Song:History Never Repeats
Album:History Never Repeats: The Best of Split Enz: 30th Anniversary Edition
Split Enz are legends in their native New Zealand and Australia. They have a following elsewhere. But they were never able to get that big hit single in the US and England. Most of their success was in the early 80s. Tim Finn and Phil Judd were in university together. Finn played piano. Judd played guitar. They both wrote songs. One problem was Judd didn't like performing live. He continued to write songs but he was mostly off the road. By the time they signed with Mushroom Records in 1975, other members were Eddie Rayner on keyboards, Wally Wilkinson on guitar, Mike Chunn on bass, Emlyn Crother on drums and Noel Crombie on percussion. Wilkinson was soon replaced by Tim Finn's brother Neil Finn. They toured with Roxy Music and Phil Manzanera offered to produce their next album. So they moved to England to record the 1976 album Second Thoughts. Chrysalis released it as Mental Notes in England and the US. They toured to support it. Crowther was replaced by Malcolm Green. After the tour, Chunn moved back to New Zealand and was replaced by Nigel Griggs. And Judd left the road for good. Split Enz' music was becoming more influenced by the developing New Wave scene. They got a new US deal with A&M. For the 1980 album True Colours, Split Enz worked with producer David Tickle who would go on to produce several 80s New Wave bands. I Got You topped the charts in New Zealand and Australia and charted in England and the US. They had similar success with singles like History Never Repeats from the 1981 album Waiata. They continued to record but tensions in the band and with A&M prompted Tim Finn to leave Split Enz in 1984. This comp was first released in 1987 but a 30th anniversary edition with bonus tracks was released in 2003. The remaining members tried to continue but Split Enz disbanded in late 1984. Neil Finn went on to have great success with Crowded House and the Finn Brothers released a couple of albums. Tim Finn has released several solo albums. Split Enz have reunited occasionally including for a 2006 tour. They are revered in New Zealand. Here's the video for History Never Repeats by Split Enz.
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