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.
Locked Out
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I been locked in
But I always seem to come back again
When you're in that room
What do you do
I know that I will have you in the end
And the clouds they are crying on you
And the birds are offering up their tunes
You escape into a place where nothing moves
And I been locked out
And I know we're through
But I can't begin to face up to the truth
I wait so long for the walls to crack
But I know that I will one day have you back
And the hills are as soft as a pillow
And they cast a shadow on my bed
And the view when I look through my window
Is an altar piece I'm praying to for the living and the dead
Twin valley shines in the morning sun
I send a message out to my only one
I been locked out and I know we're through
But I can't begin to face up to the truth
I wait so long for the walls to crack
But I know that I will one day have you back
And I work with the bees and the honey
Every night I circle like the moon
It's an act of simple devotion
But it can take forever when you've got something to prove
I been locked out
The lyrics to Crowded House's song Locked Out depict the singer's feelings of longing and desperation towards someone or something that they have been separated from. The singer speaks of being locked out and locked in before, but always coming back. They feel a strong connection to the person or thing they are referring to, and believe that they will ultimately have it back, though they know they are through with it currently.
The song's imagery is dreamlike, describing clouds crying and birds offering up their tunes. The singer drowns their sorrows in a remote shack, where they can escape from the world around them that never seems to change. They view the soft hills as a comforting presence, as if they are casting a shadow over them as they lay in bed. The singer sends a message out to their only one, hoping to get back what they have lost.
Despite knowing that they are through with it currently, the singer can't face the truth of the situation. They wait for the walls to crack, hoping that they will eventually have this person or thing back. The song ends with the singer working with bees and honey, circling like the moon in an act of simple devotion. Though it may take forever to prove themselves, the singer is determined to get back what they've lost.
Line by Line Meaning
I been locked out
I have been denied access to something I want or need.
I been locked in
I have been forced to stay in a place against my will.
But I always seem to come back again
Despite being rejected or confined before, I cannot help returning to the same situation.
When you're in that room
At times, I find myself in a difficult or uncomfortable situation.
What do you do
I feel unsure of how to handle this situation when I am in it.
I know that I will have you in the end
I have a strong sense of confidence that I will eventually get what I want, no matter the obstacles.
And the clouds they are crying on you
There is sadness or distress present in your life, possibly due to external circumstances beyond your control.
And the birds are offering up their tunes
Despite the sadness, there may be small moments of beauty or joy, even if they are fleeting.
In a shack as remote as a mansion
Sometimes, things may seem distant or unattainable, despite their actual proximity or accessibility.
You escape into a place where nothing moves
In difficult moments, it can feel like time has frozen or life has come to a standstill.
And I been locked out
The feeling of being denied what I need or want persists.
And I know we're through
Despite hoping for a different outcome, I acknowledge that a relationship or situation is over or cannot be salvaged.
But I can't begin to face up to the truth
I struggle to fully accept or confront the reality of the situation.
I wait so long for the walls to crack
I hope for a change or an opening in the situation, even if it may be unlikely or take a long time.
But I know that I will one day have you back
Despite being unable to accept the present reality, I remain steadfast in the belief that things will eventually work out in my favor.
And the hills are as soft as a pillow
In certain moments, there may be comfort or solace found in the natural world.
And they cast a shadow on my bed
There may also be darkness or weight in life, even in what should be peaceful moments.
And the view when I look through my window
There may be moments of introspection or reflection, where I am able to see beyond my current situation.
Is an altar piece I'm praying to for the living and the dead
There may be a desire for a higher power or guidance, as well as a deeper sense of connection to those who have passed.
Twin valley shines in the morning sun
There may be moments of beauty or clarity in nature or the world around me.
I send a message out to my only one
In difficult moments, I may seek comfort or support from those closest to me.
And I work with the bees and the honey
I may find purpose or fulfillment in the simplest of everyday tasks or routines.
Every night I circle like the moon
Despite a sense of stagnation or repetition, there may still be a sense of continuity or progress in life.
It's an act of simple devotion
Even in the midst of chaos or challenge, simple acts of dedication or commitment can bring meaning and purpose.
But it can take forever when you've got something to prove
When there is a strong desire to succeed or accomplish something, the journey may feel long and arduous.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL KNOBLICH, AXEL JULIUS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
I’ve been locked out, I’ve been locked out
But I always seen to come back again
When you’re in that room, oh what do you do?
I know that I will have you in the end
And the clouds, they are crying on you
And the birds are offering up their tunes
In a shack as remote as a mansion
You escape into a place where nothing moves
And I’ve been locked out, and I know we’re through
But I can’t begin to face up to the truth
I wait so long for the walls to crack
But I know that I will 1 day have you back
And the hills are as soft as a pillow
And they cast a shadow on my bed
And the view when I look through my window
Is an altarpiece I’m praying to for the living and the dead
The twin valleys shines in the morning sun
I send a message out to my only one
Yet I’ve been locked out, and I know we’re through
But I can’t begin to face up to the truth
And I wait so long for the walls to crack
But I know that I will 1 day have you back, yes I will
And I work, bees in the honey
Every night, I circle like the moon
And it’s an act of simple devotion
But it can take forever when you’ve got something to prove
I’ve been locked out
And I’m in locked down
And I, I, I been locked out
@mfm2998
“And the hills are as soft as a pillow
And they cast a shadow on my bed
And the view when I look through my window
Is an altarpiece I'm praying to for the living and the dead.”
the lyrics to the the whole album were just something else.
@scottwarner4308
I've always loved Crowded House. Neil Finn's song writing is wonderful and the band's musicianship is fantastic. Living here in Canada, I wonder how much praise would've been heaped upon them had they been American? RIP Paul Hester.
@thepublichousebrandcom
I dunno... INXS did pretty well. Just a stroke of luck and good promotion sometimes.
@shakymctwitch8615
They've sold something like 10 million albums. That's praise. They're a great band and they've reaped the rewards for that.
@DB-pu2sx
I hope you’ve listened to Split Enz. If you’re a fan of the Crowdies, you’re going to love this stuff. 🙂
@lukestrachan3677
Distant Sun was huge in Canada and Muchmusic aired the farewell concert at least three times. The breakup killed all their momentum.
@DKOG73
One of my favorites 🔥 Thank You for all the AWESOME music including Spit Enz 👍🏻
@docsavage8640
Great tune. Lots of great background vocals as well. Fantastic choppy guitar sound. Really nice percussion.
@garthodowd6846
This has got a real"Helter Skelter" Beatles'vibe to it.
@patrickstocks3576
I’ve been locked out, I’ve been locked out
But I always seen to come back again
When you’re in that room, oh what do you do?
I know that I will have you in the end
And the clouds, they are crying on you
And the birds are offering up their tunes
In a shack as remote as a mansion
You escape into a place where nothing moves
And I’ve been locked out, and I know we’re through
But I can’t begin to face up to the truth
I wait so long for the walls to crack
But I know that I will 1 day have you back
And the hills are as soft as a pillow
And they cast a shadow on my bed
And the view when I look through my window
Is an altarpiece I’m praying to for the living and the dead
The twin valleys shines in the morning sun
I send a message out to my only one
Yet I’ve been locked out, and I know we’re through
But I can’t begin to face up to the truth
And I wait so long for the walls to crack
But I know that I will 1 day have you back, yes I will
And I work, bees in the honey
Every night, I circle like the moon
And it’s an act of simple devotion
But it can take forever when you’ve got something to prove
I’ve been locked out
And I’m in locked down
And I, I, I been locked out