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.
Joy Bells in Your Heart
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look out below
And bundle up
'Cause here I come
Skies of grey
This holiday
But spirits shine so bright
'Cause love is the fire
In your fireplace
And carefree are the snowflakes
That fall on your face
And although this winter
May bring us a storm
The joy in your heart
Keeps you warm
Yeah, the joy in your heart
Keeps you warm
The lyrics to Slim Dusty's song Joy Bells in Your Heart encourage listeners to find joy and warmth in the midst of a cold winter. The first two lines are a play on words, with "I'm the snow" meaning both that the singer is the snow and also that they are coming like the snow. The following lines tell listeners to bundle up because the singer is on their way.
The second verse acknowledges the grey skies of winter, but contrasts them with the shining spirits of people who don't need the sun to be happy. The chorus continues this theme, emphasizing that love and joy are the real sources of warmth during cold times. The final lines of the chorus remind listeners that even in the midst of a winter storm, the joy they feel can keep them warm.
Overall, these lyrics are meant to be uplifting and encouraging, reminding listeners to focus on the joy in their hearts and the love in their lives even when things are difficult.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm the snow
I am the winter season personified by snow, ice, and cold weather.
Look out below
Be aware of my presence and prepare for my arrival.
And bundle up
Wear warm clothing to protect your body from the cold temperature.
'Cause here I come
Winter is coming and is inevitable.
Skies of grey
The weather is dull and gloomy, lacking sunshine and blue skies.
This holiday
This time of the year when people celebrate and spend time together.
But spirits shine so bright
People's emotions and enthusiasm are very high and radiant.
They don't need the sun
Their positive attitude and energy do not depend on external factors.
'Cause love is the fire
Love is like a warm and comforting flame that burns in people's hearts.
In your fireplace
Just like a fireplace provides warmth and comfort to a house, love provides the same warmth and comfort to people's lives.
And carefree are the snowflakes
Snowflakes are light and delicate, falling from the sky in a playful and carefree manner.
That fall on your face
The experience of feeling snowflakes on your face is pure and joyful.
And although this winter
Despite the challenges and difficulties that winter brings.
May bring us a storm
There might be a severe weather event or an emotionally challenging situation.
The joy in your heart
The happiness and contentment that come from within.
Keeps you warm
Gives you the strength and resilience to endure and overcome any hardship.
Yeah, the joy in your heart
Indeed, the happiness that emanates from within.
Keeps you warm
Provides comfort and hope to face any adversity.
Contributed by Lauren F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@davidjohnston7968
What a beautiful and uplifting song by an Australian music legend. I want joybells in my heart too.Jesus please make it so with me
@ruthtomlin207
Love this!