Split Enz - I Hope I Never

[rpscot55]

Tim makes it look so easy! Incredible piece from an under appreciated band of great musicians! They were as incredible live as they were on their recordings!

[jerramy]

Wow! Just listen to ANY band now perform naked without electronic enhanced vocals! What a great singer!

[shoot4thstars]

One of the greatest songs ever written. Awestruck. Its about time someone covered it, to show the world this beauty. Though i don't think they could capture the magnificence of the original.

[LERobinson1]

Perfect. Magical...I remember watching this and being blow away. Ever since then I have been a huge Split Enz/Crowded House/Neil Finn Fanboy!

[Foobishay]

IF I COULD ONLY LISTEN TO 1 TUNE UNTIL THE END OF TIME

THIS COULD BE

THAT TUNE ........

beautiful .........

[sonicfrogdotnet]

So, Neil does one of the best love songs ever... Message To My Girl... And Tim does one of the best break-up songs ever... Did these guys have symmetry or what?

[reminiscent83]

Whát a voice ... I can hardly believe it.

And the piano ...

What a masterpiece !!!!!!

Greetings from Holland.

Thank you very much for uploading this great live performance !!!

[sunsetat6]

I also saw them for the very first time on Fridays. I was 12 and was absolutely dumbstruck. Now, 30 years later nothing has changed.

[kembo1980]

I heard this song for the first time on 24/4/2011 and I love it it's so wonderfully done I can't stop playing it over and over again

[cgarbiano]

Beautifully done !

[carathebaker]

OMG! I so remember this performance!! I remember thinking that Tim Finn was the most sexiest, the fucking hottest hunk of manhood ever!!

[sunsetat6]

@carathebaker

lol........I was SOOOOOOOooooooooo hot for Neil!!!

[leonardaguitar]

a great song, tim finn should be better appreciated in the States. i love the Split Enz

ever since the first day of MTV when it was a fantastic channel, revolutionary. i was 14.

[iainr222]

Sublime ! I recommended this clip to a sister and she told me a horror story of attending a Leo Sayer concert in Melbourne ( Festival Hall ) in the late 70's and the unknown Split Enz was the support. The ignorant crowd never gave them a chance and booed unmercifully........couldnt see past the then crazy costumes makeup and hair. Bet they are embarassed now !

[jeeks100]

A classic ... And used brilliantly in the movie Puberty Blues

[rubinoos1]

The vocals are good, but I prefer the album version.

[RayERice]

One of the most beautiful, tragic songs ever written. Pure opera

[straightlookingenie]

Oh my god, this was flawless. Thank you for posting!!!

[kiwiglacier]

Coowallsky,what you say is true,but I have seen a doco where they also said that the US didnt know what to do with them.Because of there style,eg make-up,clothing etc.Sorry if I upset you with my comments,I may have been a bit harsh

[LiveCrueltyFreeNow]

OMFG... a LIVE video of this great Enz song ????? I'm in heaven.

[dallaskenn]

I remember seeing this performance live on 'Fridays' back in 1980 at age 18.

[richtensail]

that was impressive, great vocal delivery of a song with strong vocal line, piano was very good too, real musos!, drums didnt do it 4 me 4 some reason

[kiwiglacier]

beautifully sung by Tim with Eddie backing up.-the reason Split Enz did no good in the USA is because the yanks dont know a good thing when they see it or hear it for that matter.They are too into themselves to realise what good musicians really sound like.just my 2 cents

[Coowallsky]

@kiwiglacier Nice try but you're wrong. Both Finns, Rayner, and Mike Chunn said it was poor distribution decisions by their management that prevented them from making inroads in the USA. I'll trust their thoughts over your $.02 anytime.

[m4muse]

I recall breaking down with my boyfriend in a big sobbing way while listening to this song way back in the early 80's.I was all of maybe 16 years and in a relationship that was on it's way out but we just hadn't really discussed it. This song brought all those feelings up in me and I guess the boyfriend at the time kind of figured things out by my weepy ways while listening to this song. Glad we're not together now and this is an incredible moving song still.....

[sweetttina666]

Im surprised Andy Kaufman didnt start fighting with them

[jimlisi1]

This is an incredibly well composed and performed song. I know precisely what Tim Finn is croning about here, as do many of you 40 somethings. Not getting one's priorities right in a relationship can cost dearly.

