Song of the Day: Split Enz “I Got You”

“I Got You” is a ferocious blast of New Wave from New Zealand group, Split Enz. Built around a thumping guitar line and spacey synth fills, the song mines similar terriroty to what several of the band’s American peers, most notably The Cars were doing at around the same time. Where the song distinguishes itself and belies Split Enz‘s earlier sound is on its decidedly expansive and spaced-out bridge. The song appeared on the band’s 1980 LP, True Colours, which was a best-seller that helped to signify a new creative direction for the group. The LP was notable for coming with CD-like laser-etchings that ran through the album’s grooves. The album jacket, an abstract almost cubist design, was also varied in each country that it was released, featuring different bright color combinations.

Split Enz were formed in Auckland, New Zealand in late 1972 and initially ran until 1985 (enjoying several reunions over the years). The group was originally founded by Tim Finn and Phil Judd. The band remains probably the most well-known and popular Kiwi band of all. They certainly remain the best selling, having charted a number of singles not just in their native New Zealand, but also in Europe and the United States. The group went through a number of line-up changes over the years, with several prominent members coming and going, significantly changing the group’s sound. Tim Finn‘s brother, Neil Finn. Despite the occasional gimmick outfits, the group were serious songwriters and musicians who managed to continuously evolve and fully embraced New Wave in the early ’80s – a major shift from their initial prog sound.