split enz

Cover of the album True colours

Cracking the big time

In 1980 Split Enz put New Zealand music firmly on the international scene with their album True colours. They were the first New Zealand act to break into the highly lucrative British and United States markets. This was not a case of overnight success. Split Enz had worked hard to get to the top, and like many New Zealand bands before them (and since), they had to overcome many obstacles to crack the big time.

The band’s first New Zealand no. 1 hit, from their album True colours, also topped the charts in Australia and Canada. It peaked at no. 12 in Britain and no. 53 in the United States.

‘I got you’ was written and sung by Neil Finn and featured a chorus reminiscent of the Beatles. After years struggling to achieve commercial success, True colours put this hard-working Kiwi band firmly on the international stage. Split Enz was to enjoy a string of hit albums and singles before disbanding in 1984.