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.
Which Way Home?
Bernard Fanning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You'll come good in your sweet time
Leave all the worries that fuck you up
Sting much worse than a paper cut
Leave 'em all hangin' here by the door when you
Leave 'em behind you're gonna wipe the floor oh-woh
I don't know which way I should go
Chasing the shadows of a promise that'll never come
Oh no and I don't know which way home
Minnie you could talk all day
Even underwater that's what they say
Don't turn your life into a race
All your dreams lost in the chase
Leave all the worries that fuck you up
Sting much worse than a paper cut
Leave 'em all hangin' here by the door when you
Leave 'em behind you're gonna wipe the floor oh-woh
And I don't know which way home
I don't know which way I should go
Chasing the shadows of a promise that'll never come
Oh no and I don't know which way home
And I don't know which way home
I don't know which way I should go
Chasing the shadows of a promise that'll never come
Oh no and I don't know which way home
You're a friend of mine
You're a friend of mine
Baby you're a friend of mine
You're a friend of mine
The song "Which Way Home?" by Bernard Fanning conveys a message of encouragement to a friend named Minnie. The lyrics suggest that Minnie has been struggling with worries that are causing her pain and that she needs to take a step back in order to get ahead. Fanning advises Minnie to leave behind those worries that "fuck [her] up" and "sting much worse than a paper cut." By doing so, she can "wipe the floor" with negative thoughts and move on towards a brighter future.
The chorus of the song is centered around the idea of home, and how Fanning himself feels lost and uncertain of which path to take. He is "chasing the shadows of a promise that'll never come," and seems to be searching for a sense of direction. The repetition of the line "I don't know which way home," adds to the feeling of confusion and disorientation that the lyrics are trying to convey.
Overall, the song expresses a sense of empathy for those who are going through difficult times in their lives. It encourages them to take a step back, focus on the positives, and move forward without losing sight of their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Minnie you're a friend of mine
The singer acknowledges his friend Minnie and values their friendship
You'll come good in your sweet time
The singer believes in Minnie and is patient as they work through their struggles
Leave all the worries that fuck you up
The singer advises Minnie to let go of the things that bring them down and cause them pain
Sting much worse than a paper cut
The singer emphasizes how much these worries can hurt, even if they seem small
Leave 'em all hangin' here by the door when you
The singer is urging Minnie to physically leave these worries behind, as a way of visualizing letting go of them
Leave 'em behind you're gonna wipe the floor oh-woh
The singer believes that once Minnie lets go of their worries, they will be able to take control of their life and succeed
And I don't know which way home
The singer is lost and uncertain about where to go in life
Chasing the shadows of a promise that'll never come
The singer realizes that they have been chasing a goal that is unattainable, and it has left them feeling lost
Minnie you could talk all day
The singer acknowledges Minnie's ability to communicate and express themselves
Even underwater that's what they say
The singer uses an exaggerated metaphor to emphasize how well Minnie can communicate
Don't turn your life into a race
The singer advises Minnie to slow down and not rush through their life
All your dreams lost in the chase
The singer warns Minnie that if they continue to rush through life, they may miss out on the things that truly matter to them
You're a friend of mine
The singer repeats that Minnie is a valued friend
Baby you're a friend of mine
The singer repeats that Minnie is a valued friend, using a term of endearment
And I don't know which way home
The singer repeats their feeling of being lost and uncertain
Chasing the shadows of a promise that'll never come
The singer repeats that they have been chasing a goal that is unattainable, and it has left them feeling lost
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JOSEPH FANNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@psychochu100
Listened to Bernard Fanning with my mom in the car all the time when I was young. To this day, despite current events, I still love listening to his songs. 😊 🎶 🎸
@scottscroucher7406
For my beautiful brother Jonathan Evans this is his song for sure love you bro don't stay lost for to long we need you right xxxooo
Ryder bloom love and respect
@jakes5841
This is such a tune 🤙
@evermetrhys3739
I really wish there was a good audio version of "That song" on YouTube
@EPICichiban
Eugene brought me Here!