Nuclear Device (The Wizard of Aus)

Album: The Raven (1979)
Charted: 36
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was written about the political shenanigans of the then Premier of Queensland, Joh Bjelke-Petersen, which the band observed during their first visit to Australia. "We were there for about six weeks, bassist JJ Burnel recalled to Toro Magazine. "This man, Joh Bjelke-Peterson, he was basically a criminal who gained power through gerrymandering. We became rather critical of him, wondered how this guy who got only 20% of the popular vote had done that. He threw aboriginal people of their land, sold uranium mines to groups who performed nuclear explosions off the coast of Australia. He was racist and corrupt. At one point he brought people in to storm our concerts. We had to flee over the state line. But a wonderful inspiration for the song."

Comments: 1

  • Zabadak from London, EnglandThe single reached #36 in the UK - continuing the nuclear power theme, the B-side is Yellowcake UF6, an instrumental recorded backwards
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"

Mike Scott of The Waterboys - "Fisherman's Blues"They're Playing My Song

Armed with a childhood spent devouring books, Mike Scott's heart was stolen by the punk rock scene of 1977. Not surprisingly, he would go on to become the most literate of rockers.

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Greg Lake of Emerson, Lake & PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Greg talks about writing songs of "universal truth" for King Crimson and ELP, and tells us about his most memorable stage moment (it involves fireworks).

Boy Bands

Boy BandsFact or Fiction

From NKOTB to 1D, how well do you know your boy bands?

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Wolfgang Van Halen

Wolfgang Van HalenSongwriter Interviews

Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.