I went to Waimea College with Sharon when she started singing back in 1967 with another girl called Nancy Richman. The pair of them sometimes used to sing duets in assembly. Last Friday, Sharon performed for a sellout out audience at The Boatshed in Nelson with her husband, former Dragon keyboard player Alan Mansfield, Dean Hetherington and Aly Cook of The Sou'westers, Ric Hetherington and Chrissy Small, with Simon Williams guesting on the sax for "Maxine" and "Smash Palace". It's a testament to her popularity and how rarely she performs live these days that there were groups of people who flew from Auckland and over the Tasman from Melbourne and Sydney to see Sharon perform.
I'm glad people appreciate her that much, she's so underrated, it's high time Australia gave her a legacy award for lifetime achievement like she got in NZ.
It's September 24 and it came up in my feed, I've always loved Sharon and the different singing styles, from 1980 and " words" all the way to " lost in the fire" Sharon knew how to catch your attention.
This video was filmed at the Last resort in wgtn , yep agree what an amazing time , we had midge marsden , Sharon oneill , Shona Lange , Flight X7 .....................
@warwickchapman2966 The Last Resort was an excellent venue. At an unusual time in the Welly music scene. Spent many a Friday or Saturday night there. An integral piece of Wellington, if not NZ's music history.
Let me out like the new blood at the slaughter I've been dying to get out here for a long time now And I can't for the life of me think of any place I'd rather be When I sing this song I feel inside of me Words just a breath away from my hand Breaking into tiny pieces And we will not take a shot at you for flying If one day I can get that break I'm running after I'll be moved just like a pawn before the queen It's who you know you know It's a touch, it's touch of class it might, it might not even last But baby let me ride it to the bitter end Words just a breath away from my hand Breaking into tiny pieces And we will not take a shot at you for flying Words just a breath away from my hand Breaking into tiny pieces And we will not take a shot at you We will not take a shot at you and I I see blue When I lie down and think of you I'm already there (And we sing) I'm already there (I'm already there) I'm already there I'm already there (I'm already there) I'm already there (I'm already there) I'm already there (I'm already there) We're be sing Words just a breath away from my hand Breaking into tiny pieces And we will not take a shot at you for flying We're be sing Words just a breath away from my hand Breaking into tiny pieces And we will not take a shot at you for flying We're be sing Words just a breath away from my hand Breaking into tiny pieces And we will not take a shot at you for flying Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Sharon Lea O'Neill
I have introduced my 9 year old to Sharon... I played it in the car, over and over and over... until I saw her using her hands against the dashboard to play kick and snare.. mission accomplished.. thank you Sharon, from your new ... and old fans :0)
I was at Lincoln in early '80's & loved Sharon's music from the first time I heard 'Maxine' on the wireless.. Saw her + band perform live at Chch Town Hall in 1984 & even now, always play her songs whenever I can.. Forty years down the track, this young generation needs to know music like this..!
Im a 60 year old Aussie and have listened to Sharons songs for all this time, I always wanted to meet her but I guess thats just a dream now,an epitamany of talent ,class and an era that sadly we ageing once young will never expierince again, but would not change anything."Well there is one thing I would change and that is realizing that youth does not last forever, there were people in my life that I cared about and now I dont know where they are and I miss them..
One of my favorite classic songs from the early 80s , finally get to see the vid behind the voice , born & raised in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe ) we never had video recorders back than . Lol :)
Wow, that’s really cool to know this song made it over to your country. I always wondered why she didn’t make it in America, imagine her on America’s got Talent today.
just watched the prime kiwi rock ladies on prime. ad to search up Sharon .true word smith. complete artist. loved growing up with her music. the point off the arrow for kiwi lady rockers.
ok, so every kiwi high school boy in 1980 was in love with Sharon O'Neill. I think that is pretty well documented by the previous comments. I was, too. But damn, this is a great song. She rocked.
Let's be honest, boys...and girls...Sharon was the top of everyone's adolescent fantasy list. And, damn, she was class with top songs. Bought a compilation which, sadly, was patchy - the mid-80s songs feature appalling period production & are unlistenable. I'd love her to revisit them, maybe stripped down, unplugged style, to do them justice. Thanks for this. And, thanks, Sharon!
+Martin Hugh Henley This is how I feel about T.Swift's new record. There may well be good *songs* on it. And a sewer rat might taste like pumpkin pie....
