CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
The twin sisters of Australian power-pop have been officially recognised as one the greatest musical acts in the nation’s history.
That’s according to Triple J’s highly anticipated Hottest 100 Australian Songs Of All Time.
Coming in at number three on this highly competitive list was the 2007 banger ‘Untouched’ by the Veronicas.
The darlings of Brisbane’s Northside, Lisa and Jessica Origliasso, now join the likes of INXS, Cold Chisel, Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly and fellow Queenslanders from Powderfinger in this now indisputable and democratically selected Australian music hall of fame.
Anyone who seems surprised by this result has obviously never been to shopping centre in Queensland over the last 20 years. Or a gay club. Or indeed, a suburban soccer club.
The identical twin sisters first came to public attention with their breakthrough album in 2005. As Italian-Australians from Queensland, they were chosen as the perfect Aussie musical act to play at the opening of the NRL Grand Final between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers that same year.
Their eccentric fashion sense, relentless musical output and unashamed authenticity have since seen them became icons for both gay audiences, Queenslanders and Italian-Australians.
And it seems these three subsections of Australian society are some of the most passionate communities in the country – as they join forces over the last month to ensure that the Veronicas secure the highly impressive number 3 spot on the Hottest 100.
‘Untouched’ was the first single on The Veronicas’ second album Hook Me Up, and delivered Lisa and Jessica Origliasso to international audiences.
‘Untouched’ peaked at number two in Australia, number one in Ireland and reached the top 10 charts right across Europe and North America.
Then song went double platinum in the US, and platinum in Australia and Ireland.
But now it is officially and rightly recognised as as number 3 in Australian history. And anybody who wants to argue this can take it up with the hot-blooded nonnas, queens and Queenslanders who made it happen.
