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.
Even If
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Inside out) You know me back to front
(Inside out) You know exactly what I'm gonna do next
I'm gonna take you to a higher place
The rain collecting in a secret place
And I ache for all your suffering
(Inside out) I won't reveal it all
(Inside out) For all the people of the cockatoo set
The extrovert is always in your face
Unaware he's invading
Your personal space
Take him out, the impostor
Put a monkey in his place
Circle round the hazy sun
The hazy sun is circling the house
Spin off the chandeliers
And who's the one whose staring at me now
You move me into silence
It's a heartbeat away from Hell
I try so hard to control myself
Always smiling on the inside out
(Inside out)
(Inside out)
(Inside out)
You move me into silence
You move me into silence
You move me into silence
You move me into silence
You move me into silence(Inside out)
You move me into silence(Inside out)
You move me into silence
You move me into silence
The lyrics to Crowded House's song "Even If" describe an intimate relationship between two people. The first stanza speaks to the comfort that the singer feels with their partner, who knows them inside and outside. In the second stanza, the singer talks about putting up walls for the outside world—a defense mechanism to protect their relationship. They describe the extroverts that surround them and make them uncomfortable, using the metaphor of the "cockatoo set." The singer then suggests replacing these people with monkeys, giving us a glimpse into their playful side.
The lyrics then shift to a dream-like sequence, with imagery of a haze surrounding the sun and the spinning of chandeliers. The singer then returns to their partner, describing how they move them into silence. This could be interpreted as a moment of overwhelming emotion or a feeling of complete trust and comfort. They end the song repeating "inside out," reinforcing the idea that this relationship is grounded in authenticity and true connection.
Overall, "Even If" is a vulnerable and intimate exploration of a relationship, touching on the need for both walls and vulnerability, as well as the powerful connection between two people.
Line by Line Meaning
(Inside out) You know me oh so well
I trust you completely and feel like you understand me on a deep level.
(Inside out) You know me back to front
You know everything about me, both good and bad.
(Inside out) You know exactly what I'm gonna do next
You have a deep understanding of my personality and can predict my behavior.
I'm gonna take you to a higher place
I want to help elevate you and make you feel better.
The rain collecting in a secret place
There is emotional pain that has built up and is being kept hidden deep inside.
And I ache for all your suffering
I feel heartbreak over the pain you are experiencing and want to help alleviate it.
(Inside out) I won't reveal it all
I won't expose every part of myself to you, but I still trust you deeply.
(Inside out) I'm putting up this wall
I'm trying to protect myself by keeping some emotions hidden from you.
(Inside out) For all the people of the cockatoo set
For all the people who are loud, extroverted, and overwhelming.
The extrovert is always in your face
The type of person who is always talking and dominating conversations can be challenging to deal with.
Unaware he's invading your personal space
This type of person may not realize that they are being intrusive and making others uncomfortable.
Take him out, the impostor
Get rid of the phony and fake people in your life who don't really care about you.
Put a monkey in his place
Replace the fake people with something more genuine and authentic, like a monkey who's just being itself.
Circle round the hazy sun
Reflecting on something that is not clear or easily understood.
The hazy sun is circling the house
Something confusing or unclear is constantly on your mind and affecting your personal space.
Spin off the chandeliers
Let yourself be swept away in a moment of joy or celebration.
And who's the one whose staring at me now
There is someone who is currently making me feel uncomfortable or uneasy with their gaze or attention.
You move me into silence
Your presence has a profound effect on me and leaves me speechless.
It's a heartbeat away from Hell
The intense emotion that I am experiencing is so close to feeling like utter despair and hopelessness.
I try so hard to control myself
I attempt to keep my emotions in check and not let them spiral out of my control.
Always smiling on the inside out
I may be feeling pain or sadness on the inside, but I present a happy and optimistic exterior to others.
(Inside out)
Reiterating the idea that the true emotions and thoughts may be different than what is presented on the outside.
(Inside out)
Reiterating the idea that the true emotions and thoughts may be different than what is presented on the outside.
(Inside out)
Reiterating the idea that the true emotions and thoughts may be different than what is presented on the outside.
You move me into silence
Your mere presence has the ability to take my breath away and leave me speechless.
You move me into silence
Your mere presence has the ability to take my breath away and leave me speechless.
You move me into silence(Inside out)
Reiterating the idea that the true emotions and thoughts may be different than what is presented on the outside.
You move me into silence(Inside out)
Reiterating the idea that the true emotions and thoughts may be different than what is presented on the outside.
You move me into silence
Your mere presence has the ability to take my breath away and leave me speechless.
You move me into silence
Your mere presence has the ability to take my breath away and leave me speechless.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Stanton
on Mean To Me
The lyrics for this song are not correct.