Over the course of his career, he collected more gold and platinum albums than any other Australian artist.
Dusty not only recorded songs written by himself and other fellow Australian performers, but also recorded classic Australian poems by Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson with new tunes, to call attention to the old 'Bush Ballads.' An example is The Man from Snowy River by Paterson.
In 1970, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music. In 1971 he won Best Single at the Australian Country Music Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival (Slim's wife Joy McKean won Song of the Year as writer of the song for which he won best single). In all, he won a record 35 "Golden Guitars" over the years.
He died at home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 after a protracted battle with cancer, at age 76.
The Slim Dusty Story started back in the 1940s on a remote dairy farm in the hills behind Kempsey, NSW, when a 10-year-old boy dreamed of being a country music singer. His name was David Gordon Kirkpatrick... he called himself "Slim Dusty" and began to live that dream.
But even the most optimistic farm boy would never have imagined the life that was to unfold... a life that would establish Slim as the voice of the nation, the chronicler of Australian history in song.
Slim managed to hold on to those early visions of writing and singing about the bush because during his lengthy career, he always stayed in touch with his audience. And he did this in a very real and meaningful way, so much so that his fans would feel that Slim was one of their mates and his songs "just a good yarn you might hear from a mate at the pub, around a campfire in the bush or at a back yard barbie".
He described his music as "songs about real Australians... "I have to be fair dinkum with my audience. I can't see any other way of doing it," he said. "You have to believe in what you are singing about."
Slim Dusty was the first Australian to have a number one hit record and the only Australian to ever receive a 78rpm Gold Record (for A Pub With No Beer in 1958)...
He was the first Australian to have an international record hit and the first singer in the world to have his voice beamed to earth from space (astronauts Bob Crippen and John Young played Slim's recording of Waltzing Matilda from the space shuttle "Columbia" as it passed over Australia back in 1983).
During an amazingly successful career spanning over six decades, Slims' continued popularity saw him rewarded with more Gold and Platinum Awards for sales of his singles, eight-tracks, cassettes, CD's, videos and DVDs... more than any other Australian artist!
He received an unequaled 37 Golden Guitar Awards, two ARIA's (Australian Recording Industry Association awards), inductions into the ARIA Hall of Fame and the Australian Country Music Roll of Renown.
Slim was recognized for his long time services to Australian entertainment with an MBE and an Order of Australia. In 1999, Prime Minister John Howard named Slim Dusty Australia's Father of the Year and Senior Australian of the Year. There were many other awards and honors... too many to name here!
Dusty died at his home in St Ives, New South Wales on 19 September 2003 at the age of 76, after a protracted battle with cancer.
Big Frogs in Little Puddles
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tying bows in red tape and dont know what theyre for
I thought our soldiers went to war to keep Australia free
But big frogs in little puddles are choking you and me
Choking you and me
Old Tom staggered to the office door of a North West frontier town
And he cried give me food and water,
Yes Ive found a mountain made of iron ore
and thisll make the money flow
But the office Johnny said now steady on,
we must do things correct you know
I just cant hand out town supplies to everyone who asks
And youre not a resident of this here town,
so, youre not my business task
Oh but heres a requisition form, and its in triplicate if you please
Now steady old man, why I believe hes passed out,
oh I wonder where that mountain could be
Oh big frogs in little puddles laying down the law
Tying bows in red tape and dont know what theyre for
I thought our soldiers went to war to keep Australia free
But big frogs in little puddles are choking you and me
Choking you and me
Well they found old Toms iron mountain,
and the town grew big and fast
All the knobs felt quite important,
living down their humble past
And if some started asking questions,
well there was the good old pass the buck
And if little folk got in their way,
well it was just their bad luck
In the mines a young lad was killed one day so they sent the message home
And his mother came over a thousand miles so hed not be buried alone
Someone broke it to her gently, that it might be rather rough
A coffin made of Masonite, and the hearse just a dirty truck
Oh she cried a while and then she asked for flowers
but there were none to be had in the town
So they sent to the council office,
to see if some could be found
But the clerk in charge said What can I do?
Shell have to it in good part
Oh I guess he was just too busy to be bothered with a mothers heart
Oh big frogs in little puddles laying down the law
Too busy in their little worlds to know what hearts are for
Success and money they might have but they better not forget
Their puddles may dry up someday and theyll deserve the scorn they get
The song "Big Frogs in Little Puddles" by Slim Dusty is a powerful commentary on the bureaucratic system that often fails to serve the people it is meant to govern. The "big frogs" mentioned in the lyrics refer to those in power who are often more interested in upholding bureaucracy and red tape than in serving their constituents. The song tells stories of individuals who struggle against these systems to accomplish their goals.
