 | What the CD-booklet says:
This was the greatest Oz rock hit of 1969 (can you believe it?), and it was the result of the cooperation between the lead singer of Melbourne band Somebody's Image (never heard of) Russell Morris, and a reporter, Ian Meldrum. The latter was also known by his work for children's programs. Together they ended up in London, working in the organized chaos that was called the Apple company (owned by the Beatles). Ian "Molly" Meldrum had somehow managed to get a recording contract with EMI for Russell Morris and himself, and before EMI realized what was going on Meldrum had already spent $10,000 recording a wizard's brew of electronic noise and mesmerizing chants: the song "The real thing" - a six minute epic that included a childrens chorus, a bomb explosion and a few seconds of Hitler. Of course Meldrum was sacked, but he refused to let go. When the company decided to release the single only in Victoria he single handedly went to Sydney to play it at the local radiostations. In April 1969 "The Real Thing" was number one, and at the end of the year they had been awarded a gold disc and Australian language had been enriched with the phrase "Oo mow mamow mow"...
What I think of this song:
Holy Moses! or Far out, man! Whatever you like best. The song starts like some sort of Love-rip off (you know the Arthur Lee hippie band), but then slowly turns into... into what? Since there is a remote Beatles connection I am tempted to use Beatles analogy: This is a real Magical Mystery Tour, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds etc. One big musical trip that you have to experience, just like you have to experience a rollercoaster ride to know what all the fuzz is about. No use telling you about it. It is simply one of the best songs to have come out of the socalled roaring Sixties.
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