Counting the Beat

The opening images of this video — the swinging guitar, fingers flicking across the fretboard — make for a defining moment in Kiwi music video history. Ironically the clip was actually shot in Australia; by the time The Swingers recorded the song, the band had relocated from Aotearoa to Melbourne. They would soon be history. Australian director Ray Argall (Midnight Oil, Crowded House video 'World Where You Live') matches the composition with colourful images, quirky humour, and an infectious dance finale. In 2001 music organisation APRA voted the chart topper fourth on their list of the top Kiwi songs to date. 

The crowd at the end were on a 'surprise' drunken evening, and one of the stops for their bus was a surprise visit to a video shoot. They had about 15 minutes to dance their butts off, and then out they went ... t'was hilarious.

– Swingers lead singer Phil Judd, April 2009

Key Cast & Crew

Ray Argall

Director, Cinematographer