The Pushbike Song

"The Pushbike Song"
Single by The Mixtures
Released	December 1970
Format	7" single
Recorded	1970
Genre	Bubble Gum
Label	Polydor (UK); Fable AUS
Writer(s)	Idris and Evan Jones
Producer	David Mackay
The Mixtures singles chronology
"In the Summertime" (1970) "The Pushbike Song" (1970) "Henry Ford" (1971)

"The Pushbike Song" is a popular Australian song originally recorded by The Mixtures, a Melbourne band that formed in 1965.

History and chart success

Written by brothers Idris and Evan Jones, "The Pushbike Song" was released in 1970 and reached the top-spot for two weeks in the Australian charts in March 1971. It also proved popular in the UK, reaching the number two spot on 16 January (beaten by George Harrison's My Sweet Lord), and number 31 in Canada.

Covers

Vinyl and CD releases

• Mungo Jerry (1990, UK) - This cover was recorded in 1990. Available on CD, All The Hits Plus More.
• The Beggars (70s, Germany) - Only available in vinyl format from specialist record shops (see GEMM and Music Stack and occasionally eBay). Sounds very similar to the original Mixtures performance.
• The Great American Disaster (70s, USA) - Again, only available in vinyl format from specialist record shops. Features heavy use of the washboard and a great honky-tonk piano. B-side of the record contains Sister Lily.
• Anita Harris (??, UK) - Although the chorus while sounding deeply male (in the region of Barry White) actually appears to be Anita Harris' own voice pitch-altered down a few octaves. Available on the Those Pesky Kids! Cult Children's Classics CD (most large retailers will still stock this)
• Pinky and Perky (??, UK) - Only available in vinyl format. A surreal performance from the popular pig puppets. Helium induced fun.
• The Mixtures (??) - Polydor/Sire Records 45 Single (Produced by David Mackay)
• The Wurzels (1978, UK) - A parody on the original Pushbike Song. Available on CD as part of The Best of Adge Cutler and the Wurzels.
• Leon Henry/Carlin (1971, UK) - Found on a 45 extended play RPM vinyl called Top of the Tots Pop Party Vol. 3 from Mr. Pickwick (A product of Pickwick International). Also contains covers of Ob-la-di Ob-la-da, Two Little Boys and Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep. Little or no information can be found on the artist.
• The New Seekers/Mick Flinn (2006) - Performed live in concert. Available on the The New Seekers Live CD.
• The Clowns (1972, Brazil) - Brazilian band covering a variety of well-known songs. Taken from the vinyl album A Patota.
• Olivia Newton-John (2011, Australia) - The soundtrack to the recently released Australian film. A Few Best Men, features a cover version performed by Olivia and remixed by Pablo Calamari. Released through Universal Music Australia

Television / Other

A music video was created for the song in 1970, which depicted the band and friends riding bicycles through the streets of Melbourne. Filmed in black and white, it was notable for scenes involving a procession of bicycles (including a penny farthing and rollerskaters) on a busy six-lane Melbourne arterial road, and a scene of four members of the band 'riding' a tandem bicycle atop a car transporter travelling at speed across a bridge.

Australia's Young Talent Time also performed "The Pushbike Song" during one of their episodes in 1986.

The Australian childrens show Play School recorded a version of this song for the album There's A Bear In There, sung by Philip Quast.

The Pushbike Song is currently being used on an advertising campaign for Tooheys 5 Seeds Cloudy Cider: Not As Sweet As You Think (launched 8th January 2012) was produced and recorded by Smith & Western Studios. The vocals are performed by legendary gypsy banjo player, Benny 'The Giant' Gogasa.

Karaoke / Backing tracks

• Karaoke 70's from EMI Gold
• Music Backing Tracks (UK)

Sources

• Poparchives.com.au's entry on The Pushbike Song
• Music video for The Pushbike Song
• Young Talent Time

See also

• List of number-one singles in Australia during the 1970s#1971