Tukituki Te Manawa

People say that we’re helping normalise te reo and that’s cool. We’re very grateful to be part of whatever small impact we may have on the normalisation to a beautiful language.

– Vocalist Shaan Singh on his band taking part in the 2021 Waiata/Anthems series and album, TV Guide, 22 April 2021

Translating 'Take My Breath Away' to te reo changed the meaning of various lyrics slightly – and it’s a beautiful thing. Most notably the lyric in the song which is originally “All I need is somebody to take my breath away”, now probably translates more closely to “All I need is somebody that gives me the feels” or “makes my heart skip a beat”... something like that. I've always loved the song, but now it just feels that extra bit special.

– Vocalist Shaan Singh on the process of translating a Drax Project song into te reo Maori, Stuff 2 May 2021

Hoi anō me tangata e pātuki ai te manawa...

– The chorus of 'Tukituki Te Manawa'

That flute sounds perfect!...it's so cool that that's the love flute and it's a love song.

– Shaan Singh on adding a traditional bone kōauau (flute) into the te reo Māori version of Take My Breath Away, Waiata Anthems episode three