AceShowbiz - The National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) of Australia has announced the inclusion of four notable songs, including Missy Higgins’ breakthrough hit "Scar" and Joe Dolce’s 1980 global sensation "Shaddap You Face," into its prestigious Sounds of Australia 2026 collection.

The Sounds of Australia collection is a carefully curated archive that preserves recordings reflecting the country’s cultural, historic, and aesthetic significance. This year’s additions total nine works, showcasing a diverse range of sounds described by the NFSA as spanning "the intimate, the everyday and the unforgettable."

Joe Dolce’s "Shaddap You Face" remains a remarkable example of how a performance-driven comedy song can captivate audiences worldwide. Released in 1980, the track features Dolce performing in character with an exaggerated accent and stereotype, yet it quickly became a massive hit. It dominated the U.K. charts for three weeks at No. 1 and, notably, held the top position in Australia for eight weeks. It also earned the distinction as Australia’s best-selling 7-inch single of all time.

The NFSA highlighted that "more than four decades on, it remains a clear example of how performance-led comedy can travel far beyond its origins," emphasizing the song’s enduring cultural impact.

Joining "Shaddap You Face" in the archive is Missy Higgins’ "Scar," a key track from her ARIA Award-winning debut album, The Sound of White. The NFSA noted that "over time, it has come to represent a broader early-2000s shift toward piano-led, confessional pop in Australia," reflecting a significant evolution in the nation’s music landscape.

Today, Missy Higgins is celebrated as one of Australia’s most beloved artists and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2024, cementing her legacy in the country’s music history.

Other notable additions to the archive include disco legend Marcia Hines’s song "You," originally released in 1977. Written by U.S. songwriter Tom Snow, the track emerged during a formative period when Australian pop music was still defining its mainstream identity. The NFSA stated that "You" confirmed Hines as a major national artist and demonstrated "how vocal interpretation could shape the sound – and visibility – of Australian music."

The archive also preserves the title track from Tabaran, an album from 1990 by Australian indie-rock band Not Drowning, Waving, led by David Bridie. This project featured collaboration with musicians from Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, including singer George Telek. The NFSA described Tabaran as "a key example of regional collaboration in Australian recording history, capturing language, musical practice and partnership across the Asia-Pacific."

Beyond music, the Sounds of Australia collection encompasses other culturally significant audio recordings. These include the 1981 "Slip! Slop! Slap!" TV advertisement promoting sun safety, the 2012 "Misogyny Speech" delivered by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and the 1991 impromptu "Democracy Manifest / Succulent Chinese Meal" speech by the late Jack Karlson during a police arrest, an iconic moment now recognized as one of Australia’s finest memes.

The selection process for the Sounds of Australia archive involves a panel of industry experts and NFSA curators who evaluate public nominations. Eligible recordings must be at least ten years old. Following this year’s additions, the collection comprises over 200 pieces, representing a rich tapestry of Australian audio heritage.

Hannah de Feyter, assistant curator at the NFSA, explained the archive’s mission: "We select sound recordings that have particular cultural, historic, or aesthetic significance – things that we think are particularly relevant to life in Australia." She added that this year’s capsule reflects "the incredible variety of recorded sound that we have in our history."

To explore the full list of the 2026 Sounds of Australia selections, interested readers can visit the NFSA’s official website.