Maxine (Sharon O'Neill song)

"Maxine" is a song by New Zealand singer and songwriter Sharon O'Neill. The song was released in May 1983 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Foreign Affairs (1983). The song peaked at number 16 in Australia and New Zealand. It remain's O'Neill's highest charting single in Australia.

"Maxine"
Single by Sharon O'Neill
from the album Foreign Affairs
Released	May 1983
Recorded	Sydney, New South Wales
Genre	Pop
Length	4:35
Label	CBS Records
Songwriter(s)	Sharon O'Neill
Producer(s)	John Boylan
Sharon O'Neill singles chronology
"Losing You" (1983) "Maxine" (1983) "Danger" (1983)

Background and release

Late in 1981, O'Neill moved from New Zealand to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to pursue her music career.^[1] It was here that she wrote "Maxine", a song that chronicled the life of a Kings Cross prostitute.^[2] In a 2016 interview, O'Neill said; "I was living in a hotel in Kings Cross when I got the inspiration to write "Maxine". She was always out there working at 3am when we'd get home bleary-eyed from a gig"^[1]

Two music videos were filmed: one in New Zealand^[3] for general audiences,^[4] and the other in Sydney with far more explicit themes.^[4]

Track listing

7" (BA 223082)

• Side A "Maxine" – 4:35
• Side B "All The Way Down" – 2:02

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Foreign Affairs.^[5]

• Sharon O'Neill – lead vocals, OB-Xa, Wurlitzer
• Mike Baird – drums
• John Boylan – production
• Bob Glaub – bass
• Carmen Grillo – backing vocals
• Bobbye Hall – congas
• David Lindley^{[note 1]} – backing vocals
• Arnold McCuller – backing vocals
• Tom Scott – saxophone
• Brent Thomas – electric guitar

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
Australian Kent Music Report[7]	16
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8]	16

Cover versions

• In 1996, Lizzie Brennan recorded a version on her album, Statues in the Park.^[9]
• In 2006, Rietta recorded a version on her album, Cut Me Loose.^[10]
• In 2016, Handsome Young Strangers recorded a version on their EP Battle of Broken Hill.^[11]

Notes

1. David Lasley is one of three credited backing vocalists on "Maxine." However, O'Neill stated in a 2001 interview that it was David Lindley who provided backing vocals.^[6]