Way Out West (song) explained

Way Out West
Cover:	TDWayOutWest.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	the Dingoes
Album:	The Dingoes
Released:	October 1973
Length:	3:15
Label:	Mushroom
Next Title:	Boy on the Run
Next Year:	1974

"Way Out West" is the debut single by Australian band the Dingoes. It was released in October 1973 and peaked in the top 40 of the Australian Kent Music Report singles chart,^[1] reaching number 26 in Melbourne.^[2] The song became the band's signature tune.^[2]

Lyrics

The song explains the life of mining in Australia, telling the story of a man who has left his job and wife in the city to work for a company drilling for oil and enjoys "living and a working on the land".

James Blundell and James Reyne version

Way Out West
Cover:	Way_Out_West_James_Blundell_and_James_Reyne.jpeg
Type:	single
Artist:	James Blundell and James Reyne
Album:	This Road The Best
Released:	22 March 1992
Studio:	Metropolis (Melbourne, Australia)
Length:	4:03
Label:	EMI
Producer:	James Reyne
Chronology:	James Reyne
Prev Title:	Some People
Prev Year:	1992
Next Title:	Red Light Avenue
Next Year:	1994

Australian country artists James Blundell and James Reyne covered the song and released it as a single in 1992. Their version became a hit in Australia the same year, peaking at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart. It was the highest-charting single for both singers. Their version set in the key of G.^[3] At the APRA Music Awards of 1992, the song won Country Song of the Year.^[4]

Chart performance

"Way Out West" debuted at number 28 on 29 March 1992. The next week, it entered the top 10, then reached its peak of number two on 26 April. It remained in the top 10 for four more weeks and the top 50 for a further three weeks.

Track listing

CD and cassette single^{[5] [6]}

1. James Blundell and James Reyne – "Way Out West" (3:59)
2. James Blundell – "She Won't Let You Down" (3:08)
3. James Reyne – "Long Yard Rider" (1:54)

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the Australian CD single and The Best liner notes.^{[5] [7]}

Studios

• Recorded at Metropolis Studios (Melbourne, Australia)
• Mixed at Studios 301 (Sydney, Australia)

Personnel

• The Dingoes – writing
• James Blundell – vocals
• James Reyne – vocals, acoustic guitar, production, arrangement
• Paul Gildea – guitars
• Mark Punch – additional guitar
• Brett Goldsmith – bass
• Lee Borkman – keyboards
• Davey Porter – drums
• Justin Brady – harmonica
• Garth Porter – mixing
• Ted Howard – mixing
• Doug Brady – engineering

Charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Other versions

Adam Brand and the Outlaws covered the song on the 2016 album Adam Brand and the Outlaws.

James Reyne and Ella Hooper released a version in 2023.^[9]

Notes and References

1. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian)

   . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book. St Ives, NSW. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988

2. Book: Guest, Thomas J. Thirty Years of Hits 1960 - 1990 - Melbourne Top 40 research. M J Maloney . 1991 . Collingwood, Vic. 0-646-04633-0.
3. Web site: WAY OUT WEST Chords – James Reyne. E-Chords. 8 October 2016.
4. Web site: 1992 APRA MUSIC AWARD WINNERS. APRA AMCOs. 5 July 2019.
5. Way Out West. James Blundell, James Reyne. 1992. Australian CD single liner notes. EMI Records. 4360162.
6. Way Out West. James Blundell, James Reyne. 1992. Australian cassette single sleeve. EMI Records. 4360164.
7. The Best. The Best (James Reyne album). James Reyne. 1992. Australian CD album liner notes. Virgin Records, EMI Records, Capitol Records. 7807582.
8. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1992. ARIA. 26 October 2018.
9. Web site: Cashmere . Paul . 2023-04-21 . James Reyne and Ella Hooper Release their Duet of ‘Way Out West’ . 2024-03-25 . Noise11.com . en-US.