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.
Everything Is Good For You
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And a woman shedding tears for a man locked in prison
When the two locked eyes and for a moment I was taken
And all paths lead to a single conclusion
Everything is good for you
If it doesn't kill you
Everything is good for you
Everything is good for you
It's a nightmare jump into the restless ocean
With a reckless calm to state their position
And if you come undone it might just set you free
Everything is good for you
If it doesn't kill you
Everything is good for you
One man's ending is another one's beginning
Bring back your head
We'll come struggle to turn the angry words
Cover you up
Everything is good for you
If it doesn't kill you
Everything is good for you
If it doesn't kill you
Everything is good for you
Is good for you
In the Crowded House song "Everything Is Good For You," the lyrics touch upon the idea that every situation in life, no matter how difficult, has a silver lining. The verses paint a scene of a man with a flag leading a procession and a woman shedding tears for a man locked in prison. Then, the two locked eyes, and the singer is taken aback by the power of their connection. The chorus repeats the phrase "everything is good for you" while acknowledging that some things may be difficult or even deadly.
The lyrics continue with a sense of recklessness and wild abandon, with lines like "It's a nightmare jump into the restless ocean with a reckless calm to state their position." The idea is that taking risks can lead to personal growth and freedom, even if it causes turmoil in the moment. The final lines, "bring back your head, we'll come struggle to turn the angry words, cover you up," suggest that there is a community of support and people willing to help each other through difficult times.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that every experience, no matter how painful or difficult, can lead to growth and that one person's ending can be another person's beginning. It also emphasizes the importance of supporting each other through difficult times and taking risks to grow personally.
Line by Line Meaning
See a man with a flag and he leads the procession
Observing a man holding a flag, leading a parade or ceremony
And a woman shedding tears for a man locked in prison
Watching a woman cry over a man who is currently incarcerated
When the two locked eyes and for a moment I was taken
Witnessing an intimate moment between two individuals who made eye contact
And all paths lead to a single conclusion
Recognizing that all roads steer towards one ultimate outcome
Everything is good for you
All things can potentially benefit you
If it doesn't kill you
As long as it doesn't result in physical or emotional harm
One man's ending is another one's beginning
The conclusion of one event may give rise to a new opportunity or adventure
It's a nightmare jump into the restless ocean
Going into the unpredictable sea is like entering into a nightmare or scary situation
With a reckless calm to state their position
Expressing oneself boldly and confidently, without considering potential consequences
And if you come undone it might just set you free
If you become unhinged or lose control, it could lead to newfound freedom or liberation
Bring back your head
Lift up your head or regain composure
We'll come struggle to turn the angry words
Together, we will work to transform negative language into positive communication
Cover you up
Protect or shield you from harm
Is good for you
Has the potential to be beneficial to you
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
One for Rock 'n Roll
I love this, it kind of makes me sad in a way I can't explain, like EVERTHING Neil writes I feel his lyrics as much as I hear them, I don't even know if that makes sense to anyone who may stumble upon this comment. Thank you.
Doris Smith
Yes I do understand you One for Rock ' n Roll a very special song writer can only do this
Annie M.
"Nothing sadder than the passing of time"
Mark Stanley
You are correct with your analysis of how you describe your emotions to this song
TrevTube
Those deeper truths, poetically and masterfully expressed, put a lump in my throat every time.
John Grunwell
I know exactly what you mean.
Iván Barcia
1:50 When I heard this for the first time, being a teenager, my ears exploded... from pure pleasure and emotion
John Makar
My favourite Crowded House song, love it.
Miss Tery
They can't make a bad song
Tony Fuentes
The harmonies are eeeily reminiscent of The Byrds. Very beautiful song with precise harmonies at 1:50.