Blackfella/Whitefella: Difference between revisions

"Blackfella/Whitefella"
"Blackfella/Whitefella"
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 written by Neil Murray and George Rrurrambu, recorded by their Aboriginal rock group, Warumpi Band, and released as the second single from their 1985 album, Big Name, No Blankets on Parole Records and Powderworks Records.^[1] While not a chart success, the song drew attention to issues of racism in Australia through lyrics that encourage harmony and co-operation by people of all races. The song received national airplay and attention in 1986 when politically charged rockers and Powderworks Records founders Midnight Oil accompanied the band on a free concert tour of remote Aboriginal communities as the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour.^[2]

In January 2018, as part of Triple M's "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Blackfella/Whitefella" was ranked number 82.^[3]

Background

Songwriter Neil Murray's inspiration for "Blackfella/Whitefella" came from his experience as a white man working in Papunya, a predominately Indigenous community north west of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory from 1980. Although he was part of a minority, Murray found that in the isolated community, everybody was getting along, enjoying activities such as music and football. In 1985, after discussing the song and its message with band mates Sammy Butcher and George Rrurrambu, the later suggested that Murray include "yellafella" (a term sometimes used to refer to individuals of mixed race) in the lyrics, broadening the message of the song to include people from all places.^[4] Furthermore, in the music video to the song, when the term "yella fella" is used, Asian Australians are portrayed.

Other media

The single was included as an addition track on Australian and International 12" single releases of Midnight Oil's "The Dead Heart" released in July 1986.^[5]

A 30-minute documentary film entitled Blackfella/Whitefella produced by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation was released in 1987. The film inspired by the song showcases both Warumpi Band and Midnight Oil while touring together through Central Australia in 1986 and deals with both music and politics.^[6]

In 2012, a children's book of the same name containing the song's lyrics accompanied by illustrations by Australian children was published by One Day Hill. Blackfella Whitefella is part of a series containing the lyrics of iconic songs which are intended to educate children on the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their struggle for recognition and equal rights. The book was launched by musician Archie Roach, with a percentage of book sales intended to support the Papunya community.^[7]

Cover versions

Australian rock music band Powderfinger included a cover version of "Blackfella/Whitefella" on their 1996 single, "D.A.F.". A statement on the back cover includes "help support the indigenous people of Australia. Educate yourself."^[8]
Aboriginal country and folk singer Jimmy Little covered the song on his 1999 album, Messenger, a collection of covers of 1980s popular and alternative Australian rock music.^[9]
Australian singer Missy Higgins features the song on her 2014 album OZ, which includes supporting vocals by Crystal Itjuwalyi Butcher. "Oz", being a cover album of Australian songs, also features Neil Murray's "Calm and Crystal Clear".^[10]
The popular song "The Bad Touch" by American alternative band Bloodhound Gang uses exactly the same progression as the main riff of "Blackfella/Whitefella", except their version is in C minor compared to the Warumpis' A minor.
In 2019, Australian Band Bad//Dreems ft. Peter Garrett, Emily Wurramara & Mambali (Brad Bura and Don Murrumgun) covered "Blackfella/Whitefella" for a Like A Version segment broadcast nationally on Triple J.^[11]

References

^ Warumpi Band (1985), Big Name, no Blankets, Parole Records. National Library of Australia, retrieved 7 January 2014
^ "The music of survival, pride, and indomitability" (PDF). Australia Council for the Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
^ "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
^ "Blackfella Whitefella". Angus & Robertson. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
^ "Midnight Oil/Warumpi Band/Coloured Stone – The Dead Heart". discogs.com. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
^ "Black Fella White Fella Tour". Screen Australia.
^ "Harmony the key in music and life" (PDF). Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2014.
^ "Black Fella / White Fella". Powderfinger: Hindley Site. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
^ "Jimmy Little discography". Creative Spirits. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
^ Williams, T. "Missy Higgins' 'OZ' is Both an Album and a Book." (4 August 2014)
^ "Bad//Dreems cover Warumpi Band 'Blackfella/Whitefella' for Like A Version". 15 November 2019. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

[NLA_Big_Name-1] Warumpi Band (1985), Big Name, no Blankets, Parole Records. National Library of Australia, retrieved 7 January 2014

[2] "The music of survival, pride, and indomitability" (PDF). Australia Council for the Arts. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 March 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

[3] "Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'". Musicfeeds. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2020.

