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Schapelle Corby: Convicted drug smuggler appears on pop track | Schapelle Corby: Convicted drug smuggler appears on pop track |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has created something of a stir in Australia by releasing a music track on social media. | Convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby has created something of a stir in Australia by releasing a music track on social media. |
The track, called Palm Trees, features Corby on vocals singing: "I'm in Queensland and it is sunny. I have the palm trees behind me." | The track, called Palm Trees, features Corby on vocals singing: "I'm in Queensland and it is sunny. I have the palm trees behind me." |
Corby's Instagram post said it had been "so much fun" to make - but it's fair to say it's meant she is yet again dividing Australian public opinion. | Corby's Instagram post said it had been "so much fun" to make - but it's fair to say it's meant she is yet again dividing Australian public opinion. |
Corby, 40, has been in the media spotlight since she was arrested in Bali, Indonesia in 2004 carrying 4.2kg of marijuana. | Corby, 40, has been in the media spotlight since she was arrested in Bali, Indonesia in 2004 carrying 4.2kg of marijuana. |
She maintained the drugs were planted, but was convicted and spent a decade in prison and a further three years on parole on the island. | She maintained the drugs were planted, but was convicted and spent a decade in prison and a further three years on parole on the island. |
Her case captivated Australia, where many believed she had been treated unreasonably harshly. | Her case captivated Australia, where many believed she had been treated unreasonably harshly. |
Images of Corby sobbing in court - and reports of her deteriorating mental health - gained her much public sympathy. | |
But Indonesia, which has strict drug laws, saw her as a common criminal, and considered her fortunate to have avoided the death penalty. | But Indonesia, which has strict drug laws, saw her as a common criminal, and considered her fortunate to have avoided the death penalty. |
Corby returned home to huge attention in May, and has since posted several videos on social media about how she was managing to avoid the cameras. | Corby returned home to huge attention in May, and has since posted several videos on social media about how she was managing to avoid the cameras. |
Her music track, however, has raised eyebrows yet again. Palm Trees was released by its producer, Adelaide-based Natalie Zeleny, in early December, but Corby shared it on Instagram late on 1 January. | Her music track, however, has raised eyebrows yet again. Palm Trees was released by its producer, Adelaide-based Natalie Zeleny, in early December, but Corby shared it on Instagram late on 1 January. |
Zeleny said she "wrote this in Cairns for a bit of a laugh and then took it into the studio to produce it and lay down our vocals". | Zeleny said she "wrote this in Cairns for a bit of a laugh and then took it into the studio to produce it and lay down our vocals". |
Over an upbeat club music track, the lyrics see Zeleny singing: | Over an upbeat club music track, the lyrics see Zeleny singing: |
"Oh she's back in Australia, she's in the Sunshine State. Oh Schapelle is her name and she's got something to say." | "Oh she's back in Australia, she's in the Sunshine State. Oh Schapelle is her name and she's got something to say." |
It then features a sample of Corby, taken from an earlier Instagram post, singing: "I'm in Queensland and it is sunny. I've got the palm trees behind me. I live in Queensland and it is sunny." | It then features a sample of Corby, taken from an earlier Instagram post, singing: "I'm in Queensland and it is sunny. I've got the palm trees behind me. I live in Queensland and it is sunny." |
The track - which some are calling Corby's debut single - has already been mercilessly mocked on Australian news, with one TV host jokingly calling it "surely one of the biggest hits of 2018". | The track - which some are calling Corby's debut single - has already been mercilessly mocked on Australian news, with one TV host jokingly calling it "surely one of the biggest hits of 2018". |
Along with some debate over whether a convicted drug smuggler should be getting any attention at all, the response on social media has been largely unsympathetic. | Along with some debate over whether a convicted drug smuggler should be getting any attention at all, the response on social media has been largely unsympathetic. |
On Twitter, one user said it made the notorious 2011 social media sensation Friday by Rebecca Black "sound like Stairway to Heaven" in comparison. | On Twitter, one user said it made the notorious 2011 social media sensation Friday by Rebecca Black "sound like Stairway to Heaven" in comparison. |
Australian comedian Lehmo said there was no longer any need for debate over whether Australia should become a republic. | Australian comedian Lehmo said there was no longer any need for debate over whether Australia should become a republic. |
"After hearing Schapelle Corby's new single the Queen has offered to step down as head of state and hand the country over," he tweeted. | "After hearing Schapelle Corby's new single the Queen has offered to step down as head of state and hand the country over," he tweeted. |