Tim Rogers threatens injunction over Cory Bernardi Spotify playlist

AUSTRALIAN rocker Tim Rogers has threatened to seek a Federal Court injunction if You Am I hit Berlin Chair is not removed from Cory Bernardi’s Australia Day Spotify playlist.

AUSTRALIAN rocker Tim Rogers has threatened to seek a Federal Court injunction if You Am I hit Berlin Chair is not removed from Cory Bernardi’s Australia Day Spotify playlist.

Senator Bernardi created the “Australian Conservatives Hottest 100” hit list and put it on the streaming service after Triple J axed its traditional January 26 countdown of hits.

On Friday night, the senator def­ied the legal demand, vowing: “You can’t stop the music”.

“No amount of bullying is going to tell me or any other Australian what music we are allowed to listen to,” he said.

MUSOS ATTACK CORY BERNARDI’S JANUARY 26 PLAYLIST THEY APPEAR ON

MUSICIANS AND SPOTIFY DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM CORY BERNARDI

Tim Rogers has threatened to seek a Federal Court injunction if You Am I hit Berlin Chair is not removed from Cory Bernardi’s Australia Day Spotify playlist.

Rogers’ demand followed Savage Garden’s Darren Hayes issuing a call to arms to musicians to protest against their inclusion in the playlist.

Men at Work, Jimmy Barnes, Powderfinger, The Hilltop Hoods and Icehouse all called for their songs to be removed.

Men at Work’s Colin Hay, whose anthem Down Under topped the #AC100 list, said: “It would appear that the true meaning behind Down Under is lost on Cory Bernardi.”

Cold Chisel’s Jimmy Barnes, several of whose songs are on the list, tweeted: “Why would you listen to anything @corybernardi says, especially about music?”

The lawyer acting for Rogers said the singer “is seriously considering legal action.”

Jimmy Barnes tweeted: “Why would you listen to anything @corybernardi says, especially about music?”. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images

Senator Cory Bernardi has vowed to keep the playlist. Picture Kym Smith

Michael Bradley, managing partner of Marque Lawyers, said: “It is not about adding his song to a playlist, big deal. The critical point is that it is being used for a political purpose ... it is being co-opted for a cause which is the opposite of what he believes in.”

The legal letter says inc­lusion on the playlist is a breach of Rogers’ moral rights under the Copyright Act, which protect an artist’s songs from derogatory treatment.

But Senator Bernardi said: “This is the totalitarian instincts of the Left trying to censor the views and listening tastes of everyday Australians. I won’t be silenced.”

And Angry Anderson lashed “precious” musicians.

“The reason we write and record music is to give it to people,” the Rose Tattoo front man said.

“Music is for everybody. It belongs to everyone. You can’t then turn around and say: ‘I don’t want to be associated with you.’

“Well, tough titties.”

He added: “While Cory Bernardi might be hurting the precious few’s feelings, we’re a democracy and he has every right to make a list of Australian songs he listens to, and enjoys. I’m tired of the Left’s ridiculous antics.”

Earlier on Friday, Spotify said: “We want to make clear we do not endorse this playlist, nor do we have any official ties to the Australian Conservatives party nor any other political party.”

CORY BERNARDI’S TOP 20

1. Down Under — Men At Work

2. Khe Sanh — Cold Chisel

3. You’re The Voice — John Farnham

4. Great Southern Land — Icehouse

5. I Still Call Australia Home — Peter Allen

6. I Am Australian — Judith Durham

7. Solid Rock — Goanna

8. A Pub With No Beer — Slim Dusty

Slim Dusty’s A Pub With No Beer comes in at no.8.

9. The Boys Light Up — Australian Crawl

10. C’mon Aussie C’mon — Let The Music Play

11. Howzat — Sherbet

12. True Blue — John Williamson

13. Sounds Of Then (This Is Australia) — Ganggajang

14. Working Class Man — Jimmy Barnes

15. Throw Your Arms Around Me — Hunters And Collectors

16. It’s A Long Way To The Top — AC/DC

17. Holy Grail — Hunters And Collectors

18. Home Among The Gumtrees — John Williamson

19. Waltzing Matilda — John Williamson

20. Advance Australia Fair — Sydney Youth Orchestra

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