Whatever it takes, whatever the stakes
If we're provoked we'll strike like a snake
Only the strong will survive
Organise, keep it safe, stay alive
Whatever it takes, whatever the stakes
We fight for our rights make no mistake.
CFMEU, CFMEU
We'll fight for our rights that's what we do
CFMEU, CFMEU
Stand up for ourselves that's what we do
Don't let the scab hunter come for you
Be paid up and proud and pay your dues
United we stand, divided we fall
Standing together - touch one touch all
We're looking out for the working class
Not afraid to shake up the top brass
Prepared to fight till the last
Sometimes you just gotta sit on the grass
CFMEU, CFMEU
We'll fight for our rights that's what we do
CFMEU, CFMEU
Stand up, stand proud, we're coming through
CFMEU, CFMEU
CFMEU
CFMEU, CFMEU
Whatever it takes, we're coming through
CFMEU, CFMEU
We'll fight for our rights that's what we do
CFMEU, CFMEU
Stand up, stand proud, that's what we do
CFMEU, CFMEU
Whatever it takes, we're coming through
Whatever it takes, we're coming through
Whatever it takes, we're coming through
Notes
Many thanks to the WA CFMEU for permission to add this song to the Union Songs collection
CFMEU 'UP THERE' with new song
Mike Brady of AFL anthem, 'Up There Cazaly' song fame was stoked when asked to collaborate on a new CFMEU song with
the union's media officer Rob Mitchell. Back in the day, Brady and Mitchell worked on numerous jingle projects together.
The new song is called; 'Whatever It Takes'. On listening you can almost smell the bourbon and beer stained
carpet of a suburban hotel mecca that would have hosted the likes of classic Australian Rock bands like ACDC
from the glory days of pub rock. Indeed, members of this band who especially came together under the name
of 'NO TICKET NO START' to record the song have a lineage going back to bands which included the likes of Bon
Scott, Jimmy Barnes, and the voice himself, John Farnham.
Whatever It Takes features some of Australia's best rock music talent including:
Legendary Aussie guitarist Sam See, played with Bon Scott in Fraternity, a band that also hosted the likes of
- Jimmy Barnes and his brother John (Swanee) Swan, Sam See was John Farnham's musical director and wrote the
hit REASONS for Farnham.
- James Black on keyboards has played with the Black Sorrows, Mondo Rock and featured as a guest player with
Gangajang.
- Gerry Pantazis on Drums is a top sort after session player which has seen him record with Guy Sebastian,
Shannon Noel, Tommy Emmanuel and Human Nature amongst many others.
- On bass is Craig Newman. Craig has played in tour bands backing everyone from John Farnham to Jackson
Browne, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker and Eric Burdon to name just a few.
- Lead vocals were provided with one of Australia's best session singers who has just signed a major recording
contract, so to avoid any conflict with future career directions he is known on this production as 'The Dogman' (
A bit like the Stig!)
- Triple ARIA award winner Doug Brady, was the engineer.
Rob Mitchell who wrote the lyrics and collaborated with Mike Brady on the musical direction says; "Mike has come up
with a great classic pub rock tune which strongly brands what our union is all about, doing whatever it takes to protect
workers rights. It's rally cry. "Play it loud. Play it proud" says CFMEU state secretary, Mick Buchan.
Mike Brady comments; "It was great to work on 'Whatever It Takes'. Most work I am asked to do these days is done with
machines and not real muso's. This track is pure music talent played by some of the best muso's in the country. I would
have expected no less from the CFMEU, which is an organisation of real people, to have a song played by musicians and
not machines. It's 3 minutes and 8 seconds of raw energy with a bass and lead guitar riff that pulsates up
through the floor, into your spine and then bangs you on the head. It touches one, touches all!"