Someone has uploaded a few of Sharon's 80's LPs...I just gave them another listen. Damn, they are worse than I remember - simply SHOCKING production. For some reason I feel shades of Linda Ronstadt in Sharon - oh, for a sympathetic producer such as the legendary Elliott Mazer who did no wrong on the stuff he touched of Linda's and Neil Young.
Went to a Doctor hook concert at Wellington show grounds, Sharon and Mark Williams were the opening artist they got the crowd humming, Doctor Hook came on were boring as hell us and a lot of others walked after two numbers we got our monies worth from Sharon and Mark they were awesome.
The production of her 80s stuff was absolutely dreadful - she never had a chance. As I mentioned in my comment, Sharon needed a producer to treat her in a similar vein to Linda Rondstadt, not some Noo Wave chick.
oh and the drummer .....! legend... being a multi instrument player... I appreciate his triple beat and snare riffs !!.. now I use his rhythm techniques to teach my 6 year old son.. yay!
fantastic song, awesome performance. let's not forget the real star here, though.... dude in dark blue jeans, bright red (tucked in) shirt and moves like nothing else I've ever seen.a real 'stick in my head and tell my grandchildren' moment for him, I'm certain.bless you, mate. 40 years post event and we're still chuckling. comedy at it's best! cheers.
I had this song running around in my head today and took me a while to figure it out. It must have been many years since I last heard this song before now. That is how good of a voice and song it is! Definitely one of the most under rated singers of the 80's and in NZ/OZ of all time! She is on a level of Stevie Nicks! It's easy to say she would have done well if she went to America but I am sure with the right connections she could have easily done very well there and become more of an international star as she has sex appeal and a signature voice that only comes around once and a while. Kudos to her for creating some of the best music by a female vocalist in NZ/OZ ever!
What's there not to love? 70s/80s NZ crowds LOL, and a pretty woman singing with a smile on her face. This video has the most ABBA-esque look possible.
I think I should apologise to Ms O'Neill -I think I stalked you (before it was an offence) during the 80's through Sydney's music scene when you were performing at various venues. In my defence I thought your music was great, you were gorgeous and I simply loved watching you on stage. If it's worth anything, my wife will not let me go to any venue you're playing at or let me listen to your music in her presence because after all these years she still knows the effect you have on me. Love your music and love you.
check out 1.34 , i had been trolling the camera's , i was there with older relatives in Wellington, was nervous as had never done anything like that before . glad they got me in with the twirl.
I see (then) partner Brent Thomas (guit) and Clinton Brown (bass) Simon on acoustic and this is the version recorded at Broadcasting House, Wellington in 1979. Anyone recognise the drummer and keys player? No closeups on LoRes video! I was there and can't remember duh....
Watched an interview where she said she signed up with CBS and they stopped her producing any more music for some reason. Sad because it seems to happen to a lot of musicians. Many talented singers get ripped of legally.
#FunFacts "Words" is a song by the New Zealand singer and songwriter Sharon O'Neill. The song was released in New Zealand in September 1979 as the lead single from her second studio album, Sharon O'neill (1980) which peaked at 22. The song was released in Australia in April 1980 as her first single in that country which peaked at 56.
Eh? I didn’t know she sung that! 🥺. I don’t even know what that means, is that farming? Love Sharon O’Neil tho. Her songs are so well put together, the production and instruments sounds dated (always liked the drumming on this one tho)
I know what a music video is, but I'd really like to hear the actual sound of this performance. IDK why, but it just looks like I remember the stage at the Gluepot.
My mum met Sharon O' Neill before she became famous, she told me she was 5'2 and she once performed at Alibabas in Cuba Street now known as San Francisco Bath House.
@critchley3819 I totally understand where you are coming from, I too wanted to meet Sharon, never give up hope as you never know what the future holds.
I went to Waimea College with Sharon when she started singing back in 1967 with another girl called Nancy Richman. The pair of them sometimes used to sing duets in assembly. Last Friday, Sharon performed for a sellout out audience at The Boatshed in Nelson with her husband, former Dragon keyboard player Alan Mansfield, Dean Hetherington and Aly Cook of The Sou'westers, Ric Hetherington and Chrissy Small, with Simon Williams guesting on the sax for "Maxine" and "Smash Palace". It's a testament to her popularity and how rarely she performs live these days that there were groups of people who flew from Auckland and over the Tasman from Melbourne and Sydney to see Sharon perform.
I'm glad people appreciate her that much,
she's so underrated,
it's high time Australia gave her a legacy award for lifetime achievement like she got in NZ.
