Neil Finn and Paul Hester decided to form a new band during the Split Enz farewell tour 'Enz with a Bang'. Nick Seymour approached Finn during the after party for the Melbourne show and asked if he could try out for this new band. The first incarnation of the band, The Mullanes, formed in Melbourne in 1985 and also included guitarist Craig Hooper, formerly of The Reels. They secured a record contract with Capitol Records and moved to Los Angeles, at which time Hooper left the band. At the label's behest, the band changed its name to "Crowded House," which alluded to the cramped quarters the three members shared at an apartment in North Sycamore Street in West Hollywood during the recording of the album. They also invited former Split Enz keyboard player Eddie Rayner to join, and he produced the track "Can't Carry On" for the debut self-titled album. He initially joined them on tour in 1988 on keyboards, but had to leave for family reasons before he could be made a full member.
Bursting onto the international scene in 1987 with Don't Dream It's Over from the album Crowded House, the band seemed destined for greatness. However, despite eking out one more hit from the album, Something So Strong, the follow up Temple of Low Men failed to repeat its commercial success, despite critical acclaim. Radio had a hard time categorizing them, but within the industry they quickly gained a stellar reputation as "musicians' musicians", and outside the industry as one of the best live acts, featuring mixed setlists and improvisations. A set of three shows at one venue would often feature less than half the the songs being played more than once.
It wasn't until 1991's Woodface that the band hit international success again, specifically with the jointly written Finn brothers track Weather With You.
In fact, the album that emerged wasn't the one originally proposed. Neil had been working on a side project with his brother Tim Finn, a solo artist in his own right and former Split Enz frontman (in fact, several members had a history in Split Enz - Tim formed the band and Neil was responsible for their biggest hit I Got You, while Paul Hester was the drummer during their final days). When the record company rejected the material he'd composed for the third Crowded House album Neil asked his brother if he could use some of their songs in their place. Tim agreed, allegedly joking he would only do so if he could join the band. Whether or not Neil took this literally, Tim did indeed become the fourth member of Crowded House during the Woodface phase.
Whilst Weather With You became an international hit, particularly in the UK (where it was followed by smaller chart successes for Four Seasons in One Day and It's Only Natural), in the US, at least, history didn't repeat - a situation some put down to the choice of Chocolate Cake - a scathing attack on the American lifestyle - as the first single.
During touring in the UK, Tim was asked to leave the band. Mark Hart joined the band for their next album. Together Alone was a similar international success and the band even managed to score a minor hit in the US with Locked Out after it featured on the soundtrack for the Winona Ryder flick Reality Bites.
Shortly after, Paul Hester decided to leave, although he did return to record three new tracks for a Best Of... compilation, Recurring Dream. By 1996, however, Neil decided to fold the band, choosing instead to focus on a solo career. The band's final concert, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, was an emotional and memorable event, and has been captured on the DVD / CD Farewell to the World.
A B-sides compilation, entitled Afterglow, was released in 1999.
Paul Hester died tragically in 2005 when he committed suicide in Melbourne, Australia.
January 2007 brought a surprise announcement that Crowded House would be re-forming. Frontman Neil Finn once again linked up with Nick Seymour and Mark Hart and, after picking up Beck's drummer Matt Sherrod to replace Paul Hester, produced a new album entitled Time on Earth.
Members of the band include frontman and guitarist Neil Finn, bassist Nick Seymour (brother of Hunters and Collectors frontman Mark Seymour), drummer Paul Hester (1986-1994), Tim Finn (1990-91), multi-instrumentalist and Supertramp recruit Mark Hart (1993-), session drummer Peter Jones (1994-1996) and new drummer Matt Sherrod (2007-).
The Frenz web site launched a new Crowded House portal in 2007 where old and new fans of the band can keep up to date with news of new releases and tour plans.
Better Be Home Soon
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Something's got a hold on you
And it's pushing me aside
See it stretch on forever
And I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
Stripping back the coats
Of lies and deception
Back to nothingness
Like a week in the desert
And I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
So don't say no
Don't say nothing's wrong
'Cause when you get back home
Maybe I'll be gone
It would 'cause me pain
If we were to end it
But I could start again
You can depend on it
And I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
The song "Better Be Home Soon" by Crowded House, which was released in 1988, is a poignant ballad about the agony of separation and the longing for love. The singer of the song pleads with his lover to come back home and to face the stark reality that they need each other. He acknowledges that something deep inside her is holding her captive and pushing him aside, but he also knows that he is right for the first time in his life, and therefore, he begs her to return home soon. The opening lines, "Somewhere deep inside, something's got a hold on you," suggest that the singer is aware of his lover's inner turmoil, and he wants to help her through it. However, he also realizes that he cannot do it if she is not physically present with him. He sees the road ahead as stretching on forever, but he knows that he cannot travel it alone.
