Victoria – what it means to us… 

To those of us in the Julie Lamb Outfit who are also in covers bands – the original Victoria evokes “Sigh, you want to hear it again??”
To those of us who grew up with the song – it means dancing happily in sweaty night clubs, joyously singing along, BUT… of course all the while feeling sorry for Victoria. Although – to be honest – her line of lingerie may well have come from her past occupation. 
(We actually rewrote some words to cover that – but threw them over in favour of this offering) 
To those of us who had never heard it before (*what?*) this has been a great project based on a song of great bones with an energy to aim for.
What fun! Thanks to the Dance Exponents and Toi Otautahi for the opportunity…

Victoria - Julie Lamb Outfit

"Christchurch will always be the spiritual home of the blues to me. Ever since I discovered Wednesday night jam night at Al’s, I’ve been addicted to rockin’ out with other guys, especially blues lovin’ dudes. One dude who knows his way around a riff or two is the Man - Jordan Luck - and mate if there’s a better song than Victoria, apart from Layla by Clapton, I’d love to bloody hear it. Now, let’s get back to rockin’!"

Bluestoria - Master

In 1982 when The Dance Exponents released Victoria, I was a student at a music academy in Philadelphia USA.
The following year I returned to my home town of Christchurch and waitressed at the Dux de Lux.
The song Victoria, teased hair, the fashion of the time, Cosmopolitan, Alvin Toffler were all an integral part of my life then.
And so I've enjoyed creating a recording with the facilities at the AV Studio/Turanga Library and playing/overdubbing each voice on my violin or viola.

Victoria - Rachel Thompson

Having shared a name with this song my whole life, I’ve had people sing this at me near on a thousand times. While I don’t identify with the Victoria in the song I feel I’m already forever linked to the song, so it’s been a blast to put my own spin on it.

I’m also very proud to call Ōtautahi Christchurch my home (fun fact, I was born in Timaru where The Dance Exponents moved from, and spent a few years living in British Colombia where Jordan Luck was born - spooky!)

Hope you enjoy listening to all the new versions of this classic!

Victoria Knopp / Imperial April

Imperial April - Victoria (Exponents Cover)

What a cool idea for the anniversary of this song! We've played in covers bands before where Victoria is always a staple so we thought we'd try a really different take on it so Mr Luck doesn't have to hear us do a worse version of exactly what he did. 

We grew up in Ōtautahi Christchurch and met at Jazz school on High Street. It's a really cool city to start in as a band, with all sorts weird and wonderful venues to play in. Space Academy, Darkroom, Wunderbar, The Dux (and much more) have all been super supportive of local acts and there is no shortage of great bands for a relatively small city. Really hope you like our take on this classic song. 

Andy and Vic (The Response)

The Response - Victoria - Cover

I can't tell you in words how much Victoria and the Dance Exponents mean to me, as Jordan Luck's songs invoke feelings that I only ever felt as a kid in the 1980's and every-time I listen to 'Prayers be Answered' those feelings just come flooding back again. 

The cover I have done is a punk rock version of Victoria, I firmly believe that there are only two reasons to do a cover song:- 
1. if you can make it better, and there's no way I can do that, or 
2. if you make it different and this version is bloody different.

Victoria - Liberated Squid

My cover’s a short orchestral impression, which hopes to capture even a little bit of the colour, energy and life of the song.

There are very few songs that manage to weave themselves into the very fabric of this country’s identity.  Songs like Loyal, Dominion Road, or Don’t Dream It’s Over… there’s no doubt Victoria is one of them.
I suspect not many kiwis know the true inspiration behind the song, and yet whenever and wherever it comes on - in a pub, in a plane, or waiting on hold for the IRD - you’ll be singing it for the rest of the day.

I’ve been fortunate to hear Victoria live on a few occasions - including a scorching New Years at the Lake Hawea pub circa 2008/2009 (attached).  I imagine many Kiwis cherish similar fond memories.

Such is the timelessness of the song that even though it pre-dates me by a good 7 years, I feel as much attachment to it as anyone else who came before, or after me.

Anyway - hope you enjoy the cover.  Happy listening.

Victoria - Kurt Murphy

I’m proud to offer my tribute to a song that redefined kiwi rock; an unashamedly homegrown hit, it’s heady crate-day anthems welded into the psyche like titanium in popcorn. Like Christchurch, Victoria ultimately transcended the challenges and stigma she faced, and arose not broken but victorious.  I’ll be the first to blame the tune. Perhaps now it could save Otautahi as well!

Victoria - Simon Nunn

We are the Arts Office for Christchurch. Supporting and celebrating all creatives in Waitaha.

Victoria - Simon Nunn

Toi Ōtautahi

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