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.
Isolation
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a dragonfly
Float above the grass
Trembling still
Think you might
Open up your heart
Open up your heart
Yes, there's always a way
Yes, there's always a way
To end this isolation
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Whoa whoa whoa
Ah ah ah
When you rise
Like the Milky Way
On a luminous night
The epic unknown
Though I try
Try to find a sign
Of another life
I am alone
There's always a way
Yes, there's always a way
To end this isolation
One step away from everyone
If you could open it up
You could connect it to us
One step is more than enough
To get a look in
You could be already gone
I wish you would take me along
To end this isolation
To end this isolation
I try so hard to get it right
Look for something in your eyes
And I see it
But you won't let yourself feel it
I wait for you to make a sign
Let the door open in your eyes
And I believe it
That one day you'll step inside
The lyrics of Crowded House's song "Isolation" explore the theme of social isolation and the longing for human connection. The opening lines describe the arrival of a dragonfly, as a metaphor for the fragility and transience of life - a reminder of the fleeting nature of our existence. The dragonfly floating above the grass represents a moment of beauty and grace in the midst of hardship and struggle.
The chorus offers a message of hope - an affirmation that there is always a way to connect with others, even in the midst of isolation. The repetition of the lines "yes, there's always a way, to end this isolation" emphasizes the power of human connection to overcome loneliness and despair.
The second verse describes the beauty of the night sky, with its endless possibilities and unknown mysteries. Despite this beauty, the singer still feels alone and isolated, searching for a sign of another life. The line "one step away from everyone" highlights the paradox of feeling isolated even when surrounded by others.
The final verse expresses the singer's longing for connection and the difficulties of trying to communicate with someone who is emotionally closed off. The lines "I wait for you to make a sign, let the door open in your eyes, and I believe it, that one day you'll step inside" offer a glimmer of hope for the possibility of connection and the end of isolation.
Overall, "Isolation" is a poignant and introspective song that captures the universal experience of loneliness and the desire for human connection.
Line by Line Meaning
You arrive
The start of something new and exciting, like the arrival of a dragonfly
Like a dragonfly
Symbolizes change, transformation and adaptability
Float above the grass
Moving forward freely without any obstacles
Trembling still
Overcoming fear and anxiety that comes with change
Think you might
Hopeful thoughts and possibilities for the future
Open up your heart
Letting love in and being vulnerable
Someday you will
Having the patience to wait for the right time
Yes, there's always a way
Belief that there is a solution to everything
To end this isolation
Breaking free from loneliness and disconnection from others
When you rise
Reaching new heights and potential
Like the Milky Way
Symbolizes beauty and awe-inspiring sights
On a luminous night
A moment of clarity, enlightenment and understanding
The epic unknown
What may lie ahead, a sense of excitement and adventure
Though I try
Striving for clarity and understanding
Try to find a sign
Looking for a signal that things will get better
Of another life
A different path or way of living
I am alone
Feeling disconnected from others and isolated
One step away from everyone
Just one action or decision away from being connected to others
If you could open it up
If you allowed yourself to be vulnerable and let others in
You could connect it to us
You could be a part of the community and no longer feel isolated
One step is more than enough
Even a small action can lead to big changes
To get a look in
To feel included and part of something bigger
You could be already gone
Feeling like you've missed out on opportunities for connection in the past
I wish you would take me along
Wanting to be a part of someone's journey and adventure
I try so hard to get it right
Struggling to understand and connect with someone
Look for something in your eyes
Searching for a sign or connection
And I see it
Feeling optimistic and hopeful about the connection
But you won't let yourself feel it
The other person is resistant to connection or vulnerability
I wait for you to make a sign
Waiting for the other person to show a willingness to connect
Let the door open in your eyes
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open up to connection
And I believe it
Optimism and hope for a better future
That one day you'll step inside
A hopeful and optimistic outlook for a future where connections are possible
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Beth Hart, Jimmy Khoury, Tal Herzberg
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Stanton
on Mean To Me
The lyrics for this song are not correct.