The Greatest (Six60 song) explained

"The Greatest" is a song by New Zealand band Six60, released as the lead single from their third album Six60 in July 2019. The song was a commercial success, becoming triple Platinum certified in New Zealand. In 2023, a new Māori language version of the song, "Te Taumata", was used as the theme song for the 2023 Te Matatini kapa haka festival.

Background and composition

The song was written and produced by the band in collaboration with American music producer Malay, and was one of the first songs the group wrote together with Malay.^[1] The song was inspired by a 1964 photo of British band the Beatles meeting boxer Muhammad Ali. The band wanted to create a song expressing how they wanted to continue to strive to be better musicians and people.^[2] The song was not one of the first tracks recorded during the album's recording sessions, but after its creation became the song that expressed the energy of what they wanted to achieve for their 2019 album.^[3]

The single artwork is an homage to the photo of the Beatles and Ali.^[2]

Release and promotion

The song was released on 26 July 2019, as the leading single from their third studio album Six60.^{[4] [5]} The band released a trailer for their documentary at the time of the release of "The Greatest".^[6]

In 2023, "The Greatest" was re-recorded in Māori as "Te Taumata". The track was translated with the help of Max Matenga, and served as the theme song of the 2023 Te Matatini kapa haka festival. The song will be released as the 50th song released from He Tau Makuru, an album project celebrating the 50th anniversary of Te Matatini.^{[7] [8]}

Critical reception

The song was nominated for the Aotearoa Music Award for Single of the Year at the 2019 New Zealand Music Awards, losing to "Soaked" by Benee^[9]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.^{[10] [11]}

• Printz Board – songwriting
• Evan Bogart – songwriting
• Matt Chamberlain – drums
• Ji Fraser – guitar
• Malay – engineer, guitar, production, songwriting
• Marlon Gerbes – guitar, keyboards, songwriting
• Raul Lopez – assistant recording engineer
• Chris Mac – bass guitar
• Emerson Mancini – mastering engineer
• Manny Marroquin – mixer
• Eli Paewai – drums
• Six60 – performer
• Matiu Walters – songwriting, vocals

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2019)	Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12]	30
Chart (2020)	Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13]	24
Chart (2021)	Position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14]	50

Notes and References

1. Web site: Meet the secret super producer behind Lorde and Six60’s success. Chris . Schulz . 8 October 2022 . . 15 February 2023.
2. Web site: Kiwi music giants Six60 release first single from new album drawing inspiration from iconic photo . 26 July 2019 . . 12 February 2023.
3. Web site: SIX60 - The Greatest (Behind the song) . Six60 . . 25 March 2020 . 12 April 2023.
4. Web site: LISTEN: Six60 Drop New Single 'The Greatest'. 26 July 2019 . George FM . 15 February 2023.
5. Web site: The Greatest - Single. 26 July 2019 . . 15 February 2023.
6. Web site: Six60 Are Back With Feel-Good Song 'The Greatest'. 26 July 2019 . More FM . 15 February 2023.
7. News: Six60 tune transformed into kapa haka festival anthem . Te Aniwa . Hurihanganui . 12 January 2023 . . 12 February 2023.
8. News: TE MATATINI HERENGA WAKA HERENGA TANGATA 2023 THEME SONG INSPIRES GREATNESS . 22 February 2023 . Te Matatini . 2 March 2023.
9. News: Andelane . Lana . 14 November 2019 . As it happened: 2019 Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards . en . Newshub . 16 November 2020.
10. Web site: Credits / The Greatest / SIX60. Tidal. 14 February 2023.
11. Web site: Credits / SIX60 / SIX60. Tidal. 14 February 2023.
12. Web site: END OF YEAR CHARTS 2019. NZ Music Charts. RMNZ. 30 January 2022.
13. Web site: END OF YEAR CHARTS 2020. NZ Music Charts. RMNZ. 29 January 2022.
14. Web site: END OF YEAR CHARTS 2021. NZ Music Charts. RMNZ. 27 January 2022.