I Got You (Split Enz song)
"I Got You" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Split Enz | ||||
from the album True Colours | ||||
B-side | "Double Happy" | |||
Released | 21 January 1980 | |||
Recorded | November 1979[1] | |||
Studio | Armstrong Studios, Melbourne | |||
Genre | New wave[2] | |||
Length | 3:24 | |||
Label | Mushroom Records, Melbourne | |||
Songwriter(s) | Neil Finn | |||
Producer(s) | David Tickle | |||
Split Enz singles chronology | ||||
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Audio sample | ||||
"I Got You" is a song by New Zealand rock band Split Enz. It was released as a single on 21 January 1980 by Mushroom Records in Australia and New Zealand, and August 1980 by A&M internationally, as the first single from their breakthrough album True Colours. Written by co-lead singer Neil Finn, who did not initially believe it to be a hit, it became the band's most commercially successful song, topping the charts in Australasia (spending eight weeks at number-one in Australia) and placing in the top 20 of the British and Canadian charts. By July 1980, it had become the biggest selling single in Australian history.[3]
The song was rated #11 on the
Background
"I Got You" originated from a series of songwriting sessions with his brother and co-frontman
Reception
The song received critical acclaim in contemporary music magazines. Reviewed in Roadrunner at the time of release, it was said the song "positively drips with appeal that only philistines could fail to appreciate," and asked readers to buy a copy as "it deserves to be a hit."[8] Amanda Nicholls of Record Mirror, who also urged readers to buy the single, commented: "Good production with immaculate build-up and control throughout".[9] Billboard noted the song's "record tenure" on the Australian charts and said American audiences would pick up on the song's "off-color, theme song appeal".[10] Cashbox compared the song's "edgey [sic] vocals" to The Cars, and said it was "due for stateside recognition".[11]
Music video
The music video was designed and directed by percussionist Noel Crombie, who directed most of the band's previous videos.[6] It features Neil Finn standing in a room singing the song with the other band members performing in a framed picture on the wall behind him. The picture animates when he sings the chorus but goes still when he sings the verses. At the end of the video he is seen in the picture with the band.[12][13][failed verification]
Track listing
- "I Got You" – 3:24
- "Double Happy" – 3:15
Personnel
- Neil Finn – vocals, guitar
- Tim Finn – vocals
- Noel Crombie – vocals, percussion
- Malcolm Green – drums
- Nigel Griggs – bass guitar
- Eddie Rayner – keyboards
Charts
Weekly charts
Chart (1980) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report)[14] | 1 |
Canada (RPM)[15] | 13 |
Ireland (IRMA)[16] | 19 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] | 1 |
UK[18] | 12 |
US Billboard Hot 100[19] | 53 |
US Cash Box Top 100[20] | 50 |
Year-end charts
Chart (1980) | Rank |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report) [21][22] | 1 |
New Zealand[23] | 8 |
US (Joel Whitburn's Pop Annual)[24] | 299 |
Cover versions
"I Got You" has been recorded by
New Zealand band Shihad also released their version in 2020.[26]
References
- ^ Billboard (30 January 1982). "Global Productions". Billboard. New York City: Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group.
- ISBN 978-0-472-03470-3.
- Cash Box. 19 July 1980. p. 14. Retrieved 3 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "APRA Top 100 New Zealand Songs Of All Time". www.sergent.com.au. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ a b c Reid, Graham (23 March 2001). "History ever repeats with Neil Finn". NZ Herald. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Album Tales: Split Enz, 'True Colours' (1980)". STACK | JB Hi-Fi. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ Creswell, Toby (2006). "1001 Songs: The Great Songs of All Time and the Artists, Stories and Secrets Behind Them". New York: Thunder's Mouth Press. p. 316.
- ^ Robertson, Donald (1980). "45's". Roadrunner. Parkside, SA: 22.
- ^ Nicholls, Amanda (26 July 1980). "Singles: Down The Trail" (PDF). Record Mirror. p. 11. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- ^ "Top Single Picks: Pop" (PDF). Billboard. p. 67.
- ^ "Singles: Feature Picks" (PDF). Cashbox. 9 August 1980. p. 18. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
- Cash Box. 19 July 1980. p. 14. Retrieved 3 December 2021 – via World Radio History.
- ^ "Australian Music Awards". Ron Jeff. Retrieved 16 December 2010.
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6. NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own chartsin mid-1988.
- ^ "RPM Canadian Charts". Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I Got You". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
- ^ "Split Enz – I Got You". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
- ^ "The Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved 13 July 2011.
- ^ "Split Enz - Chart history". Billboard. 4 October 1980.
- ^ (4 October 1980) Cash Box Top 100 Singles
- ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1980". Kent Music Report. 5 January 1981. Retrieved 17 January 2022 – via Imgur.
- ^ Official Top 40 Singles
- ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
- ^ Tannis Root Presents: Freedom of Choice on Amazon.com
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "I Got You – Shihad (Split Enz Cover) [Lyric Video]". YouTube.