Ordinarily I tape shows and fast-forward through the ads, but the NRL Grand Final is one of those rare occasions where I watch it live. I just can’t risk hearing spoilers. And it’s a good thing too, because if I were skipping through I would have missed the ad for Channel Nine’s upcoming series Gallipoli. The war drama itself doesn’t really interest me, but I was struck by the haunting version of “Amazing Grace” playing during the commercial. I couldn’t wait to find out who was behind it.
Now I have my answer. The cover is by Lucy Mason, a local independent singer-songwriter who’s spent the last few years touring in the United Kingdom. This song is her first effort to break into the Aussie music scene.
“The opportunity to contribute to a piece of television that will likely embed itself as a piece of Australia’s history is something I am so grateful for,” she explained in a press release. “The story is integral to our nation’s story and to be given this platform to start introducing myself to my home market is really special to me.”
The song features on Lucy’s debut EP White as Snow, which is available now from iTunes.
Image used with permission from SGC Media
I`m a bit confused as to why the song ‘Amazing Grace’ is played for Gallipoli. Nice rendition by Lucy but why has this been chosen? Is it a subtle form of mocking God or asking ‘Where is he?’ during a war?
I guess it’s open to interpretation Dazman. I must admit, it felt a little like you described to me, but I’m sure others have their own takes on it. That’s one of the great beauties of music, isn’t it?