The Wiggles' startling revelation after Hottest 100 win: 'Never heard of it'

Gillian Wolski
·Lifestyle & Entertainment Producer

They've taken out the top spot in the country's most-contested music poll but Aussie kids entertainers The Wiggles had never even heard of Triple J radio's 'Hottest 100' song competition this time last year.

Original band members Anthony Field, Jeff Fatt and Murray Cook made the startling admission while chatting on Sunrise on Monday morning following their big win over the weekend.

Sunrise hosts Nat Barr and David Koch speak with The Wiggles members Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Anthony Field via video call. Photo: Channel 7.
Sunrise hosts Nat Barr and David Koch quizzed The Wiggles members Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Anthony Field about their Hottest 100 win. Photo: Channel 7.

The beloved group's 'Like A Version' cover of fellow homegrown artist Tame Impala's track, "Elephant" was voted number one in youth radio station Triple J's annual 'Hottest 100' song poll on Saturday.

The Wiggles beat out international pop heavyweights such as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo — who weren't even born when Anthony, Jeff and Murray formed the band in 1991 with former member Greg Page.

Blue Wiggle Anthony, 58, told Sunrise host Nat Barr that not only was their win very unexpected but he was a complete novice when it came to the competition, the song and the 'Like A Version' cover song concept.

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The Wiggles perform prior to game one of the series International Friendly series between the Australia Matildas and the United States of America Women's National Team at Stadium Australia on November 27, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Blue Wiggle Anthony wearing his elephant ears and trunk. Photo: Getty Images.

"I didn't know about the Hottest 100, I didn't know about 'Like A Version,' I didn't know about Tame Impala a year ago so this has been a great surprise," he admitted.

Purple Wiggle Jeff, who is officially the oldest winner of the Hottest 100 at age 68, was similarly unaware of Triple J's listener-voted poll which has been running for over three decades now.

"Who'd have thought I'd be this cool at the age of 68," he quipped.

After winning over voters in the Hottest 100, David 'Kochie' Koch joked that the next step for The Wiggles might be politics but the three men were quick to laugh it off.

Wiggles win big

The Wiggles' won Triple J's Hottest 100 poll for 2021 with their 'Like a Version' cover of "Elephant," the lead single from Perth artist Tame Impala's 2012 album, Lonerism.

They mixed the track with their own classic, "Fruit Salad" from 1994 with Blue Wiggle Anthony donning an elephant trunk and ears for the in-studio performance.

The Wiggles perform in the Triple J studio. Photo: Triple J/ABC Radio.
The Wiggles headed into the Triple J studio to perform their 'Like a Version' cover of Tame Impala's "Elephant". Photo: Triple J/ABC Radio.

The song featured current Wiggles members Anthony, Lachy Gillespie and Simon Pryce, alongside the recently retired Emma Watkins and the Sydney group's co-founders Jeff Fatt and Murray Cook.

"It's just been unbelievable," Field said on ABC radio after the countdown.

"Thank you to all the people that voted and (Tame Impala frontman) Kevin Parker for writing that amazing song.

"We're very honoured to be part of it. It's amazing. This is one of the biggest things that ever happened to us."

The 2021 Hottest 100's top five was rounded out by "Stay" by Indigenous artist, The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber, "Lots of Nothing" by Perth garage rock outfit Spacey Jane, "Good 4 U" by Olivia Rodrigo and "Happier than Ever" by Billie Eilish.

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