Split Enz - I Walk Away

[amcd981]

OMG I didn't know until now that this was a Split Enz original. They had many great songs.

[ladyfuschia]

He is so fucking cute, it hurts!!

[christschool]

This song was re-recorded under Crowded House and the album from the Split Enz isn't available for sale in the U.S. That's a shame.

[katewixen]

Best song they did in my opinion...love this.

[Sergiovsousa]

11 people should go lick Biber´s ass hole

[colonnaable]

See Ya round tour called into Tauranga.Did a great gig and left us wanting more.Which we got from Crowded house later on.Long live the Splitz

[MeYouWatching]

@colonnaable , yea was mean as I was at the logan cambell centre in auckland on the last night of that tour, was epic, best concert ive been to, the oncore was just as long as the gig itself... priceless

[JupiterIsland91]

Avoiding an embarrassing incident at 0:35

[gmw1961]

Thanks for your thoughts , but I still feel a version was released ( at least on video ) that went for a minute or two longer .. love to all fans of great music !

[gmw1961]

It may be a trick of my memory , but wasn't there a longer version of this song .. with an extended percussion break in the middle ? Hester and Crombie trading licks ?

[astralaris]

@gmw1961 Check out the reworked version that Neil put together on the Crowded House self-titled album, (yes, they're still albums even in CD format - as they are a collection of songs). Anyway, it's a bit more polished and maybe the version you are thinking of?

[MeYouWatching]

@gmw1961. yea i have the track you are referring to on 12 inch vinly, its I Walk Away" the extended mix

[dorcik93]

Neil was damn hot. 

[GabVanDerV]

Hessey! Paul and Noel looking sharp around 2:30.

[SKOTP69]

There are few songs that so well capture both feelings of yawning emptiness, loss, memory, and dread...and confidence, possibility and the dawning of a potential future!

[pemonks]

@SKOTP69 Wonderfully put.

[dwcd1]

Crowded House, Split Endz, pretty much same shit different pile.

[wildsmiley]

I like the Crowded House version better, but still...GREAT song.

[sonicfrogdotnet]

@wildsmiley I want to play this song in one of my bands. There are bits in each version that I love and I would combine the two, make it a hybrid!

[thesonsarealreet]

top tune, sign of things to come from wor Neil!

[Mompellier]

The percussion in this song is absolutely brilliant to see live. One of my fondest memories from seeing them live in '06.

[roseslacks]

a song that helped me positively move away from some old friends that were no good for me any more...it was like splitting up a band ;)

[gamersky00]

Cette chanson sonne déjà Crowded House ! :)) Excellent !

[fungusnimbo]

Youtube is like God in disguise

[sunskywindshane]

I'd forgotten about this song. At the end it seems like they are really breaking out. Sounds kind of similar to -dare I say it- Police;Synchronicity '83 territory.

[suthagoo]

@sunskywindshane more like nick heyward/haircut 100, FYC, and english beat. at least this song has that sound cant say that about others.

[KirbyPownsYou]

You can definitely see them starting to get more like Crowded House

[duncankimball]

Has to be one of the best opening couplets ever:

"You came out of the world to me,

My life parted like the Red Sea"

[duncankimball]

Has be one of the best opening couplets ever:

"You came out of the world to me,

My life parted like the Red Sea"

[unit6128]

this cat can move with a guitar

[peterrabbity]

NOEL SMILES!!

[peterrabbity]

I know exactly where and who I am when I hear Split Enz. One of the greatest bands of the 80s.

[TheBlueCream]

good on Neil for staying loyal and living in NZ and not deserting and going to OZ..go the Kiwis !!!

[tosgem]

@TheBlueCream going to Oz isn't exactly moving very far up in the world and "selling out". Really selling out would be going to the US or something. And he did live here in Melbourne for a while, which was a benefit to us Assies I believe as we have too many crap homegrown musicians... but good on him for staying in NZ and sticking with his roots.

