Fanning was taught the piano by his mother at an early age. At the age of 12, while attending St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace, Fanning began writing music, and upon graduating from St. Joseph's, moved on to the University of Queensland, where he studied journalism for a short time. He would go on to drop out to pursue a music career after meeting Ian Haug in an economics class. Fanning joined Haug, John Collins, and Steven Bishop, who had recently formed Powderfinger, and took the role of lead singer. Subsequently, Bishop left and guitarist Darren Middleton joined.
From 1994 to 2004 Powderfinger released five albums, a double CD live album, and a Best Of, after which they decided to take a break. Fanning's solo album Tea & Sympathy was released in October 2005 and debuted at #1 on the Australian ARIA Albums chart. Singles released from this album were Wish You Well, Songbird and Watch Over Me.
Fanning won three ARIA awards in 2006, Best Male Artist, Album of the Year for Tea and Sympathy, and Best Music Video for Wish You Well. In the same year Wish You Well was voted in at #1 on Australian youth radio station Triple J's 2005 Hottest 100 poll.
Fanning also contributed songs to the 2003 film Ned Kelly including Shelter For My Soul and a cover of the traditional song Moreton Bay.
Powderfinger released their 6th studio album, Dream Days At The Hotel Existence in June 2007 and toured with Silverchair that autumn.
After the disbanding of Powderfinger in 2010, Fanning moved to Spain with his family where he began writing and recording demos for his next solo album. In January 2013 Fanning announced on his website blog that he had been recording the follow up to 2005's "Tea and Sympathy" in Los Angeles. In March 2013 he announced via his blog that recording had been completed and he had returned back to Australia. On 22nd April 2013 the first single Battleships was released. Fanning's second album, Departures, was released on 7th June 2013. Since the album release, two more singles have been released: Departures (Blue Toowong Skies) and Tell Me How It Ends.
Not Finished Just Yet
Bernard Fanning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How'd I ever get so lucky
Can you feel it on the rise with it's urgent sweep
We're not finished just yet
Will you raise a smile when why'see me come
Or linger in the darknesses I spun
Why confidence and trust are so hard won
Gotta get this off my chest
Write yourself a message o' kindness
Sing yourself a song to reconcile
How you're gonna sail a steady ship right through the tempest
No we're not finished just yet
Will you raise a smile when why'see me come
Or linger in the darknesses you spun
Why confidence and trust are so hard won
We're not finished just yet
Gotta get this off my chest
Write yourself a message o' kindness
Sing yourself a song to reconcile
How you're gonna sail a steady ship right through the tempest
No we're not finished just yet
Gotta get this off my chest
No we're not finished just yet
Gotta get this off my chest
The song "Not Finished Just Yet" by Bernard Fanning is an introspective piece that explores the idea of self-doubt and the constant uphill battle of finding self-assurance. The opening lines "Why me, oh why not me, how'd I ever get so lucky" suggest that the singer is not entirely sure of their own worth, questioning how they got to where they are and perhaps feeling unworthy of their success. The following line "Can you feel it on the rise with its urgent sweep" is a shift in tone, a defiant statement that they are not done yet, that they refuse to let self-doubt hold them back. The chorus reinforces this sentiment, declaring "We're not finished just yet, Gotta get this off my chest".
The second verse touches on the fear of being judged by others, asking "Will you raise a smile when whysee me come, Or linger in the darknesses I spun". The lines "Write yourself a message o' kindness, Sing yourself a song to reconcile" indicate the need for self-care and self-love, a reminder that we often forget to be gentle with ourselves. The bridge "How you're gonna sail a steady ship right through the tempest" is a challenge to rise above the storm, to keep going even when things are tough.
Overall, the song is an uplifting reminder to keep going, to push through self-doubt, and to be kind to ourselves. It's a call to action, a declaration that we are not finished yet, and that we have the strength to overcome.
Line by Line Meaning
Why me, oh why not me
Why was I chosen for this, why not someone else
How'd I ever get so lucky
I can't believe how fortunate I am
Can you feel it on the rise with it's urgent sweep
Do you sense the building momentum and the urgency it brings
We're not finished just yet
We still have things to accomplish, there's more to come
Will you raise a smile when why'see me come
Will you greet me with happiness when I arrive
Or linger in the darknesses I spun
Or will you dwell on the mistakes I made in the past
Why confidence and trust are so hard won
It's difficult to build confidence and trust
Gotta get this off my chest
I need to express this, to say what needs to be said
Write yourself a message o' kindness
Write a message to yourself, full of compassion and understanding
Sing yourself a song to reconcile
Sing a song to bring healing and resolution
How you're gonna sail a steady ship right through the tempest
How will you navigate through the challenges and difficulties
No we're not finished just yet
There's still more to come, we're not done
Gotta get this off my chest
This needs to be said, it's important
No we're not finished just yet
There's still more to accomplish, we're not finished
Gotta get this off my chest
I need to express this, to communicate what's inside
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
t stew
Seen Bernard last night at bird in hand winery. He is amazing loved it
GetUpFalcon
Bernard Fanning is the last act I've seen who interacted with the crowd. A performer through and through - it was half comedy show. I went to half a dozen concerts around the same time (late 2017) and none of the other acts said a word to the crowd!
A joke that sticks in the mind: "We were in Newcastle recently, because you know, we're passionate about regional rugby league tournaments." - ROFL!
Mariam Tabatadze
ძალიან მაგარია❤ very cool❤❤😍😍
Sarah Sumner
Heard "Shelter For My Soul" at the end of the movie "Ned Kelly." Why am I just hearing this incredible voice?! Pure talent!
Darren Stanney
Great stuff :-)
Mishy Watts
I don't want it to end, until were both in Heaven
Garon
I can never get enough
Steve NZ
Brilliant
Elizabete Gonçalves
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Anthony Russo
can hear a little of last dance of Mary Jane in opening