Just 6 nostalgic things everyone needs to immediately remember about Darren Hayes.

It was 1997. I was in my best friend’s house after school, inside her lounge room, and we were both singing into water bottles. Over the course of the next hour or so, we would belt out the 12 songs from Savage Garden’s iconic, multi-million-selling and award-winning self-titled album. The following day and the one after that, for months and months, we did the same thing.

Two years later, when Affirmation, their second and final album was released, our nightly performances recommenced. On this album, Two Beds and a Coffee Machine, was always a favourite and a giveaway we were huge Savage Garden fans. The fact that I still have it on my go-to playlist today, is a sign that I still am.

While Savage Garden’s albums may have been the soundtrack of mine and millions of others' youth, Darren Hayes’ career as a single artist, particularly his hit, Insatiable is a part of the soundtrack of my adulthood.

And with the Do You Remember? tour coming early in 2023, my nostalgia has been reignited and I am insatiably ready to reminisce on some of Hayes' iconic moments.

Starting in Perth and touring nationally between January and February 2023, the show promises to bring the crowds to their feet and no doubt singing along – all while nestling into some fuzzy and nostalgic vibes.

Here are six Darren Hayes things you need to remember immediately.

1. Savage Garden.

With nostalgia, what better place to begin than at the beginning? And what a beginning Hayes had.

As the lead singer of the duo Savage Garden, alongside musician David Johns, the release of their self-titled album in 1997 made a phenomenal impact on the Australian music industry and will forever be known as one of the most successful Aussie albums of all time.

Selling over 12 million copies worldwide and winning 10 ARIA Awards, the iconic album was not only a huge success but also saw the duo skyrocket to fame.

Savage Garden (the album), which is now 25 years old included some of their best-known songs such as Truly, Madly Deeply, along with the “Chica Cherry Cola” of I Want You and of course, To the Moon and Back, and Break Me, Shake Me.

Its black and white album cover also remains firmly imprinted in my mind.

Image: Getty.

2. Affirmation: The final album of Savage Garden.

The duo’s second (and what would inevitably be their final) album, Affirmation was released in 1999 and with it, another 12 absolutely phenomenal songs that really showcased the songwriting talent of both Hayes and Jones.

Produced by Walter Afanasieff (who famously produced Mariah Carey’s Hero), the album brought with it huge hits (and became the music to my mid-high school years), including tracks like I Knew I Loved You (one of my all-time favourites), Affirmation and The Animal Song.

The Animal Song is also featured in the film starring Juliette Lewis, The Other Sister and of course, I Knew I Loved You’s music video famously starred Kirsten Dunst.

3. 2003 ARIA Awards.

Ah, this moment. This moment.

I had tears when it happened and watching it back, I had them again.

When Hayes performed an acoustic version of Delta Goodrem’s hit, Lost Without You at the ARIAs, a tribute to Goodrem who was fighting cancer at the time, not only was it just incredibly sentimental and sweet but the performance itself was amazing.

The standing ovation and emotional reaction from the audience speak for themselves.

4. ~That~ Kath & Kim moment.

I love when icons join forces to create a masterpiece that no one could have ever envisioned. 

This is exactly what the Aussie comedy show, Kath & Kim did when Kath (Jane Turner) and Kel (Glenn Robbins) danced to Hayes’ romantic hit, Insatiable in what became a memorable television moment.

My husband (perhaps not as iconic, to others at least) also loves a great Insatiable moment on karaoke and I can testify that it is nearly as epic as that scene in Kath & Kim.

5. Darren Hayes and Gary Barlow’s lockdown duet.

Speaking of duos, when Hayes teamed up with Take That’s Gary Barlow in 2021 to sing Savage Garden’s ballad, I Knew I Loved You, well quite frankly, OMG.

Recorded as a part of Barlow’s Crooner Sessions, which he began during the first UK lockdowns in 2020, the two performers brought their A-game and a real sense of authenticity to the performance.

I dare say it also created many more Hayes fans.

6. The new album and upcoming tour.

Hayes released his most recent album, Homosexual which is his fifth solo studio album, in October this year. 

He headlined the 2022 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mari Gras with his debut single from the album, Let’s Try Being in Love at the event and hinted that the best is yet to come, with his nostalgic performances of some of Savage Garden’s biggest hits.

These hits will form a critical part of his upcoming, the Do You Remember? tour, produced by U2’s legendary show director Willie Williams.

Grab your tickets to the Do You Remember? tour now – featuring 25 Years of Savage Garden, solo hits and more. 

Feature Image: Getty/Mamamia.