[book-4] "Blackfella Whitefella". Angus & Robertson. Archived from the original on 3 January 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

[5] "Midnight Oil/Warumpi Band/Coloured Stone – The Dead Heart". discogs.com. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

[6] "Black Fella White Fella Tour". Screen Australia.

[7] "Harmony the key in music and life" (PDF). Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 January 2014.

[8] "Black Fella / White Fella". Powderfinger: Hindley Site. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

[9] "Jimmy Little discography". Creative Spirits. Retrieved 3 January 2014.

[10] Williams, T. "Missy Higgins' 'OZ' is Both an Album and a Book." (4 August 2014)

[11] "Bad//Dreems cover Warumpi Band 'Blackfella/Whitefella' for Like A Version". 15 November 2019. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
 {{Use Australian English|date=January 2016}}
-{{Infobox single
+{{Infobox song
+| name       = Blackfella/Whitefella
-| Name = Black fella/whitefella
-| Cover = Warumpi_Band_Blackfella_Whitefella.png
+| cover      = Warumpi_Band_Blackfella_Whitefella.png
-| Caption =
+| alt        =
+| type       = single
-| Artist = [[Warumpi Band]]
+| artist     = [[Warumpi Band]]
-| from Album = Big Name, No Blankets
+| album      = [[Big Name, No Blankets]]
-| A-side = "Blackfella/Whitefella"
-| B-side = "Fitzroy Crossing"
+| A-side     = Blackfella/Whitefella
+| B-side     = Fitzroy Crossing
-| Released = 2018
+| released   = 1985
-| Format = [[Gramophone record#Common formats|7" vinyl]]
-| Recorded = January 1985
+| recorded   = January 1985
+| studio     =
-| Genre = [[Country rock]], [[Aboriginal rock]]
-| Length = 3:25
+| venue      =
+| genre      = [[Country rock]], [[Aboriginal rock]]
-| Label = [[Powderworks Records|Powderworks]]
+| length     = 3:25
-| Writer = [[Neil Murray (Australian musician)|Neil Murray]], [[George Rrurrambu]]
+| label      = [[Powderworks Records|Powderworks]]
-| Producer = [[Warumpi Band]]
+| writer     = [[Neil Murray (Australian musician)|Neil Murray]], [[George Rrurrambu]]
-| Certification =
+| producer   = [[Warumpi Band]]
-| Chart position =
-| Reviews =
+| prev_title = Breadline
+| prev_year  = 1985
-| Last single = "Jailanguru Pakarnu (Out of Jail)" <br>(1983)
+| next_title = [[My Island Home]]
-| This single = "'''Blackfella/Whitefella'''"<br>(1985)
+| next_year  = 1987
-| Next single = "[[My Island Home]]"<br>(1987)
 }}
-"'''Blackfella/Whitefella'''" is an Australian [[country rock]] song written by [[Neil Murray (Australian musician)|Neil Murray]] and [[George Rrurrambu]], recorded by their [[Australian Aborigines|Aboriginal]] rock group, [[Warumpi Band]], and released as the sole single from their 1985 album, ''Big Name, No Blankets'' on Parole Records and [[Powderworks Records]]. While not a chart success, the song drew attention to issues of racism in Australia through lyrics that encourage harmony and co-operation by people of all races. The song received national airplay and attention in 1986 when politically charged rockers and Powderworks Records founders [[Midnight Oil]] accompanied the band on a free concert tour of remote Aboriginal communities as the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/32382/04_aia_music.pdf|title=The music of survival, pride, and indomitability|publisher=[[Australia Council for the Arts]]|accessdate=3 January 2014}}</ref>
+"'''Blackfella/Whitefella'''" is an Australian [[Rock music|rock]] song written by [[Neil Murray (Australian musician)|Neil Murray]] and [[George Rrurrambu]], recorded by their [[Australian Aborigines|Aboriginal]] rock group, [[Warumpi Band]], and released as the second single from their 1985 album, ''[[Big Name, No Blankets]]'' on Parole Records and [[Powderworks Records]].<ref name="NLA Big Name">{{Citation | author1 = Warumpi Band | author-link1 = Warumpi Band | title = Big Name, no Blankets | publication-date = 1985 | publisher = Parole Records. [[National Library of Australia]] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/5335897 | access-date = 7 January 2014 }}</ref> While not a chart success, the song drew attention to issues of racism in Australia through lyrics that encourage harmony and co-operation by people of all races. The song received national airplay and attention in 1986 when politically charged rockers and Powderworks Records founders [[Midnight Oil]] accompanied the band on a free concert tour of remote Aboriginal communities as the Blackfella/Whitefella Tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/32382/04_aia_music.pdf|title=The music of survival, pride, and indomitability|publisher=[[Australia Council for the Arts]]|access-date=3 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313025808/http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/32382/04_aia_music.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