[TheBlueCream]

good on Nei; for staying loyal and living in ?NZ and not deserting and going to OZ..go the Kiwis !!!

[stuartk319]

I love this; and so can't bring myself to forgive the awful acoustic version on Crowded House's "Temple Of Low Men". Crowded House were way too clinical IMHO; The Enz and Swingers win my musical ear every single time.

[dumdumbinks274]

@stuartk319 Crowded House's "Crowded House" lol

[Nickclappo]

Go here for a better version in HD quality.

[BerlinFan82]

great yet sad at the same time

[SuperRondalee]

Hmmm.... I commented about a month ago that I like the CH version better..... not the case anymore... :)

[evedevi]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this song! Split Enz - incredible musicians, lyrics, songwriters! Amazing!!!

[drumsister]

Noel Crombie is the coolest ever!

[SuperRondalee]

I'm so used to the Crowded House version of this song... this one is awesome too, but since I heard that one first, I have to say I like it more...

[roseslacks]

my theme song :)

[exculler]

"hard to let go all that we know - sun always sets no room for regrets"- great line good and positive - make your decision stick with it - never waver!!

[barticus04]

Reveal whatever you desire

To you it may be death defying

Your life, slave to ambition

Tension your permanent condition

So much you've always wanted

Too much giving you a sore head

Classic lyrics for a classic song!

[ramadarose41]

JimEAPG... i totally agree that this song was completely appropriate to end the Enz, it says it all... "no room for regrets, i walk away from you." it was time for the Enz to end, and for Crowded House to form. Tim's way out for solo work, and Neil's way in to a new band of his own creation. evolution and change at work! both Finn brothers are very talented, and both have gone on to do great music, both with bands and solo. change is the only constant! :-)

[hockley91]

I always liked this version better than the Crowded House version that came out in '86. I think Neil stripped it down for the CH version. But, the intro for this version is really cool instrumentally.

[JohnKillrory]

I am one of the biggest Neil Finn fans

He is one of the best songwriters of all time

[Nickclappo]

Someone's going to have upload a better quality version of this. The song is class!

[chestus]

Funny, if you didn't know it was Split Enz, you might be fooled into thinking it was Crowded House (who formed just a year after this song came out) such is Neil's influence.

[gsf67]

I think that Tim had left the band, they wern't the same without Tim, however Neil's influence was becoming greater and Tim felt hehad to leave, seems a shame given that this was the band he co-founded

[ramadarose41]

@gsf67 Tim asked Neil to join his band in 1977, and then Tim left to do solo work on his own volition. i don't think it's sad or a shame. it was just the evolution of Split Enz, and eventually Crowded House.

[scidriver]

Yes this one one of many great and underrated bands form the 80's. Why? Because they could not escape from the shadow from "Duran Duran".

[ioriorioriorio]

yuck!!!!

[lexybeer]

Wow, haven't heard this song in a LONG time. Brings back some memories. Great band..!

[pipt66]

those finn brothers sure know how to write a tune

[whyohwhy999]

Neil is soooo fetching in this video. Love this version, love the song, love the band.

[tickford2002]

Brilliant!

[funjonno71]

i feel so homesick listening to this again!

[defenestrator12]

I feel your pain!! Time tripping with the Finn boys :D

[shootmewithacamera]

brilliant, i'm roller skating again

[garygarybeers]

Crowed house version is a tad "meh"..... this is the shit right here. Such a great band :)

[MrFox1852]

Great band, great song

[IBeGodly]

Eccentric music video. A great band.

[LarryArtFx]

love it immensely!

[Buglebogue]

There have been bigger bands, but surely none that were as much fun.

[Chribinator]

I prefer this version to the Crowded House version although that's good, too. I love the feel of this one and the Nigel Griggs bassline walk in the verse. And of course, Noel Crombie's percussion!

[linvoyprimus73]

i 100% agree... it's more up-beat and more typically 80s sounding - that's what i like about the enz version anyway.

[Chribinator]

You guys check out "Next Exit"? A great song and one of the cooler vids by the Enz.

