On this day November 9 1981, the Australian band Men at Work released their debut album Business as Usual, a record that quickly became one of the defining sounds of the early 1980s. Featuring a clever mix of new wave, pop, and rock, the album introduced the world to Colin Hay’s distinctive voice and the group’s witty songwriting that blended humor with social commentary. It included massive hits such as Who Can It Be Now and Down Under, songs that would dominate radio and MTV throughout the decade.
Business as Usual was a global success, topping charts in multiple countries and holding the number one spot on the US Billboard 200 for fifteen weeks. The album’s playful lyrics, catchy hooks, and unique blend of saxophone and reggae inspired rhythm gave Men at Work an instantly recognizable sound. Their success also helped bring Australian rock into the international spotlight, paving the way for other artists from the region to break through during the 80s.
80s insight: Business as Usual captured the quirky, inventive energy that defined early 80s pop music, showing how a fresh sound from halfway around the world could take over the charts and become part of pop culture history.
Business as Usual was a global success, topping charts in multiple countries and holding the number one spot on the US Billboard 200 for fifteen weeks. The album’s playful lyrics, catchy hooks, and unique blend of saxophone and reggae inspired rhythm gave Men at Work an instantly recognizable sound. Their success also helped bring Australian rock into the international spotlight, paving the way for other artists from the region to break through during the 80s.
80s insight: Business as Usual captured the quirky, inventive energy that defined early 80s pop music, showing how a fresh sound from halfway around the world could take over the charts and become part of pop culture history.
