Formed in 1992, the band originally comprised Tim Freedman (lead vocals, piano), Stevie Plunder (lead vocals, guitar) and Andy Lewis (double bass, backing vocals). The line-up has changed many times over the years with Tim the only consistent member of the band, not to mention the only original member still alive. In the current line-up Terepai Richmond hits the drums, Warwick Hornsby plays the bass, and Jak Housden steals the scene on the electric guitar alongside the ever-present Tim Freedman.
Their style of music has been described as muscular piano based pop/rock, however it has been quite varied over the life of the band. Their latest album is titled Little Cloud and is a double album, separated by the two themes of New York and Tim's homeland Sydney.
The band played their final shows in 2010, taking an extended break for Freedman to pursue a solo career.
In 2012, the band were announced as one of the headliners of the Caloundra Music Festival on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.
Gough
The Whitlams Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tarred with the same brush
He learnt Latin, held his head up high and he hated the Liberals tho' he
Didn't know why
There were reasons - how long have you got?
There are always reasons - how long have you got?
The little boy's on the stage tonight, his name is Anthony Hayes and
He's doing alright
1972
What a party - a big day for both of us
A big reason to party - a big day for both of us
Come over have dinner with me, we'll play chess and drink claret
Walk slowly down my little street, can you bring Margaret?
November 11 was Armistice Day, a bushranger was slaughtered and Gough
Was betrayed
November 11 - he wouldn't survive the Governor - General in '75
November 11 - a big day for all of us
November 11 - Ned Kelly died, ahh shame Fraser shame and we all cried
For you Gough you Gough you Gough Edward Gough Whitlam
You Gough you Gough
Days of wine and roses, days of wine and roses
All the artists flew in and all the arseholes flew out in '72
For you Gough, you Gough, you Gough...
The Whitlams' song "Gough" is a tribute to Australian politician Edward Gough Whitlam, who served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia from 1972 to 1975. The song starts with a little boy who wanted to be like Gough, he idolized him and wanted to be tarred with the same brush. Gough Whitlam was known for his intelligence and holding his head up high, he learned Latin and hated the Liberals. The lyrics highlight that there were reasons for his hatred, but there wasn't enough time to delve into them all. The song highlights the little boy, Anthony Hayes, who is now making a name for himself on stage, he and Gough both went to the same school in Canberra, but the boy named Stevie was only nine in 1972, which was a big day for both of them. It was a reason to party and celebrate Gough's win.
The lyrics then turn to Gough inviting someone over for dinner to play chess and drink claret, but they had to bring Margaret. The song mentions November 11th, which was Armistice Day, and a bushranger was slaughtered, but Gough was betrayed. This was a significant date as Gough wouldn't survive the Governor-General in '75. Ned Kelly also died on this date, and the song expresses shame for Fraser and how everyone cried for Gough. The song closes with the repeated lyrics of "Days of wine and roses" and the tribute to Gough.
Line by Line Meaning
Little song about a man called Gough and a little boy who wanted to be
This is a song about a man named Gough and a little boy who idolizes him.
Tarred with the same brush
The little boy wants to be like Gough and share his ideals and beliefs.
He learnt Latin, held his head up high and he hated the Liberals tho' he Didn't know why
The little boy admired Gough's intellect, confidence and disdain for the Liberal party, although he didn't understand it yet.
There were reasons - how long have you got?
Gough had his reasons for hating the Liberal party, and they were numerous and complex.
There are always reasons - how long have you got?
In general, there are always reasons behind political beliefs.
The little boy's on the stage tonight, his name is Anthony Hayes and He's doing alright
Years later, the little boy has grown up and is now successful in his own right (as Anthony Hayes).
They both went to the same local Canberra school, but Stevie was nine in 1972
Gough and the little boy (now Anthony Hayes) attended the same school in Canberra, although the boy was only nine years old during Gough's prime ministerial tenure.
What a party - a big day for both of us
Gough's election and prime ministership was a huge event for both Gough and the little boy.
A big reason to party - a big day for both of us
Again, Gough's election and prime ministership was a significant reason to celebrate for them.
Come over have dinner with me, we'll play chess and drink claret
Gough invites someone (perhaps the little boy or Anthony Hayes) over for a sophisticated evening of chess and wine.
Walk slowly down my little street, can you bring Margaret?
Gough asks for a friend (Margaret) to come over and take a leisurely stroll with him.
November 11 was Armistice Day, a bushranger was slaughtered and Gough Was betrayed
On November 11 (Armistice Day), a bushranger was killed and Gough Whitlam was betrayed by the Governor-General.
November 11 - he wouldn't survive the Governor - General in '75
November 11, the day of Gough's betrayal, was a precursor to his ultimate downfall in 1975, due in part to the actions of the Governor-General.
November 11 - a big day for all of us
November 11 was a significant day for all Australians, not just Gough and his supporters.
November 11 - Ned Kelly died, ahh shame Fraser shame and we all cried
On November 11, the infamous Australian bushranger Ned Kelly was killed, but the focus of this line is on the shame of Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser's actions towards Gough, which caused widespread sadness.
For you Gough you Gough you Gough Edward Gough Whitlam
This line is a tribute to Gough Whitlam, using his full name for emphasis.
You Gough you Gough
Repeating Gough's name again for emphasis and tribute.
Days of wine and roses, days of wine and roses
The days of Gough's prime ministership were seen as a time of celebration, like the wine and roses of this line.
All the artists flew in and all the arseholes flew out in '72
The year 1972, when Gough was elected prime minister, was a time when creative, liberal-minded people flocked to Australia, while more conservative types left.
For you Gough, you Gough, you Gough...
A final tribute to Gough Whitlam.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TIMOTHY FREEDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Abigail Quellish
It's a shame that the final lyrics of the story got left out:
"December 13 launched Dame Edna on stage, a balloon flight in Sydney was all the rage and
Gough was betrayed
December 13 - he wouldn't survive the will of the people in '75
Two years later on December 10 - the public said yes to Fraser again and f--- off to
You Gough you Gough you Gough Edward Gough Whitlam
You Gough you Gough
No more Whitlam!"
Werebilby J
Gough Whitlam was only in for a short period of time but accomplished so much in that time - what a legend. Love the song - great tribute fellas!
aussieangie
Gough Whitlam helped to secure a strong future for Music and the Arts in Australia.
RIP Gough.(1916 - 2014)
Robert Fairhead
I bought this album on CD a few years back for a friend who'd introduced me to The Whitlams when I returned to Australia in 1996. He's also a leftie, so I knew he'd love "Gough".
When Gough Whitlam died in 2014 I bought a copy of the album for myself from iTunes. I remember singing along to "Gough" while walking my dog in my local park, with a lump in the throat and tears in my eyes. And I still get teary listening to it and thinking of the lost opportunities of the Whitlam era.
"For you Gough you Gough you Gough Edward Gough Whitlam ..."
The Spam Dance
Vale Gough. Long live your vision of an Australia that is fair for all.
Michael Oberhofer
Flawed, Magnificent, and the best we ever had. Thanks Gough!
agenttheater5
Whether you disagreed with his policies or not, whether you liked him or not, it's hard to deny that he got more done than any prime minister we've had!
washington irving
vale Stevie Plunder and Andy Lewis. thank you. and thank you to Tim Freedman for keeping on, and for helping to tell their stories, and our own.
dsteamer100
RIP Gough - Days of Wine and Roses (and I got to go to university because of you - thanks)
Jaroslav Vydra
RIP Mr Whitlam, our hero when we was young...
The Spam Dance
And also a hero to those who weren’t even born at the time.