News August 4, 2019

Tones And I is the first Aussie to top the ARIA singles chart in a year

Tones And I is undoubtedly living up to all the expectations surrounding her, having given Australia its first home-grown chart-topping single in a year.

If you’ve not heard of Tones And I over the last few months, then you clearly haven’t been paying attention, with this Victorian musician experiencing one of the fastest rises to the top we’ve seen in years.

Originally from the Mornington Peninsula, Tones And I is the musical moniker of Toni Watson, who first came to prominence as a busker in Byron Bay.

However, after releasing a handful of singles earlier this year, Watson soon became one of the most exciting names on the scene, releasing stunning tunes like ‘Johnny Run Away’ and ‘Never Seen The Rain’.

Throw in a few high-profile performances, including one at Splendour In The Grass last month, and you’ve got an Aussie musician on track to break records and rewrite history. Now, Tones And I has done just that.

Check out Tones And I’s Splendour performance of ‘Dance Monkey’:

Releasing their weekly charts yesterday, ARIA revealed that Tones And I’s ‘Dance Monkey’ has managed to displace ‘Señorita’ by Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello, and leapfrog Lil Nas X’s ‘Old Town Road’ to serve as the first Australian #1 single of 2019.

What’s more is the fact that ‘Dance Monkey’ is also the first Australian single to top the charts since Dean Lewis in August of 2018, who hit #1 with ‘Be Alright’ and remained in the top spot until the end of September.

In addition to being the 23rd homegrown single to top the charts this decade, it’s not only hit the top spot in Norway, but also become the first #1 single in Australia since Delta Goodrem’s ‘Wings’ in August of 2015 to be performed by an Aussie female solo artist.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald of the honour, Toni Watson explained that “it feels really unexpected.

“I got told by one of my managers before I released ‘Dance Monkey’, ‘Don’t stress out if this isn’t a radio song. People will love it live.’ Even when it was number 10 I thought, OK, that’s my peak and I’ll start declining.”

While the fact that it’s been such a long time between drinks for both Australian artists – regardless of gender – on top of the ARIA charts is indeed one we hope to see change in the near future, this news is undoubtedly something worth celebrating.

Keep an eye on Tones And I, because if this recent chart position is anything to go by, the future looks very bright for this amazing musician.