Why Every Men at Work Songs Playlist Needs More Than Just Down Under

If you close your eyes and think about 1982, you probably hear a flute. It’s that iconic, chirpy riff from "Down Under" that defined a decade and put an Australian bar band on top of the world. But here’s the thing: most people building a men at work songs playlist stop after the three big hits. That’s a mistake. A huge one. Colin Hay and his crew weren’t just a fluke of the MTV era; they were arguably one of the tightest New Wave outfits to ever come out of Melbourne, blending reggae rhythms with a sort of paranoid, suburban anxiety that feels weirdly relevant today.

Most playlists are lazy. You get "Down Under," you get "Who Can It Be Now?", and maybe "Overkill" if the curator was feeling spicy. But if you actually dig into the discography—specifically those three studio albums released before they imploded—you find a band that was much darker and more musically sophisticated than the "vegemite sandwich" lyrics suggest.

The Foundation of Your Men at Work Songs Playlist

Look, you can't ignore the hits. They are the bedrock. "Who Can It Be Now?" is the ultimate song for introverts and the generally suspicious. That saxophone hook by Greg Ham is legendary. It’s a song about literal paranoia. When you're adding it to your men at work songs playlist, remember that it was written before the band was even famous, capturing that feeling of being broke and bothered in a cramped apartment.

Then there is "Down Under." It’s basically the unofficial Australian national anthem at this point. But did you know the version we all know from Business as Usual wasn't the first? They had an earlier, much more raw version. The hit version is polished to a mirror finish. It’s catchy, sure, but it’s also a song about the "selling out" of a country. It’s a protest song disguised as a pop anthem. That’s the secret sauce of this band—hiding heavy themes under sunny melodies.

Don't Skip the Deep Cuts

If you want your men at work songs playlist to actually stand out, you have to go into the weeds. Start with "Be Good Johnny." It’s frantic. It’s chaotic. It captures the perspective of a kid who just won’t listen to his parents. The "Go to sleep, Johnny!" shouts are iconic. It shows the band’s range—they could do quirky character studies just as well as they did radio-friendly pop.

Then there's "It’s a Mistake." This is from their second album, Cargo. It’s a Cold War song. While everyone else was singing about dancing in the dark, Colin Hay was singing about the terrifying possibility of a nuclear accident triggered by a simple human error. The guitar work here is subtle but incredible. Ron Strykert, the lead guitarist, doesn't get enough credit for his "less is more" approach. He never overplayed. Every note mattered.

Why Cargo is Secretly Their Best Album

A lot of critics at the time dismissed Cargo as Business as Usual Part 2. They were wrong. It’s actually a more mature, atmospheric record. If your men at work songs playlist doesn't have "Overkill," you're doing it wrong. It’s a song about insomnia and the racing thoughts that keep you up at 3:00 AM.

"I can't get to sleep / I think about the implications / Of diving in too deep / And possibly the complications."

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It’s haunting. It’s beautiful. It features some of Hay's best vocal work. He has this raspy, soulful edge that sets him apart from the typical high-pitched New Wave singers of the early 80s.

Then you have "High Wire." It’s tense. It’s about the pressure of fame. By the time they recorded this, the band was under immense stress. They were the biggest thing on the planet for a minute, and you can hear the exhaustion in the music. It’s gritty. It’s real.

The Forgotten Third Album

Most people don't even know Two Hearts exists. By 1985, the original lineup was fracturing. Jerry Speiser and John Rees were gone. But "Everything I Need" is a fantastic track that deserves a spot on any men at work songs playlist. It has a more mid-80s production style—lots of reverb and big drums—but the songwriting is still top-tier.

"Man with Two Hearts" is another one. It’s a bit more experimental. It shows where the band might have gone if they hadn't fallen apart shortly after. It’s less "Australian pub rock" and more "international pop-rock." It's sophisticated.

