Men at Work "Business As Usual" (1981): Track by Track!
Jason and Dee are back with Part 2 of their 3-part deep dive into the iconic albums of 1981, and this time they’re joined by special guest James Buckley to break down one of the decade’s most unexpected global smashes — Business As Usual by Men at Work.
Following up Part 1 (Freeze Frame by the J. Geils Band) and leading into Part 3 (Private Eyes by Hall & Oates), the guys dig into how a quirky Australian band stormed the world seemingly overnight. From “Who Can It Be Now?” to “Down Under,” Jason, Dee, and James go track-by-track exploring the songwriting, musicianship, and offbeat charm that made this album a cultural phenomenon.
But the story doesn’t stop at the hits.
The episode also dives into the meteoric rise and sudden fall of Men at Work, examining the pressures of global fame, shifting music trends, and the challenges that followed their early success. Along the way, the guys highlight the enduring artistry and resilience of frontman Colin Hay, whose career continues to evolve long after the band’s chart dominance faded.
Is Business As Usual just a moment-in-time pop artifact, or does it deserve a place among the truly great albums of 1981?
Jason, Dee, and James Buckley are here to find out — with plenty of stories, laughs, and surprising insights along the way.
Following up Part 1 (Freeze Frame by the J. Geils Band) and leading into Part 3 (Private Eyes by Hall & Oates), the guys dig into how a quirky Australian band stormed the world seemingly overnight. From “Who Can It Be Now?” to “Down Under,” Jason, Dee, and James go track-by-track exploring the songwriting, musicianship, and offbeat charm that made this album a cultural phenomenon.
But the story doesn’t stop at the hits.
The episode also dives into the meteoric rise and sudden fall of Men at Work, examining the pressures of global fame, shifting music trends, and the challenges that followed their early success. Along the way, the guys highlight the enduring artistry and resilience of frontman Colin Hay, whose career continues to evolve long after the band’s chart dominance faded.
Is Business As Usual just a moment-in-time pop artifact, or does it deserve a place among the truly great albums of 1981?
Jason, Dee, and James Buckley are here to find out — with plenty of stories, laughs, and surprising insights along the way.
2026-04-28
61 min
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