"New Person, Same Old Mistakes" is a song by Australian psychedelic music project Tame Impala. It was released on 17 July 2015 as the closing track for their third studio album Currents (2015).
Background and production In a 2025 interview with Zane Lowe, Kevin Parker stated that "New Person, Same Old Mistakes" was actually a last minute addition to Currents as well as the song "Elephant" from Lonerism.
Covers and legacy Barbadian singer Rihanna covered the song for her 2016 album Anti retitling her version "Same Ol’ Mistakes". Parker said about the cover, "We’re all really happy with how the song turned out, love it!". Parker gave the cover his blessing stating that he imagined “a female R&B voice” singing the song in the first place. Parker also added, “I guess it comes back to appreciating ideas being malleable and being able to imagine music in different worlds".
The song was sampled in "Rockstar" by Thai rapper and singer Lisa.
The song was first performed live in 2016 at Heineken Music Hall (Now known as AFAS Live) in Amsterdam for the Currents Tour. The song has since been included on the setlist of every Tame Impala tour.
Personnel Tame Impala Kevin Parker – songwriting, performance, production, recording, mixing, cover concept
Technical
Rob Grant – additional recording, mix advice Greg Calbi – mastering
Charts + Chart (2016) Peakposition
+ Chart (2026) Peakposition
Certifications
References