Paul Kelly: Seventy Review – Reflections on Ageing from a Musician Bigger Than Ever
After five decades, Paul Kelly’s songs remain memorable, warm, and a bit irreverent. It’s classic Kelly—and Joe is back too.
A Remarkable Career in Australian Music
At 70, Paul Kelly has never been more prominent. He recently headlined his first arena tour, which sold out. In an industry often criticized for ageism, his steady rise over 50 years is exceptional. There has been no sudden revival or rediscovery of his extensive catalogue; rather, Kelly’s presence has grown gradually until it became ubiquitous.
Public Resistance and Familiarity
Despite widespread recognition, some who have never listened to Kelly express resentment towards his success. Much of this pushback appears linked to the annual prominence of How to Make Gravy, Kelly’s Christmas song about a prisoner named Joe.
"They never want to hear another word from Joe, the fuck-up who was already the subject of what is now probably Kelly’s second-most famous song, To Her Door."
The Album: Seventy
Seventy, Kelly’s 30th studio album, is thematically focused on ageing, regrets, and reflections on what happens as the world continues without us. The album includes The Magpies, inspired by a Denis Glover poem, a song Kelly first recorded on Thirteen Ways to Look at Birds. Its refrain promises the magpies will keep on “quardle-oodle-ardling.”
"Joe’s ghost is still taunting Rita from beyond the grave. The more things change, the more they stay the same."
Paul Kelly’s work continues to blend storytelling with enduring emotional resonance, underscoring his lasting impact on Australian music and culture.
Author's summary: Paul Kelly’s 30th album, Seventy, powerfully explores ageing and legacy, confirming his status as an enduring and influential figure in music across five decades.