The Triple J Hottest 100 has become somewhat of an institution, synonymous with Australia Day.
It's an annual music poll that began in the 1980's and claims to be the largest music poll in the world, where the public votes for their favourite songs of the previous year. Last year's poll was the biggest yet, attracting over 1.1 million votes.
The results are kept secret until Australia Day on January 26th, when they are broadcast live around the country on the Triple J airwaves. Beginning at midday Eastern Daylight Savings Time, the top 100 songs are played throughout the afternoon.
Having a Hottest 100 party is a great way to celebrate Australia Day. Most people have the day off work, so organise a BBQ and enjoy a day in the sunshine with good mates and great music. If you want to up the stakes, everyone could bet money on their top song for 2010 and whoever's pick ranks the highest, gets to take the kitty home.
Hottest 100 parties have become so popular that Triple J have introduced an optional registration process. If you're throwing your own private party you can fill out the online form
here for your chance to win prizes and have a Triple J presenter drop by and hand deliver the goodies. There's also a free party toolkit that you can download with posters, sweep forms, bingo, pyramid hats and musician paper dolls!
If you're looking for a pub or similar that is hosting a Hottest 100 Party, check
the map for registered parties. Even if you're overseas, you're never too far from a participating venue – great news for homesick expats and backpackers.
If you hoped to
vote, you're too late this year as voting closed on January 16th but the way it works as that you submit a shortlist of up to ten songs and specify your number one song. Triple J makes it easy to help job your memory as they provide an extensive list of 2010 releases listed alphabetically, but if your top song isn't there you can most certainly vote for it anyway.
My vote went to Ou Est Le Swimming Pool for their awesome track Dance The Way I Feel…what a great party tune!