❤❤❤❤ that's really awesome! Her voice is really believable beautiful 😍 so cool to read about her performance in Nelson!!! Thank you for your comment
It's September 24 and it came up in my feed, I've always loved Sharon and the different singing styles, from 1980 and " words" all the way to " lost in the fire" Sharon knew how to catch your attention.
Fond memories of watching her singing live in the 80's. What an amazing time to be alive 😎
This video was filmed at the Last resort in wgtn , yep agree what an amazing time , we had midge marsden , Sharon oneill , Shona Lange , Flight X7 .....................
You rock sharon👍👍
@warwickchapman2966 The Last Resort was an excellent venue. At an unusual time in the Welly music scene. Spent many a Friday or Saturday night there. An integral piece of Wellington, if not NZ's music history.
Still listening to this in 2020 straight from little old NZ just love it
Yep. Me too. How good were her songs. Wow.
We would not a shot you for lying
Sharon has a fantastic voice. Love her songs especially her earlier stuff.
I really love this song and you Sharon I grew up with this song I was very young I played it over so many years ago 🎤🎻🥰👍👍👍
Let me out like the new blood at the slaughter
I've been dying to get out here for a long time now
And I can't for the life of me think of any place I'd rather be
When I sing this song I feel inside of me
Words just a breath away from my hand
Breaking into tiny pieces
And we will not take a shot at you for flying
If one day I can get that break I'm running after
I'll be moved just like a pawn before the queen
It's who you know you know
It's a touch, it's touch of class it might, it might not even last
But baby let me ride it to the bitter end
Words just a breath away from my hand
Breaking into tiny pieces
And we will not take a shot at you for flying
Words just a breath away from my hand
Breaking into tiny pieces
And we will not take a shot at you
We will not take a shot at you and I
I see blue
When I lie down and think of you
I'm already there (And we sing)
I'm already there (I'm already there)
I'm already there
I'm already there (I'm already there)
I'm already there (I'm already there)
I'm already there (I'm already there)
We're be sing
Words just a breath away from my hand
Breaking into tiny pieces
And we will not take a shot at you for flying
We're be sing
Words just a breath away from my hand
Breaking into tiny pieces
And we will not take a shot at you for flying
We're be sing
Words just a breath away from my hand
Breaking into tiny pieces
And we will not take a shot at you for flying
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Sharon Lea O'Neill
Awesome song Sharon love it its catchy😢
i have always thought sharon's sooooo talented she should have been an international superstar!!!!!!
and a good root
100%
She was the whole package, a great songwriter.
As one of her lines said "it's who you know, you know"
I have introduced my 9 year old to Sharon... I played it in the car, over and over and over... until I saw her using her hands against the dashboard to play kick and snare.. mission accomplished.. thank you Sharon, from your new ... and old fans :0)
Philcollinslololddmangaybo
Has to have the most fun on this show right here at this time in history of his family in 😅😮😅😮😢🎉😂❤
Glorious song, gorgeous singer, fantastic lyrics.
I still love this song. Wonderful Kiwi artist and adopted Aussie :-)
I was at Lincoln in early '80's & loved Sharon's music from the first time I heard 'Maxine' on the wireless.. Saw her + band perform live at Chch Town Hall in 1984 & even now, always play her songs whenever I can.. Forty years down the track, this young generation needs to know music like this..!
This is one of my favourite songs of all time and certainly my fav Sharon song!
Tremendous talent!!
Crist she is so beautiful
I have had a crush on Sharon for decades🎉🥰
Awesome voice to compliment her beauty
Wow this really takes me back.
Im a 60 year old Aussie and have listened to Sharons songs for all this time, I always wanted to meet her but I guess thats just a dream now,an epitamany of talent ,class and an era that sadly we ageing once young will never expierince again, but would not change anything."Well there is one thing I would change and that is realizing that youth does not last forever, there were people in my life that I cared about and now I dont know where they are and I miss them..
One of my favorite classic songs from the early 80s , finally get to see the vid behind the voice , born & raised in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe ) we never had video recorders back than . Lol :)
Wow, that’s really cool to know this song made it over to your country. I always wondered why she didn’t make it in America, imagine her on America’s got Talent today.
just watched the prime kiwi rock ladies on prime. ad to search up Sharon .true word smith. complete artist. loved growing up with her music. the point off the arrow for kiwi lady rockers.
An irishman living in NZ for 14 years Sharon was the godess of local; music.
Maxine
ok, so every kiwi high school boy in 1980 was in love with Sharon O'Neill. I think that is pretty well documented by the previous comments. I was, too. But damn, this is a great song. She rocked.
