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.
Dieseline Dreams
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'd swear all his birthdays had rolled into one
'Cause he's headin' out on his maiden run
Up to the far north of Queensland
I tell him the names of the truck stops and towns
The stretches and corners and where they'll be found
The stories and yarns I've picked up on my rounds
And he listens with wide-open eyes
Down a highway that runs through his mind
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
His ears are glued to that cracklin' C.B.
But he's got that lingo down to a tee
And there's pride in his eyes when he looks up at me
Oh yeah he's a truck drivers' son
And given the chance he'd be in my shoes
But right now he's primed for an afternoon snooze
Though he's determined to look out for 'roos
The road finally lulls him away
And he's riding on dieseline dreams
Down a highway that runs through his mind
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
Instrumental
While my boy's dozin' the memories flood in
And I'm back in the cabin with my Dad again
Tellin' myself how I'll be just like him
It don't seem all that long ago
Yet here's my own son thinkin' the same
Itchin' to get himself into the game
He won't understand when I try to explain
Son it's not what it used to be
'Cause he's riding on dieseline dreams
Down a highway that runs through his mind
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
The song "Dieseline Dreams" by Slim Dusty is a heartfelt tribute to the relationship between a father and son and their shared love of truck driving. The song tells the story of a young boy who is riding shotgun with his dad on his first trip behind the wheel of a big rig. The boy is filled with excitement and wonder as he takes in all the sights and sounds of the open road. He listens eagerly as his dad tells him about the various landmarks and stories from his own experiences as a truck driver. The boy is so enthralled by the experience that he falls asleep dreaming of the day when he can follow in his father's footsteps.
The song is a poignant reflection on the passing of time and the way that traditions and vocations are passed down from generation to generation. The father sees himself in his son and recognizes the same passion and ambition that drove him to become a truck driver. However, he also knows that times have changed and that the world of trucking is not the same as it was when he first started out. The song captures beautifully the thrill and romance of the open road and the pride and camaraderie that comes with being a truck driver.
Line by Line Meaning
He leans out the window and waves to his Mum
The singer excitedly greets his mother before embarking on his first drive.
You'd swear all his birthdays had rolled into one
The singer is thrilled for his opportunity to drive and feels like he has received the ultimate gift.
'Cause he's headin' out on his maiden run
Up to the far north of Queensland
The singer is about to undertake his first delivery to Northern Queensland.
I tell him the names of the truck stops and towns
The stretches and corners and where they'll be found
The stories and yarns I've picked up on my rounds
And he listens with wide-open eyes
The artist's mentor shares valuable information and tips on the trucking industry, which the artist eagerly absorbs.
'Cause he's riding on dieseline dreams
Down a highway that runs through his mind
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
The artist imagines himself driving on the open road, with his biggest dreams at his fingertips.
His ears are glued to that cracklin' C.B.
But he's got that lingo down to a tee
And there's pride in his eyes when he looks up at me
Oh yeah he's a truck drivers' son
The singer proudly imitates the language and vernacular of truck drivers, following in his father's footsteps.
And given the chance he'd be in my shoes
But right now he's primed for an afternoon snooze
Though he's determined to look out for 'roos
The road finally lulls him away
The singer would love to be a full-time driver, but for now, he must take a nap while still observing his surroundings for potential dangers.
While my boy's dozin' the memories flood in
And I'm back in the cabin with my Dad again
Tellin' myself how I'll be just like him
It don't seem all that long ago
As the artist reflects on his own memories, he remembers his father and his own aspirations of becoming a truck driver.
Yet here's my own son thinkin' the same
Itchin' to get himself into the game
He won't understand when I try to explain
Son it's not what it used to be
Despite his own memories and aspirations, the artist acknowledges that the trucking industry has changed and may not be the same as when he first entered it.
'Cause he's riding on dieseline dreams
Down a highway that runs through his mind
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
Behind the wheel of the biggest rig he's ever seen
Riding on dieseline dreams
The artist's son continues to dream and imagine himself driving a big rig, despite his father's warnings, and continues to ride on his own diesel-fueled aspirations.
Writer(s): Graeme Connors
Contributed by Carter M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ashleygiggity
Credit to who ever made this video! Perfectly matches the song and Slim would be proud to see this video!
@driver3025
Even down to the flashback of the old step up dash and spiders. Excellent job old mate.
@whataupnnaa8331
Oh he'd have a go that' it's a Kenworth should be a lack mate
@whataupnnaa8331
Mack
@trevorsmyth4422
What a great song with excellent lyrics. One of Slim's best but lesser known tracks.
@lamarwestmoreland809
This brings back so many great memories of when my Son rode with me. Jeff was 4 years old when he started riding with me back in the 80s. Jeff is 37 now and has been driving a truck for 4 years. We are both truck drivers here in America. Stay safe truckies.
@bigghostyy3009
This is great my dad told me about slim and he’s a truckie and every trip we listen to slim all day
@daleferguson6479
Wow, just wow! Heard the song more than a hundred times, but put it to a video and I'm tearing up like a baby! Phew! No idea why, perhaps now I'm a dad it's different, or brings back memories of being at Slim's funeral (or both). Either way, awesome video!
@billy-bobsh1n3r69
Absolute beaut vid guys. Loved every second of it. My daughters about to turn 3 and I reckon by this time next year my little angel will be riding shotgun every chance we get.
@losoj30
Can't believe somebody made a video for this it's so awesome!