"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, NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988 reaching number 26 in Melbourne. The song became the band's signature tune.

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".

Charts Chart (1973)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)40

James Blundell and James Reyne version

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. At the APRA Music Awards of 1992, the song won Country Song of the Year.

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

Credits and personnel Credits are lifted from the Australian CD single and The Best liner notes.

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

Weekly charts Chart (1992)Peakposition

Year-end charts Chart (1992)PositionAustralia (ARIA)22

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.

References