reaction. It really speaks about the plight of the Aboriginals. This song really woke me up back in 82 to how us being here affected them. RESPECT! Btw, love your shirt

Each and every group had their home country, language, traditions, sacred places, burial practices, and land management methods. Dreamtime stories, corroboree and everybody in their group, belonged to their home country. White man could not see any recognisable ownership, written history etc, so they used guns, which had never been seen before and declared ownership after trying to buy land with beads etc. Both sides had no understanding of the other mob's systems, so clashes were common. You cannot sell what you don't "own," but all belong to, they never did sell anything. There is a very long history of injustices. A lot of white australians were dismissive when told Ayer's Rock is called Uluru, and sacred to the locals, do not climb it out of respect. There are countless other sacred places, cave painting etc that people disrespect whether by ignorance or bull-headedness. Aboriginal art is a method of storytelling, needs to be explained, not just put on the wall and "does it come in other colours?"

You've only scratched the surface of great Australian music. Try starting in the 60's and even some 50's are good. This is definitely a favourite for me.

Third verse speaks about Australia’s invasion. First Nations people seeing the sails of British boats for the first time and everything that happened afterwards. I’m a descendent of Pemulwuy, the first aboriginal Australian to gather forces against British invasion. Caught, escaped and fought for a further 12 years with shackles from the first time he was caught before he was captured and beheaded with his skull displayed at the London Museum. This is my grandfather.

Always love a song when the drummer gives the tom toms a workout. Mick Fleetwood on "Go your own way" comes to mind as well.

Listening to it now..on my playlist. Reminds me of being an Aussie and I have indigenous blood also so this song resonates to me alot

The lyrics are the most important thing about this song. Sovereignty was never ceded by our First Nations, and this song is a rally cry for this. This is a 4 minute retelling of almost 150 years of genocide and injustices and disparity. Such a pity more people don't pay more attention to the lyrics.

Love the incorporation of the digeridoo

I remember this song over here in America. it used to get played on radio and according to wiki, it reached 61 on the billboard chart. I haven't heard this song for 40 years.