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.
Now We're Getting Somewhere
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But neither was it great
Somewhere in the middle than
Content and much too safe
Ooh tell me please
Why it takes so long
To realise when there's something wrong
Now we're gettin' somewhere
Push me back to the start
Now we're gettin' somewhere
Take me out let me breathe
Now we're gettin' somewhere
When I'm with you I don't care
Where it is I'm falling
There's money in the Bible belt
Hugs for daddy too
Three wishes for eternity
We've got some work to do
Ooh tell me please, tell me what went wrong
Cause I believe there is something wrong
Lay me out with your heart
Now we're gettin' somewhere
Push me back to the start
Now we're gettin' somewhere
Take me out let me breathe
Now we're gettin' somewhere
When I'm with you I don't care
Where it is I'm falling
When you took me to your room
I swear I said surrender
When you opened up your mouth
I saw the words fall out
Though nothing much has changed
I swear I will surrender
There is pain in my heart
We can choose what we choose to believe
The lyrics to Crowded House's song Now We're Getting Somewhere tell a story of a relationship that started off average, "neither was it great" but was okay "somewhere in the middle," with each partner feeling content and safe. However, eventually, there was a realization that something wasn't right in the relationship, and there was a need to figure out what went wrong. The lyrics beg the question of why it takes so long for people to realize when something in a relationship isn't right.
The chorus brings to light a desire to start anew, "lay me out with your heart, push me back to the start, take me out let me breathe," a hope for a new beginning, and a desire to fall without worrying about where things lead. The line, "When I'm with you, I don't care where it is I'm falling," reveals a trust in the unknown and a willingness to keep moving forward despite what might happen.
The second verse discusses the idea of faith, with mentions of "money in the Bible Belt" and "three wishes for eternity." The lyrics also refer to work that needs to be done, hinting at the idea that the relationship needs some attention and effort to make things right. The chorus repeats, highlighting the need for change and a fresh start.
Overall, the lyrics of Now We're Getting Somewhere portray a relationship that was comfortable but not fulfilling, leading to a realization that change was necessary, with hope for a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
It never used to be that bad
Things used to be better than they are now
But neither was it great
However, they were not excellent either
Somewhere in the middle then
They were in a state of mediocrity
Content and much too safe
They were satisfied with their current situation, but perhaps too comfortable
Ooh tell me please
The artist is requesting insight into a topic
Why it takes so long
The singer wants to know why it takes so much time for people to recognize something is wrong
To realize when there's something wrong
The singer is pointing out how people often take a while to accept something is off
Lay me out with your heart
The artist is asking for honesty and to let their heart be exposed
Now we're gettin' somewhere
The artist is suggesting that progress is being made
Push me back to the start
The artist wants to go back to the beginning and start over
Take me out let me breathe
The singer needs a break or time to pause and recover
When I'm with you I don't care
The artist feels like they are in a positive state when they are with this particular person
Where it is I'm falling
The singer is not particularly concerned about where they end up because they are enjoying the journey
There's money in the Bible belt
The song refers to the concept of the prosperity gospel, or that faith leads to financial success
Hugs for daddy too
The song implies traditional gender roles and fatherly love
Three wishes for eternity
The artist believes that this is possible
We've got some work to do
The artist is indicating that there is still more to be done or things to be solved.
Ooh tell me please, tell me what went wrong
The singer is looking for an explanation for something that is currently causing them issues
Cause I believe there is something wrong
The singer is expressing their thoughts that something in their situation isn't working as it should be
When you took me to your room
This line implies physical intimacy
I swear I said surrender
The artist is discussing their emotional surrender to a loved one
When you opened up your mouth
This may be a metaphor for expressing true feelings
I saw the words fall out
The singer observed their partner revealing their true thoughts
Though nothing much has changed
Despite things not making huge leaps of progress, something significant has still occurred
I swear I will surrender
The singer is vocalizing how they will allow themselves to give in to their partner emotionally
There is pain in my heart
The singer is acknowledging they are feeling emotional pain
We can choose what we choose to believe
This line may be a reference to how people control their own beliefs and feelings
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danny Rutledge
It never used to be that bad
But neither was it great
Somewhere in the middle then
Content and much too safe
Oh tell me please
Why it takes so long
To realise when there's something wrong
Lay me out with your heart
Now we're getting somewhere
Push me back to the start
Now we're getting somewhere
Take me out let me breathe
Now we're getting somewhere
When I'm with you I don't care
Where it is I'm falling
There's money in the Bible Belt
Hugs for daddy too
Three wishes for eternity
We've got some work to do
Oh tell me please, tell me what went wrong
Cos I believe there is something wrong
When you took me to your room
I swear I said surrender
When you opened up your mouth
I saw the words fall out
Though nothing much has changed
I swear I will surrender
There is pain in me heart
We can choose what we choose to believe
Daniel Rutledge
You can listen to this song 100 times in a day, and not be tired of it! Yet still able to come back day after day and get the same enjoyment out of it!! Happy Thanksgiving today!!
ice michelle centiago
i just love oz music...
Chris F
This album will always have a special place in my heart. How I miss the old days so much. God bless Neil Finn and Crowded House.
Mary Watkins
One of my favorite Crowded House songs. Neil Finn is a very underrated songwriter.
mark neville
These guys always sang with
a smile.
Brilliant Song by a Brilliant Group.
Brad Kahn
I saw them in 1987 here in Michigan and was hooked immediately. They put on a great show and the dynamics of each band members playing was fantastic
the artist
Probably the most sincere band on the planet, the music seems to be timeless!
Michael Wilson
That album is an absolute classic. Unbelievable. But please please please let the official video for 'World Where You live' be available in the U.S. because it would be a trip down memory lane (1986) for this old timer who was 16 at the time.
ppodism
Literally every Crowded House song has a story behind its significance for me - I discovered this album in 1995 and put this song on a mix tape for my first serious girlfriend. As this was the first song on the second side it sticks out from the rest as part of the compilation. I love it
BlanketMan
One of the best albums of the 80s.