Six Months in a Leaky Boat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" |
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| Single by Split Enz | ||||
| from the album Time and Tide | ||||
| B-side | "Fire Drill" | |||
| Released | May 1982 | |||
| Genre | Pop, rock | |||
| Length | 4:21 3:48 (edited version) 3:14 (US edited version) |
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| Label | Mushroom Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tim Finn, Split Enz | |||
| Producer(s) | Hugh Padgham, Split Enz | |||
| Split Enz singles chronology | ||||
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"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 eighth 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.
The song became a top-10 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. Its 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.
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 Māori artists performing traditional Māori poi dance.
Track listing
Australian/NZ 7" single
- "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" (edited version) - 3:53
- "Fire Drill" - 3:53
US/European 7" single
- "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" - 3:05
- "Make Sense of It" - 3:30
Personnel
- Tim Finn – vocals, piano
- Neil Finn – vocals, guitar
- Noel Crombie – drums, percussion
- Nigel Griggs – bass
- Eddie Rayner – keyboards, percussion
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1982) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 2 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 7 |
| New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) | 7 |
| UK Singles Chart | 83 |
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 104 |
| US Cash Box Top 100 | 81 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1982) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 18 |
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.
