"You're the Voice" was released in September 1986. It was written by Andy Qunta, Keith Reid, Maggie Ryder and Chris Thompson. The song was produced by Ross Fraser. It was the first single from the album "Whispering Jack", with both single and album reaching number 1 in Australia. "Whispering Jack" remains the highest selling album in Australian history.
The song was awarded the 1987 ARIA Award for "Single of the Year".
Its B-Side featured the song, "Going, Going, Gone".
The following artists covered the song:
# Scott Grimes on his 1989 self-titled album.
# David Foster with vocalist Jeff Pescetto on 1990 album River of Love.
# Brenda Cochrane on her second album The Voice which went gold in the autumn of 1990.
# Heart on their live album Rock the House Live! (1991). They also released it as a single, peaking at 20 in the US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and number 56 in the UK. The song appears on their compilation albums Greatest Hits: 1985-1995 (1995) (studio version) and on The Essential Heart (2002) (live version).
# Pop group Bucks Fizz on their live album Live at Fairfield Halls (1991).
# Lavrentis Machairitsas (Greek: Λαυρέντης Μαχαιρίτσας) in 1993 on his album Throw Red at the Night (Greek: Ρίξε κόκκινο στη Νύχτα).
# Rebecca St. James in 1996 on her album God.
# Alan Parsons on his 1996 album The Very Best Live as an unreleased studio version that allowed Chris Thompson a chance to record his own song as lead vocalist.
# John Berry on his 1999 album Wildest Dreams.
# Chris Thompson on the version found on the SAS Band's self titled album from 2004.
# The British vocal group G4 on their 2004 album G4 & Friends.
# Guy Sebastian, winner of the first season of Australian Idol, on 5 October 2003, during Australian-Made Songs Week.
# KT Tunstall on ITV's Guilty Pleasures show in March 2008
# Kate Miller-Heidke on her special CD/DVD edition (2008) of her debut album Little Eve, a previously unreleased live version, then a separate performance later on Live at The Hi-Fi.
# David Archuleta during season 7 of American Idol. The show's theme that week had the finalists singing songs from their year of birth. Archuleta was born in 1990, when Farnham's original version was a minor hit in the US.
# Argentinian progressive metal band Eidyllion on their album "Secretos".
# On 14 March 2009, Coldplay performed the song with John Farnham at the special Victorian bushfire relief concert "Sound Relief" in Sydney, Australia.
# April 2009, Coldplay recording of You're the Voice to be mixed and released by UK dance duo Freemasons (band).
# On 25 April 2009 Lisa Hordijk, winner of the Dutch X-Factor 6th round liveshow (quarter finals)
# In September 2010, on the new Blind Guardian album
* The song was played in the riot scene of the 2007 movie Hot Rod. Farnham's classic is played in its near entirety during a parade march to the film's climactic scene (until a guy chucks a garbage can through a storefront window, causing widespread pandemonium and the calling of the riot police, complete with tear gas and bulletproof shields. Rod (Andy Samberg) along with his friends Rico (Dan McBride) and Dave (Bill Hader) and his step-brother Kevin (Jorma Taccone) then complain about how the riot ruined the positivity of the situation ("What the Hell? Was that because of us?").
* It has also featured in the video game Grand Theft Auto- Ballad of Gay Tony.
* The song has developed a following with fans of the BBC TV show Merlin. The stars of the show Colin Morgan and Bradley James have been seen on set lip-singing parts of the song between film takes, as shown on the Secret and Magics episode 'Love Fool'.
You're the Voice
John Farnham Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can write what we want to write
We gotta make ends meet, before we get much older
We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
This time, we know we all can stand together
With the power to be powerful
Believing we can make it better
Ooh, we're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
Ooh, we're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make the noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence (we're not gonna sit in silence)
We're not gonna live with fear (we're not gonna live with fear)
Oh, whoa
You're the voice, try and understand it
Make a noise and make it clear
Oh, whoa
We're not gonna sit in silence
We're not gonna live with fear
Oh, whoa
The lyrics of John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice” implore the listener to take control of their own destiny and make positive changes in the world. The song begins by acknowledging that we have the opportunity to shape our own lives and write our own stories. However, we must also be mindful of the fact that we need to provide for ourselves and each other before it’s too late. The line “How long can we look at each other down the barrel of a gun?” speaks to the growing violence and political tension in the world, reminding us that we must act before it’s too late.