The lyric, "Stripping back the coats / Of lies and deception / Back to nothingness / Like a week in the desert," speaks to the theme of the song, the revelation of the truth. The singer wants to peel away all the layers of deceit and get back to the essence of their relationship. He craves authenticity, and he knows that it is only possible if they are together. The repetition of the phrase, "For the first time in my life," emphasizes the point that the singer has finally found the answers he was looking for, and that is why he is adamant that his lover should return home soon. The song ends with him admitting that he may have to leave if she doesn't, but he also reassures her that he would start again and that she can always depend on him.
Line by Line Meaning
Somewhere deep inside
There's an unexplainable feeling inside of you that is affecting our relationship.
Something's got a hold on you
There's something holding you captive and making it hard for us to connect.
And it's pushing me aside
Whatever that thing is, it's causing distance between us.
See it stretch on forever
This problem feels like it will never end and it's wearing on me.
And I know I'm right
I have a strong feeling that I'm correct in my assumption.
For the first time in my life
I've never felt so sure of myself before.
That's why I tell you
I need you to listen to me and take action on what I'm saying.
You'd better be home soon
Our relationship is at stake and I need you to prioritize it by being home soon.
Stripping back the coats
Removing the layers of lies and deceit in our relationship.
Of lies and deception
There have been falsehoods and dishonesty in our relationship that are affecting us.
Back to nothingness
We're going back to the beginning and starting anew.
Like a week in the desert
The process will be tough and arduous like a week in the desert.
So don't say no
Don't dismiss what I'm saying as if it doesn't matter.
Don't say nothing's wrong
Acknowledge that there's an issue that needs to be addressed.
'Cause when you get back home
When you come home, we need to have an honest conversation.
Maybe I'll be gone
If our relationship doesn't improve, I may have to leave.
It would 'cause me pain
The thought of ending our relationship is difficult for me to bear.
If we were to end it
Breaking up is a possibility if we can't work through our issues.
But I could start again
Even if we do break up, I have hope that I could move on and start over.
You can depend on it
I'm confident in my ability to move on and start anew.
That's why I tell you
I'm trying to communicate the seriousness of our problems.
You'd better be home soon
I need you to come home so we can work on our relationship before it's too late.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Neil Mullane Finn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jakrismcfc
Lyrics
Somewhere deep inside
Something's got a hold on you
And it's pushing me aside
See it stretch on forever
I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
Stripping back the coats
Of lies and deception
Back to nothingness
Like a week in the desert
I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
So don't say no
Don't say nothing's wrong
Cause when you get back home
Maybe I'll be gone
It would…
@Brasil_tm
Lyric/letra
❤
Somewhere deep inside
Something's got a hold on you
And it's pushing me aside
See it stretch on forever
And I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
Stripping back the coats
Of lies and deception
Back to nothingness
Like a week in the desert
And I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
Don't say no
Don't say nothing's wrong
'Cause when you get back home
Maybe I'll be gone, oh
It would cause me pain
If we were to end it
But I could start again
You can depend on it
And I know I'm right
For the first time in my life
That's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
Oh, that's why I tell you
You'd better be home soon
@jeffreybarkin3177
NEIL and TIM FINN wrote SO MANY AMAZING Songs with superb Musicians that ROCKED our PLANET!
Their SOLO LPs and songs are INCREDIBLE Too...
SPLIT ENZ was a STRONG Start, huh?
Simply AMAZING #LIVE if they're hopefully #Touring again...
AWESOME #Concerts
@PabloQuadriCora
One of the best ballads ever written.
@blackcanary4180
I'm an 80s girl, they're my favorite band from that decade, and Neil Finn is one of the most talented singer/songwriter/musicians EVER
@carolashlee8002
I played this at my sons funeral
He died at 28 from complications of Leukaemia
He & I loved you guys
@karamp242
Carol Ashlee rip 💕💕
@cakemartyr5794
I'm very sorry
@brunovillart
Stay strong Carol! My Condollences and feelings to you and your family.
@alisonsalt5149
so sorry, I hope it gets easier x
@dash1141
The world loves youse too ❤️
@alassinsane1588
The older I get I find this song means a whole lot more 🙌.
@Boroman9
This song reminds me of when my family and I moved to Australia from El Salvador in 1988. Heard it nearly everyday on the radio the following year and will always be symbolic of my arrival to this beautiful country. Amazing song.