If you’re an Australian of a certain age (*cough* like me *cough*), your brain will instantly start playing one particular song when you read the song title, ‘Who Can It Be Now?’. Back in 1981 Aussie rock legends Men At Work released their song of that name, with the saxophone hook by Greg Ham, and sultry vocals of lead singer Colin Hay making it a world-wide sensation.
The song is a lot darker than the upbeat music and vocals would have you think. Back then Colin was living next door to the local drug dealer in St Kilda, Victoria, and the song tells the story of how people would knock on his door day and night, mistaking it for his neighbour’s. The paranoia he soon felt about it all was unnerving. Fellow Aussie Cleo Alexandra understood this feeling, and, without losing anything of the original, she’s toughened it up, bringing the subtext to the surface: disturbed, and slightly ferocious.
Cleo brings to the track a certain menace, and a vampiric energy perfect for spooky season. Don’t miss the backing vocals by fellow Aussie legend, Rick Springfield, who is one of her most ardent supporters.
Just like the haunting track, the music video is similarly creepy. Clips of horror movies and slasher flicks, such as Scream, The Shining, and Nightmare on Elm Street, among others, are edited into the clip, further destabilising us as we listen to the track about mysterious knockings in the middle of the night – who can it be now? Open the door and find out – if you dare!
Watch the music video for ‘Who Can It Be Now?’ below, and find out more about Cleo Alexandra and her music online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
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