The Tragic Legacy of the Flute Riff

We have to talk about the 2010 lawsuit. It's a dark cloud over the band's history. A judge ruled that the flute riff in "Down Under" copied the children's song "Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree." It was a devastating blow, especially for Greg Ham. Many people close to him say the stress of the lawsuit contributed to his untimely death in 2012.

When you listen to that riff now, it hits differently. It’s a reminder of how fickle the music industry can be. But it shouldn't diminish the song's brilliance. It’s a piece of pop perfection, regardless of the legal drama.

Building the Perfect Flow

When you're actually assembling your men at work songs playlist, don't just dump them in chronological order. That’s boring. Start with something high-energy like "Underground." It’s the opening track of their debut album and it sets the tone perfectly. It’s nervous and driving.

Then transition into the hits. Drop "Who Can It Be Now?" followed by "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive." That song is a trip. It’s weird, it’s funky, and it shows their sense of humor.

• Underground (The high-energy opener)
• Who Can It Be Now? (The essential hook)
• Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive (The quirky mid-tempo)
• Down Under (The anthem)
• Overkill (The emotional core)
• It's a Mistake (The atmospheric rocker)
• Settle Down My Boy (A rare lead vocal by Ron Strykert)
• Everything I Need (The late-era gem)

Honestly, Men at Work were a much better live band than people remember. If you can find live recordings from their 1983 US tour, add those too. The energy is different. It’s raw. Colin Hay’s solo acoustic versions of these songs—recorded decades later—are also worth a look. They strip away the 80s production and show just how strong the melodies really are.

The Colin Hay Factor

You can't talk about a men at work songs playlist without acknowledging that Colin Hay is the voice. Even after the band split, he kept the flame alive. His solo career is massive, especially after his songs were featured on the show Scrubs.

Tracks like "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You" aren't technically Men at Work songs, but they belong in the same spiritual space. They carry that same sense of longing and world-weariness. If you’re a fan of the band, you owe it to yourself to check out his solo work. It provides context for the songs he wrote in his twenties.

Why They Still Matter

Music in the early 80s was often accused of being style over substance. Men at Work were the exception. They had the style—the skinny ties, the music videos—but the substance was there too. They were singing about mental health, nuclear war, and national identity while everyone else was singing about parties.

Their influence is still felt in modern indie rock. You can hear echoes of their rhythm section in bands like Vampire Weekend. You can hear Colin Hay’s vocal influence in a dozen different singer-songwriters. They weren't just a "one-hit wonder" band, even if the general public sometimes treats them that way.

Actionable Steps for Your Ultimate Playlist

To create the definitive listening experience, follow these specific steps:

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1. Source the Remasters: The original 80s CDs can sound a bit thin. Look for the 2003 remasters of Business as Usual and Cargo. The bass is much punchier, and you can actually hear the intricate percussion work.
2. Include the B-Sides: "Anyone for Tennis" and "Shintaro" are quirky tracks that weren't on the original albums but show the band's experimental side.
3. Balance the Mood: Don't put all the upbeat songs at the start. Intersperse the "reggae-lite" tracks with the moodier pieces like "Blue for You" to keep the listener engaged.
4. Watch the Videos: If you're building this as a video playlist, the "Dr. Heckyll & Mr. Jive" video is a must-watch for its sheer 80s absurdity.

The goal isn't just to revisit the hits. It's to understand why this band from Melbourne managed to conquer the world for a brief, shining moment. They had a unique sound that hasn't really been replicated since. It’s a mix of Australian grit and global ambition.

By including the deep cuts and understanding the history behind the tracks, your men at work songs playlist becomes more than just a nostalgia trip. It becomes a tribute to one of the era's most underrated musical forces.

Next Steps for Your Collection

• Hunt for Vinyl: The original Australian pressings on CBS are widely considered to have the best dynamic range for these specific recordings.
• Explore the Solo Path: Listen to Colin Hay’s Man @ Work album, where he re-records many of these hits in an acoustic or updated style.
• Check the Credits: Take note of Greg Ham’s multi-instrumental contributions; his ability to switch between saxophone, flute, and keyboards was the band's "secret weapon" in live performances.