That's In Queensland
"That's In Queensland" is an Australian song and viral video by comedian Denis Carnahan. The song parodies the selection of the Queensland State of Origin team for the annual rugby league State of Origin series.[1]
History
Under State of Origin rules players were originally selected for the state in which they first played senior (or registered) rugby league.[2] After several years, it was noted that Queensland had selected players born in New South Wales cities.[3] Carnahan was inspired to write a parody song about it based on an advert for Bundaberg Rum.[1] The song lists a Queensland player's birthplace, such as Sydney, Bowraville and Tenterfield with the question "Where is....(eg. Sydney)?", then follows with the statement "that's in Queensland";[1][4] the final line of each verse is "Queensland's everywhere".[5] Though the song lists several Queensland players born outside of the state, Carnehan does mention in it that New South Wales Blues had done the same in selecting players not born in New South Wales.
In 2013 the selection rules were changed after Queensland selected Greg Inglis, who was born in New South Wales but first played junior rugby league in Queensland. The new rules then permitted for players to be selected based on their parents' birthplace or where they first played junior rugby league.[6] As a result, Carnehan released an updated version of the song in 2013.[5] Following New South Wales' victory in the 2014 State of Origin series, Carnehan released a new version where he apologised for the previous songs and named players who had been born in Queensland but ended with stating that the Origin Shield was in New South Wales.[7]
Cricket
Following the victory of the England cricket team in the 2013 Ashes series, Carnahan released a version of "That's in Queensland" called "That's in England" to parody the view that England were selecting players not born in England with references to players born in Pietermaritzburg, Londonderry, and Harare. Carnahan stated that it was an attempt to respond to England's Barmy Army. Former England and Kent player Geraint Jones expressed delight at hearing his hometown of Kundiawa, Papua New Guinea mentioned.[8][9]
Media reference
Despite being popular in Australian national media, Brisbane-based Courier Mail utilised the song's chorus to list several Queensland benefits to Australia with the view that New South Wales were only complaining due to Queensland's larger number of victories in State of Origin.[10] In 2016, the song was referenced in media away from rugby league after Cate McGregor was named as Queenslander of the Year by the National Australia Day Council, despite living in Canberra and not having lived in Queensland for over 40 years.[11]
External links
References
- Simon Holt. "Sydney's in Queensland, right?". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "Overseas Players and State of Origin" by Jeff Wall, Crikey 12 April 2005, Retrieved 18 November 2005
- "Viral YouTube song That's In Queensland pokes fun at Queensland's State of Origin recruiting". Fox Sports. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- jakejarmel (17 July 2013). ""Where is Bowraville? That's in Queensland!" Revisiting an old ditty ahead of the decider". 26 Rounds. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "Video of the Week – That's In Queensland 2013". The Beast. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- Brad Walter (13 June 2016). "State of Origin 2016: The eligibility rule delivering Queensland more NSW-bred players". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "VIDEO: Remake Of 'That's In Queensland' Song". Triple M. 21 June 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "Oz Ashes satirist's target was Barmy Army in new song 'That's in England'". Business Standard News. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "New song taunts English selection policies". Fox Sports. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "25 reasons why Queensland is better than New South Wales". Courier Mail. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- "Canberra: That's in Queensland". The Australian. Retrieved 6 July 2016.