History Never Repeats

"History Never Repeats"
Single by Split Enz
from the album Waiata
B-side
  • "Holy Smoke"
ReleasedMarch 1981
RecordedAAV Studios, Melbourne, 1980
GenreNew wave
Length3:00
LabelMushroom Records
Songwriter(s)Neil Finn
Producer(s)David Tickle
Split Enz singles chronology
"One Step Ahead"
(1980)
"History Never Repeats"
(1981)
"I Don't Wanna Dance"
(1981)

"History Never Repeats" is a single written by Neil Finn and recorded by Split Enz. It was released in March 1981 as the second single from their seventh studio album, Waiata. The song remains one of their most popular.[1] It was also used as the title of two compilation albums by the band.

The guitar bridge in this song, played by Neil Finn, was originally featured in an old Phil Judd song, "Bergen Aan Zee". The band only played the latter song live.

The video was the 12th to be played by MTV upon its launch in 1981.[2] In 2001 the song was voted by members of APRA as the 57th-best New Zealand song of the 20th century.

  1. ^ "History Never Repeats / Holy Smoke by Split Enz (Single, Pop Rock): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
  2. ^ NZ On Screen. "History Never Repeats: Split Enz, Music Video – 1981". NZ On Screen. Retrieved 15 July 2018.