'One Good Reason' (known on the Starstruck soundtrack as 'Gimme Love') was the band's first single, released in 1979. Though The Wombats were created for the movie, The Swingerswere very much a real band, formed in New Zealand in 1979 from former members of the Suburban Reptiles and Split Enz, of which lead singer Phil Judd was a founding member. Surf guitarist Dennis Nattrass performed the remainder of the songwriting duties, while 'I Want to Live in A House', performed by Ross O'Donovan, was produced by Molly Meldrum, who demanded so many takes that Ross came close to losing his voice. Judd also composed incidental music for the film, as well as appearing onscreen with the other members of his band. Another, 'Gimme Love', had already been released by The Swingers under the title 'One Good Reason'. Though Judd later remembered being asked to write 'ten songs in ten days', only two were used, 'Temper, Temper' and 'Tough'. The producers were thrilled with Judd's take on the title song, and he was enlisted to contribute further original compositions. With shooting drawing ever closer, the situation became desperate - until Phil Judd and his band, The Swingers, arrived on the scene. Though many musicians submitted compositions for the film's theme song, no likely candidates were found. Australia was in the midst of a musical renaissance, and it was hoped that the film would provide an international platform for rising stars of the local industry.įinding a band that fit the bill proved more challenging than expected. Both Gillian Armstrong and David Elfick saw the role of music as integral to the film, Elfick having previously worked with screenwriter Stephen MacLean on Go Set Magazine.

Starstruck movie