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The Surprise Elephant in Triple J’s Hottest 100 Room

By Nick Hall - News Published: , Last Updated:

In a shock result, iconic Australian children’s group The Wiggles has taken out the top spot in Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown. The group’s rendition of Tame Impala’s Elephant received the most votes in this year’s poll, edging out front runner The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s smash Stay and global superstar Olivia Rodrigo. Best of all, the history-making honour marks the first time ever that a Like a Version release has claimed top spot in the much-loved countdown, not that it was on The Wiggles’ radar.

Speaking to Triple J hosts Ebony Boadu and Bryce Mills, blue Wiggle Anthony Field revealed that he only found out about the Hottest 100 last year. The founding member fondly remarked that he’d heard Triple J listeners were apparently hosting Wiggles themed countdown parties in preparation for the day.

“It’s pretty surreal, I’ve got to say,” Purple Wiggle Lachlan Gillespie said. “Thanks to the fans, and for Kevin Parker for crafting such a great song,” Field added.

But for those who had been paying attention, the result wasn’t as surprising as first thought. When the children’s group hit the Triple J studios last year for their long-awaited Like a Version debut, the reveal of the Tame Impala take was met with widespread acclaim. The upbeat rendition, littered with memorable Wiggles nods sparked a wave of nostalgia across the country. Flash forward a few months and The Wiggles are taking home top honours in arguably the country’s most important song countdown, much to the delight of listeners. Even the Queensland Police got in on the act. “Investigations have commenced into how The Wiggles created such a banger,” the organisation wrote on Twitter.

There was more homegrown success to be enjoyed as well, with The Kid Laroi becoming the highest-ranking Indigenous artist ever, surpassing Thelma Plum’s number nine result back in 2020. Last year’s runner-up Spacey Jane came in at number three with Lots of Nothing, with other prominent Aussie acts Gang of Youths, Tame Impala and Genesis Owusu also featuring strongly. Even Formula 1 legend Daniel Ricciardo made an appearance after offering up some percussion on Gang of Youths’ song The Man Himself, which came in at number 57.

Naturally, a number of international acts also took hold. Rapper Lil Nas X, teen sensation Olivia Rodrigo, along with hip-hop stars Lizzo and Cardi B polled strongly, with Rodrigo scoring five appearances. The overnight star polled with four songs in the top 70, with her megahits Driver’s License coming in at 13, with Good 4 U taking out fourth place.

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According to Triple J, this year’s countdown was the biggest in recent memory, attracting over 2.5 million votes. Further, 25 artists made their Hottest 100 debut, with a total of 102 f-bombs hitting airwaves, “as many as the last two countdowns combined”. But for all the swearing and teenage angst, no one could touch the much-loved children’s act. Suffice to say, there’s an elephant in the Triple J room and this year, it’s a colourful one.

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Triple J’s Hottest 100 Results

