Love Greg Ham on the sax! Sadly, we lost him in April 2012. He was a great saxophonist and flutist. All around great musician. Gone but never forgotten! Rest in Peace Greg Ham.
In the '80s I was stationed in the Philippines and use to go to the bars in the city. The first time this song played I was startled when every table in the bar erupted during the "Who can it be knocking at my door?" line when every girl grabbed a heavy bottle or ash tray and mimicked the "knock" sound with perfectly timed impacts on the tables. I had a bad startle reflex back then and I almost hit the floor. Over time I realized this happened every time and in every bar when this song played... they loved Men At Work.
When I very first heard this one I called up my bestie and told him "mark my words, this song will be #1" and they were totally unknown. This was also before it climbed the charts. I was right...the "hook" and the sax part, just completely infectious. It HAD TO BE A HUGE HIT.
topped at #8 here in Canada, always loved their sound. I'm sure there's an old radio-recorded mixed tape in my mom's basement that I made with this on it
Lead singer Colin Hay has been performing in Ringo Starr's All Starr band for years now. If you were to see them in concert, you will be guaranteed to hear this song live.
One of their biggest hits, released in Australia 1981, as a single, this great tune went to Number 2. The beautiful saxophone hook at the beginning, was moved from its original spot in the middle of the song. The lyrics were written by Colin Hay, after people looking for drugs, mistakenly knocked at his door continually. It was released in 1982, on the album, "Business As Usual", making it to Number 1 in the US, Canada Number 8, and Number 45 in the UK. Just a fabulous beat from the drums, the continuing sax through out and chiming guitars made for a enjoyable listen. Great reaction Harri, so enjoyable. Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
I was 11, I had this, and Cargo on vinyl and listened to both along with Duran Duran, the Rio album all night every night I would wake up to flip or replay the side and fall back to sleep, drove my mom nuts 😂
One of their big radio hits here in the States along with my favorite Down Under. Overkill and Be Good Johnny are a couple other notables. Thanks for the reaction!✌
Funnily enough, Colin Hay and Sting were born quite close to each other in time and place - early fifties, SW Scotland and NE England. And I agree about the similarities to Madness, both the overall sound and the sax. Another entertaining reaction of another hidden gem!
Mental issues handled with integrity before it became a thing...."Who can it be now," "Overkill," "Be good Johnny," all tackled tough subject matter all sounded fantastic Colin Hay deserves a bit of credit...Sax as always awesome!
I am still pissed because I would have met the lead singer and drink and chat with him if I hadn't got sick 2 weeks before. And by sick I mean I have been disabled for the rest of m y life due to an autoimmune illness! He played the nightclub I worked at and afterward he got all the staff together and hung out with them for like 2 hours!
Easily one of the Top 10 best 80's albums along with Synchronicity, Brothers in Arms, Purple Rain, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, Perfect Strangers, Joshua Tree, Moving Pictures, Back in Black, Master of Puppets
I see earlier reactions sort of explained the gist of the group Madness (which I personally liked a lot) here in the U.S. Also they mentioned the Australia aspect of Men at Work .. I think Men at Work were absolutely a GREAT band!! Many hits and then disappeared, I do agree the styles and/or sounds of the two groups could be similar ..The MAJOR difference to me is Colin Hay's vocals were .. well .. he is SUCH a good singer and has a unique voice and range! If you have not listened to them much I would suggest you check out more!
We've heard of Madness. "Our House" did pretty well, in the states. Men at Work was huge, for a few years. I saw them open for Fleetwood Mac at a moment when Men at Work's debut album sat atop the Billboard charts, and FM's Mirage was right behind, at No. 2.
Men at Work were often compared to the Police when they came out, not often favorably by critics, but I love them and still listen to Business As Usual and Cargo all the time!
