What we're talking about

No Thanks on 'Cats fighting over a rancid sandwich' She's no big deal. I'm quite she there are plenty of others who could take her place. more
Ken of Euroa on Sharp scare 'Gibbon' to Melbourne Zoo ... Wow what a story....zoo worker scratched on the finger by sharp thing! Hold the presses this is bigger than Watergate! more
Andrew on Daisy Pearce 'overwhelmed' at being ... Poor Daisy - What chance does she have? Another first round selection by Melbourne!!!!!!! more
Susan on Daisy Pearce 'overwhelmed' at being ... We have women's football, women's netball, women's cricket...all thriving sports for women, yet none can't get a interview ... more
David R on Sharp scare 'Gibbon' to Melbourne Zoo ... This is news.. you will be reporting paper cuts soon!! more
mylene on Rumour File: Vicious dog attack spills ... Dog owners are the smokers of the 21st Century. :) more
Ivan@kinnane on Ella Hooper leaves Nine red-faced Ella was 13 when she first fronted Killing Heidi. She used to wear some provocative outfits! So interesting comments from ... more
Ross on Rumour File: Ramping issue caused ... Agree Peninsula Ambo.Paramedics are constantly called out to attend patients who are better off seeking a GP's opinion or ... more
Peninsula Ambo on Rumour File: Ramping issue caused ... Ramping I believe is NOT the issue here, and with all other cases in the media. The problem solely lies in the call taking ... more
Peggy on Rumour File: Vicious dog attack spills ... The ONLY was to stop this is to punish the stupid, irrisponsible owners.You can't blame a gun for killing someone. It's the ... more
David R on Rumour File: Ramping issue caused ... Shouldn't you be asking the Hospital staff and management why they refuse to accept patients. more
Jake on Ella Hooper leaves Nine red-faced BS. more
Peter on Restaurant owners want penalty rates ... Hospitality industry workers along with retail industry workers are among the lower paid workers in this country and to ... more
mylene on Victoria Police unable to share ... What a load of rubbish. The Premier of Victoria is also the racing minister and if he found out there was any criminals ... more
John on Mass retail exodus in Bridge Road The new tram stops on Bridge Road west have taken dozens of parking spaces and helped to make the place look like an ... more
bruce on Rumour File: Vicious dog attack spills ... Some facts on Pitbulls. American Pitbull Terriers constitute the majority of dogs used for illegal dog fighting in the ... more
mylene on Mass retail exodus in Bridge Road It's a lot easier to build apartments over an existing shop and it's even easier is that shop is unoccupied. There. The ... more
janetp on Victoria Police unable to share ... Who benefits from the Fed Legislation, the Politicians,to many crooks in power. more
janetp on Restaurant owners want penalty rates ... Restaurants, cafe's, coffee shops, takeaway food, any thing to do with food are charged an additional $700 a year. No other ... more
janetp on Ella Hooper leaves Nine red-faced Get real, if u wear short short's to attract attention u get what u deserve, the complaint should be,they wreaked my ear ... more

'Dumb ways to die' goes viral

Posted by: Ned Franklin | 19 November, 2012 - 8:38 AM

A new Metro Trains transport safety advertisement has racked up an astounding 4.1 million views in just five days, educating public transport users on some of the many dumb ways people lose their lives.

The catchy tune 'Dumb ways to die', written by Creative director John Mescall and musically composed by Sydney Musician Ollie McGill, reached the top 10 chart of iTunes within 24 hours and by Sunday was ranked number six in the global iTunes chart.

The song's amusing lyrics include warnings about standing too close to the edge of station platforms and driving around boom gates at level crossings, but also chronicle more unusual ways to die like poking grizzly bears with sticks and using private parts as piranha bait.

Sally Webster, Lecturer Public Relations & Communication at Victoria University told Ross and John the video has absolutely dwarfed Pop singer Rhianna on iTunes sales.

"It's been the biggest Australian ad response in recent times," she said.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Mums and Dads are singing this song with their kids in the car on the way to school right now."

Breakfast With Ross And John

Ross Stevenson and John Burns entertain listeners with their razor sharp wit and oddball humour every morning. And every day the best segments of their on-air - and sometimes off-air - program are published on 3AW.com.au.

Blog comments

Love this ad as it WILL get through to young kids as sounds like a nursery rhyme and littlies will learn the words and the tune is easy to sing to. So if this gets into the heads of youngies it will stay there forever.

Gloria Tuesday 27 November, 2012 - 10:27 AM
I am very doubtful about whether this will get the message through its lacking something the TAC ads didn't work and Sally its hardly appropriate for children to use it as a sing along.

mandy Sunday 25 November, 2012 - 5:38 PM
Can they alter the lyrics and add in schoolies be careful near balconies.

mandy Friday 23 November, 2012 - 8:07 PM
Cute and catchy but the grizzly bear doesn't exist here!

poptart Tuesday 20 November, 2012 - 7:30 PM
I congratulate Ollie and particularly the wordsmith involved in putting together this catchy song, which would appeal to the young risk-takers. The video is cute too. I pray the words come readily to mind when situations sung about confront them.

Jo Monday 19 November, 2012 - 12:06 PM
very well done ollie i love to think you have saved many lives with this rippa lil tune and i hope the knockers just take a big breath and think about the lil people who arnt here any more. on ya ollie.

bushiepete Monday 19 November, 2012 - 9:53 AM