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"Way Out West"
Single by the Dingoes
from the album The Dingoes
Released	October 1973
Length	3:15
Label	Mushroom
Songwriter(s)	The Dingoes
Producer(s)	The Dingoes John French
The Dingoes singles chronology
"Way Out West" (1973) "Boy on the Run" (1974)

"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, 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

James Blundell and James Reyne version

"Way Out West"
Single by James Blundell and James Reyne
from the album This Road and The Best
Released	22 March 1992
Studio	Metropolis (Melbourne, Australia)
Length	4:03
Label	EMI
Songwriter(s)	The Dingoes
Producer(s)	James Reyne
James Reyne singles chronology
"Some People" (1992) "Way Out West" (1992) "Red Light Avenue" (1994)

Australian country artist 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

1. James Blundell and James Reyne – "Way Out West" (3:59)
2. James Blundell – "She Won't Let You Down" (3:08)
3. 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

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

1. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988
2. ^ Guest, Thomas J (1991). Thirty Years of Hits 1960–1990 - Melbourne Top 40 research. Collingwood, Vic: M J Maloney. ISBN 0-646-04633-0.
3. "WAY OUT WEST Chords – James Reyne". E-Chords. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
4. "1992 APRA MUSIC AWARD WINNERS". APRA AMCOs. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
5. ^ "James Blundell and James Reyne – Way Out West". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
6. ^ Way Out West (Australian CD single liner notes). James Blundell, James Reyne. EMI Records. 1992. 4360162.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
7. Way Out West (Australian cassette single sleeve). James Blundell, James Reyne. EMI Records. 1992. 4360164.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
8. The Best (Australian CD album liner notes). James Reyne. Virgin Records, EMI Records, Capitol Records. 1992. 7807582.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
9. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1992". ARIA. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
10. Cashmere, Paul (21 April 2023). "James Reyne and Ella Hooper Release their Duet of 'Way Out West'". Noise11.com. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

• 1973 singles
• 1973 songs
• 1992 singles
• APRA Award winners
• EMI Records singles
• James Blundell (singer) songs
• James Reyne songs
• Mushroom Records singles