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.
Something In The Pilliga
Slim Dusty Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've come a long way down the track
Got a long way left to go
Making songs, from what I know
Making sense of what I've seen
All the love we've had between
You and I, along the track
Looking forward, looking back
Full of change on the way
But we'll be fine, unlike some
I'll be leaning forward, to see what's coming
Looking forward, looking back
I've come a long way down the track
Got a long way left to go
Making songs, from what I know
Instrumental
If I'm alone at night, I can see
Through all the triviality
Of the day and I'm okay
I just think of those who are dear to me
Looking forward, looking back
I've come a long way down the track
Got a long way left to go
Making songs, from what I know
Making songs, from what I know
Looking forward, looking back
The lyrics to Slim Dusty's "Something In The Pilliga" describe a journey through life, looking ahead to the future and reflecting on the past. Dusty acknowledges that he has come a long way down the track, but also recognizes that there is still a long way to go. He finds inspiration for his music in the things he has seen, and in the love he has shared with others along the way. Despite the changes and challenges that lie ahead, Dusty is confident that he will be able to navigate them successfully, by keeping his focus on the road ahead.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking forward, looking back
Reflecting on the past and anticipating the future
I've come a long way down the track
I've experienced a lot in life
Got a long way left to go
I still have much to learn and experience
Making songs, from what I know
Creating music based on my personal experiences
Making sense of what I've seen
Trying to understand the world around me
All the love we've had between
Reflecting on the love shared between individuals
You and I, along the track
Referring to a specific relationship that has evolved over time
There are strange days
There are unpredictable and unusual circumstances
Full of change on the way
Anticipating even more unfamiliar situations
But we'll be fine, unlike some
There is confidence in the ability to handle change, unlike others
I'll be leaning forward, to see what's coming
Eagerly looking ahead to the future
If I'm alone at night, I can see
Being alone allows for contemplation
Through all the triviality
Able to see past the unimportant things in life
Of the day and I'm okay
Despite daily struggles, everything is ultimately okay
I just think of those who are dear to me
Focusing on the people who matter most
Making songs, from what I know
Creating art inspired by life experiences
Looking forward, looking back
Reflecting on the past and anticipating the future
Writer(s): ray rose
Contributed by Owen K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@michaelrose8897
My father wrote this song based on his experience as a truck driver in Australia and the stories he'd heard from his truckie mates.
@sammcgowran6782
surely not, say on god.
@terrymorris6046
Slim. Dusty. Is. The. Best. Country. Singer. I've. Heard. In. My. Life. Time. He's. Great.
@La-vc6nt
@terrym..... Yes, how Great was Slim
@jrmathes6567
I was born and raised near the Pilliga and I know truckies who won't pass through it after dark.
@davidbeale1420
I am as toey as f#@k if I have to drive that road at night.
@ilikecats392
Yep me too.
@mickeyhughes2280
Some 30 years ago or so a truckie was driving from Coonabarabran to Narrabri. He stopped when he heard a tyre burst. He got out of the cab to inspect and change it when a whole family of Yowies appeared. Totally shaken he drove the truck flat out all the way to Narrabri. Nothing was left of the tyre or the rim. It was National News all over Australia. I guess that info would be real hard to find these days. Sure would like to read it again !
@elizabethtaylor9321
Mickey Hughes He should have asked them for a hand to change the wheel, now that would have been a story nobody would have believed .
@joluttringer4450
Since many many Years I like Slim Dusty. I purchased LP'S, CD'S, DVD'S in Germany.T For me, this Singer is the "australian Lonnie Donegan" - king of skiffle in England. Best Wishes from France. Jo Luttringer