But the song doesn’t just inspire us to take action individually. It also encourages us to unite and stand together. Farnham sings, “This time we know we all can stand together, with the power to be powerful, believing we can make it better.” By supporting each other and working towards a common goal, we can overcome any obstacle and create a better future for ourselves and our children.
Overall, “You’re the Voice” is a song about hope, empowerment, and unity. It’s a powerful reminder that we all have the power to make a positive impact on the world, and it’s up to us to use that power for good.
Line by Line Meaning
We have the chance to turn the pages over
We have the power to create our own narrative and leave the past behind.
We can write what we want to write
We have the freedom to express ourselves and define our own lives.
We gotta make ends meet, before we get much older
We need to take care of our responsibilities and seize opportunities before time runs out.
We're all someone's daughter
We are all valuable and loved, and have a role to play in the world.
We're all someone's son
We are all valuable and loved, and have a role to play in the world.
How long can we look at each other
How much longer can we ignore the problems and divisions that divide us.
Down the barrel of a gun?
Can we continue to threaten each other with violence, or will we find a better way?
You're the voice, try and understand it
You have the power to make a difference and affect change.
Make a noise and make it clear
Speak up and communicate your thoughts and ideas so they can be heard and acted upon.
We're not gonna sit in silence
We refuse to suppress our voices or let others silence us.
We're not gonna live with fear
We will not let fear control our actions or prevent us from living our lives to the fullest.
This time, we know we all can stand together
We have the power to unite and face our challenges together.
With the power to be powerful
We possess the inner strength and potential to create positive change.
Believing we can make it better
We have faith in our ability to improve our lives and the world around us.
Make the noise and make it clear
Continue to speak out and make your message heard loud and clear.
We're not gonna sit in silence (we're not gonna sit in silence)
We will not be silenced or ignored, and will continue to speak out and take action.
We're not gonna live with fear (we're not gonna live with fear)
We will not let fear control our lives or prevent us from fulfilling our potential.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Bucks Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Thompson, Maggie Ryder, Andy Qunta, Keith Reid
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@janemojcec8945
@@JohnFarnham209
Brisbane, John. I've been a fan of yours
Ever since I heard
"Daisy the Cleaning
Lady" I just turned 60
Dec...so yeah been a
Fan for many years.
My dear Mum is 86
And she adores you.
Ide say all of us in
Australia adores U.
Your a SPECIAL 🌹
SOUL..💌💘💗💌
@Kyntteri
You would't believe how hard it was to find this song when all I could remember of the lyrics was "whoo oo o oo oo"
@ayA.-ff4lh
Kyntteri yes same lol
@bapyongukgukguk2352
Just found it 😅
@udayaariyasena8868
Same me
My freinds freind told me about this
I was so happy
@wiry7428
been looking for the song's title since 1998. after almost 20 years, finally got it
@amazingyear9042
Kyntteri I Know !!! I found this again today thanks to a Celine Dione interview!! YAY!!! LoveLove this song!! 😁😁😃😃💁💁👍🏻👍🏻❣️❣️❣️
@user-iq3mp5zo8z
Hi John farnham fans. I'm nearly 80 and this masterpiece of music still energises me, makes me feel alive. It should be the entire world's anthem - everyone should listen to it.
@user-iq3mp5zo8z
All you fans worldwide - I invite you to join me in my daily Farnham fix - watch the videos of John's live performances of You're the Voice every day - best "energiser" ever.
@terrymcginness1405
👍🏌🏌🎶🎶
@drew8958
Apart from listening to John Farnham, is there any advice you can give us to get to our 80s??🙂THX!