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Six Months in a Leaky Boat
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Wikipedia article
"'Six Months in a Leaky Boat'" is a song by New Zealand art rock group Split Enz. It was released in May 1982 as the second single from the group's seventh studio album, 'Time and Tide'. The title is a reference to the time it took pioneers to sail to New Zealand (hence the reference to Aotearoa and 'The Tyranny of Distance' - a history by Geoffrey Blainey), and a metaphor that refers to lead singer Tim Finn's nervous breakdown.Ostrander, Ken (April 26, 2012). [http://supergroovydeliciousbite.blogspot.com/2012/04/time-and-tide.html Time and Tide - Split Enz]. super groovy delicious bite
The song became a huge hit in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, going on to be voted the fifth-best New Zealand song ever in the 2001 Australasian Performing Right Association list. Unfortunately chart performance was less successful in the United Kingdom owing to its release during the Falklands War. Despite being recorded prior to the outbreak of the conflict, some in Britain considered the song to be veiled criticism of the war with Argentina. The song was consequently removed from many radio play lists in the United Kingdom, including the BBC, since it was considered that references to 'leaky boats' were inappropriate during the naval action in the war.'The Q Encyclopedia of Rock Stars' by Dafydd Rees and Luke Crampton, Dorling Kindersley 1999, page 938
At the 1982 Countdown Music Awards the song was nominated for Best Australian Single.
Music video
The video shows band members dressed in nautical gear, and Mori artists performing traditional Mori 'poi' dance.
Track listing
#"Six Months in a Leaky Boat" 4:21
#"Fire Drill" (Australian/NZ release)
Personnel
* Tim Finn vocals, piano
* Neil Finn vocals, guitar
* Noel Crombie drums, percussion
* Nigel Griggs bass
* Eddie Rayner keyboards, percussion
Charts
Year-end charts
Covers
*"Six Months in a Leaky Boat" was covered by Australian indie rock band Little Birdy, and appears on the 2005 compilation album 'She Will Have Her Way'. They also played the song during their set at the Sydney Sound Relief concert.
*Australian children's entertainers The Wiggles covered this song on their album/video, 'It's a Wiggly, Wiggly World', with Tim Finn singing back up and appearing in the video, but with the lyrics significantly altered to be about Captain Feathersword.
Legacy
The song was voted the 5th best New Zealand song of all time in 2001 by members of APRA.
The song was used as the funeral song for explorer, environmentalist and sailor Sir Peter Blake, sung by Tim Finn with acoustic guitar, at Blake's service.
References
Category:Songs about explorers
Category:Songs about boats
Category:Songs about New Zealand
Category:1982 singles
Category:1982 songs
Category:APRA Award winners
Category:Falklands War
Category:Song recordings produced by Hugh Padgham
Category:Songs written by Tim Finn
Category:Split Enz songs
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