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(8) FUNK: HILLTOP HOODS – NOSEBLEED SECTION (2003)

B-SIDE: Cosby Sweater (2014)

“Ladies come chill, come rock with me hunny

I got like half a mill in monopoly money

There’s no stopping me honey, so you can take my hand

We can lay on the beach and count grains of sand

Or take a plane to Japan, and drink sake with mafia

Fly to Libya for some Bacardi with Qaddafi a

Dinner date, followed by a funk show

We’ll rip off our tops and jump around in the front row” 

Another song from my life soundtrack – which is the running theme of my sixth to ninth places.

For this funk entry, we’re in the genre of hip hop. Australian hip hop, that is. After all, what would any music list be without some Australian hip hop. (What? It has its own Wikipedia entry!).

This was the Hoods’ breakthrough song, The Nosebleed Section, from their third album in 2003 (albeit effectively their first commercially available album), with its chorus and backing beat sampled from The People in the Front Row sung by Melanie Safka. The unsophisticated video reflects their underground origins and corresponding limited budget – albeit showcasing impressive riding skill (by former BMX flatland rider Simon O’Brien).

There’s just something that resonates about life turning out like nothing you had planned – with nothing but dreams or “writing rhymes on the bus” – and inverting that into the “upbeat themes of parties, concerts, good times and living the high life”, even if only for the night.

The Hilltop Hoods have continued to produce and perform songs through the next decade, including surprisingly soulful songs (and videos) at times, such as their singles Higher and Won’t Let You Down.

As for my B-side, I have to go with the unfortunately named Cosby Sweater (a title the band itself regretted after the fact) because it’s so damn catchy.

RATING: 

B-TIER (HIGH-TIER)