On July 26, Triple J will broadcast the Hottest 100 Australian Songs, as voted by the public. While predictions for winners and even preemptive complaining about the shortlist are taking up column space and social media posts, there is an underlying question: what we mean when we talk about “Australian songs”?
Do these songs sound a particular way? Do they express something about what it means to be Australian? Or is it purely about where the artist was born?
Importantly, how will each of these factors influence voting?
