Music
Five of the Best: Human Nature
They have become famous for singing the hits of the past, but most people are not aware that Human Nature actually started as doo-wop group named the 4 Trax.
The Australian foursome has become a worldwide hit singing classic soul, motown and doo-wop hits of the past – a sound that certainly suits the four-part harmonies of Toby Allen, Phil Burton, Andrew Tierney and Mike Tierney.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Human Nature was one of Australia’s most successful pop groups. Their debut album Telling Everybody went 3 x Platinum and heralded the first of eight albums that have featured in the top 10 of the Australian music charts (four of the albums have gone to number one).
In 2005, Human Nature took a new direction that secured the group’s longevity and maximised popularity. Releasing Reach Out: The Motown Record, Human Nature ushered in a new direction for themselves, a direction that has them at the top of their game and the top of the charts.
The group recently released Gimme Some Lovin’: Jukebox Vol II and they are set to perform all their original hits as well as jukebox classics when they hit the stage at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on February 5, 2017. Click here to purchase tickets.
To celebrate The Ultimate Jokebox Tour, we are featuring Human Nature as this edition’s Five of the Best. Enjoy this stroll down memory lane!
5 Dancing in the Street
It is no surprise Human Nature included this track on their 2006 Motown album because it has been covered by everyone from the Grateful Dead to Val Halen. Not only did Human Nature record the track, they used it in the title of their second Motown album, Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II. The track was originally written by Marvin Gaye, William Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter and became popular in 1964 when released by Martha and the Vandellas. The various reincarnations of the song have kept it current for each new generation with the Human Nature reviving it for a new generation in 2006. Mick Jagger and David Bowie released perhaps Dancing in the Street’s most popular cover version in 1985, but we think Human Nature version is pretty awesome too.
4 Last to Know
Counting Down was Human Nature’s first number one album on the Australian music charts. Released in 1999, the album featured plenty of hit singles including this gem, Last to Know. The track was not the most commercially successful off the 1999, but we think it is an excellent example of the group’s mainstream pop credentials. Last to Know is upbeat and poppy and – as always – shows off the incredible vocal talents of the four Human Nature members. We hope you like it.
3 Every Time You Cry
Every Time You Cry is what you get when you team Australia’s most popular boy band with Australia’s favourite former teen idol. John Farnham and Human Nature partnered in 1997 to release Every Time You Cry, a pop ballad that peaked at number three on the Australian charts. Human Nature were relative newcomers when they teamed up with one of Australia’s musical legends, but the result speaks for itself. The song was extremely successful and was certified Platinum. It also gave John Farnham a top 10 hit 30 years after the release of his number one hit, Sadie.
2 Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Will You Love Me Tomorrow is another one of those classic hits that seems to get a musical makeover every few years. The track was written by the phenomenal song writing pair, Carole King and Gerry Goffin, and was originally recorded by The Shirelles in 1960. Between 1960 and now, many artists have had a crack at giving the song new life including The Four Seasons, Amy Winehouse, Linda Ronstadt, Roberta Flack and Carole King herself. Human Nature recorded the song and used it as its lead track on the group’s 2014 album, Jukebox. It is a classic hit – check it out for yourself.
1 Runaround Sue
Runaround Sue was a massive hit for pop, doo-wop singer Dion in 1961. As well as performing the song, Dion co-wrote it with Ernie Maresca. The track is an absolute classic and it has been covered beautifully by Human Nature. Runaround Sue is an ideal song the four-part harmonies that Human Nature have become famous for. The video clip is also worth a look – it is packed with 1950s and 1960s iconography and gorgeous old cars. We hope you agree that Human Nature’s cover of Runaround Sue is a deserving track for the number one position on our countdown.
Human Nature will perform The Ultimate Jukebox Tour at the Derwent Entertainment Centre on February 5, 2016. Click here to purchase tickets now.
