For many fans of early '80s music, the mere words "What about me? It's not fair" are enough to transport them back in time. But one emotional rock anthem almost never made it out.
Before the song "What About Me" became an international hit for Australian band Moving Pictures and conquered the world charts, it was almost excluded from the band's debut album.
Ironically, the composition itself was inspired by a moment of being ignored. Guitarist Gary Frost reportedly came up with the idea after noticing a young boy being ignored in a Sydney convenience store while waiting for lunch, which inspired a song about the desire to be seen and heard.
«"That image of someone who's ignored but craving recognition was the first line and set the tone for the song," says Adam Reeder, host of Professor of Rock. .
As Reeder explained, because the song was nearly dropped from the final track listing for the band's debut album, producer Charles Fisher urged Frost and vocalist Alex Smith to record it.
The song became an almost instant hit, topping the Australian charts for six consecutive weeks. Following its international success, "What About Me" peaked at number 29 on the Billboard chart Hot 100. She re-entered the charts. Billboard in 1989, reaching number 46 during its comeback.
This article was originally published by Parade on May 31, 2026, in the Entertainment section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.