Music

Waiata 100: New Zealand's most beloved homegrown songs

But damn, not the dam, why no John Hanlon?

From 1973 to 1976, John Hanlon became a household name, with more hits and awards than any other NZ singer-songwriter, winning Songwriter Of The Year three times in a row at the RATA music awards, and APRA Silver Scroll awards for ‘Lovely Lady’ and the terrific progressive-folk of ‘Wind Songs’. During those years, Hanlon’s albums were chart perennials, and in 1975 with ‘Lovely Lady’ he finally cranked up his first and only No.1 smash hit | AudioCulture

Yes, it's a public vote but public votes can be wrong (look at the USA). I've no issue with the songs and artists included but this list omits one of New Zealand's best songwriters. But he didn't chase fame, even avoided it, so slipped through the 'popular' net'vote again*:

John Hanlon isn't there!?

My favourite of his, seen as a ten-year-old when 'Off The Edge' screened: Higher Trails:

And the iconic 'Damn the Dam'. Originally written for an advertising campaign it became the protest anthem for the campaign which saved Lake Manapouri from being flooded:

Waiata 100

The RNZ article has New Zealand's most beloved, minus one artist, has YouTube links and a Spotify list if you do that (I hate Spotify so won't link it).