Do-Ré-Mi had formed in Sydney in 1981 when Deborah Conway (lead vocals) and Dorland Bray (drums, percussion, backing vocals), both previously in Melbourne-based group The Benders, joined Helen Carter (bass, backing vocals) ex-Friction.[4] Stephen Philip (guitar), ex-Thought Criminals, was initially a studio musician for their debut EP, Do-Ré-Mi released in August 1982 and was asked to join formally.[2] They returned to the studio almost immediately and recorded The Waiting Room which was released in January 1983. Conway was living with Paul Hester[8] drummer in Deckchairs Overboard (later in Split Enz and Crowded House), Hester guested on timbales for the track "(Just Like) Hercules" on this EP.[7] "Man Overboard" had its first appearance on this EP but was later re-worked and released as a single in 1985 when it peaked at #5 on the Australian singles charts.[5] Lyrical content included references to anal humour, penis envy and pubic hair. In 2001, Carter recalled the problems Do-Ré-Mi had with their record company over "Man Overboard" for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV series Long Way To The Top.
There was a real hit-maker mentality ... people would say 'It can't be a hit - it doesn't have a chorus... You're talking about pubic hair, oh my God!'[9]
— Helen Carter, 2001
Track listing
All tracks were written by Deborah Conway, Dorland Bray, Helen Carter and Stephen Philip.[3]
^ abNimmervoll, Ed. "Do-Ré-Mi". HowlSpace – The Living History of Our Music (Ed Nimmervoll). Archived from the original on 26 July 2012. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
