Conflicting Emotions

Conflicting Emotions is the penultimate album by New Zealand band Split Enz. The first single to be lifted from the album was "Strait Old Line", which peaked at #42 on the Australian charts in late 1983. Conflicting Emotions failed to crack the Australian Top 10, following three prior consecutive #1 albums. In New Zealand the album reached number 3. The band advertised for a new drummer before taking to the road for the Conflicting Emotions tour, hoping an injection of new blood would revitalize them. Paul Hester answered the call, joining Split Enz in time to feature in the video clip for "Message to My Girl". When released as the album's second single in February 1984, "Message to My Girl" returned Split Enz to the Australian top 20, reaching #12. In Australia it would prove to be the band's last major hit. The B-side to "Message to My Girl", "Kia Kaha", was recorded during these sessions. The same recording was subsequently included on the band's last album. The album cover art was created by former Split Enz frontman Phil Judd, while the back cover was painted by Noel Crombie.