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.
Distant Sun
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't pretend to know what you want
When you come around and spin my top
Time and again, time and again
No fire where I lit my spark
I am not afraid of the dark
Where your words devour my heart
When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I'm by your side
And dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
Still so young to travel so far
Old enough to know who you are
Wise enough to carry the scars
Without any blame, there's no one to blame
It's easy to forget what you learned
Waiting for the thrill to return
Feeling your desire burn
And drawn to the flame
When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I'm by your side
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
And I'm lying on the table
Washed out in a flood
Like a Christian feeling vengeance from above
I don't pretend to know what you want
But I offer love
Seven worlds will collide
Whenever I'm by your side
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
As time slips by
As time slips by
The song "Distant Sun" by Crowded House is a reflection on the complexities and uncertainties of relationships. The opening lines of the song, "Tell me all the things you would change, I don't pretend to know what you want," sets the tone for the rest of the song as it highlights the difficulties of trying to understand another person's desires and motivations. The singer of the song is unsure about the intentions of the person he is singing about, "Where your words devour my heart, And put me to shame, put me to shame." He is also aware of the risks of getting involved in a relationship, "No fire where I lit my spark, I am not afraid of the dark, Wise enough to carry the scars, Without any blame, there's no one to blame."
The song suggests that relationships are like colliding worlds, and that the dust from a distant sun will shower over everyone. This line can be interpreted as referring to the fact that the consequences of our actions and the people we choose to be with can affect not only us, but everyone around us. And yet, despite the uncertainty and complexity of relationships, the singer is willing to offer love and forgiveness, "But I offer love, Seven worlds will collide, Whenever I'm by your side."
Overall, "Distant Sun" is a poetic and introspective song that explores the nuances of relationships and love. It acknowledges the difficulties and uncertainties involved, but ultimately suggests that forgiveness and love can prevail.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me all the things you would change
The singer wants to know everything that the other person would like to change.
I don't pretend to know what you want
The singer admits that they don't know what the other person wants.
When you come around and spin my top
The other person has a big impact on the singer's life.
Time and again, time and again
This situation happens repeatedly.
No fire where I lit my spark
The artist didn't find what they were looking for.
I am not afraid of the dark
The singer is brave and not easily scared.
Where your words devour my heart
The other person's words can be hurtful or crushing.
And put me to shame, put me to shame
The other person makes the artist feel embarrassed or humiliated.
When your seven worlds collide
The other person has many different facets or dimensions.
Whenever I'm by your side
The artist spends a lot of time with the other person.
And dust from a distant sun
Something far away is affecting everyone.
Will shower over everyone
Everyone will be impacted by this far-reaching thing.
Still so young to travel so far
The singer is young but has already come a long way.
Old enough to know who you are
The singer has enough life experience to know themselves well.
Wise enough to carry the scars
Despite past hurts, the singer is still strong and wise.
Without any blame, there's no one to blame
The artist doesn't blame anyone for their past wounds; they accept them as part of life.
It's easy to forget what you learned
Sometimes it's easy to forget important life lessons.
Waiting for the thrill to return
The singer is waiting for something exciting or worthwhile to happen again.
Feeling your desire burn
The singer feels intense passion or longing.
And drawn to the flame
The artist can't resist their attraction to someone or something.
And I'm lying on the table
The artist is in a vulnerable or exposed position.
Washed out in a flood
The artist is overwhelmed or flooded with emotions or experiences.
Like a Christian feeling vengeance from above
The singer feels punished or persecuted by a higher power.
But I offer love
Despite everything, the artist offers love and kindness.
Seven worlds will collide
Again, the other person has many different facets or dimensions.
As time slips by
Time is passing by, things are changing.
Lyrics ยฉ BMG Rights Management, EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING FRANCE
Written by: Neil Mullane Finn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
tropicwave1
Distant Sun
Crowded House
Album: Together Alone
Tell me all the things you would change
I don't pretend to know what you want
When you come around and spin my top
Time and again, time and again
No fire where I lit my spark
I am not afraid of the dark
Where your words devour my heart
And put me to shame, PUT ME TO SHAME
When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I am by your side
And dust from a DISTANT SUN
Will shower over everyone
You're still so young to travel so far
Old enough to know WHO YOU ARE
WISE enough to carry the SCARS
Without any blame, there's no one to blame
It's easy to forget what you learned
Waiting for the thrill to return
Feeling your desire burn
You're drawn to the flame
When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I am by your side
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
And I'm lying on the table, washed out in the flood
Like a Christian FEARING vengeance from above
I don't pretend to know what you want, but I offer love
Seven worlds will collide
Whenever I am by your side
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
As time slips by, and on and on
Let your mind go, anywhere it wants, anywhere it wants
Let your mind
As time slips by, and on and on
Let your mind go, anywhere it wants, anywhere it wants
Author, Composer: Neil Finn
โ 1993 Capitol Records LLC
Bridget Bourdon
Tell me all the things you would change
I don't pretend to know what you want
When you come around and spin my top
Time and again, time and again
No fire where I lit my spark
I am not afraid of the dark
Where your words devour my heart
And put me to shame, put me to shame
When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I'm by your side
And dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
Still so young to travel so far
Old enough to know who you are
Wise enough to carry the scars
Without any blame, there's no one to blame
It's easy to forget what you learned
Waiting for the thrill to return
Feeling your desire burn
And drawn to the flame
When your seven worlds collide
Whenever I'm by your side
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
And I'm lying on the table
Washed out in a flood
Like a Christian feeling vengeance from above
I don't pretend to know what you want
But I offer love
Seven worlds will collide
Whenever I'm by your side
Dust from a distant sun
Will shower over everyone
As time slips by
As time slips by
susan yammouni
In my opinion, the best Crowded House song ever written. Still playing it on high rotation in 2023.
Jogie Dhesi
Me too โค
Mike Yerian
Yes. Perfect pop songwriting.
Kat Jau
Same here ๐
Andrew Thomson
I agree
Andrew Thomson
Iโll do it at karaoke ๐ค soon
Amanda McBride
Just saw them last night in Toronto. Neil Finn and Crowded House still got it. Unlike a lot of older bands who just fade out these guys can still rock it large. Loved every minute of it. Thank you Crowded House.
Mike Wensel
All of the voicework, instruments, and the use of vibrato in this song make it truly memorizing to the ear. One of my all-time favorites.
Thomas Mortyne
There is somethin about it I fall in love with!
Darren Rickey
I think this is Crowded Houseโs greatest song, which is perhaps the best compliment I can give it given Finnโs catalogue. 4 minutes of pop rock perfection! ๐ธ๐ถ