Interesting that Neil Finn once said in an interview that this is the only song he's ever written that doesn't have a proper chorus. The album from which this song resides is not the one that is shown. It's from "Waiata" from  1981. 

Just a reminder that they were a New Zealand band. Australia will always try to claim as their own ANYTHING or ANYONE good that comes from NZ. Its just the way they are. Go figure

 Shesdifferent wrote: 
that's why I'm here, 
they were playing Downpressor Man by Sinead O'Connor 

Thank God this was playing on the PSD channel......

So many things F*d up with this entry. Song is great...but title of the album is incorrect. The cover art is incorrect too. If you're gonna use the wrong album title...then at least use the album art for that title. This is the album art for "True Colours". "One Step Ahead" did NOT appear on this album. It appeared on the one after this called "Waiata" from 1981. Here is the cover art...

 

Posted 10 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]

Ah! Something decent to counter the last half hour's snooze-fest!

Great bassline. Neil Finn was only 22 when he wrote that song. The Finn brothers were like the Antipodean Lennon and McCartney for a while there.

Where on earth did this gawd awful album cover art come from?  Everytime I see it I cringe. My version at least has some halfway decent maori graphics on it.

 Tagish_girl wrote: 
Dear Tagish_girl,

I never said that you, or Canadians, or anyone else did not have the right to express yourself. You certainly do and please feel free. My "bitch" is that non Americans can be very critical of us and sometimes we Americans take it personally.

If Neil had a statement that stated that a certain portion of all album sales would go to charity or to wounded veterans (and he may for all I know), it would make the pill a little easier to swallow. But from my perspective, it seems like he is making MONEY being critical of a country that has for the most part treated him pretty well.

Anyway, we could argue this one for a while and it is always a great debate over a couple of pints (or more) but I think the thing to gather is that it's okay to disagree on issues. And I get it, your point of view, don't get me wrong.

So thanks for the criticism, it is well thought out and I value your opinion.

Peace and in two weeks this country of ours can hopefully move away from the hate and greed and senseless killing with a new start, a new face, and a new set of values.

Yours truly,

Horstman

 Tagish_girl wrote: 
 and today will bring some change. Goodbye Bush Cheney. We've had enough!!!!

Great song, good to hear again. Never knew it had such political overtones? Now children, lets all get along!

Taking yourselves seriously much?  That isn't George Bush you're talking to.  I hate Bush's war and have from the beginning, but are you seriously getting angry at him for saying that Americans don't like to be told what to do?  When it's pretty obvious that whatever country you're from, you don't like it either?

And all this in a Split Enz thread?

Can you say "Wrong place, wrong time, wrong guy, and hypocritical?"  I thought you could.

Anyway, the Enz sound soooooooooooooooo 80's now.  But they wrote classy songs.  "I Got You" is an all-time favorite. 

"I got you. 
And that's all I want. 
I won't forget
that that's a whole lot."

Says it all.

What does any of this have to do with the song?!? Take your
rants elsewhere!

maxmox wrote:

Ag3nt0rang3 wrote:

Dear Horstman and Glockman45. I have to agree with Ag3nt0rang3. As humans on this planet, we ALL have the right, and even the duty, to raise protest whenever we see inhumanity, injustice, and aggression. As I recall, Freedom of Speech is one of the dearly held freedoms of the US. Is this freedom only extended to US citizens? Does not an old hippie from Canada have this same freedom that Americans hold so dear? Do I not have this freedom? To be humble enough to listen to criticism and be self aware enough to see the truth in that criticism, that takes real strength. Be strong, America. Best regards, a military wife.

horstman wrote: This is why the rest of the world is getting tired of your bullshit and your allies are getting tired of cleaning up your messes. You don't realize that when the actions of your nation are harming or killing "foreigners", people are going to get pissed and speak up. America treats the rest of the world like its property, and then Americans get pissed when the rest of us object. It's time to grow up, or more "foreigners" will switch from speaking to shooting. Your military can't protect you from reality forever.

Glockman45 wrote: I dislike both his music AND his politics. That's why Living with War is so insulting. If you don't like it Neil, too bad. This is America and we don't like others telling us what to do. Sure the war sucks and I'm totally against it, but I still get peeved when Foreigners tell me and mine how to run the show. That said, this song is great and I never made the Split Enz/Crowded House connection. Probably because I got into Crowded House after Split Enz broke up. Have to check out the early stuff.

Glockman45 wrote: OK, I see I've upset someone with my little quip about Aussies v. Kiwis, Americans v. Canadians...

Mozart wrote: HELL NO HE IS NOT AMERICAN BUT HE ACTS LIKE HE IS. I LIKE HIS MUSIC BUT HIS POLITICS STINK MAINLY BECAUSE HE IS FROM CANADA AND HIS POLITICS ARE TARGETED TO AMERICA. IT'S IRONIC HE SINGS ABOUT AND RANTS ABOUT BAD THINGS IN AMERICA BUT THAT IS WHERE HIS CHECK COMES FROM.

PeaceInIraq wrote: That would be like calling Neil Young an American! He isn't, is he?

One of my favorite from the Enz!

Saw their final gig at Adelaide Arts Festival '84 - high energy plus clever comic antics on stage - punk cabaret/violent pop? Very damn good in any case.