[shooboxx]

I had no idea that this was an original spit endz song - but i like both versions. Nice early 80s vs mid 80s change in tone ...but its a great song overall :D

[nameian777]

2:30 - 2:40 great

[dianeb181]

Never saw this video before - It's so wackily inventive and hilarious. Thanks for posting this!!

[ThaGrimReefer420]

Lets enjoy the music. If the kids are angry they will get over it.

[transit2008]

Neil Finn definately one of the greatest unsung songwriters of all time.

[headmasterritual957]

@transit2008 definately?



[weirdunclebob]

@transit2008 I'd hardly say he was unsung. He got an OBE in 93 for services to NZ music, for one thing. Many of his songs have been covered by other famous bands (FNM!!) and used in commercials and television series all over the world. He wrote Split Enz' first international hit (I Got You) and a heap of their other hits. Oh, and there's a little band called Crowded House he was in now and then...

So, not unsung but definitely one of the greatest songwriters of all time, that's for sure!

[ExploraOfLife123]

@weirdunclebob True, but the thing is that all of Neil's work has been compared to many world famous songwritters on how famous they are by fans. He maybe reasonable well known in NZ and AUS but anywhere else, its lucky to find someone say that they like the song "Don't Dream It's Over" or as someone who is ignorent might say "remember that song called Hey Now, Hey Now". But then again, it is a blessing that Neil isn't "mass marketed" like many other artists, that really kills their value.

[ramadarose41]

@ExploraOfLife123 Amen to that! In the last 6 years I have re-acquainted myself with CH and Split Enz, and have fallen in love with all their songs. Most 80s teens in the U.S. only remember "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong" because that is all the media would play on the airwaves or on MTV back then. I am glad to have been exposed to all Neil's other work through friends and youtube. He is a genious songwriter, and an amazing performer!!

[hecnj001]

@transit2008

I agree with you that he is a greatly inrecognised songwriter.

[puggti306]

@transit2008 Dare I say it, Neil is a modn the same leauge as Lennon and McCatney

[wislinman]

@puggti306 Hell, yes, he is. If anyone is, Neil Finn _is_. He is. No dare needed!

[Dovelike]

Classic 80's sound.

[Lovewarmtoes]

Neil Finn said; YouTube/Internet? I don't care, it's all advertising as far as I'm concerned and music is for sharing. Thankyou Mr Finn ;)) We do appreciate.

[UKSundaeGirl72]

Like Mitzi, I never knew this was a Split Enz song! Crikey. I only caught Split Enz at the end, but have been a Finn fan ever since. Thanks Jim, bless you & YouTube for enabling me to see things from when I was a fan on the other side of the world and had no access to things like this.

[vandal1982]

good on ya m8:)

[MitziDeMarco]

Was this the first enz album with Paul Hester on it? Also was this the last Split Enz video made? Crowded House's debut album. When I first got the autographed CD of "See Ya 'Round", I was quite surprised to see this song on it. I didn't know that Enz did this before CH. Great video and thanks for posting.

[WAIATA4U]

MitziDeMarco:

Yes, this was the first and ONLY enz album with Paul Hester. I'm pretty sure "I Walk Away" was the only music video from SEE YA' ROUND...From my understanding, that last enz album did well only in Australia & New Zealand, and never made it's was Stateside.

[pamtara]

Beautiful song, as are all of Neil's compositions. I adore this song and the video. Neil Finn is pure genius!

[InMyLittleTown]

Oh, I love this song! With Crowded House it's really great too.

[WAIATA4U]

I have this song as a B-side to "Something So Strong" 45 single...The mix is different, more slower than the original take of "I Walk Away".

Still, a good song, though.

[lakersfan45]

is that the crowded hous eversion?

[WAIATA4U]

No...This is the Split Enz version from their last album "See Ya' Round" released in 1984. Tim Finn left and younger brother Neil took over.

The Crowded House version of "I Walk Away" runs slightly slower than this version.

