Australian band Men At Work scored an international hit in early 1983 with 'Down Under', topping both the US and UK charts simultaneously. Although the group had subsequent hits in their homeland, they are remembered today as a one-hit wonder outside Australia. The song 'Down Under' is often taken for a patriotic, flag-waving anthem but a closer listen to the lyric and look at the video reveals that it is actually a dig at the way the nation was being sold off and overdeveloped by what the band called 'greedy people'.
28 years after the song was a hit, the band were sued for copyright infringement by publishers Larrikin Music, who alleged that the distinctive flute heard throughout the song was based on the childrens' song 'Kookaburra', which Larrikin owned the rights to. Although the band insisted any infringement was unintentional, the courts ruled that copyright had been infringed and that Larrikin were entitled to a percentage of royalties from 'Down Under'. Sadly, flute player Greg Ham, whose playing is heard on 'Down Under', passed away in 2012 after expressing deep disappointment at the thought that he would be remembered only for a copyright infringement.
Here is the video for 'Down Under' - look out for the mock funeral scene towards the end which symbolises the 'death' of Australia's natural scenery:
(2023 update - replaced old link)
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