"Poor Boy" is a song written by Tim Finn and recorded by Split Enz for their 1980 True Colours album. It was released as a single in the UK only.
Contents
The song
The lyrics concerned a young man who had fallen in love with a girl on another planet, who he had only discovered existed when tuning his radio, and his regret that they will never meet face to face. The song made use of an ethereal keyboard solo by Eddie Rayner.
Reception
Bernard Zuel said "Poor Boy" was "ostensibly a straight pop song but one that can't hide its oddness."
In popular culture
In 2009 a Melbourne Theatre Company production of the same name redeveloped the song's themes, with the other-worldly character presented as the ghost of a car accident.
Track listing
Released in the United Kingdom only.
"Poor Boy" 3:28
"Missing Person (Live)" 3:39
Personnel
Tim Finn - vocals
Neil Finn - vocals, guitar
Noel Crombie - percussion
Malcolm Green - drums
Nigel Griggs - bass
Eddie Rayner - vocals, keyboards
ENZSO version
"Poor Boy" is a song by Enzso, released as the first single from their album Enzso. With the B-sides "I See Red", which is available on the album, and "Albert of India".
Track listing
"Poor Boy" - Dave Dobbyn
"I See Red" - Tim Finn
"Albert of India" - Eddie Rayner