[Dovelike]

This is their best song.

[WAIATA4U]

I like the fact Neil Finn (and sometimes brother Tim) still has Eddie Rayner--keyboardist from Split Enz--on Crowded House/Finn Brothers tours...Sometimes playing classic Enz songs for the fans.

[dvscorp]

My fave Split Enz track. Great bass/great production/powerful song. Ticks all the boxes!

[robtk]

great song, great band..

[FurnitureFan]

Why would anyone bother to post that "I've always liked this one, even if it wasn't necessarily a critics favorite, not that I always or even often agree with them."?

Why would anyone think that you do?

Which of us would anyone pause the video & ring a journalist for approval before allowing ourselves to enjoy it?

Please!

[alanbstard4]

great track

[Barsopen1970]

your a real deep thinker are'nt you

[dthevan]

great track, loved it since i first heard it way too many years ago

didn't realise that Noel and Sideshow Bob were related though!!!!!!!!!

[wuzasometina]

this video made me laugh at first but by the end of it i was scared.

[MuzzikLvr]

What a gem! I never even knew this was a Split Enz song first.

[GibsonUlsterScot]

awk look how young Neil finn is lol

how cute :)

[iwalkaway]

Hi Everyone, This song is by far one of the best because of the line-up...This Enz had Nigel, Eddie, Neil, and the unforgetable

Noel (who looked great with longer hair)! It's sad about Paul, but he reminded me a lot of Split Enz's drummer Malcolm Green (soundwise) in this video. Hat's off to brother Tim who got the whole thing started. The CH version is good, but this one's better on account of Nigel's

basswork. Just listen to both, and you'll see what I mean. No offense to the others...CYA

[Saarraahhhhh]

This song makes me so happy.

Your right about the descending scale, its great in this song :)

Love Hessies little drum dance at 2:32 ... lol

Great band :)

[LukeDylanandSonInc]

they maybe the last great nz band

a shame really

[MeIancholyMan]

So happens that this was also released in a slightly altered version on the sophomore album by Crowded House... once a good song, still a good song, always a good song...

[apocbible]

this became an instant favourite of mine... awesome song, neil finn is brilliant

[princessluceval]

I love Noel's dancing with the tambourine.

[LukeDylanandSonInc]

yeah noel is the man :D

[alastairjr40]

Can I walk away from this one? No.

[Cramtastic]

The thing that seriously hits me in this version is Neil's guitar lick during the chorus....that sort of descending scale.

Both versions are solid :)

[SparkyCola3]

Yep - same here :D

Neil Finn for the win - he's fantastic all the time =D

[aaronryanmusic]

Split Enz is my favourite band of all time. They have a special ethereal sound to their music that I haven't heard replicated anywhere. I Walk Away is a fine example.

[lakersfan45]

this song is too good.

[volmerguy]

Split Enz and CH will always be some of the best acts to come out of NZ and OZ. Our plans for world domination are progressing nicely he he he...

[anthonythirteen]

This is from 1984 and both groups split up - rather a slow takeover????

[scepticsquirrel]

I love CH, but I don't get the appeal of Split Enz at all. Just my personal preference.

[Barsopen1970]

really ? christ o' mighty

[GavinWoods]

Its also on Crowded House's debut album - a natural progression between the two bands

[gmansi]

Yes, both versions are great!

This one is more 80's new wave and experimental. The CH one is most powerfull and pop at the same time.

[Bartola7]

The best part about all things Finn, for me, is that these guys have never needed fancy props or special effects for their songs or videos. They can make a stage come to life just as they are, with their voices and instruments and personalities - and the fantastic wacky outfits, of course. :)

[Sylvester007nz]

Here's my one pence worth. I think this is much better. Although often remakes are better (e.g. Hurt by Johnny Cash cf Nine Inch Nails), to me this is not one of those songs.

[wisesatyr72]

This band is very underrated

[MsMeatscience]

I like both versions.

[4darin5]

This whole album is just awesome.

