We are deep in Autumn, with Winter trying to show its ugly face now and then. This means the calendar is getting a great workout. Free Comic Book Day, Star Wars Day, Sir David Attenborough’s birthday, the FA Cup Final, the Champions League Final, Spider-Noir, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu are all in May, which, to someone like me, is pretty gnarly.
And speaking of May, there’s another reason it’s quite rad: it’s New Zealand Music Month. Now, I am fully aware there will be a tiny fraction of my reader base who will either a.) know what I’m talking about or b.) be able to quote some songs. For the sake of convenience, I’m going to explain what I’m talking about in a way that does not make me look like the Swedish Chef.
I believe it was established in 2000, when May was recognised in New Zealand as New Zealand Music Month. What that means is that during May, local and national musicians are heavily promoted via television, radio, social media, and just about anywhere else. It’s the time when the country and the New Zealand music industry can celebrate current artists, as well as honour past musicians.
In May, many radio stations will feature songs by New Zealand artists, and numerous gigs will take place. This month is an opportunity for our country to showcase local and national musical talent. New singles are being played, new tours are being announced, and fresh music videos are premiering—all aimed at promoting and celebrating the New Zealand music community.
Over the years, New Zealand Music Month has grown in popularity, but it also remembers the classic Kiwi songs that we’ve grown up listening to, whether on the radio, your parents’ record collection, school, or at pubs and nightclubs. So in the spirit of New Zealand Music Month, I’ve searched the land of YouTube for 20 of my favourite New Zealand songs.
As always on this account, there are rules and exceptions for those rules. Yes, I have found 20 New Zealand songs that I love, but that doesn’t mean they are my top 20. Oh no, because to make this list, I decided only one entry per band or artist. That means Split Enz, Shihad, The Dance Exponents, or The Feelers, only get one entry each. However, there is one expectation.
There is one artist, Sir Dave Dobbyn, who appears in a band, but later on as a solo artist with a song; however, the solo song is really a duet with another group. Apart from that, the list is sound as a pound.
If the list were to look like my all-time New Zealand song list, regardless of multiple entries of bands or artists, then it would look different. However, that list is for another day. Some of these songs stretch back to the early 1980’s to about 2010, but they still get me singing when I’m alone. So sit back and enjoy some of God’s Own Country’s best songs, according to one of its least favourite sons. The list has been put together in a random order, because that’s what happens here.
Also, if you’re at a party or a bar, somewhere out in the big old world, and you want to find a New Zealander, play one of these songs, and I promise you they won’t be able to resist singing, especially Bliss, New Zealand’s unofficial drinking song.
And lastly, this song gets played at a lot of weddings.
And that’s it. What do you think of my list? Do you know of any New Zealand songs? What songs would you recommend? As always, please let me know.
Thanks again for reading, following, and subscribing to Some Geek Told Me. Please don’t forget to walk your dog, read a banned book, remember to charge your batteries, and I’ll see you at the week, where the most unhelpful tour returns. Sounds like a plan, Stan.
SOME GEEK TOLD ME 