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.
Nails In My Feet
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You crawl through the window
Slip across the floor and into the reception room
You enter the place of endless persuasion
Like a knock on the door
When there's ten or more things to do
Who is that calling?
You my companion
And it brings me relief
Pass through the walls
To find my intentions
Circle round in a strange hypnotic state
I look into space
There is no connection
A million points of light
And a conversation I can't face
Cast me off one day
To lose my inhibitions
Sit like a lap dog on a matron's knee
Wear the nails on your feet
I woke up the house
Stumbled in sideways
The lights went on and everybody screamed surprise
The savage review
It left me gasping
But it warms my heart to see that you can do it too
Total surrender
Your touch is so tender
Your skin is like water on a burning beach
And it brings me relief
The song “Nails In My Feet” by Crowded House is a metaphoric tale of the complexities of life and relationships. The lyrics convey the message of how life can be like a house, full of doors, windows, and walls. The singer of the song is confronted by his companion who crawls through the window and enters the house. This companion represents the complexities of life, and the multiple paths and choices that we face every day. The singer tries to decipher who is calling, only to realize that it is his own companion, who is always there, even when he feels disconnected from everything around him.
The lyrics also describe the feelings of confusion, doubt, and inhibition that the singer faces. He is lost and looking for guidance, as he circles round and round in a strange hypnotic state, trying to find his intentions. The chorus of the song, “Wear the nails on your feet”, is a metaphor for the pain and hurt that one can face in life. It represents the hardships and challenges that we all face, but also how we can overcome them over time.
The final part of the song describes a moment of total surrender, where the singer realizes the value of his relationship, as his companion's touch becomes a source of comfort and relief, like water on a burning beach. The song essentially conveys the message that life is messy, filled with obstacles and challenges, but also filled with moments of beauty and clarity that emerge along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
My life is a house
My existence can be equated to a house.
You crawl through the window
You enter my life uninvited and without permission.
Slip across the floor and into the reception room
You sneak in quietly and make yourself comfortable in the most important place in my life.
You enter the place of endless persuasion
You come into my life with the power to convince me to do anything.
Like a knock on the door
Your presence in my life is noticeable and often unexpected.
When there's ten or more things to do
You come into my life just when I have a lot to do.
Who is that calling?
I try to figure out your true intentions and motivations for being in my life.
You my companion
You are someone who accompanies me through the journey of life.
Run to the water on a burning beach
I seek relief from the stress and pain caused by your presence in my life.
And it brings me relief
Taking a break from you gives me peace and comfort.
Pass through the walls
I go through great lengths to understand your true self.
To find my intentions
I seek to understand the reasons behind your actions.
Circle round in a strange hypnotic state
I feel trapped and under your control.
I look into space
I try to escape from your grasp by daydreaming about being somewhere else.
There is no connection
I feel disconnected from you even though you are present in my life.
A million points of light
I see a lot of options and possibilities but don't know which way to go because of your influence.
And a conversation I can't face
I avoid talking about you because of the discomfort you bring into my life.
Cast me off one day
Eventually, I will find the courage to let go of you.
To lose my inhibitions
I let go of my fears and doubts about life without you.
Sit like a lap dog on a matron's knee
You become subservient and obedient to someone with authority.
Wear the nails on your feet
You willingly put yourself in uncomfortable situations just to please someone else.
I woke up the house
I caused a commotion in my life.
Stumbled in sideways
I entered recklessly and without a clear direction.
The lights went on and everybody screamed surprise
My recklessness and commotion shocked everyone around me.
The savage review
The criticism that I received was harsh and merciless.
It left me gasping
The criticism was so severe that I found it hard to breathe.
But it warms my heart to see that you can do it too
Despite the harsh criticism, I find comfort in the fact that even you can make mistakes.
Total surrender
I let go of my resistance to your presence in my life.
Your touch is so tender
Despite your flaws, your presence in my life brings me comfort and happiness.
Your skin is like water on a burning beach
Your presence in my life gives me relief from the pain and stress that comes with it.
And it brings me relief
Being with you brings me comfort and relief from the troubles of life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@15377351
My life is a house
You crawl through the window
Slip across the floor and into the reception room
You enter the place of endless persuasion
Like a knock on the door when there's ten or more things to do
Who is that calling?
You my companion
Run to the water on a burning beach
And it brings me relief
Pass through the walls
To find my intentions
Circle round in a strange hypnotic state
I look into space
There is no connection
A million points of life
And a conversation I can't face
Cast me off one day
To lose my inhibitions
Sit like a lapdog on a matron's knee
With the nails on your feet
I woke up the house
Stumbled in sideways
The lights went on and everybody screamed suprise
The savage review it left me gasping
But it warms my heart to see that you can do it too
Total surrender
Your touch is so tender
Your skin is like water
On a burning beach
And it brings me relief
And it brings me relief
And it brings me relief
@fabulousredhead
I never, ever get tired of this song. It's a true beauty on a whole album of incredible songs. One of my favorite albums ever.
@stephen1562
Why is every Crowded House song an absolute gem
@dalemorris7881
Well, because they are. :)
@khanjeerox4580
Gems only produce little gems if you cut them (songs from crowded house).
@iangriffiths8684
Always love this song, they just make good music,
@123garryb
Total surrender
Your touch is so tender
Your skin is like water
On a burning beach
And it brings me relief
THE most sensual lyric ever. Full stop.
@DmitriiPetrenko
👍👍👍👍👍
@Getyabootsoffskinny
Couldnt agree more
@davidp-er5ym
I know I'm taking this too literally but I always imagine the burning beach Neil mentions is Kare Kare since it's a song on this album and in summer the black iron sand there is truly burning hot.
@zoezen
Gorgeous song, lyrics and video. Very soothing. Like a heartfelt prayer.