Their 60s hits included: "I'll Never Find Another You", "A World of Our Own" , "The Carnival is Over" (which the Seekers sung at various closing ceremonies in Australia, including Expo '88 and the Paralympics), "Someday One Day", "Walk With Me", "Morningtown Ride", and "When Will The Good Apples Fall". Their tune "Georgy Girl" in particular served as the title song of the film of the same name. These songs have had significant airplay on 'oldies' radio stations over the years.
Bruce Woodley and The Rain, The Park and Other Things's "I Am Australian", which has been recorded by The Seekers, and by singer Judith Durham with Russell Hitchcock and Mandauway Yunupingu, has become an unofficial Australian anthem.
Red Rubber Ball
The Seekers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a lesson to be learned from this, and I learned it very well.
Now I know you're not the only starfish in the sea:
If I never hear your name again, it's all the same to me.
[Chorus:]
And I think it's gonna be all right;
Yeh, the worst is over now;
The mornin' sun is shinin' like a red rubber ball.
To you I'm just an ornament, somethin' for your pride.
Always runnin', never carin', that's the life you live.
Stolen moments of your time were all you had to give.
(Chorus)
The story's in the past, with nothin' to recall;
I've got my life to live, and I don't need you at all.
The rollercoaster ride we took is nearly at an end;
I bought my ticket with my tears; that's all I'm gonna spend.
(Chorus twice)
Whoa, whoa, it's bouncin', and it's shinin' like a red rubber ball.
The Seekers' song, Red Rubber Ball is about a person realizing that they were not valued in a romantic relationship. The first stanza is an acknowledgement of the lesson learned in a break-up, that there are other options and life goes on. The chorus that follows, with its upbeat melody, suggests a sense of optimism and overcoming hardship. The image of a red rubber ball symbolizes resilience and the ability to bounce back, even after being knocked down.
The second stanza references the lack of mutual trust in the relationship, indicating that the singer’s partner was not interested in hearing their secrets or confidences. It further describes the partner as interested solely in using the singer as an ornament or status symbol, someone to show off. The third stanza brings the song to a close, stating that the relationship is now entirely in the past, with nothing to recall, and the singer is moving on with their life. The final words, “it’s bouncing and it’s shining like a red rubber ball” reinforce the theme of resilience, overcoming hardship, and optimism that flows throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I should've known you'd bid me farewell;
I had an idea that you would say goodbye to me.
There's a lesson to be learned from this, and I learned it very well.
I have learnt a valuable lesson which will stay with me.
Now I know you're not the only starfish in the sea:
I have realized that there are many other potential partners out there.
If I never hear your name again, it's all the same to me.
It won't matter to me if I never hear from you again.
[Chorus:]
The chorus of the song begins.
And I think it's gonna be all right;
I believe things will be okay.
Yeh, the worst is over now;
The worst part is behind me.
The mornin' sun is shinin' like a red rubber ball.
The morning sun is bright and cheerful, like a red rubber ball bouncing in the sun.
You never cared for secrets I'd confide;
You never paid attention to the secrets I shared with you.
To you I'm just an ornament, somethin' for your pride.
You only valued me as a decoration, something to boost your ego.
Always runnin', never carin', that's the life you live.
You are always on the go and never really care about others.
Stolen moments of your time were all you had to give.
The only thing you could offer me were brief, stolen moments of your time.
(Chorus)
The chorus is repeated.
The story's in the past, with nothin' to recall;
The story of our relationship is in the past, and there is nothing left to remember.
I've got my life to live, and I don't need you at all.
I have my own life to lead, and I don't require your presence in it.
The rollercoaster ride we took is nearly at an end;
Our tumultuous relationship is almost over.
I bought my ticket with my tears; that's all I'm gonna spend.
I have paid a high price for the experience, and I won't invest any more emotions into it.
(Chorus twice)
The chorus is repeated two more times.
Whoa, whoa, it's bouncin', and it's shinin' like a red rubber ball.
The ending of the song is a reminiscence of the bright and happy future that the singer is anticipating.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Simon, Bruce Woodley
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@grogg4372
The Seeker's songs are so full of love and appreciation for life. This is the simple positivity that you don't find in modern songs.
@claudivannonato5958
Custei a encontrar essa música no original! Só conhecia a versão com Leno e Lílian. The Seekers é SHOW! 👍❤️🇧🇷
@telsah1
This used to be in my parents collection of albums and I loved playing the album belonging to The Seekers and Red Rubber Ball was one of the songs I played the most.
@andrewthornhill7042
@telsah1 Same here. That record got played a LOT!
@Tommyr
Such an awesome song that I could have sang to a number of girls over my 61 years.
@steverenom.299
Lol.
@rjw7058
Australia mourns Judith Durham of the Seekers, she's gone but lives 4ever in these melodies>
@chookinathunderstorm3446
I remember going on that old rickety roller coaster ride at Luna Park near Melbourne when I was a teenage girl during the 70's. This song is a great one for accompanying the excitement of a fair ground ride.
The Seekers were a musical force for uplifting the spirits. Even their sad songs like The Carnival Is Over were uplifting, even through the emotional throat clutching and sbbing of the listener. I highly recommend giving The Seekers a listen.
@johnmarlin7269
Thanks - love this rendition of the song. This was a great group.
@SixtiesOnly
+John Marlin ...Glad you enjoyed this one from the Seekers,they certainly made some great records back then,cheers !