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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe song PerthNow ranked first on its Western Australian songs list is AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll).” The list appeared in PerthNow’s 9 June 2013 WA Day feature, “What is WA’s #1 song of all time?” It is one editorial ranking from 2013, not a statewide vote and not a current official chart.
What the answer refers to
The article was written by Kristy Symonds and published on 9 June 2013, timed to the WA Day long weekend. It ranks a top 50 of songs connected to Western Australia. Eligibility rests on a WA link: the list includes artists whose bands formed in the state, and artists with key members from the state. Because the piece is framed around WA Day, “WA” in the title is almost certainly Western Australia. If you meant a different WA, this ranking does not answer that question.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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100 Singalong Songs For Kids | $13.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Walt Disney Records Music CD Teaching Material (M14028) | $4.02 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Music From Great Australian Films (Film Score Re-recording Compilation) | $39.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Arhnhem Land: Australian Aboriginal Songs | $8.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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50 Australian Top Ten Hits 1956-1977 | $54.80 | Buy on Amazon |
How PerthNow reached its top pick
The editors describe the list as subjective. They say they spoke with promoters, musicians and music fans, and they weighed several considerations when placing songs:
- commercial success
- the story behind the song
- the music itself
- the lyrics
- passion
- the band
The article does not publish a vote count, a point scale or any weighting formula. Its ranking should therefore be read as one outlet’s judgment, informed by consultation, rather than a measured consensus of WA listeners.
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How it differs from the 2025 national poll
A more recent and much larger ranking often gets mixed up with this one. In July 2025, triple j’s Hottest 100 of Australian Songs named INXS’s “Never Tear Us Apart” the winner. ABC reported the result on 26 July 2025, with 2.65 million votes cast. The two rankings answer different questions, so they should not be compared as if they were rival answers to the same one.
| Feature | PerthNow WA list (2013) | triple j Hottest 100 of Australian Songs (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Geographic scope | Songs tied to Western Australia | Australian songs, nationwide audience |
| Method | Editorial selection after consultation with promoters, musicians and fans | Public listener vote |
| Number of votes | not stated | 2.65 million |
| Top-ranked song | AC/DC, “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” | INXS, “Never Tear Us Apart” |
| Published by | PerthNow | triple j, reported by ABC |
Courtney Barnett, the Australian songwriter, commented on the 2025 result in ABC’s coverage. Of “Never Tear Us Apart,” she said: “So many great songs, but I think [‘Never Tear Us Apart’] is so epic and dramatic and a great love song. I think that makes it feel really timeless.” That is her opinion about the INXS song, and it has no bearing on the PerthNow ranking.
Rank #2
- Full length CD with 30 classic Disney favorites performed by various artists
- Released in 2008
- Produced by Walt Disney Records
Hearing the PerthNow pick
AC/DC’s official High Voltage listing puts “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)” at track one. The High Voltage LP is also listed as a vinyl release by Sony Music, which identifies the song in its track list. AC/DC’s catalogue has had different track listings across releases and territories, so check the edition and track list before buying a particular copy.
Use the sources in this order when you verify them:
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →- PerthNow, Kristy Symonds, “What is WA’s #1 song of all time?”, 9 June 2013: the WA list and its top pick.
- ABC News / triple j, Al Newstead, “INXS’s Hottest 100 win: How worlds collided for Never Tear Us Apart”, 26 July 2025: the national poll result and the vote figure.
- AC/DC’s official website, “High Voltage” page: the official track listing.
- Sony Music Vinyl, “AC/DC – High Voltage LP”: the label’s vinyl product and track list.
Read the 2013 PerthNow answer as a snapshot of one outlet’s view at that time. It does not reflect a current or statewide vote, and it is not a verdict on AC/DC’s standing among Western Australians today.
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