YOU probably wouldn't think The Wiggles, horror film Wolf Creek, uninhibited love-making and a 1920s dance performed with outstretched arms shared an obvious common link - but they do.
The connection is the classic Aussie hit Eagle Rock - covered by the beloved children's group, played during the terror-charged triumph, used as a metaphor for sex and labelled a funky animated jig.
Community had the pleasure of chatting with song creator - 64-year-old Melburnian Ross Wilson and frontman of iconic bands Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock - about its legendary launch onto the music scene in 1971 and the colourful history it has since enjoyed.
“I was living in London when I wrote the riff and I saw a picture in the newspaper of black American dudes in the '20s dancing around, claiming they were doing the 'eagle rock',” the muso reminisced.
“I thought the name suited my song so I went with it. It's funny how it became such an Australian classic because it's influenced by the US and my love of the blues.
“Of course, the name is also a term for sex: let's do the spread eagle and rock!”
With such insinuation underpinning the catchy mantra, Community was keen to know how the delightfully innocuous Wiggles went about recording their version.
“They wanted to do Eagle Rock as a nice dance song, which I was all for,” Wilson explained.
“The funny thing was, when we went in to record it, their child physiatrist advisor - she's always on-hand in case problems arise - said: 'you know that bit about Whoa Mamma? I don't think we should talk about the kids' mothers like that!'
“We said: 'OK, that's fine' - we didn't want to hurt the children's minds - and the lyrics were changed.”
When he's not making music, Wilson likes to keep an ear out for fresh local talent. Surprisingly, Brisbane sister act The Veronicas - whom he claims are grossly underrated - top his most-loved list.
“Commercial radio is really out of touch with what Aussies like. You have Angus & Julia Stone, Gotye, Kimbra and Boy & Bear and it's that softer kind of sound most are loving, not the thumping, hard-edged dance stuff we get fed all the time.
“You have to drag the radio folk kicking and screaming to play that stuff, because it's easier for them to put on what they are given.”
Ross Wilson performs with The Black Sorrows at the Quarry Amphitheatre, City Beach, on December 14 (sold out) and December 15.
Sara Fitzpatrick