Sounds of Australia 2021 honours ‘Where the Dog Sits on the Tuckerbox’
Jack O’Hagan’s tremendous contribution to our musical heritage continues to be acknowledged in the National Film and Sound Archive’s (NFSA) Sounds of Australia collection, established in 2007 to recognise sound recordings of ‘cultural, historical and aesthetic significance, which inform or reflect life in Australia’. Every year a long list of recordings nominated by the public is presented to an industry selection panel, who then vote on the top ten for that year. This year, ‘Where the Dog Sits on the Tuckerbox’ has been added.
Jack O’Hagan is by far the most represented songwriter in the collection, with five recordings from the 1920s to 1930s:
'After the Dawn', recorded by Sydney Simpson and his Wentworth Cafe Orchestra (1926)
'Along the Road to Gundagai', recorded by Peter Dawson (1931)
'Our Don Bradman', recorded by Len Maurice under the nom de plume Art Leonard (1930)
'Wrap Me Up in My Stockwhip and Blanket' (also known as ‘The Dying Stockman’ – Jack’s music put to Banjo Paterson’s poem), recorded by Tex Morton (1936).
'Where the Dog Sits on the Tuckerbox’, recorded by Jim Davidson’s Dandies with vocals Dick Cranbourne (1938)
The monument of the Dog on the Tuckerbox brought thousands of tourists to Gundagai however, Jack’s song was not written with tourism in mind but for Dad and Dave, a radio serial launched 31 May 1937 that broadcast fifteen-minute episodes four nights a week – Monday to Thursday – across 2UW’s seven station Commonwealth Network, which included 3DB Melbourne. The series was a huge success, aired over 58 stations for sixteen years and seven months. The Wrigley Company, world's largest manufacturer of chewing and bubble gum and owners of Juicy Fruit, Extra and P.K. brands, sponsored the soap opera until it finished, 2276 episodes later, on 29 December 1953. At the height of its popularity, 75% of Australian listeners tuned in. At the time, it was the biggest hit in the history of Australian radio, a sensational entertainment phenomenon and the country’s longest running recorded drama.
Dad and Dave was produced by George Edwards, a colourful ex-vaudeville actor, dancer, comedian and well-known radio producer, known as ‘The Man with a Thousand Voices’. Dad Rudd was a typical man from the bush who frequented the country pub and stockyards. Mum and Mabel were countrywomen, capable in the kitchen and in crisis. Dave was a simple lad who aspired to marry Mabel. Their trials, tribulations and life on the farm became part of the ‘Australian’ story and the nation laughed with, grieved with and were entertained by Edwards’ characters.
Jack’s ‘Along the Road to Gundagai’ was the signature tune and theme, played at the beginning and end of every show and used in dramatic form – in minor keys for sad situations or at a slow and ominous tempo when a flood or something dire was about to happen – and occasionally popped up as a segue during the show, with a laughing kookaburra in the background.
Jack struck while the iron was hot and crafted a love song for Dave and Mabel and pitched it, singing over the phone, to a relatively disinterested Edwards. By the time he had finished, Edwards was already thinking about placing ‘Tuckerbox’ into the script and told Jack to bring the foxtrot to Sydney immediately. It made its first public appearance on Dad and Dave with Edwards singing it himself. The storyline had Dad running for Mayor with character Alf Morton singing at the meeting. Dad said, ‘It was composed by that bloke O’Hagan and Alf’s written the words’. The publicity department felt listeners would embrace the song if they believed Alf really wrote it. Sheet music credited lyrics to the character.
‘Tuckerbox’ was recorded by hot Sydney dance band, Jim Davidson’s Dandies for Regal Zonophone on 22 June 1938, sold 50,000 records immediately after the first night’s airing and was released on Mastertouch and Broadway piano rolls. It became the quickest hit Jack O’Hagan had ever written.
Credit: with permission Readers Digest, 1974
Listen Here:
Listen to Jim Davidson's Dandies, vocals Dick Cranbournehere.
It was also recorded by Jack Varney for the souvenir album ‘Songs of Sunny Australia’, produced by Jack O’Hagan during the Melbourne Olympics in 1956.
To read more about the Sounds of Australia from 1896 to 2011 click here.
Nominate:
To nominate your favourite recordings for 2022 – popular songs, advertising jingles, famous speeches, radio broadcasts or any other sound recordings – as long as they’re Australian, and more than 10 years old, click here.
Here’s a few highly significant suggestions with all the information you need:
Recording/Song: Kingsford-Smith, Aussie is Proud of You Recorded by: Len Maurice with 2FC Studio Additional information: Hero song written by Jack O’Hagan in 1928 to honour Kingsford-Smith’s great Pacific flight in the Southern Cross. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: Blue Rhythm Recorded by: Jack O’Hagan Additional information: Written by Jack O’Hagan for stage show ’Turned Up’ in 1929 and possibly the only song written in the Charleston style in Australia. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: Josie and Me Recorded by: Jack O’Hagan with Joe Watson’s Green Mill Orchestra Additional information: Hit song written by Jack O’Hagan and recorded by him for his wife Josie in 1929. Recorded as a ballad and also as a dance song. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: Colonel Campbell and Mr Lang Recorded by: Quip & Quirk (nom de plumes for Jack Lumsdaine & Len Maurice) Additional information: Written by Jack O'Hagan under the nom de plume of John Quinlan in 1932. The record was so controversial it was sold under the counter in paper bags. Originally published by Jack O'Hagan Music P/L. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: Picking a Test Team (a cricket fan’s dream) 1932 Recorded by: Jack O’Hagan with Syd Hollister and others Additional information: Burlesque comedy recording produced in 1932 by Jack O’Hagan at Moulded Products, wholesale distributor Jack O’Hagan Music. Script written by Jack O’Hagan and performed by Jack O’Hagan with Syd Hollister and others. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: When a Boy from Alabama Meets a Girl from Gundagai Recorded by: Joy Nicholls with George Trevare & His Orchestra Additional information: Written by Jack O'Hagan in 1942. The American and Australian Defence Headquarters wrote to thank Jack for his assistance in aiding the relationship between the US soldiers and the people of Australia during wartime. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: Moomba Song Recorded by: Geoff Brooke and the Parker Sisters with Lou Toppano & His Orchestra Additional information: Jack O’Hagan wrote the theme for the City of Melbourne’s first Moomba, a 15-day festival officially opened on 12 March 1955 by the State Governor, Sir Dallas Brooks. Jack wrote the first verse music and lyrics – an introduction with a jazzy, almost tribal drumming treatment – before swinging into a melody everybody knew for quick uptake of his Moomba chorus. He chose ‘When You’re Smiling, the Whole World Smiles With You’ (1928) by American songwriters Larry Shay, Mark Fisher and Joe Goodin. It was recorded by Geoff Brooke, the Parker Sisters and Lou Toppano’s Band for the Mercury label. The lyrics were published in the Sun. To Listen:click here.
Recording/Song: God Bless Australia Recorded by: GTV 9 Orchestra, Neil Williams vocal Additional information: National song lyric written to the music of ‘Waltzing Matilda’ by Jack O’Hagan and recorded in 1967, televised by Ampol with a 3-minute film on prime time nationwide. A popular contender for the national anthem. To Listen:click here.