Hey Sharon I really love this song it's a beautiful song it's an old one it makes me happy and I dance and sing 😅
OMG what a fun trip down memory lane! Such a great track and vid.
Let's be honest, boys...and girls...Sharon was the top of everyone's adolescent fantasy list. And, damn, she was class with top songs. Bought a compilation which, sadly, was patchy - the mid-80s songs feature appalling period production & are unlistenable. I'd love her to revisit them, maybe stripped down, unplugged style, to do them justice.
Thanks for this. And, thanks, Sharon!
+Martin Hugh Henley This is how I feel about T.Swift's new record. There may well be good *songs* on it. And a sewer rat might taste like pumpkin pie....
Someone has uploaded a few of Sharon's 80's LPs...I just gave them another listen. Damn, they are worse than I remember - simply SHOCKING production. For some reason I feel shades of Linda Ronstadt in Sharon - oh, for a sympathetic producer such as the legendary Elliott Mazer who did no wrong on the stuff he touched of Linda's and Neil Young.
Me too!
Dirty ole geezer
guityyyyy
I had forgotten all about this song and all the others Sharon had performed. Gr8 to be able to hear once again.............thnx u
A touch of class 🥰
Went to a Doctor hook concert at Wellington show grounds, Sharon and Mark Williams were the opening artist they got the crowd humming, Doctor Hook came on were boring as hell us and a lot of others walked after two numbers we got our monies worth from Sharon and Mark they were awesome.
Aw memories. I always thought she so beautiful with her voice. I just think of myself young awkward at home, and my dear mummy, the best mum ever.
Numerous songs of hers are among the best of all time. Extraordinary. Certain songs transcend and mesmerize and the effects emotional.
She has got to be my favourite kiwi singer ever, still have her record "foreign affair"
I don't understand why she wasn't bigger tbh, she has so much talent and great looks and great music, this has always been a mystery to me
Battles with her record company
The production of her 80s stuff was absolutely dreadful - she never had a chance. As I mentioned in my comment, Sharon needed a producer to treat her in a similar vein to Linda Rondstadt, not some Noo Wave chick.
Gees she was good.. beautiful lady love her music ❤
I agree. She got lots of airplay at the time though, especially with Losing You and Maxine
Sharon o Neil is awesome she's a great singer love her music and her I love this song keep singing rock on Sharon your music makes me happy
oh and the drummer .....! legend... being a multi instrument player... I appreciate his triple beat and snare riffs !!.. now I use his rhythm techniques to teach my 6 year old son.. yay!
fantastic song, awesome performance. let's not forget the real star here, though.... dude in dark blue jeans, bright red (tucked in) shirt and moves like nothing else I've ever seen.a real 'stick in my head and tell my grandchildren' moment for him, I'm certain.bless you, mate. 40 years post event and we're still chuckling. comedy at it's best! cheers.
Sharon ' Is A Star '! She has A Brilliant Voice! Cheers patty NZ
I love this❤
Still listening to Shazza in 2019 ❤️🎶
And 2020!!
Yip
I love this song Fantastic artist ❤
I had this song running around in my head today and took me a while to figure it out. It must have been many years since I last heard this song before now. That is how good of a voice and song it is! Definitely one of the most under rated singers of the 80's and in NZ/OZ of all time! She is on a level of Stevie Nicks! It's easy to say she would have done well if she went to America but I am sure with the right connections she could have easily done very well there and become more of an international star as she has sex appeal and a signature voice that only comes around once and a while. Kudos to her for creating some of the best music by a female vocalist in NZ/OZ ever!
Wow just watching this now.. Sharon O’Neil kiwi Icon love her music ❤️
The boys ! Back Up! BAND"! Love it'! Sharon! A Very high Note'!There!
God i was in love with her!
listened to this on radio the other day. good song
What station was it?
Still love you Sharon' after all these years
What's there not to love? 70s/80s NZ crowds LOL, and a pretty woman singing with a smile on her face. This video has the most ABBA-esque look possible.
Waiting for You. got me liking Sharon O'Neill. Good memories.
I think I should apologise to Ms O'Neill -I think I stalked you (before it was an offence) during the 80's through Sydney's music scene when you were performing at various venues. In my defence I thought your music was great, you were gorgeous and I simply loved watching you on stage. If it's worth anything, my wife will not let me go to any venue you're playing at or let me listen to your music in her presence because after all these years she still knows the effect you have on me. Love your music and love you.