In the end, the ambivalent feelings of love and hate are soon engulfed by indifference. It's just a matter of self preservation. Thanks Tim, for making heartbreak just a bit less painful. ABC, I hope I never have to see you again.

[PoisonTea4u]

Broken hearts make for great songs

[petrusaloisius]

Nice brilliant song which is one of the most romantic songs ever in my opinion.

[vbvbvb088]

1979/1980 this is awesome....this and don mclean crossroad and the seekers colours of my life....finished with barnsey no second prize.....TOPS!

[pollyoffasofa]

I know he was a sod coz I knew the boys very well for many years - but he's a musical genius, although I found Neil much more pleasant to know I much prefer Tim's work.And I'm with Mysterx on the subject of Eddie.A sweetheart AND the best keyboardist I've ever seen.

[RaeInMn]

this song got me through a nasty divorce years ago...beautiful tune, beautiful voice...

[Cem0305]

Greta Scacchi broke his heart and this is what came of it....shocking relationship they had, by all accounts and he was shattered and furious.

[joh2]

This song predated Tim's relationship with Greta Scacchi by several years - they were an item in the mid-80s, around the time Split Enz were splitting up...

[twcox]

Tim rang to speak to Phil Judd and was told Phil did not want to speak to him. He was distraught and wrote this song...

[pollyoffasofa]

Notice how Tim never slides up to his notes,hits 'em bang on the head every time.Perfect.You could solo him on the cans and he'd still be spot on,the backing isn't covering up a thing.Shame he was such a sod..

[mccormack9]

How do you know Tim is a sod? Even if he is, it does not change a thing regarding his artistry.

[DoctorIvanSFN]

It always amazes me that this band was never huge in The States. The Enz were the whole package. Incredible musicianship, vocals and top writing to boot.

Thanks for uploading!!

[chicagoam1]

I grew up in Chicago, and I was about 14 or so when I first heard Split Enz . The only station in town that played their music was WXRT . I loved their music from the start. I grew up on the South Side, so finding Enz, U2, Peter Gabriel, the Police, Missing Persons, and David Bowie was like a godsend to me. I didn't know why no one else was up on this music. I just new it was great. Now, as am adult, I am so glad I found them all. Especially Split Enz. Thanks WXRT! Chicago's Finest Rock.

[interplanetkitty]

Love them!!! Love this songgggggggggg~

[recordhead59]

It took a lot of guts to perform this on national TV. Tim is hitting some real stretch notes. Beautiful!

[Grentyr]

Great song, great band,G.

[ftsjr]

I remember watching this on "Fridays." A beautiful song, beautifully performed. Awesome piano playing.

[Ravenprpl]

Ive always loved this song

[MeIancholyMan]

Fridays' musical/sound set-up was 1000x superior to the crappy set up NBC/SNL provided to performers.. And yeah, Fridays' was a lot better in their 1st season than the NRFPT Players that replaced the first SNL cast. Still remember Michael Richards playing with his army men in the back yard.. awesome!

[sadeyez72]

Tim sounded beautiful live. Very impressive.

[kingofsmiles]

priceless! and don't we all feel this at one time or another-- come on, admit it!

[stampscapes]

Never thought I'd see this performance again. Been so long I had forgotten about it and only remembered "I Got You" from this episode. Loved "Fridays". Thanks for posting. Don't know how it was recorded but this sure is a good transfer.

[dogs1905]

The guy introducing split enz, tell me he's a parody?

[MuzzikLvr]

Fridays was an SNL type show but a day early. The guy introducing is a comedian...his first name's Jack but I can't remember his last name...and satin jackets and aviator glasses were all the rage back then ;)

[nemafann]

I think the guys last name is Burns. He was part of a comedy duo of Burns and Schrieber (sp?) back in the 60's that I remember.

[JGuini]

I remember seeing this on "Fridays". Thought I'd never see it again!!!

[nitramlio]

Absolutely stunning vocal performance by Tim, best I've ever heard him sing and I think he was WELL pleased with it!!!

Thanks so much for sharing.

[mccormack9]

The lady in the audience at 4:24 is a "10". Beautiful smile, slightly naughty....