[jd3738]

Way ahead of there time<

[jd3738]

Way of head of there time. Great group!

[WhackaWhacka]

Ending on a high note!

[nathaust]

the smiles on their faces in the last minute or so...u reckon they loved playing that song? And why wouldnt they? Great song!

[Timmy182008]

Love both, But split enz version is more gritty. My fav :D

[870expressmag]

I prefer his version with crowded house from 86

[rockanroller1]

I would like to hear it, can you upload it?

Cheers

[jezxk18]

no way split enz version every time.

[Tanuki071973]

I agree: the Crowded House version works a lot better. I think that's because it was produced by Mitchell Froom, who knows a lot about structure. And there's even more energy in the CH version.

[870expressmag]

Well said, I really like the way the chorus is played on the crowded house version.

[Aussiephil99]

The split enz version is much better

[MeAndCass]

It's all opinion. That's like saying guitars are better than pianos. depends on who you ask.

[Aussiephil99]

Guitars are better then Pianoes!

[blackmore7777fan]

Well, they are a lot easier to carry around....

[gmansi]

ha ha ha ha ha

[LindazEyes]

Did Tim step aside for Neil here, or did he step out altogether by this point (1984)?

[princessluceval]

I love the big heads, too. And the violins at the beginning. They're all holding the bows correctly, except Paul, who is a true drummer, and holding his bow like a drumstick!

[0800Author]

Hey true! Ive watched this heaps and I never noticed that!

[smileyguy21]

i never noticed that either till now! :-)

[smileyguy21]

love the big heads bit at the end :-)

[jaasheineberger]

I've got to go and find my old cassette now ...

[princessluceval]

I absolutely love this version of the song. The CH version sounds so Bryan Adams-y in comparison, with the guitars.

[DJPashn]

What a wicked song. Haven't heard this in ages. RIP Paul.

[80sOldSkool]

Paul Hester played the drums on the last Split Enz LP "See Ya Round". You will see him here in this video clip.

[80sOldSkool]

A really nice "finale" track for Split Enz. Not a big hit, but deserved to be. Fantastic lyrics from two talented brothers.

[hebsmith]

Seriously one of the better Split Wnz videos (other than 'One Step Ahead'... the first time we got to see Neil stand out all alone in the front.

[SmokeDogg11]

I love the guitar sound on the Crowded House version, but I also love the bassline in this version...could do without the kiddie-song keys though.

[Annie1962]

I loved this song..

[beesbop]

Excellent

[kurgal2]

you came out of the world to me/my life parted like the red sea = best opening lyrical couplet ever?

[softstrum]

VIDEO NOT NEEDED. Love Finn brothers.

[xensboy]

Neil is so brilliant! I didn't know this song, but I really like it

[msredsox]

love this band hated to see them go.. but glad their touring now..

[toastedravioli]

I prefer the Enz version to the Crowdies version. Nigel's soaring bass does it for me!

[KhanadaRhodes]

split enz's i walk away > crowded house's i walk away

trufax

[itzjoeymac]

This appears to mark the band members' return to REALITY... lol... they slowly worked their way from COMPLETE FREAKS in the seventies to pretty normal AWESOME players in the 80's culminating in CROWDED HOUSE.

[ApolloBoy]

This song is amazingly addictive.

[area24isme]

These guys put American and British bands to shame and having a hell of a good time doing it.

[dudeat32]

I didn't know this was a competition!

[sullysnet]

damn!!! I wasn't aware of this but I love the CH version...I love the band.... period!!

[arm240582]

some neil finn fan i turned out to be, i didn't even know this existed. pisses on the crowded house version!!!!

[jaye230]

...God, Neil is just a pup..I think I can see the water behind his ears....:)...

[dvscorp]

t h e b e s t n e i l f i n n s o n g period. (Except maybe can't carry on...)

[nlguy16]

They remind me of Oingo Boingo! Great version of this song!

[micarolino]

I didn´t know it exist, thanks for posting I loved this specially for Hessie, sad we loose him