Soundtrack

In June 2009, the full Australia soundtrack became available to download through iTunes. Movie fans had been waiting for the release of the soundtrack for a long time and everyone was thrilled with this exclusive iTunes release. Hopefully, the soundtrack will eventually also be released on CD but, at present, it is only available through iTunes.

The Australia soundtrack on iTunes is also accompanied by a stunning 51 page booklet of movie stills and song words from the film, and this is available to download when you purchase the entire album. The soundtrack combines memorable songs from the movie with pieces of the stunning score by David Hirschfelder. The full track listing is as follows:

1. Welcome to Australia (Overture) - David Hirschfelder and David Gulpilil
2. The Drover’s Ballad - Elton John
3. All Night Long - The John Butler Trio
4. You Ride Your Way, I’ll Ride Mine - Rolf Harris
5. No Man Hires Me, No Man Fires Me - David Hirschfelder and Mark Lizotte
6. Cantero de Ti - Amelia Farrugia
7. The Rush - David Hirschfelder and John Butler
8. First Kiss - Felix Meagher and Bill Risby
9. Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
10. Across the Room/Begin the Beguine - David Hirschfelder, Stephen Pigram and Alam Pigram
11. Faraway Downs - Felix Meagher, Baz Luhrmann and Angela Little
12. Whoa Babe - The Ink Spots
13. Life Begins Again - Felix Meagher, Baz Luhrmann and Angela Little
14. I Will Come For You - David Hirschfelder
15. Fire From the Sky - David Hirschfelder
16. King George Calls - Felix Meagher, Baz Luhrmann and Angela Little
17. Nimrod (From the Enigma Variations) - Edward Elgar
18. By The Boab Tree - Ophelia of the Spirits
19. Waltzing Matilda - Ophelia of the Spirits

Here is what I had to say about the film's music in my Movie Review:

David Hirschfelder has created a sweeping score to accompany this magnificent film. The soundtrack is original, but it also contains strong elements of two well known songs. The first is the traditional and highly recognised Australian song, Waltzing Matilda. Instrumental chords from this tune are prevalent in the score throughout the entire movie. Also, after Lady Ashley and her team arrive in Darwin, the patrons of the local pub are loudly singing the song. I believe the repeated use of Waltzing Matilda throughout the film is very effective. It is a popular song that gives the score a traditionally Australian feel. The other highly entertaining Australian aspect of the soundtrack is the use of Rolf Harris and his famous wobble board! This highly entertaining music was used throughout the 'heightened' opening of the film to great effect. It is also played during the end credits of the movie and, personally, I really enjoyed it. Indeed, the sound of the wobble board always brings a smile to my face, so I believe it was a most fitting instrumental addition to the film.

The second song that is strongly featured in the soundtrack is Somewhere Over The Rainbow. This song originates when Lady Ashley attempts to sing a few lines to a grieving Nullah. Flynn later plays the tune on his harmonica and Nullah then adopts the tune as his 'song' to 'call Lady Ashley to him'. Nullah playing the tune as he sits at the front of the boat carrying the Mission Island children through the mist back to the mainland is one of the most hauntingly moving scenes in the film. Somewhere Over The Rainbow is also heard in its original form in the movie, The Wizard of Oz, as Nullah sits watching it at the Darwin theatre, transfixed by the onscreen magic of his first cinematic experience. There are also chords from the song scattered throughout the instrumental score of the film. It is clear that the Wizard of Oz and its famous song have a strong influence throughout Australia. There are some light parallels between the two films, and perhaps the meaning behind it all is that in order to find your way home, you must undertake a long and emotional journey of self-discovery that will ultimately bring you the fulfilment you desire.