[ram29jackson]

amazing going from goofy new wave to a new romantic bend over their time- a fun bunch of guys - but serious musicians all the while

[soulcornflake]

Wow! My favorite version of this song!

[letyoursoulglo]

Thanks for posting - hadn't seen this one.  Marry me, Tim

[lozzy31]

Thanks for posting this video. What a fantastic live performance.

[Geedles]

Tim Finn is a spunk!

[fnlost]

1 of the most beautiful tunes ever written

[nattnz]

Wow so young - What a excellent performance in Auckland 29/03/08!!!!! Love this song!

[momtothemom]

The piano...wooot!

[littlejeffmo]

I LOVE THIS GROUP! I have the original abum. It's called "True Colours". It's a really GOOD album. It has laser etchings on the black vinyl(cool). I saw this clip when it was originally aired on "Fridays".(Michael Richards starting TV show) Anyway, Split Enz was cool back in the 70's & 80's & they're STILL cool. Check out their videos for "Lovey Dovey", "My Mistake" "Poor Boy" & "Sweet Dreams"

[littlejeffmo]

I love this group. I have the ORIGINAL ALBUM with "I hope I never" & "I got you" on it. It's called

[zilam98]

eddie, eddie, EDDIE!!!!! whatta musician!

tim is also marvelous in this one. solid vocals! this song has some really difficult vocal melodies and tim hits them effortlessly.

[LanaLovesLollies]

Yeah! my like, 3rd cousin is the keyboard guy! woohoo represent =] LOL

[rustleleafs]

Brilliant song, great band, great modest country NZ

[velouria11]

What insight! Totally agree with you - Kiwis are like that :)

[kafinti]

these guys are my favourite band :P haha this songs in puberty blues

[74chef]

This is what happens when you practice, practice, practice! God love this Band!

[johnyrebel460]

Nice !!!!

[ChuckDunnJr]

I've really regretted losing several of the videos, this being one of them. Just as an FYI...the album this came from, which I have, was one of the very first records that had lazer etching on it...it's really a cool and beautifully done piece of art. Thank you for the walk down memory lane.

[ChuckDunnJr]

I recorded it the night it was originally broadcasted on the TV show Fridays ( a great show, by the way.. Keith Richards stared on it ). I recorded it on one of the very first video records ( the format was pre-beta actually ). I had years and years of videos like this, and the tape that this was on broke before technology was available allowing you to copy from one format to another. ( Con't )

[MuzzikLvr]

Keith Richards? You mean Michael Richards.

[ChuckDunnJr]

I just registerd on YouTube for the sole purpose of being able to comment on this video. THANK YOU ??? joehop52 for posting it. I've been looking for this video for over 25 years. ( Con't )..

[Hegstuffing]

I had to say something to you..I too have wanted this clip for my very own since I saw it..But, I may have seen/heard the tune on a different American TV show first..but the impact this song had on me was tremendous...Funny thing,I never bought the record..and never heard the song again until about 10 yrs ago. I saw the band in 1981 at a club in Santa Cruz..they were fabulous.

[ChuckDunnJr]

You actually saw them??? I bet that was amazing ! ! And I understand exactly what you mean about the impact the song had on you ( and me ). When people talk about songs being the soundtracks of you life, this is definetely one of mine. :- ) Chuck

[Hegstuffing]

If I'm not mistaken..and I'll have to check to see if my memory is flawed here...but, Neil may have just joined the band.

[psychobollox]

@Hegstuffing

the year before, i think. i remember hearing 'i got you' back in 1979 or so... could have been 1980. he'd not been in the band long, though---

[Hegstuffing]

I could be wrong about the year I saw them. It may have been 1980. They did ' I Hope I Never' and 'I got you'... They were tight. Tim Finn was a class act.

[psychobollox]

@Hegstuffing

let's leave the year slightly vague - the important stuff is bloody accurate... that single i heard just bowled me right over!

slightly jealous - you got to SEE them!!!

[markmusicman]

How touching you must be proud. Sounds like you really have made some accomplishments.

[brisvegasfinnfan]

ooooooooooo oooooohhhh Magnifico !!

Like the smirk when Tim's hearing his echo back.

Thanks for the upload. Noice !!

[Mysterx]

Eddie Rayner is a god amongst other gods in this track