John Farnham’s Voice Backfires in the Voice By James Reed

Australian music icon, John Farnham, lent his song You’re the Voice to the Yes side, and they played in their ads. But, polling research has shown that the song may have had an adverse effect upon the Yes campaign, with 66 percent of undecided voters saying the song had no impact upon them at all. Why might this be?

Well the 1986 song is getting a bit old now by music standards. It;’ lyrics are a bit repetitive and it is not clear what song is actually about. It could have been used just as well be for No side:

“We're all someone's daughter
We're all someone's son
How long can we look at each other
Down the barrel of a gun?”

Perhaps that reference did it!

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12557127/John-Farnham-Voice-song-backfires.html

“John Farnham's official backing of the Yes campaign has dramatically backfired with voters, according to new polling.

The singer, 74, provided his iconic song You're The Voice for an official campaign ad at the start of September - but since then support for the Voice has plummeted to a record low.

The ad shows a multi-generational family watching historic Australian moments on television, including Cathy Freeman romping home to gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and the passing of gay marriage referendum, as You're The Voice provides the feel-good soundtrack. 

But new polling has found the advert has had more of an adverse affect among voters, with 66 per cent of undecided Australians claiming it has not influenced them at all.

'If the strategic objective of the 'You're the Voice' campaign was to get people to consider voting yes, it has failed,' Pollinate CEO Howard Parry-Husbands told news.com.au.

Just over a third - 34 per cent - of voters said the advert had 'reinforced their voting plans', while 16 per cent of those who are undecided felt 'more confused' after seeing it. 

'Advertising is meant to lead to changes in behaviour or attitudes,' Mr Parry-Husbands said.

'If anything, this ad has seen a hardening of opinions. It's made No voters more likely to vote no and left undecided voters as confused as ever.'

Simon Lee, chief creative officer at advertising firm The Hallway, agreed that the outcome for the 'You're The Voice' ad campaign was 'not good'. 

'It's had an adverse effect,' he said.”