I totally concur
Thanks Mate, that makes two of us who are pretty much screwed when it comes to Sharon. Bizarro Planet + 2 - thanks Baz
Thanks for sharing bro _ think someone placed AVO between Sharon and I as was only in her presence 3 times man
I love this song it's a nice one I sing it and it's a good oldie you rock sharon 😂
check out 1.34 , i had been trolling the camera's , i was there with older relatives in Wellington, was nervous as had never done anything like that before . glad they got me in with the twirl.
Haha, don't know what song you were dancing to, but it wasn't that one.
That Band! Love it! Back Up for Shaza'
1979 is a very 80s year, and this song is a good example
good observation Antonio...agree
Superb nostalgic stuff, wonder why I never saw this when I too was in lust with Ms O'Neill.
Getting Your drift bro Sharon is way Kool !
Filmed at the Last resort in Wellington 1980 ? Was an awesome club !
Love the Shaza'!
*Great* song.
Remember meeting her at my Aunts place as her parents lived next door up in Nelson, I was only about 12 or so but came across really nice
I see (then) partner Brent Thomas (guit) and Clinton Brown (bass) Simon on acoustic and this is the version recorded at Broadcasting House, Wellington in 1979. Anyone recognise the drummer and keys player? No closeups on LoRes video! I was there and can't remember duh....
Wish I went to that school.
... would have changed history
What a fantastic pop song
Saw her in nelson in the late 80's with icehouse good show
Sharon is at the top of Kiwi artists. Love her work.
gorgeous
very pleaseful song,,,very nice song (brazil here) :)
56 playing all your songs 😊 thanks 😊 🙏 ☺ 😘 🙂 🙌 😊
Thanks 😊 🫂 🙏
Maxine I was only then going to 👋 school drivin movies
Great fkn song!
For mine, Sharon's best.
Number 1
Like....... Olivia Newton John....... Sharon...... always play your music...... even more....... since you have gone
I'm sorry to having to inform you that unlike Olivia Newton John WELL SHARON O'NEILL is still very much ALIVE 💯 percent
Music.... reminds me.....I have a xu1 parked up some where
This reminds me off hm☹️☹️☹️☹️, had too leave too stay in Australia 🇦🇺
To true..sounds like me too!!
I'm 16 and wish I wasn't a 90's baby but an 80's one!
thanx so much for posting...xx
I love this song
Though most people loved "Maxine" and "Asian Paradise" more I loved this song from Sharon O'Neill the most.
Watched an interview where she said she signed up with CBS and they stopped her producing any more music for some reason.
Sad because it seems to happen to a lot of musicians.
Many talented singers get ripped of legally.
Looks like the video was shot in a Dunedin student piss-pit pub. Love it!
#FunFacts "Words" is a song by the New Zealand singer and songwriter Sharon O'Neill. The song was released in New Zealand in September 1979 as the lead single from her second studio album, Sharon O'neill (1980) which peaked at 22. The song was released in Australia in April 1980 as her first single in that country which peaked at 56.
great times
"Let me out like the new blood at the slaughter". Kind of a dark opening line for a cutesy pop song
Eh? I didn’t know she sung that! 🥺. I don’t even know what that means, is that farming? Love Sharon O’Neil tho. Her songs are so well put together, the production and instruments sounds dated (always liked the drumming on this one tho)
I always thought it fitted with how agricultural NZ was then. Working at the Freezing Works isn't dark it's work.
i see the great clobbering machine is alive and well.
Gortta luv a good clobbering machine
Great song very Australian NZ
She looks so happy and content here
Great song still in 2022
turn it up!!!
Got to love kiwi chick's... they can sing........ and play rugby too
Excellent.
Great kiwi music
That's Brent Thomas on guitar. Haven't seen him since college. Wonder what he's doing now.
Was it Grant Thomas that married Sharon and they split believe Sharon was with Alan M of Dragon
The greatest export to Australia
trolling the arpa 100 best songs of nz ever, this one def belongs there, at 95 though?
Yes me too!!
great
I feel like I'm travelling back in time curses I never got to see her live
😍
I know what a music video is, but I'd really like to hear the actual sound of this performance. IDK why, but it just looks like I remember the stage at the Gluepot.
My mum met Sharon O' Neill before she became famous, she told me she was 5'2 and she once performed at Alibabas in Cuba Street now known as San Francisco Bath House.
@critchley3819 I totally understand where you are coming from, I too wanted to meet Sharon, never give up hope as you never know what the future holds.
Awesome.. Thanks in 2022.👍🇳🇿
ohhh Sharon
Just enjoy
Strewth! It would be fair to say Kim Hart was a big Shaz fan lol
Shazza who..
But the words resonate