New Zealand has produced so many outstanding songwriters, bands, and musicians. While we'd never be able to mention everybody's famous songs fairly, here are some of the most famous.
If you have any other suggestions, leave them in the comments!
Anika Moa – Youthful
"Youthful" was Anika Moa's debut single, and it remains one of her most famous songs. It was released in 2001 as part of her debut album, Thinking Room. Listeners in New Zealand were immediate fans of Moa's warm, introspective songwriting and clear, emotive voice, with the track reaching the top 5 on the New Zealand Singles Chart.
The song is a gentle acoustic ballad with folk-pop sensibilities. Its stripped-back production allows Moa's voice and the earnest and vulnerable lyrics to take centre stage. Emotionally honest and understated, it helped set Moa apart from a lot of the pop artists of the time. Since its release, Anika Moa has become a household name in New Zealand. It all began with "Youthful".
Bic Runga – Sway
"Sway" is one of Bic Runga's most famous songs. The New Zealand singer-songwriter included it on her 1997 debut album, "Drive".
This song blends pop, folk, and alternative music and has become one of the artist's most recognisable songs.
The track features simple yet effective instrumentation, an acoustic guitar over soft percussion and a subtle bassline. Combine this with Runga's warm, tender voice, and you have a catchy yet understated song.
Brooke Fraser – Something in the Water
"Something in the Water" by Brooke Fraser is one of the artist's most famous songs. It was included in her third studio album, "Flags", and rose up the charts in New Zealand and Australia.
This infectious and joyful song was a departure from some of her earlier, mellower music. Still, it was a welcome change of lively folk-pop music with its upbeat tempo, catchy melody, and organic folk-pop influences.
Commercially, the song was a success in New Zealand and Australia. Its success in several European countries also helped introduce Fraser to new fans worldwide.
Crowded House – Don't Dream It's Over
Crowded House's "Don't Dream It's Over" is arguably the band's biggest hit in New Zealand and worldwide.
Though Crowded House was founded in Melbourne, Australia, its frontman, Neil Finn, is from New Zealand. Over the years, the band has featured other members of the Finn family.
"Don't Dream It's Over" was released in 1986. While not initially successful, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 by 1987.
The song also charted in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Ireland. For many, it's one of the greatest songs of the 1980s and is easily the band's most famous song.
Dave Dobbyn – Slice of Heaven
"Slice of Heaven" is Dave Dobbyn's most famous song. It was released in 1986 and became a huge hit in New Zealand, achieving anthemic status.
It was part of the soundtrack for Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale, New Zealand's first animated feature film. The film was based on the Footrot Flats comic strip, an iconic part of New Zealand culture.
“Slice of Heaven” isn’t just a hit, it’s part of New Zealand’s cultural fabric. Initially written for the Footrot Flats movie soundtrack, it blends Māori and Pākehā influences and is regularly played at sporting events, celebrations, and even in schools.
The song combines a reggae groove with memorable melodies and pop, rock, and reggae elements.
The song is now regularly played at sporting events. It is often called a "Kiwi anthem" as it combines Pakeha and Maori influences and is used for something quintessentially Kiwi.
Drax Project – Woke Up Late
Drax Project's track "Woke Up Late" is easily one of their most recognisable songs. This Wellington band combines pop, R&B, and jazz influences into radio-friendly hits. It was initially released in 2017 and gained significant traction in New Zealand and Australia. A remix in 2019 with the American pop star Hailee Steinfeld helped bring it international success.
The song has a laid-back groove with some smooth saxophone flourishes. After all, Drax Project was originally a busking jazz quartet. Combine this with the song's catchy and emotionally resonant lyrics, and you have a fine example of one of New Zealand's most exciting contemporary acts.
Fat Freddy's Drop – Wandering Eye
This song is one of Fat Freddy's Drop's most famous and features their typical combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, and electronic music.
It was one of the standout tracks on their 2005 album "Based on a True Story". It helped increase the band's popularity, won several awards, and is often a highlight of their live shows.
The song has enduring appeal and still gets a lot of radio play in New Zealand.
