A 17-year-old Go-Betweens song inspired Robert Forster's debut novel
Robert Forster, co-founder of The Go-Betweens, has released his debut novel Songwriters on the Run, inspired by his 2015 song of the same name. The novel follows two musicians, Mick and Drew, who escape from a private prison after being framed for drug possession and owing debt on a stolen car. While on the run, they navigate Australia's underbelly, reflecting on music, freedom, and the romanticism of life as fugitives.
- ▪Robert Forster wrote the novel Songwriters on the Run over nine years, inspired by his 2009 song of the same name.
- ▪The story centers on two musicians, Mick and Drew, who escape from a private prison after being arrested for drug possession and discovering financial and legal entanglements.
- ▪A subplot involves a woman named Ruth who travels to Melbourne to find the musicians, hoping to feature their music in a film.
- ▪Forster drew parallels between life on the run and the itinerant lifestyle of touring musicians.
- ▪The novel expands on the sparse narrative of the original song, adding depth to the characters and their motivations.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Robert Forster from The Go-Betweens on his debut novel, Songwriters on the RunBy Daniel HerbornABC ArtsTopic:Books5h ago5 hours agoSat 2 May 2026 at 7:23pmThe Go-Betweens legend Robert Forster's debut novel expands on the story teased out in his song of the same name. (Supplied)abc.net.au/news/go-betweens-robert-forster-novel-songwriters-on-the-run/106619408Link copiedShareShare articleMick and Drew, the title characters of The Go-Betweens singer-songwriter Robert Forster's debut novel, Songwriters on the Run, are in over their heads.The pair — "in their early thirties, tall and skinny, rock-star-wrecked handsome" — are bathing in the "feeling of exhausted ecstasy" after a gig in Rockhampton when a fan passes them a bag of marijuana.Some men loitering on the periphery of the dressing room…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Top Stories.