16. Business as Usual by Men at Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SECVGN4Bsgg&list=OLAK5uy_mzG5DvQXjmQHAyFZ4RSnheGFVSwvS55GQ
Fun Fact: The album cover for the Australian release of this album was black and white. (Nice factoid. THANKS!)
This album is so good it really should have been two albums. And in fact, it kind of was.
First, there was the album that got released in the U.S. in June of 1982 right in the middle of my obsession with the Paul Hogan Show and right before Randy came to spend his senior year at Marsh Valley High School. Randy has always been a big influence on my musical tastes, but I was already hooked on this album before we ever listened to it together. And we did like these songs a lot. I remember once he explained to me how Colin Hay made his voice do that rapid modulation thing. Also, I remember singing along to "Be Good Johnny" with Randy in the old truck in the middle of winter as we were feeding cows. Randy especially liked the verse that went:
Gonna play football this year, Johnny?
Nah.
Oh, must be gonna play cricket this year then are ya, Johnny?
Nah. Nah. Nah.
Ha. Boy, you sure are a funny kid, Johnny. But I like you! So tell me, what kind of boy are ya, Johnny.
I listened to this album so much during my junior and senior year of high school that I'm surprised that the tape didn't disintegrate. Of course, since I didn't have a tape player in any of the vehicles or a Walkman, listening to it was confined to my bedroom in the basement. But I'd listen to it while getting ready for school in the morning by taking the tape player into the bathroom. And I'd listen to it while lifting weights or just laying on the bed or doing math homework at my particle board desk that I'd built with my own two hands from a kit that I'd received as a Christmas gift in middle school. Is is possible to do your best at your math homework assignments while listening to Men at Work? No. It isn't. But that didn't stop me from doing it anyway.
Also, remember how we had to do all that scripture reading in seminary in order to get a good grade? Well, in 1982 I discovered that it is definitely possible to read the scriptures while listening to Men at Work--especially if you have to basically read the entire semester's reading assignment in the next three days or you'll flunk the class. Of course, it was a bit strange later on in seminary when I was asked to read a verse and all I wanted to say was, "I went to the man. I told him a robot was what I am. But he just smiled, said I was a fractious child."
So that was the first album. Now for the second album.
In the HondoJoe write-up of this album, it was already pointed out that there were three other songs released as B-sides to singles from this album. And I agree that all three of them would be worthy of inclusion on the original album. Those songs are:
Anyone For Tennis
Crazy
F-19
But there were other songs by Men at Work that were performed before their second album Cargo was released that were not included on Cargo, which I think makes them fair game as possible additions to a second Business as Usual album. Here are my top contenders.
The Ways of the Broken Hearted
Keypunch Operator
Down Under (an early version of the song with extra reggae)
I Don't Understand
Coin in the Slot
Don't Preach to Me
I Changed My Mind
Okay, maybe not all of these are the same caliber of the songs on the first Business as Usual album. And maybe all of them weren't written before the album was released. (I couldn't find the info for all of the songs on when they were written.) But they are lots of fun to listen to, as they give you (me?) the pleasure of listening to new music while, at the same time, taking you (me?) back to the good old days of high adventure camping in the summer and snowmobile excursions to the Big Onion in the winter. And how many songs can do that anymore?
Well, I suppose the answer to that question would be "at least seven." I guess listening to Business as Usual didn't keep me from learning math after all! Sure it isn't really advanced math. But it's enough for me to get a job as a keypunch operator.
Nardo
#16: Men At Work—Business As Usual. Okay, it’s pretty clear that we are both quite fond of Men At Work’s first two albums. We agree about that. But, we disagree (slightly) as to which album is better. So, here’s a song by song breakdown comparing “Business As Usual” and “Cargo.”
ReplyDeleteFirst Hit: “Who Can It Be Now?” vs. “Overkill”—Both are phenomenal songs. But, on my HondoTop200 list, I had “Who Can It Be Now?” at #105 and “Overkill” at #96, so they’re pretty darn close in my mind. (You had “Overkill” at #18, with no ranking for “Who Can It Be Now?”, so not as close for you.) Very Slight Edge: Cargo.
Second Hit: “Down Under” vs. “It’s a Mistake”—Sorry Ronnie, but vegemite gets a solid win here. Big Edge: Business As Usual.
Third Hit: “Be Good Johnny” vs. “Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive”—Johnny made both of our lists (#140 and #123.) He sure is a funny kid, but we like him! Really Big Edge: Business As Usual.
Odd, Fun Song from Side 2: “People Just Love to Play With Words” vs. “High Wire”—I really, really like to play with words, and I may be an idiot, but indeed I am no fool. Big Edge: Cargo.
The “Other” Side 1 Songs: “I Can See It In Your Eyes,” “Underground,” “Helpless Automaton,” vs. “Settle Down My Boy,” “Upstairs In My House,” “No Sign of Yesterday”—The three songs from “Business As Usual” give the album a bit of a dangerous punk edge that help the flow of the entire album. And while I like “Settle” and “Upstairs,” “No Sign of Yesterday” is my least favorite song from the “Cargo” album. Significant Edge: Business As Usual.
The “Other” Side 2 Songs: “Touching the Untouchables,” “Catch a Star,” “Down By the Sea,” vs. “Blue For You,” “I Like To,” “No Restrictions”—These are, by far, the three worst songs on the “Business As Usual” album, conveniently placed at the end of the album so they can be skipped. Having said that, they’re not terrible, just not on par with the rest of the album. The three songs at the end of “Cargo” are much better. (I like to watch the telly with the sound turned down.) Significant Edge: Cargo.
So, yes, it’s very close, but based on the size of the edges given to “Down Under” and “Be Good Johnny,” I’m going to have to tip the scale in favor of “Business As Usual.” (In other words, I’m right and you’re wrong.) (But not by much.)