A national celebration of Aussie music
Once again, Triple J has rallied Australians to one of the most special music moments of the year. On the 26th of July 2025, the broadcaster launched a special edition of the famous Hottest 100 where the focus lay solely on Australian tracks to commemorate 50 years of Triple J.
The countdown had all types of songs from all eras and genres as long as they were nominated as Australian. The general public had submitted in excess of 2.65 million votes for the final list. It was one of the most closely contested Hottest 100 countdowns in history.
Ranging from legacy acts to up-and-coming talents, the ultimate set-list represents the grand musical history of Australia. Fans all over the country tuned in from PM until PM to catch the live broadcast. While the final rankings are still being aired, the buildup has already hit its zenith.
Triple J marks 50 years with a special all-Australian Hottest 100 countdown on 26 July 2025.
What is special about this year’s countdown?
This year’s Hottest 100, which is unrelated to the usual January series, is to welcome the 50th anniversary of Triple J. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the station invited all the listeners to vote for their all-time favourite Australian songs.
The poll was opened on 17 June and closed on 17 July. The listeners could select up to 10 songs. To be eligible to be voted for, the song had to have been written, performed, or produced by Australians.
A true musical time capsule will be released, with canonical acts, indie favourites, and viral newbies in tow. Also, it is the very first time that a national all-Aussie vote has been conducted on this scale.
How many people voted, and how close was it?
The election saw an enormous total of 2,655,826 votes cast in this special edition. Such figures rival the turnout for the annual Hottest 100. It conjures up the deep appreciation Australians have for homegrown music.
What made the competition this year even more thrilling was the tight pause. Just a narrow margin of 30 votes separated the 100th and 101st songs, and an even more impressive eight songs on the final tally list were separated by fewer than 10 votes apiece.
One artist scored consecutive entries, and another entered the top 20 for the very first time; these moments stand for unpredictability and subjective appeal.
Special Hottest 100 celebrates Triple J’s 50th anniversary, separate from the usual January countdown
Who kicked off the countdown?
For the countdown, things started getting hype at 10 a.m. AEST across Triple J, Double J, Unearthed, and the triple j Hottest app. From 9:30 a.m., ABC kept a live blog with all the real-time updates for the fans.
The opening part of the top 100 saw some iconic Australian names. Screaming Jets’ “Better” opened at number 100. Midnight Oil came next at 99 with “Blue Sky Mine”. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds were 98 with “Into My Arms”.
The momentum continued with Savage Garden at number 97, Stevie Wright at number 96, and Spiderbait at number 95, which defined whole decades of Australian sound.
By the early afternoon, the songs down to number 70 had already been unfolded. The top 20 were to be expected around evening, and the number one song was to be announced at 8 p.m.
Where and how can people listen?
Triple J planned a full day of live radio, online streaming, commentary, and interactivity. The hosting duties were split across time blocks with some very popular faces offering company to the audience.
- 100–81: Ash McGregor and Dave Woodhead
- 80–61: Dylan Lewis and Yumi Stynes
- 60–41: Abby Butler and Tyrone Pynor
- 40–21: Concetta Caristo and Luka Muller
- 20–1: Zan Rowe and Lucy Smith
Due to different zones, we were hearing one-sided fun at various hours of the day. In NSW, QLD, ACT, and TAS, the fun started from 10 am, in SA and NT at 9:30 am, and in WA at 8 am.
The countdown, however, was never out of reach on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Social media saw behind-the-scenes footage as well as fan reactions all day long.
View this post on Instagram
Why does the Hottest 100 still matter?
More than being a radio occurrence, the triple J Hottest 100 Australian songs poll is a national custom. The 2022 edition thus allowed the listeners a time to reflect on music in shaping Australian culture.
This countdown gave the music lovers the ultimate nostalgic journey through hits that defined some personal or collective memory. For the younger buyers, it exposed historic tracks that laid the foundation of the Australian music scene.
By way of the finals, every Hottest 100 has its discourse and debate, but this one seems to be more meaningful, honouring the past and sharing the joy between generations along the way.
Also Read: The Evolution of Home Entertainment in the Digital Age
Final thoughts: A unifying musical moment
From beach gatherings to backyard barbecues, Australians tuned in for a shared sonic experience. Triple J’s choice to highlight local talent was indeed very popular amongst those who voted. Over 2.6 million votes for the 2025 list attest to the nation’s enduring love of Australian music.
They all scream of national pride, be it classic rock or indie pop or contemporary hip hop. The triple j hottest 100 brand keeps on changing, and today’s all-Australian countdown is one of its most powerful.
So stay tuned as the countdown reveals its final few entries and the number one Aussie song of all time.