+In January 2018, as part of [[Triple M]]'s "Ozzest 100", the 'most Australian' songs of all time, "Blackfella/Whitefella" was ranked number 82.<ref>{{cite news|work=Musicfeeds|title=Here Are The Songs That Made Triple M's 'Ozzest 100'|url= http://musicfeeds.com.au/news/songs-made-triple-ms-ozzest-100/|access-date=4 January 2020|date=27 January 2018}}</ref>
 ==Background==
-Songwriter Neil Murray's inspiration for "Blackfella/Whitefella" came from his experience as a white man working in [[Papunya]], a predominately Indigenous community north west of [[Alice Springs]] in the [[Northern Territory]] from 1980. Although he was part of a minority, Murray found that in the isolated community, everybody was getting along, enjoying activities such as music and football. In 1985, after discussing the song and its message with band mates [[Sammy Butcher]] and [[George Rrurrambu]], the later suggested that Murray include "yellafella" (a term sometimes used to refer to individuals of mixed race) in the lyrics, broadening the message of the song to include people from all places.<ref name=book>{{cite web|url=http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/blackfella-whitefella/31620962/|title=Blackfella Whitefella|publisher=[[Angus & Robertson]]|accessdate=3 January 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103183006/http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/blackfella-whitefella/31620962/|archivedate=3 January 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+Songwriter Neil Murray's inspiration for "Blackfella/Whitefella" came from his experience as a white man working in [[Papunya]], a predominately Indigenous community north west of [[Alice Springs]] in the [[Northern Territory]] from 1980. Although he was part of a minority, Murray found that in the isolated community, everybody was getting along, enjoying activities such as music and football. In 1985, after discussing the song and its message with band mates [[Sammy Butcher]] and [[George Rrurrambu]], the later suggested that Murray include "yellafella" (a term sometimes used to refer to individuals of mixed race) in the lyrics, broadening the message of the song to include people from all places.<ref name=book>{{cite web|url=http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/blackfella-whitefella/31620962/|title=Blackfella Whitefella|publisher=[[Angus & Robertson]]|access-date=3 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103183006/http://www.angusrobertson.com.au/book/blackfella-whitefella/31620962/|archive-date=3 January 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>  Furthermore, in the music video to the song, when the term "yella fella" is used, Asian Australians are portrayed.
+==Other media==
-In 1985 "Blackfella/Whitefella" appeared as the second track on Warumpi Band's debut album, ''Big Name, No Blankets'' on Parole Records and [[Powderworks Records]].<ref name="NLA Big Name">{{Citation | author1 = Warumpi Band | authorlink1 = Warumpi Band | title = Big Name, no Blankets'' | publication-date = 1985 | publisher = Parole Records. [[National Library of Australia]] | url = http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/5335897 | accessdate = 7 January 2014 }}</ref>
+The single was included as an addition track on Australian and International 12" single releases of Midnight Oil's "[[The Dead Heart]]" released in July 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Midnight-Oil-Warumpi-Band-Coloured-Stone-The-Dead-Heart/release/726780|title=Midnight Oil/Warumpi Band/Coloured Stone – The Dead Heart|publisher=discogs.com|access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref>
-==Other Media==
-The single was included as an addition track on Australian and International 12" single releases of Midnight Oil's "[[The Dead Heart]]" released in July 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Midnight-Oil-Warumpi-Band-Coloured-Stone-The-Dead-Heart/release/726780|title=Midnight Oil/Warumpi Band/Coloured Stone – The Dead Heart|publisher=discogs.com|accessdate=3 January 2014}}</ref>
 A 30-minute documentary film entitled ''Blackfella/Whitefella'' produced by the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] was released in 1987. The film inspired by the song showcases both Warumpi Band and Midnight Oil while touring together through Central Australia in 1986 and deals with both music and politics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/find-a-film/detail.aspx?tid=1601|title=Black Fella White Fella Tour|publisher=[[Screen Australia]]}}</ref>
