Mike Brady gives the inside story behind his biggest hit song ‘Up There Cazaly’

It is the AFL’s most iconic tune. But after being sung more than 5000 times over the past 40 years, Mike Brady has lifted the lid on the story behind iconic tune ‘Up There Cazaly’.

Mike Brady has been singing ‘Up there Cazaly’ for 40 years. Picture: Michael Klein

It was 40 years ago this month that Australia’s most famous sporting anthem was penned in one magical morning by Mike Brady

“Up There Cazaly’ was originally written at the behest of advertising agency Campaign Palace after Channel 7 requested a catchy jingle as a promotional tool.

Brady, 72, still sings “Cazaly” at least once a week and gets just as big a kick out of it as he did when he first performed it live at the 1979 VFL Grand Final, a game in which he claims Collingwood “was robbed”.

Jon Anderson: How did a £10 Pom even know about the great Roy Cazaly?

Mike Brady: I grew up in Port and South Melbourne where that catchcry was widely used. I realised we required a catchy line, which was “Up There Cazaly”. I wrote it the next day, sent it to them and within a few weeks it became Australia’s biggest locally written single when it was expanded and released as a single.

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JA: How did you actually write it, Bernie Taupin and Elton style with lyrics first, or did you have the tune buzzing around?

MB: I wrote the verse first and then the rest of it basically in one go. Peter Sullivan, who did the arrangements, added the extremely clever key changes, because the chorus is in a very different key to the verse. It’s a lot more complex song than most would think.

JA: How many Grand Finals and how many times have you sung it?

MB: I reckon I’ve done about 15 Grand Finals and given I sing it at least once a week, but often more, I’ve probably sung it around 5000 times. It’s a fun song to sing and the fact it’s so loved makes it easier.

Mike Brady is a highlight every Grand Final day. Picture: Mark Dadswell

JA: Best and worst GF entertainers?

MB: I’ve been both really unimpressed and very impressed. Lionel Richie got it right, even if I suspect he was singing along to a backing track, but I have done that as well. Only the headliners normally get to play live. Poor old Meat Loaf was obviously awful. The year they really got it right was 2014 with elder statesman Tom Jones and young gun Ed Sheeran.

JA: Is it the best song you have written?

MB: I enjoy “One Day In September” (1981) just as much and the younger audience prefer it overall.

JA: What is the best sporting anthem?

MB: Freddie Mercury’s “We Are the Champions” is used as a generic and “Simply the Best” wasn’t written for rugby, more for what happened in the back seat of a car. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” is the most moving, the most amazing, but Gerry Marsden didn’t actually write that song as it came from a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical called Carousel.

KEEP BEING YOURSELF GILLY!

He may not be as slick as colleague Hamish McLachlan when it comes to presentation, but Channel 7’s new on-ground interviewer Gilbert McAdam is building up a cult following.

McAdam, 52, who played 111 games with St Kilda and the Brisbane Bears, is very much a case of what you see is what you get, such as his particularly smart navy suit recently topped off by a pair of Adidas runners.

He’s also leading the way for indigenous presenters, in a world where role models are everything. Keep being yourself “Gilly” and the rest will take care of itself.

Where will Jack Steven play in 2020? Picture: AAP Images

WHERE WILL STEVEN BE IN 2020?

THE rumours concerning four-times St Kilda best and fairest Jack Steven wanting a trade to Geelong remain, despite such a deal not being done last year when they were first aired. Then again it took Gary Ablett two trade periods before he got his wish.

Should Steven, 29, end up with the Cats, it would see him based in his hometown of Lorne, sharing the local waves and rides to GMHBA Stadium with one P. Dangerfield of Mogg’s Creek.