Dirty Creature
Tim Finn/Nigel Griggs/Neil Finn
Dirty Creature come my way
From the bottom of a big black lake
Shuffles up to my window
Making sure I’m awake
S’probably gonna pick my brain
Got me in a vice-like grip
He said one slip, you’re dead.
Dirty Creature of habit
Little horror here to stay
Anyone in his right mind
Would tell it to go away, but
The river of dread runs deep
Full of unspeakable things
The creature don’t mess around
I don’t want to mess with him
I don’t wanna sail, I don’t wanna to sail
I don’t wanna
I don’t wanna sail tonight
Dirty Creature’s got me at a
Disadvantage from the inside
Tentacles on the brain
Keep me from falling asleep
I’m rooted to the spot
The beast don’t know when to stop
Sneaking up from behind
Binds and gags my wits
Dirty Creature got my head
Exactly where he wants it
I don’t wanna sail, I don’t wanna to sail
I don’t wanna
I don’t wanna sail tonight
Taniwha is waiting for me just below
the surface so bright
Even as we speak the Dirty Creature
springs a nasty surprise
Dirty Creature knows my type
Found it in a magazine
He’s seen the look of fear before
Splattered all over the screen
The animal magnet thug
Draws me out of myself
I need a dragon-slayer who can
Save me from myself
I don’t wanna sail, I don’t wanna sail,
I don’t wanna set sail for the middle of nowhere tonight
Dirty Creature’s got me at a disadvantage from the inside
I don’t want to sail upon the waters of invention tonight
Song appears on:
Split Enz - Time And Tide (album, 1982)
Live: Fangradio webcast, 27 April 2020
“Tim was going through a lot of personal turmoil at the time. That was the underpinning of the whole album, really. I suddenly found myself in an unfamiliar position of needing to be there for Tim and offer support at a time when he was quite fragile. Up until then it had been the older brother / younger brother relationship where he nurtured me, I suppose. It was a difficult time for Tim, but it was a good time for our relationship because we saw each other as independent beings.”