Flight of the Conchords – Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
Internationally, Flight of the Conchords are one of New Zealand's biggest musical acts. While many of their songs are popular with fans of the comedy duo of Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, this one is probably one of the finest examples of their comedy lyrics.
The song parodies rap battles, with the band members taking on their rap alter egos, Bret as the Hiphopopatamus and Jemaine as the Rhymenoceros. The song plays with rap battle tropes by intentionally including awkward and self-deprecating rhymes.
Musically, the song features a looped hip-hop beat, a call-and-response structure, and a very simple production level reminiscent of the band's live performances.
Gin Wigmore – Oh My
"Oh My" is one of Gin Wigmore's most famous songs. It includes her distinctive, soulful, and gritty voice.
The song was featured as the lead single from her 2009 debut album "Holy Smoke" and helped launch the singer-songwriter's career.
Though Wigmore gained international attention after winning the International Songwriting Competition in 2004, it would be another five years before she released her debut album.
In addition to Wigmore's vocals, the song features blues-rock influences with guitar riffs, pounding drums, and a catchy chorus.
The song reached the top 20 on the New Zealand Singles Chart and received extensive airtime on radio stations.
Kimbra – Cameo Lover
Kimbra's song “Cameo Lover” was the second single from her debut album “Vows”. After gaining some attention for her debut single “Settle Down”, “Came Lover” quickly became one of Kimbra's signature tracks.
The song features an upbeat, catchy melody, lush and layered production, and Kimbra's dynamic vocals.
Both critics and fans enjoyed the song, which won the Vanda & Young Global Songwriting Competition in 2011, the same year Kimbra was featured on Gotye's “Somebody That I Used to Know”.
Quite the year for the artist.
Ladyhawke – My Delirium
This track was released in 2008 by Ladyhawke as the third single from her debut album. It was a chart success in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. The catchy synth, soaring choruses, and 80s-style production were well-received by both listeners and critics. The song earned Ladyhawke a loyal international following and remains a fan favourite at her live shows.
Lorde – Royals
Lorde is arguably the most well-known solo artist from New Zealand worldwide, and her breakout single "Royals" is probably one of the most played tracks by any New Zealand artist.
The song was written by Lorde at 15 and became a global phenomenon when she was just 16. It was released as part of her "The Love Club EP" before appearing on her debut album, "Pure Heroine."
The song's minimalist production uses bass, finger snaps, and layered vocal harmonies, allowing Lorde's distinct vocal style to take the lead.
The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Lorde the youngest artist since 1987 to achieve this. It was #1 for nine consecutive weeks.
Lorde was inspired to write “Royals” after seeing a photo of a baseball player in a jersey that said “Royals”. The minimalist, anti-consumerist lyrics were written when she was just 15 years old.
The song also won two Grammy Awards in 2014, making Lorde one of New Zealand's most successful singers. It regularly appears on “best of” lists for the 2010s.
Shihad – Home Again
"Home Again" is a catchy heavy rock song by the band Shihad. It features powerful guitar riffs, a melodic chorus, and energetic drumming.
It was released in 1999 on the band's "The General Electric" album. By this point, the band had been in existence for over a decade and was already one of New Zealand's biggest bands.
"Home Again" was commercially successful in New Zealand and Australia, receiving extensive radio play and becoming one of the band's most recognised songs.
The album reached platinum in New Zealand.
OMC – How Bizarre
The song "How Bizarre" by OMC (Otara Millionaires Club) is one of the most internationally famous songs to come out of New Zealand. This song, released in 1995, is a quirky, genre-blending track. It went on to chart in Australia, Canada, and parts of Europe. The song wasn't eligible for the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States due to the release format rules at the time. However, it still enjoyed plenty of radio play and became a pop culture staple.
OMC’s “How Bizarre” became a #1 hit in five countries including Australia and Canada, yet it never appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. Why? It wasn’t released as a commercial single there, making it ineligible under chart rules at the time.
The song blends pop, hip-hop, Polynesian rhythms, and Latin-style guitar. The frontman Pauly Fuemana delivers the hook "How bizarre, how bizarre" in a laid-back way. OMC wasn't able to replicate the same level of success again, but "How Bizarre" remains a classic that most people who were around for it will remember.
