you have to read the lyrics and listen to the song to get the message. It hits where it hurts when you understand everything he is singing.

Brilliant album. Still played regularly 41 years later

This was probably the very first song addressing the issue of First Nations people’s dispossession to make the airwaves, and was a huge hit in the day. Shane Howard (lead vocals) is an outstanding songwriter, and a man of genuine convictions. His songs have been covered by singers like Mary Black (Ireland) and John Farnham.

you have to listen to the words - this group was the first aussie group to tell the story of the plight of the indigenous australians - when this first came out in 1982 no one had sung about the invasion and genocide of the first nation people by the british

Australian musos who dived deeper into First Nation's cultures came to make remarkable music & contributions to raising awareness of dispossession and inequality. Think Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Goanna, Hilltop Hoods who are all of Anglo/Euro descent yet tapped into Aboriginal sounds and consciousness to send a message to their fans and people in power. It is a rich vein. Midnight Oil's "Truganini," "Gadigal Land" etc, Paul Kelly's "From Little Things..." are great ways to get some insight into white Aussie's awareness. That's before you even start scratching the surface of genuine Indigenous music from artists like Archie Roach, the incredible Gurrumul, Yothu Yindi, (band) Tiddas, Briggs, Warumpi Band, so many others crossing so many genres. It'd be great for non-Aussies to learn more about Aboriginal culture, because Australia is gradually becoming a better place for us celebrating it.

This was sooo big back in the day. A very Australian sound and important issue of course.

Great to see a reaction for this one. In an interview, Shane Howard recounted being at Uluru (aka Ayers Rock), and having this sudden epiphany that he wasn't living in a country that belonged to him. He described it as some kind of rude awakening that all his life he has been living in a country that was not his own. From that time on, he took first nation's people and their land a lot more seriously, and wrote this song. He is still an advocate to this day.

Another great tune from them is Razor’s Edge.. Shane Howard on lead vocals and I think it’s his sister Marcia on backup vocals. Someone may be able to confirm that….

This is a song of pain and betrayal. I feel strong emotions every time I hear it. It was released at a time when Australia was prepared to look at its dark colonial past. Shane Howard is supported by two of the most beautiful voices in Australia, Rose Bygrave and his sister Marcia Howard.

Goanna didn’t go very far, but this song stood the test of time. It was important lyrically, it had an infectious rhythm, and a great hook. Incidentally, talking of guitars, the bass player used a Maton JB-IV bass which was Australian made and this video helped put Maton basses on the map for a while. Maton had been going for decades with electric and acoustic guitars, and had been used by lots of famous players such as George Harrison, but this showed off the unique look and some of the tones you could get from them. Not many were made back then, and Maton re-released them again a few years back, but they’re not currently in production. The main Australian guitar company producing basses is Cole Clark and their Long Lady bass series is fantastic. Beautiful looks and tones.

Shane Howard the main vocal actually has a tremendous range his solo work...so understated and under rated!! Goanna great OZ rock!!

Shane Howard is the leadsinger. He had been running The Goanna Band since the mid 70's. They were a country rock band from Geelong. Although he was dubious about having his little sister join the group, I think it was great that Marcia Howard (the girl not playing an instrument) was part of the band. Her accompanying vocals lifted them. I used to see them play in the 70's when I spent holidays with relatives in Geelong. They didn't quite sound like this in the 70's. It was kinda unexpected to see them suddenly pop up on Countdown. I literally yelled out ''Mummy, Daddy, mummy, daddy.... Goanna Band are on Countdown! I swear! It's The Goanna Band!''. Very rare time that I watched Countdown with my parents without any of us saying a word.

a goanna is a lace monitor that grows quite large in australia. it is related to the kimodo dragon from indonesia. Aboriginals (first people) ate them as a staple. thrown straight on a fire without gutting and pick the pieces off like chicken of course.. Goanna is an entirely apt naame for an indigenous flavoured band

Defenatly was not the first song addressing the atrocities that happened to our people. But this song was articulated very well! Amazing band and song. Should check out took the children away by uncle Archie roach. Bring tissues! ❤️💛🖤

The lyrics are important in this song!! It is one of my favourite songs and its message is very strong and truthful. You need to replay and listen to the lyrics. No they do realise it is the promised land - its what happens to their promised land when the newcomers arrive!

And here are the lyrics. Out here nothin’ changes Not in a hurry anyway You can feel the endlessness With the comin’ of the light ‘o 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 Dreaming 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 It was 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 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 40 years later I still have this song on the cds in my car.

