Debbie & Annie Our Melting Pot Of Moments!

It Was Music to Their Ears That Their Biggest Hit Will Feature in a New Documentary

- Amy Prebble

They may only be two of the five members of beloved Kiwi group When the Cat’s Away, but when Debbie Harwood and Annie Crummer get together to talk about the group’s massive hit Melting Pot, the atmosphere is electric.

The duo have been reunited thanks to the new Prime documentary Anthems: New Zealand’s Iconic Hits, which will feature the pop tune that made the women household names. The series will tell the stories behind some of New Zealand’s best-loved songs.

And as they reminisce, Debbie and Annie joke, howl with laughter, rattle off memories and fondly tell the Weekly just how great the other one is.

“When Annie and I catch up, the restaurant is turning the lights off and washing the tables under us,” says Debbie (58). “If humans didn’t need sleep, we would never leave.”

“It’s cos she’s so interesting!” declares Annie (53).

Both say When the Cat’s Away was started because they all just couldn’t get enough of each other. Debbie, Annie, Margaret Urlich and Dianne Swann did a photoshoot for the Listener after their success at the 1985 Music Awards.

“None of us wanted to go home,” remembers Debbie. “We were just having so much fun. We were hysterical. Seeing the proof sheet, it’s just nuts.” She organised for the four of them to meet up at her Devonport house and mustered the courage to ask them if they wanted to try singing together.