I know why I love this song but I was wondering what other people thought. What was it about this song?

It was simply an infectious pop song that always appeals to the masses.

it's the intro

well, I can't help grinning like mad when I hear it, it ropes you in cause it is GREAT

I think Dizrythmia hits the nail on the head. As Greatfox says it also has an instantly recognisable intro, just like Don't Dream It's Over.

Also it's extremely simple.

Words and music: Neil Finn 1980
Enz Album: True Colours.

I got you,
that's all I want.
I won't forget,
that's a whole lot.
I don't go out,
not now that you're in.
Sometimes we shout,
but that's no problem.

CHORUS
I don't know why sometimes I get frightened.
You can see my eyes,
You can tell that I'm not lyin'. {X2}

Look at you,
you're a pageant.
You're everything,
that I've imagined.
Something's wrong.
I feel uneasy.
Reassure me,
tell me you're not teasing.

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE

There's no doubt,
not when I'm with you.
When I'm without,
I stay in my room.
Where do you go,
I get no answer.
You're always out,
that gets on my nerves.

{REPEAT CHORUS UNTIL FIN}

That is what makes this such a great song Easy to follow and easy to understand lyrics and such a great tune to go with the words.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: N.F.Addict,

A totally, totally infectious chorus. I remember when it was released. I was 16. At school, everyone was singing "I don't know why sometimes I get frightened...." continuously. I even remember one teacher telling us if he heard that bloody song again, he give us all detention!!
And there was just something about that intro....!

I agree with all of the above, just very infectious that song is. Unfortunately it never really caught on here in America, except in alternative/new wave circles. So, it really wasn't "pop-music" here. I was just 10 years old when I saw the video on MTV (which fortunately for me actually played MUSIC VIDEOS when I was 10) and I was hooked! I immediately hunted 'True Colours' down at a little specialty record shop and have been a Devoted Enz fan ever since. No doubt, you will have countless years enjoying it as well Cailin!

It's definitely the infectious chorus that does it. Really great tune and lyrics. It's one of my favs.

(Btw - loving your avatar Camus!)

I think it was seeing the video on CountDown that made it a hit for me. Although i do remember mucking around with the lyrics on long car journeys with my sisters. " i got chew, & that's all i want". Chew being a reference to the fact that one of us had a travel sweet that the other didn't, which usually ended in a dispute (posession being 9 thenths of the law & all), which usually ended in my mothers hand, flayaling wildly from the front seat, into the back seat to silence the commotion.

"I don't know why sometimes i get frightened?"

Eddie's keyboard bit in the middle eight (that's the instrumental break in the middle of the song, that goes for 8 bars), is also pretty good.

Must dash, the waffles are ready.

That pulsing guitar intro, then the drum comes in, how can you sit still listening to that?

Then there's that bridge, excellent for pogoing about the living room.

All in all, a nice, tight, infectious little song. It hasn't really dated either, still sounds first class.

It's that classic Finn melody!

It also has all the elements of a successful, classic pop song...simple, immediate, catchy and memorable, musically and lyrically. Bonus points for translating well to live performance too.

It was kind of nothing like anything else around at the time...unique with that wonderful Neil melody.

Right time, right place, right sound?...
Who knows what really makes a hit. I mean it's not always the lyrics ("Agadoo-doo-doo, push pineapple, shake the tree..."), and it's not always the band members looks (Meatloaf, Ozzy Osbourne, Samantha Fox!...). It could be the sound, but would "I Got You" have been a hit if released today...maybe not. Quality of the musicians can't really explain the Sex Pistols.
I think it's a case of creating something the audience wants and that usually requires a bit of mind reading, otherwise, great songwriters would have a hit song everytime. Which is a pity because then Neil and Tim would be number 1 each month, we would have to have a general chart and a Finn chart because nothing but Finn songs would be in the top 100...

"I'm uncomfortable with you're reality and I'm going to substitute it with mine"

I'd say it was an expanding fanbase just waiting for it to the band's popularity to explode - Probably as a result of solid touring in 1979.

There was probably a dollop of goodwill in the media resulting out of their touring and hard work in 1979 - Radio stations probably wanted to give the band a break, and I Got You was a perfect catchy song suited to radio.

For a band to really break through, they really have to convince both a potential fanbase, and the media that they have the ability to break through, and that they're GOING to do it. Like it or not, it's human nature to attach oneself to success, whether you're a fan, or some one in the media. People hop on anything that they think is on the way up. And who amongst us if really being truthful doesn't want to introduce someone to a band just before they become huge?

Given that I wasn't around in 1979, I don't know it for certain - But it'd be my guess that by late 1979, there was a sense that the Enz deserved a break, both in terms of hard work and talent. "I Got You", being what it was, was the perfect tool for both radio programmers and fans alike to push it along.

I think it's just a radio friendly song with all the ingredients that tend to make pop hits! It's lovey, it's poppy, and it has very memorable hooks. It's easy to sing. These are things to which people attach!

Well said, iarla!

I think a word needs to put in for the producer. As self-satisfied as David Tickle was, he was savvy to what would grab the attention of the public around that period. Without him, the immortal 'I Got You' intro may not have existed as we know it...or perhaps the song may not have eventuated at all! A world without 'I Got You'? Inconceivable!

I always liked the anthem quality of the song, its not that melodical with the singing, its more power/ from the guts.
A great tune to belt out in the car, school ground or dance floor.
Totally with you on the pogo dancing Hexed and heavy thumping beat to rock that head to.
Then off for the spinout bits of Eddie and the guitars. Hmmmm would that be the bridge ?

Personally I think it was a case of Seven Worlds Colliding

It was a great tune.

It had lyrics that everyone could apply to themselves (which is personally what I think it takes to have a hit).

It had a great film clip.

The guys were firing at the time and looked great.

They had put in the hard work.

I think the publicity and management behind them at the time got it right (whatever they did).

They got the airplay/the media picked up on it.

A whole lot of things came together for the band with that song. Everything kind of clicked. And I still love it. It was the song that got me hooked on the band, but also got me interested in the music scene of the day.

It was right on

It was my introduction to The Enz