-In 2012, a children's book of the same name containing the song's lyrics accompanied by illustrations by Australian children was published by One Day Hill. ''Blackfella Whitefella'' is part of a series containing the lyrics of iconic songs which are intended to educate children on the history of Aboriginal and [[Torres Strait Islanders]] and their struggle for recognition and equal rights. The book was launched by musician [[Archie Roach]], with a percentage of book sales intended to support the Papunya community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snaicc.org.au/_uploads/rsfil/02890.pdf|title=Harmony the key in music and life|publisher=Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care|date=August 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125202447/http://www.snaicc.org.au/_uploads/rsfil/02890.pdf|archivedate=25 January 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+In 2012, a children's book of the same name containing the song's lyrics accompanied by illustrations by Australian children was published by One Day Hill. ''Blackfella Whitefella'' is part of a series containing the lyrics of iconic songs which are intended to educate children on the history of Aboriginal and [[Torres Strait Islanders]] and their struggle for recognition and equal rights. The book was launched by musician [[Archie Roach]], with a percentage of book sales intended to support the Papunya community.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snaicc.org.au/_uploads/rsfil/02890.pdf|title=Harmony the key in music and life|publisher=Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care|date=August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125202447/http://www.snaicc.org.au/_uploads/rsfil/02890.pdf|archive-date=25 January 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
 ==Cover versions==
-*Australian rock music band [[Powderfinger]] included a cover version of "Blackfella/Whitefella" on their 1996 single, "[[D.A.F. (song)|D.A.F.]]". A statement on the back cover includes "help support the indigenous people of Australia. Educate yourself."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindleysite.com/songs/baclfellawhitefella.htm|title=Black Fella / White Fella|publisher=Powderfinger: Hindley Site|accessdate=3 January 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304213928/http://www.hindleysite.com/songs/baclfellawhitefella.htm|archivedate=4 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
+*Australian rock music band [[Powderfinger]] included a cover version of "Blackfella/Whitefella" on their 1996 single, "[[D.A.F. (song)|D.A.F.]]". A statement on the back cover includes "help support the indigenous people of Australia. Educate yourself."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindleysite.com/songs/baclfellawhitefella.htm|title=Black Fella / White Fella|publisher=Powderfinger: Hindley Site|access-date=3 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304213928/http://www.hindleysite.com/songs/baclfellawhitefella.htm|archive-date=4 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
-*Aboriginal country and folk singer [[Jimmy Little]] covered the song on his 1999 album, ''Messenger'', a collection of covers of 1980s popular and alternative Australian rock music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.creativespirits.info/resources/music/jimmy-little|title=Jimmy Little discography|publisher=Creative Spirits|accessdate=3 January 2014}}</ref>
+*Aboriginal country and folk singer [[Jimmy Little]] covered the song on his 1999 album, ''Messenger'', a collection of covers of 1980s popular and alternative Australian rock music.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.creativespirits.info/resources/music/jimmy-little|title=Jimmy Little discography|publisher=Creative Spirits|access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref>
 *Australian singer [[Missy Higgins]] features the song on her 2014 album ''[[Oz (Missy Higgins album)|OZ]]'', which includes supporting vocals by Crystal Itjuwalyi Butcher. "Oz", being a cover album of Australian songs, also features Neil Murray's "Calm and Crystal Clear".<ref>Williams, T. "Missy Higgins' 'OZ' is Both an Album and a Book." (4 August 2014)</ref>
 * The popular song "[[The Bad Touch]]" by American alternative band [[Bloodhound Gang]] uses exactly the same progression as the main riff of "Blackfella/Whitefella", except their version is in C minor compared to the Warumpis' A minor.
+*In 2019, Australian Band [[Bad//Dreems]] ft. Peter Garrett, Emily Wurramara & Mambali (Brad Bura and Don Murrumgun) covered "Blackfella/Whitefella" for a  ''Like A Version'' segment broadcast nationally on [[Triple J]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/triplej/programs/like-a-version-podcast/11707888|title=Bad//Dreems cover Warumpi Band 'Blackfella/Whitefella' for Like A Version|date=15 November 2019}}</ref>
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
+{{authority control}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Blackfella Whitefella}}
 [[Category:1985 songs]]
-[[Category:Australian songs]]
+[[Category:Warumpi Band songs]]
 [[Category:Indigenous Australian music]]
-[[Category:Indigenous Australian culture]]