In the first verse, Slim Dusty sings about the soldiers who fought for Australia's freedom, but are now being choked by the bureaucracy created by the "big frogs". The second verse tells the story of Old Tom, who discovers iron ore in the frontier town but is met with bureaucratic obstacles as he tries to share his discovery. The final verse is perhaps the most poignant as it tells the story of a grieving mother who comes to claim the body of her son who was killed while working in the mines. She is met with callousness and indifference from the clerk in charge who is too busy to understand her pain.
The song sheds light on the issues of bureaucracy, red tape, and the need for empathy in governing systems. It is a call to action and a reminder to those in power that their duty is to serve the people and not themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Big frogs in little puddles laying down the law
People who have power in small spheres of influence imposing rules and regulations.
Tying bows in red tape and dont know what theyre for
Creating unnecessary bureaucracy without a clear understanding of the reason behind their actions.
I thought our soldiers went to war to keep Australia free
The sacrifice and service of soldiers was thought to be for the benefit of the country and its freedom.
But big frogs in little puddles are choking you and me
The bureaucrats and people in power are hindering and limiting the actions and rights of common citizens.
Old Tom staggered to the office door of a North West frontier town
Tom, a person who discovered a valuable resource, went to the town office to share his find.
And he cried give me food and water, and Ill tell you all what Ive found
Tom requested sustenance in exchange for his discovery to help further him and his cause.
Yes Ive found a mountain made of iron ore and thisll make the money flow
Tom found a resource that he believes can be turned into a profit for the town and its inhabitants.
But the office Johnny said now steady on, we must do things correct you know
The bureaucrat in charge of the office is insisting on following proper procedure and rules.
I just cant hand out town supplies to everyone who asks And youre not a resident of this here town, so, youre not my business task
The bureaucrat is refusing to give supplies to Tom because he is not a resident and it is not his area of responsibility.
Oh but heres a requisition form, and its in triplicate if you please Now steady old man, why I believe hes passed out, oh I wonder where that mountain could be
The bureaucrat gives Tom a complex form to fill out, but dismisses him as being too old to handle it and ignores his request for assistance.
Well they found old Toms iron mountain, and the town grew big and fast
The valuable resource that Tom discovered contributed to the growth and success of the town.
All the knobs felt quite important, living down their humble past
People in power began to feel superior and entitled to their success and status.
And if some started asking questions, well there was the good old pass the buck
When people began to question the motives and decision-making of those in power, they would deflect responsibility and blame onto others.
And if little folk got in their way, well it was just their bad luck
The common people who were not in power were seen as obstacles to be ignored or dismissed.
In the mines a young lad was killed one day so they sent the message home
A tragic accident occurred in the mines where a young person died and the message was sent to their family.
And his mother came over a thousand miles so hed not be buried alone
The mother of the young man traveled a great distance to ensure that her son would have a proper burial and support.
Someone broke it to her gently, that it might be rather rough
Someone tactfully tried to convey to the mother that the burial may not meet her expectations.
A coffin made of Masonite, and the hearse just a dirty truck
The burial was carried out in a cheap and insufficient manner that was not befitting of the young man's life and service.
Oh she cried a while and then she asked for flowers but there were none to be had in the town
The mother grieving for her son asks for flowers to place at his grave, but there are none available in the town.
So they sent to the council office, to see if some could be found
The request for flowers is communicated to the council office to determine the availability of flowers.
But the clerk in charge said What can I do? Shell have to it in good part
The bureaucrat in charge of the office is apathetic towards the request and dismisses it as the mother's problem.
Oh I guess he was just too busy to be bothered with a mothers heart
The bureaucrat is too preoccupied with their duties to empathize with the mother's loss and her request.
Too busy in their little worlds to know what hearts are for
The people in power are too consumed with their own responsibilities and status to recognize or understand the pain and importance of human emotions.
Success and money they might have but they better not forget
People in power may achieve success and fortune, but should not disregard their own humanity or the humanity of others.
Their puddles may dry up someday and theyll deserve the scorn they get
People in power may lose their influence or status, and those who they treated poorly or callously will rightfully be angry and bitter towards them.
Contributed by Anthony Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stanleygriffiths2750
Another true song from the late and great Slim Dusty, it most certainly suits our present lot in charge. R.I.P. Slim Dusty.
@iansing5278
Too true!
@trevorrowe9912
To all slim fans this song is so true
@margaretmcmahon574
I love slim dusty and his band. 🇮🇪👍🇦🇺🦘
@nzpatriot2009
So true Slim. Rest easy mate ❤️
@edwardpootchemunka7403
the big knobs down south should listen to this song
@gloriaday3419
A new big-frog in the same little-pond. Privatisation versus Public Governance!
@garryahfat9473
This song is life
@NemoDakkar
Good and a true song.
@brendanwilliams7291
Great song. Half the ones in power these days are like baby’s nappies, they need to be changed often and for the same reason. At least this song gets straight to the point.