  1. The Wiggles – Elephant (Like a Version)
  2. The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber – Stay
  3. Spacey Jane – Lots of Nothing
  4. Olivia Rodrigo – Good 4 U
  5. Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
  6. Gang of Youths – The Angel of 8th Ave
  7. Doja Cat – Kiss Me More (feat. Sza)
  8. Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
  9. Rufus Du Sol – On My Knees
  10. Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
  11. Tom Cardy – H.Y.C.Y.BH
  12. Spacey Jane – Lunchtime
  13. Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
  14. Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba – Apple Crumble
  15. Vance Joy – Missing Piece
  16. Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under
  17. Tom Cardy – Mixed Messages
  18. The Jungle Giants – Love Signs
  19. Rufus Du Sol – Alive
  20. Ocean Alley – Touch Back Down
  21. Ball Park Music – Sunscreen
  22. SZA – Good Days
  23. Glass Animals – I Don’t Wanna Talk (I Just Wanna Dance)
  24. bbno$ – Edamame (feat. Rich Brian)
  25. Rufus Du Sol – Next To Me
  26. Lorde – Solar Power
  27. Dope Lemon – Rose Pink Cadillac
  28. Amyl and the Sniffers – Hertz
  29. Lil Nas X – That’s What I Want
  30. Spacey Jane – Here Comes the Sun (Like a Version)
  31. Doja Cat – Need To Know
  32. The Wombats – If You Ever Leave, I’m Coming With You
  33. Olivia Rodrigo – Deja Vu
  34. Doja Cat – Get Into It (Yuh)
  35. Peach PRC – Josh
  36. Willow – Transparent Soul (feat. Travis Barker)
  37. Doja Cat – Woman
  38. The Rubens – Masterpiece
  39. Middle Kids – Stacking Chairs
  40. Girl in Red – Serotonin
  41. Lime Cordiale and Idris Elba – What’s Not to Like
  42. Peking Duk – Chemicals
  43. Bring Me the Horizon – Die4U
  44. Kanye West – Hurricane
  45. Wet Leg – Chaise Longue
  46. King Stingray – Get Me Out
  47. Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open
  48. Acraze – Do It To It (feat. Cherish)
  49. Dune Rats – Up
  50. Kanye West – Jail
  51. The Rions – Night Light
  52. Cardi B – Up
  53. The Weeknd – Take My Breath
  54. Ocean Alley – Breathe/Comfortably Numb/Money (Like a Version)
  55. Skegss – Valhalla
  56. King Stingray – Milkumana
  57. Gang of Youths – The Man Himself
  58. Ruby Fields – Kitchen
  59. Machine Gun Kelly – Love Race (feat. Kellin Quinn)
  60. Olivia Rodrigo – Brutal
  61. Dom Dolla – Pump the Brakes
  62. Lorde – Mood Ring
  63. Lana Del Rey – Chemtrails Over the Country Club
  64. G Flip – Queen (feat. mxmtoon)
  65. Luude – Down Under (feat. Colin Hay)
  66. Tame Impala – A Girl Like You (Like a Version 2020)
  67. Olivia Rodrigo – Traitor
  68. The Jungle Giants – Treat You Right
  69. Sly Withers – Clarkson
  70. The Amity Affliction – Like Love
  71. Halsey – I am Not a Woman, I’m a God
  72. Vera Blue – Temper
  73. Lizzo – Rumors (feat. Cardi B)
  74. Tones and I – Cloudy Day
  75. Genesis Owusu – Gold Chains
  76. The Terrys – Our Paradise
  77. Tyler The Creator – Wusyaname (feat. YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Ty Dolla $ign)
  78. Sza – I Hate U
  79. Dave – Clash (feat. Stormzy)
  80. Billie Eilish – Your Power
  81. Lorde – Stoned at the Nail Salon
  82. Kanye West – Praise God
  83. Doja Cat – You Right (feat. The Weeknd)
  84. Teenage Joans – Wine
  85. The Buoys – Lie To Me Again
  86. Fisher – Just Feels Tight
  87. Holy Holy – The Aftergone (feat. Clews)
  88. Baker Boy – My Mind (feat. G Flip)
  89. Jungle – Keep Moving
  90. Hayden James – Waiting For Nothing (feat. Yaeger)
  91. Telenova – Bones
  92. Slowly Slowly – Blueprint
  93. Baby Keem – Family Ties (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
  94. Tyne-James Organ – Sunday Suit
  95. Alt-J – U&ME
  96. Client Liaison – House of Holy
  97. Kanye West – Moon
  98. Adam Newling – Sweetness
  99. Ziggy Ramo – Little Things (feat. Paul Kelly)
  100. Holy Holy – How You Been

General FAQs

Who was the Hottest 100 winner for 2021?

The Triple J Hottest 100 winner for 2021 was The Wiggles for their Like a Version cover of the Tame Impala song Elephant.

Who had the most tracks in the Hottest 100 2021?

Olivia Rodrigo made the most appearances in the 2021 Hottest 100 with five. She had traitor at 67, brutal at 60, deja vu at 33 and driver’s license at 13. Good 4 U placed at four.

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Nick Hall
Editor-in-Chief

Nick Hall

Nick Hall is an award-winning journalist and the current Editor-in-Chief of Man of Many. With an extensive background in the media industry, he specialises in feature writing, lifestyle and entertainment content. Nick is the reigning Mumbrella Publish Awards ‘Editor of the Year’ and B&T ‘Best of the Best - Journalist’, courtesy of his work with Man of Many.

Prior to working at the men’s lifestyle publication, Nick spent two years as a journalist with Inside Franchise Business, focusing on small business, finance and legal reporting.

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