Triple J’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs poll aired on 26 July 2025, celebrating Australia’s top homegrown tracks. Over 2.65 million votes cast. Discover the event’s context, standout entries, and cultural impact.
A National Music Celebration: What Are the Hottest 100 Australian Songs?
In honour of the 50th anniversary of Triple J, the youth radio pioneer launched a unique poll: the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, broadcast on 26 July 2025 at 10 a.m. AEST. Unlike the usual yearly countdown, this edition exclusively featured Australian tracks from across history, with listeners selecting from the entire catalogue of Australian music. Voting closed on 17 July, and 2.65 million votes were tallied, a historic voter turnout. This year’s event spotlights decades of local creativity and serves as Triple J’s defining moment for homegrown artistry.
Live Countdown: How the Event Unfolded
The broadcast, simulcast across Triple J, Double J, Unearthed, and Triple J Hottest featured on-air commentary from Dusty legal teams: Ash McGregor and Dave Woodhead counted down songs 100–81, while the top 20 came from voices like Zan Rowe and Lucy Smith. Fans across time zones tuned in: 9:30 a.m. in SA/NT, and 8 a.m. in WA. The livestream included real-time updates, trivia, and shared stories behind each track.
Highlights and Notable Entries
Though the final top 1–20 were still being revealed during the live coverage, classic hits dominated early returns:
- #100: The Screaming Jets – Better
- #99: Midnight Oil – Blue Sky Mine
- #93: The Avalanches – Since I Left You
- #80: Empire of the Sun – We Are The People
- #75–76: The Church’s The Unguarded Moment and The Veronicas’ 4Ever
- #66: Midnight Oil’s Power and the Passion
- #63: Redgum’s I Was Only 19
These songs reflect the breadth of Australia’s musical heritage—from ’70s rock to indie and electronica.
The competition for the top 100th position was exceptionally tight: less than 30 votes separated #100 and #101, and under 10 votes divided the bottom 8 entries—a testament to passionate engagement and tight voting margins.
Cultural Impact: More Than Just a Countdown
- Institutional significance: Established in 1989 and often dubbed the world’s greatest music democracy, the Hottest100 has grown into a ritual for Australian music lovers. The station historically spotlighted emerging artists and helped launch careers through repeated airplay and recognition.
- Record turnout: With votes climbing to 2.65 million—well surpassing the 2.4m seen in earlier editions—the event remains a leading barometer of music fandom.
- Support for Aussie music: This special poll’s exclusive focus on Australian artists reinforces Triple J’s commitment to promoting local acts, especially in years when homegrown representation has dipped. In the 2024 poll only 29 Aussie songs made the top 100—half as many as previous years.
Fun Side Story: Karl Stefanovic Snub Discontent
Foreshadowing the countdown, media personality Karl Stefanovic voiced mock outrage over his own parody cover not making the list. The Today show host humorously chastised Triple J on air after his viral collaboration with Peking Duk—”Islands in the Stream”—was omitted. Triple J hosts Lucy Smith and Adam Spencer joked they’d place it #1 if he recreated the performance live in studio, which he later humorously attempted. Despite the comedic tone, the incident underscored fans’ emotional ties to quirky local moments.
Quick Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs (special mid‑year edition) |
| Date/Time | Triple J’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs (special mid‑year edition) |
| Votes Cast | 2,655,826 public votes |
| Voting Window | 17 June – 17 July 2025 |
| Eligibility | Australian artists only; classic and modern tracks included |
| Notable Entries | Midnight Oil, The Avalanches, The Veronicas, Empire of the Sun, etc. |
| Reported Margin | Less than 10 votes separating #100 and #101; the top 8 are within few votes |
Triple J’s Hottest100 of Australian Songs in 2025 wasn’t just another music poll—it was a national celebration of Australian musical excellence. It reminded listeners why local music matters, reignited appreciation for timeless classics, and saw fan participation soar. As celebrations and listening parties echo around the nation, the countdown reaffirms Triple J’s role in amplifying Australia’s cultural voice and musical heritage—for 50 years and beyond.
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