''Waiata'' is the sixth studio album by New Zealand new wave band

Split Enz Split Enz were a New Zealand rock band formed in Auckland in 1972 by Tim Finn and Phil Judd and had a variety of other members during its existence. Originally started as a folk-oriented group with quirky art rock stylings, the band built ...

, released in March 1981. Its Australian release was titled ''Corroboree''. ''Waiata'' is the Māori term for song and singing, while ''

corroboree A corroboree is a generic word for a meeting of Australian Aboriginal peoples. It may be a sacred ceremony, a festive celebration, or of a warlike character. A word coined by the first British settlers in the Sydney area from a word in the l ...

'' is an Aboriginal term. According to

Noel Crombie Geoffrey Noel Crombie (born 17 April 1953) is a New Zealand percussionist and former member of the band Split Enz. He fulfilled multiple roles including costume and hair designer, singer, album cover designer, and music video director. Prior to ...

the intention was to name the album using a word from the natives of every country it was released in. This did not go ahead and the only country to adopt this change was Australia. The rest of the world kept the New Zealand title ''Waiata''. The songs "History Never Repeats" and "One Step Ahead" were among the

first music videos aired on MTV __NOTOC__ This is a list of the first music videos broadcast on MTV's first day, August 1, 1981. MTV's first day on the air was rebroadcast on VH1 Classic in 2006 and again in 2011 (the latter celebrating the channel's 30th anniversary).Daniel Rub ...

when the cable television channel launched in the United States in 1981.

Track listing

All songs written by

Tim Finn Brian Timothy Finn (born 25 June 1952) is a New Zealand singer and musician. His musical career includes forming 1970s and 1980s New Zealand rock group Split Enz, a number of solo albums, temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowd ...

, except where noted. Side one: # "Hard Act to Follow" – 3:17 # " One Step Ahead" (

Neil Finn Neil Mullane Finn (born 27 May 1958) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician who is known for being a member of Crowded House, Split Enz (which he co-fronted with brother Tim), and Fleetwood Mac. Finn rose to prominence in the late ...

) – 2:52 # " I Don't Wanna Dance" – 3:34 # "Iris" (N. Finn) – 2:50 # "Wail" (

Eddie Rayner Anthony Edward Charles Rayner (born 19 November 1952) is a New Zealand musician who spent twelve years as a keyboardist in the band Split Enz. He has also played in the groups Orb, Space Waltz, Crowded House, The Makers, The Angels in 1986-19 ...

) – 2:49 # "Clumsy" – 3:29 Side two: # "

History Never Repeats "History Never Repeats" is a single written by Neil Finn and recorded by Split Enz. It was released in March 1981 as the second single from their sixth studio album, '' Waiata.'' The song remains one of their most popular. It was also used as the ...

" (N. Finn) – 3:00 # "Walking Through the Ruins" – 4:15 # "Ships" (N. Finn) – 3:01 # "Ghost Girl" – 4:26 # "Albert of India" (Rayner) – 4:03

2006 remaster

All songs written by

, except where noted. # "Hard Act to Follow" – 3:21 # "

" (N. Finn) – 2:59 # " I Don't Wanna Dance" – 3:34 # " One Step Ahead" (

) – 2:51 # "Walking Through the Ruins" – 4:07 # "Wail" (

) – 3:09 # "Iris" (N. Finn) – 2:51 # "Clumsy" – 3:32 # "Ghost Girl" – 4:39 # "Ships" (N. Finn) – 3:03 # "Albert of India" (Rayner) – 4:14 # "In the Wars" – 3:33

Personnel

Split Enz

– vocals *

– vocals, guitar *

– percussion * Malcolm Green – drums *

Nigel Griggs Nigel Griggs (born 18 August 1949) is a musician who played bass guitar in Split Enz. He is the brother of Paul Griggs from the 1970s vocal group Guys 'n' Dolls. A professional musician since 1963, Nigel Griggs played in a number of bands, not ...

– bass * Edward Rayner – vocals, keyboards * International Management – Nathan D. Brenner

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications and sales

References

{{Authority control Split Enz albums 1981 albums Mushroom Records albums Albums produced by David Tickle