One Step Ahead

Music Video – 1980

from the album Waiata (1981)

After Neil Finn-penned single ‘I Got You’ took Split Enz to number one, another Neil Finn song was chosen to announce follow-up album Waiata (aka Corroboree). The video — which screened in the early days of music channel MTV — is surprisingly understated, while retaining touches of familiar Enz weirdness. After walking past coloured silhouettes of the rest of the band, Neil arrives on a set designed on a theme of black, etched with lines of colour. Tim mimes enthusiasm while sitting on the floor, keyboardist Eddie Rayner moonwalks, and the Enz step on out of there.

I was very pleased in the studio that that one turned out so well. It was a very simple song really. It's got no chorus though, that's why I quite like it — or it's got no obvious chorus.
– Songwriter Neil Finn, talking about One Step Ahead on 2007 RNZ National show Enzology