Six60 – Don't Forget Your Roots
The song “Don't Forget Your Roots” by Six60 was released in 2011 on the band's debut album “Six60”. The song features a reggae-inspired groove, soulful vocals, and a catchy chorus.
It became one of the most successful songs in New Zealand that year, reaching number two on the New Zealand Singles Chart and remaining there for a while.
Critics praised the band's seamless blending of various genres and the song's catchy melody, cementing its position as one of the band's best songs.
Split Enz – I Got You
Split Enz was the band that Neil Finn of Crowded House was in first. Neil Finn and his brother Tim Finn wrote this song, and it featured on the band's album "True Colours".
By the time this album came out, the band had been going for years, and after various lineup changes, Neil Finn was emerging as the primary creative force behind the band.
The song "I Got You" was the lead single from the band's fifth studio album. It has a catchy, upbeat melody with heaps of New Wave influences.
The song was a commercial success for Split Enz, reaching number one on the charts in New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. In the UK, it peaked at number 12 and reached number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.
Stan Walker – Black Box
"Black Box" was the debut single by the New Zealand-Australian singer Stan Walker. Walker rose to fame after winning the seventh season of Australian Idol in 2009, and the single was released shortly after in November 2009.
The song was also included on his debut studio album “Introducing Stan Walker”, which came out just a week after the single.
The song "Black Box" was commercially successful in Australia and New Zealand, debuting at number 2 in the former and 1 in the latter.
The Beths – Future Me Hates Me
This 2018 song was the breakout hit from The Beths, a power-pop and indie rock band. It was also the title of their debut album. It features energetic guitar riffs, driving drums, and the unmistakable vocals of the lead singer, Elizabeth Stokes.
The Beths quickly gained popularity in the US and UK indie circuits, playing major festivals and earning a reputation for their live performances. This track remains one of their most enduring songs.
The Feelers – Venus
The song “Venus” by The Feelers was released on their 2001 studio album “Communicate”. It became one of the band's most successful songs.
It helped establish The Feelers as one of New Zealand's premier rock acts. It features a catchy melody, strong guitar riffs, and emotive vocals from the band's lead singer James Reid.
The Naked and Famous – Young Blood
Last but not least, we have “Young Blood” by The Naked and Famous, an indie electronic band from New Zealand.
The band was formed in 2007, and "Young Blood" was the lead single from their 2010 debut album "Passive Me, Aggressive You".
The song debuted at number 1 in New Zealand and charted in Australia and the United States.
| Artist | Song | Year | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Split Enz | I Got You | 1980 | New Wave / Rock |
| Crowded House | Don't Dream It's Over | 1986 | Pop-Rock |
| Dave Dobbyn | Slice of Heaven | 1986 | Pop / Rock / Reggae |
| OMC | How Bizarre | 1995 | Pop / Hip-Hop / Polynesian |
| Bic Runga | Sway | 1997 | Pop / Folk / Alternative |
| Shihad | Home Again | 1999 | Rock |
| Anika Moa | Youthful | 2001 | Folk-Pop |
| The Feelers | Venus | 2001 | Rock |
| Fat Freddy's Drop | Wandering Eye | 2005 | Dub / Reggae / Soul / Jazz / Electronic |
| Flight of the Conchords | Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros | 2008 | Comedy / Hip-Hop |
| Ladyhawke | My Delirium | 2008 | Electropop / New Wave |
| Stan Walker | Black Box | 2009 | Pop / R&B |
| Gin Wigmore | Oh My | 2009 | Blues-Rock / Soul |
| Brooke Fraser | Something in the Water | 2010 | Folk-Pop |
| The Naked and Famous | Young Blood | 2010 | Indie Electronic / Synthpop |
| Kimbra | Cameo Lover | 2011 | Pop |
| Six60 | Don't Forget Your Roots | 2011 | Reggae / Soul / Pop |
| Lorde | Royals | 2013 | Pop / Minimalist |
| Drax Project | Woke Up Late | 2017 | Pop / R&B / Jazz |
| The Beths | Future Me Hates Me | 2018 | Indie Rock / Power Pop |
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