The Wiggles Take out Triple J’s Hottest 100 For 2021
In one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of triple j’s Hottest 100, legendary Australian band The Wiggles have proved they are as much loved by the nations’ grown-ups as they are by children, triumphant in triple j’s Hottest 100 of 2021 with their incredible cover of Tame Impala’s Elephant. Anthony, Murray, Jeff, Emma, Simon and Lachy staved off challenges from Gang Of Youths, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Spacey Jane, and The Kid LAROI/Justin Bieber, to take out one of the most prestigious titles in Australian music!
The Wiggles shared their excitement, saying “When we were first approached to do Like A Version, we all fell in love with Elephant and knew we wanted to make a Wiggles version of the song. The whole group came together and it was a totally different experience to singing our usual songs like Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy! We’ve had so many people coming up to us telling us how much they love the song, and we’re so happy that it resonated with so many people, and can’t believe we made it into the top 10, let alone the top spot! It’s an incredible start to the year!”
Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker said, “Congratulations to The Wiggles on their first number one in the Triple J Hottest 100! So proud and honoured they chose my song to cover. They truly made it their own. The Wiggles mashing up a Tame Impala song and Fruit Salad is something I never thought I’d hear in my lifetime ❤️.”
ABC Music’s Head of Music and Events, Natalie Waller said, “I am so thrilled for The Wiggles. When we came up with the concept for this forthcoming record, none of us envisaged it kicking off with such a massive impact via the Like A Version cover of Elephant. It’s not often in this business that you get to be part of something so special. My heartfelt congratulations to The Wiggles – and thanks to Kevin Parker for an amazing song!”
The Wiggles’ take on Elephant first came to light following a ground-breaking appearance on triple j’s Like A Version. So popular was their interpretation that views of their version on YouTube more than doubled the rest of the top 10 Like A Version covers of 2021 combined!
In a statement released this evening, triple j noted that The Wiggles have officially made Hottest 100 history as the first artist to ever top the countdown with a cover, and they are the first artist in 28 years to make their debut at the #1 spot. It’s also a rare instance where a cover has outranked the original.
Elephant comes from The Wiggles’ forthcoming album release, ReWiggled, set to drop on March 11 (ABC Music). ReWiggled sees the current Wiggles lineup join forces with the ‘OG Wiggles’ (Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Greg Page), and some very special musical friends, for an ambitious and expansive recording project. A double album, comprised of two distinct halves, ReWiggled celebrates both the enduring nature of The Wiggles’ songbook, and also The Wiggles’ own lifetime love of music.
Side One of the album sees some of Australia’s top musicians paying tribute to The Wiggles, honouring the profound and unique influence the band has had over generations of young music fans. Featuring classic Wiggles songs reimagined by artists including Spacey Jane, DZ Deathrays, The Chats, Stella Donnelly, San Cisco, Emily Wurramara, Polish Club, Dami Im, Donny Benet, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Custard, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Luca Brasi, and more.
Side Two features “wigglified” versions of hits originally performed by AC/DC, Queen, James Brown, The Chats, Fatboy Slim, and many more.
Last year the band celebrated their 30th anniversary; a remarkable milestone that has seen them entertain millions of families and generations of fans around the world. They completed a massive tour of Australia and New Zealand, and released several albums including a career-spanning Greatest Hits collection, We’re All Fruit Salad!, and the ARIA-nominated Lullabies with Love. Most recently, The Wiggles were named as the second-most streamed local artist on Spotify in Australia this year, across all genres.
In an exciting development, the long-standing Wiggles lineup of Anthony Field, Simon Pryce and Lachy Gillespie was expanded to include new members Tsehay Hawkins, and Fruit Salad TV Wiggles Evie Ferris, John Pearce and Kelly Hamilton. Along with the ‘OG Wiggles’, the expanded lineup will be hitting the road again next month with two tours – The Fruit Salad TV Big Show Tour and the OG Tour for over 15’s.
