True Blue by John Williamson

‘True Blue’ is an Australian folk country song written and performed by singer-songwriter John Williamson.

The lyrics draw heavily on Australian slang, with the title meaning authentically Australian. The song was released in March 1982 as a single from the album True Blue – The Best of John Williamson but initially failed to chart. 

In 1986, Williamson re-recorded the song for his sixth studio album Mallee Boy, and it became the lead single. This version of the song was used for the Australian Made campaign; it peaked at No. 43 on the Kent Music Report chart and was later awarded the Most Performed Australasian Country Work at the 1988 APRA Awards (Australia). 

The Australian national cricket and rugby union teams later adopted ‘True Blue’ as an unofficial theme song.   

Since 1970, Williamson has released over 50 albums, sold more than 4,000,000 albums in Australia, been inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, and won dozens of trophies including three ARIA Awards and 26 Golden Guitars (at the CMAA Country Music Awards of Australia).

John Williamson was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1992 ('for service to Australian country music and in stimulating awareness of conservation issues').

Image: John Williamson. Courtesy Festival Records, 1986.