Shane Howard the lead singer has a solo library as well. Walk on Fire, Come On Make Me

My sister and I used to see Goanna Band live in Geelong back in the 70's. They weren't ''people heavy'' in those days. They were more a country-folk band that you could line dance to. They'd do covers of old Australian folk songs. They were part of this new generation of Australian country bands which included Redgum, Brucelanders (aka The Reels), Paul Kelly Band, The Cobbers, Bushwackers, The Whittle Family, and others. We didn't even think they'd get anywhere outside of Geelong, so it was quite a shock to hear their name announced on Countdown and see them as a ''people heavy'' band with a commercial rock song. The whole ''Spirit Of Place'' album is worth a listen. I recommend trying ''Cheatin Man'' and ''Razor's Edge''. Their other stuff isn't deserving of a reaction. Marcia Howard also has some good solo work. Cheers, Hayley

Probably one of the first songs (in the mainstream) to address this issue in Australia

This is all about the unfair history of colonisation of Indigenous peoples. It is focused on Australia, but it can be applied to any nation that has a history of brutal colonisation and the dispossession and genocide of the Indigenous peoples. This was huge hit in the eighties. It was played in my primary school for a history lesson. Definitely changed generations' views about the history of Australia and other countries and inspired people's demand for social justice for Indigenous people currently, who still suffer from intergenerational trauma and discrimination in society.

Thank you so much! I still love this song, even forty years after first hearing it on KROQ-FM, in 1982. I knew this song was about white invasion of some kind, but I assumed this was some American band singing about the plight of Native Americans. Then I saw the video on MTV and kinda worked out that this was an Australian band. The singer sort of looked like Rick Springfield, one of the girls looked like a nice Aussie girl I was friends with in college, the didgeridoo present in song kinda gave it away, Martha Quinn sayng on MTV something like ''and from Australia, that was Goanna..'' I only knew Australia for the wild life and musical exports (Rick Springfield, Olivia, Helen Reddy, Air Supply, Little River Band, AC/DC, Men At Work, INXS, Divinyls, Midnight Oil, etc)... I was so peed off that this song didn't get any higher than 60 on the Billboard chart. I thought Little River Band and Air Supply were boring, and here's a band with a really good song and that's how it performed? It deserved so much more than that!

it was a pretty solid song in its day though i admit i didn't listen to their album until 1992, when I had nothing else in the car but a copy of spirt of place on tape great album... a quality band

If I may suggest a song written by Missy Higgins while she was sitting on Cable Beach (Broome, WA) called "Steer". Saw her live 2 Saturdays ago along with Paul Kelly, Bernard Fanning etc and she was excellent as always. Not sure if you have reacted to her, but "Ten Days" and "Special Two" had the crowd singing and very happy. She may be the most genuine and talented female artist you have never heard.

The most important song of 1982

Tou got it in the end!

You should check out Midnight Oil singing Our Beds Are Burning, and Yothu Yindi singing Treaty.

Yes ! Brill ,havent heard this for yonks ! I was in Aus when this came out !There was a definate questioning of History narrative and often guilt about the way Australia was started as a penal Colony ! And the way it treated the Aboriginal race ! Most of it was not very nice reading ! But this tune is great ! I can hear Mick Fleetwood on drums ! and if you give the track "White Man " by Queen off the fantastic "A Day At The Races " 1976 ! Written by Brian May ! its about the American Indians ! and White Man ! A must Listen to gem !Later! Cheers !

It's very Aussie when the drummer wears his favourite footy jersey - the Aussie Rules team the Bombers (Essendon Football Club) Goanna did a follow up album where they tried to sound more international> I have it too but it wasn't as successful. I like "Oceania" and it has a more radio friendly song Common Ground Shane Howard, singer/songwriter had a solo career after that I have a vinyl single of his Back to the Track

This is about the invasion of Australia by the British ! It’s told from the native perspective. Look up the lyrics.

For the pronunciation, think of it as 'go anna'. Well done for picking this classic. A goanna is a large, Australian lizard.

Goanna - Cheatin' Man

This works for me. I'd sooner listen to Paul Rodgers and Joe Bonamassa performing Walk in my shadow,

'Butterscotch Blonde' is THE classic Telecaster finish! 😀 That's what the very first ones in the early 50's had looked like, and other colour options were available only later on 🙂 I love Teles, but my 14-year-old Son thinks they're ugly and likes other guitars like Stratocasters much better, especially shell-pink ones 😁

Pronounced Go Anna.. an aussie lizard

Telecasters are just a workhorse. They’re simple and they get the job done.

Love the music but the lyrics leave me a bit flat now that i understand history better.

Um!! You said you weren't paying attention to the lyrics. You Should! They are describing the pain of the Indigenous people when the white sails appeared! However, it's a complicated issue these days..

😅what the point of listening to the music but not the lyrics. Yes you do need to listen a bit harder.

How you butcher the pronunciation of Goanna is the best part

You snooze you lose...truth can't be put too the side..Progress stops for no one not even a first nations...look at the indigenous english being replaced by others..