Great Song

PeaceInIraq wrote:Glad you like 'em - but they're Kiwis.

PeaceInIraq wrote: Actually, they're from New Zealand.

Sorry buddy-whoever you are you aren't George Harrison. Get your own schtick.

9:07 am - Split Enz - One Step Ahead 9:04 am - The Jam - That's Entertainment 8:57 am - Derek and the Dominoes - Layla 8:50 am - Ray Charles - What'd I Say (Parts I & II) 8:47 am - Thelonious Monk - Straight, No Chaser WHOA! An awesome sampling of classics from several genres. Kudos!!

Sounds like 5 Beatles songs mixed into one. Always loved this one!

Neil Finn's songs are the only ones worth writing home about with this band. His brother's tunes are too arty and plodding. There is just no comparison.

LOVE. I first heard this song, actually, on a live bootleg a friend gave me. They kicked up the melody and beat and with the soaring, raspy vocals, boy... it gives me shivers just thinking about it. What a great way to be introduced to Split Enz.

still a winner

AntonRoss wrote: YEAH, them Aussies are outstanding! My favorite Spit Enz tune is "Six Months in a Leaky Boat." It's on their 1982 album "Time and Tide." Its also on most of their greatest hits compilations. RP has it too.

I heard this today and thought "Oh, a Crowded House song I haven't ever heard" and checked online to see what song it was. Split Enz? Who? I swore up and down it was Crowded House, or at least one of the Finn brothers. Surprise - it was both and sort of all of the above. Any how, loved this song, and am now looking into more Split Enz music. This is why I love and support RP!!! Thanks Rebecca and Bill! Anton Ross - Charleston, SC

stabby wrote: If you watched MTV at all in the 80s, I don't see how you could have missed it.

I just saw this video on VH1 classic during a JetBlue flight a few days ago. They were playing videos from 1981 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of MTV. I loved the song and the video back then, and I have to say, after watching others from that era, this is one of only a few that have stood the test of time.

I am a child of the 80s but don't remember this song. Was it only big in Oz and NZ? Or did I just miss it somehow? I like it though.

Great follow up to THE JAM's 'That's Entertainment'!

Great song - I can remember what was going on in my life when this song was a hit. Great to hear it as much as you want to play it.

takes me back to memories of the first videos on MTV.

I CAN NEVER SEEM TO "FINN-ISH" EVEN @ 1 STEP AHEAD...GOOD TIME TRYING WITH THIS BAND......AND ALL THE EVOLUTIONS OVER TIME

Okay yes this is truly great! Did you hear Split Enz has re-formed and is touring Australia this summer? They are my sister's favourite band of all time. She has already visited their hometown in New Zealand. She has tickets for two of their shows and is flying to Australia specifically to see them. Wish I could go.

OK, whose the DJ today? Y'all been playing all this good music I haven't heard in many snows. Strolls down memory lane. As someone else mentioned, I haven't thought about this group in a long, long time.

Pleasant enough but after Thats Entertainment by The Jam it's just too polite, a bit like a glass of merlot after two pints of lager and a packet of crisps in a dodgy boozer 'sarf' of the river

bobrk wrote: Me too, only I think Split-Enz kicked Squeeze's butt.

Good stuff. Great stuff, actually.

Marr wrote: I know, great place we're at here, don't you think?

exiled wrote:That seems to be the way this station works. Which is cool.

Ha! I was just reading the comments from the earlier Split Enz song this morning when this one came on. Psychic radio play...

I WILL ALWAYS LOVE THIS SONG NO MATTER WHAT ERA.IT HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME.

Damn, I forgot all about this very Squeeze-like band.

Crowded House v0.1 Soooo good. Excellent even.

Wow, this is a trip in the way-back machine. Great feeling associated with this one thanks for all the great music Mr Sharkey

Split Enz...oooohhhhh RP you do it so well!...those were the days.......

Incredible song. I will never tire of it....

Boy, sounds like that Finn guy. .......................Joking! Joking. Good tune, 8.

damien wrote: yep, before MTV sucked...seems like that was never case at this point...but yah, quality song

WOW! When was the last time I heard this! Brings back memories of early MTV days.

Such a great song. Nice to find a station where you can see Niel Finn's progression from Split Enz to Crowded House to his solo and Finn Bros. stuff.

This is their best song. Awesome!

i never need to hear this again. ever.

didn't we already hear Split Enz this AM? Not a complaint, mind you.

redeyespy wrote: Ditto! They played this on their last tour...... sounds as good now as it did then......

pure pop for people even now!

musical genius...

I'll say it again, the Finn bros. can do no wrong!!!

farleym wrote: Still remember the video. I think this was the first vinyl album I bought based on a video. It was a good song, and the band looked kind of weirded out so I spent the 8.99. History Never Repeats and a couple others are still worth listening to. Thanks for adding this one. It's a trip down memory lane for me. :)

Takes me back a couple decades. Let's hope RP adds "Shark Attack" and "I hope I never" to its playlist!

cjonescu wrote: This must be a generational thing. You were born the year that MTV came to life; perhaps if you'd been a little older during MTV's early years, you'd appreciate this a little more.

Uploaded April 01, 2004

cjonescu wrote: It's obvious you have no taste :-)

This song REALLY sucks!