Apple Music Removes Pauline Hanson’s Song
Following its rise to number one on the iTunes best-selling chart, the song “Kiss Kiss (XX) My Arse” by Pauline Hanson and Holly Valance has been removed from Apple Music. Released on January 26, this track is a reimagined version of Valance’s early-2000s hit “Kiss Kiss,” featuring new lyrics that critique what Hanson calls “woke culture” and address progressive politics.
Chart Performance and Streaming Limitations
Within hours of its release, “Kiss Kiss (XX) My Arse” achieved great visibility, topping Apple Music’s iTunes best-sellers chart, which is based solely on paid downloads. This accomplishment placed it ahead of several mainstream releases, including Olivia Dean’s track “Man I Need,” which won a triple j Hottest 100 award.
Despite its success in downloads, the song struggled to make an impact on streaming platforms. It had attracted only about 50,000 streams on Spotify before its removal. Notably, the song did not appear on Australia’s major streaming charts and did not meet the necessary criteria to feature in the country’s official rankings.
Statements from ARIA
ARIA confirmed that the song’s poor streaming performance was a factor in its exclusion from their charts. They stated, “Currently, the song has not been placed on survey and therefore isn’t eligible to chart.” This emphasizes the difference between success in download rankings and overall chart performance.
Reactions from Other Artists
The release of “Kiss Kiss (XX) My Arse” sparked controversy and backlash from fellow Australian artists. In the same week as its launch, notable bands such as Hoodoo Gurus and Men at Work’s Colin Hay publicly distanced themselves from Hanson’s One Nation party.
- Hoodoo Gurus labeled One Nation “wannabe fascists” and expressed their disgust at learning that their music was played at an Australia Day rally.
- Colin Hay condemned the unauthorized use of his song “Down Under” in association with anti-immigration protests, asserting that the song represents celebration and unity.
Current Status
As of now, neither Pauline Hanson nor Holly Valance has commented on the removal of their song from Apple Music. The song’s abrupt removal and the responses from various artists reflect the ongoing discourse around Australia Day and its associated themes.