Next to come from The Wiggles is their interpretation of Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba’s Apple Crumble – set for release on Friday, January 28.
REWIGGLED TRACK LISTING
SIDE ONE: PERFORMED BY VARIOUS ARTISTS
Including:
- DZ Deathrays – ‘Hot Potato’
- Spacey Jane – ‘D.O.R.O.T.H.Y (My Favourite Dinosaur)’
- Stella Donnelly – ‘Ba Ba Da Bicycle Ride’
- The Chats – ‘Can You (Point Your Fingers and Do the Twist?)’
- Emily Wurramara – ‘Dressing Up’
- Polish Club – ‘Apples & Bananas’
- Donny Benet – ‘Sicily (I Want to Go)’
- San Cisco – ‘H.O.L.I.D.A.Y.’
- Custard – ‘Do the Propeller!’
- Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – ‘Say the Dance, Do the Dance’
- Dami Im – ‘Big Red Car’
- Luca Brasi – ‘The Shimmie Shake’
- Melbourne Ska Orchestra – ‘We’re All Fruit Salad!’
*more to be announced
*more TBA
SIDE TWO: PERFORMED BY THE WIGGLES
Including:
- ‘Elephant’ (original by Tame Impala)
- ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (original by Queen)
- ‘Apple Crumble’ (original by Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba)
- ‘Thunderstruck’ (original by AC/DC)
- ‘Pub Feed’ (original by The Chats)
- ‘Sunday Girl’ (original by Blondie)
- ‘Get on the Good Foot’ (original by James Brown)
- ‘Praise You’ (original by Fatboy Slim)
- · ‘Brand New Key’ (original by Melanie)
- · ‘She’s a Rainbow’ (original by The Rolling Stones)
- · ‘Shipping Up to Boston’ (original by Dropkick Murphys)
*more to be announced
*not final track listing
PRE-ORDER HERE
THE WIGGLES AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2022
Daytime shows, + night-time OG Wiggles concerts
In 2022, The Wiggles will hit the road for a massive national Arena tour, with daytime shows from the newly expanded line-up, and night-time shows from The OG Wiggles (for audiences aged 15+). The OG Wiggles shows will feature support from a rotating cast of artists including The Polish Club, DZ Deathrays, Planet, and others to be announced shortly.
Fruit Salad TV Big Show Tour
Saturday, 5th February | Cairns Convention Centre, QLD
Sunday, 6th February | Townsville Entertainment & Convention, QLD
Saturday, 12th February | Darwin Entertainment Centre, NT
Saturday, 19th February | Derwent Entertainment Centre, TAS
Sunday, 20th February | Theatre North – Launceston
Saturday, 12th March | Rod Laver Arena, VIC
Sunday, 13th March | Rod Laver Arena, VIC
Saturday, 2nd April Newcastle Entertainment Centre, NSW
Sunday, 3rd April Wollongong Entertainment Centre, NSW
Monday, 4th April Canberra Playhouse Theatre, ACT
Tuesday, 5th April Canberra Playhouse Theatre, ACT
Saturday, 9th April | RAC Arena Perth, WA
Sunday, 10th April | RAC Arena Perth, WA
Mon 11 April Kalgoorlie Goldfields Art Centre, WA
Saturday, 23rd April | Qudos Bank Arena, NSW
Saturday, 30th April | Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD
Saturday, 7th May | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA
OG Wiggles 15+ Tour
Saturday, 12th February | Darwin Entertainment Centre, NT
Saturday, 19th February | Derwent Entertainment Centre, TAS
Saturday, 12th March | Rod Laver Arena, VIC
Saturday, 9th April | RAC Arena Perth, WA
Saturday, 23rd April | Qudos Bank Arena, NSW
Saturday, 30th April | Brisbane Entertainment Centre, QLD
Saturday, 7th May | Adelaide Entertainment Centre, SA
Tickets on-sale now from thewiggles.com.au