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.
Pineapple Head
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got the number of the getaway car
Didn't get very far
As lucid as hell and these images
Moving so fast like a fever
So close to the bone
I don't feel too well
I will play you like a shark
And I'll clutch at your heart
I'll come flying like a spark to inflame you
Sleeping alone, for pleasure
The pineapple head, it spins and it spins
Like a number I hold
Don't remember, if she was my friend
It was a long time ago
And if you choose to take that path
I will play you like a shark
And I'll clutch at your heart
I'll come flying like a spark to inflame you
Sleeping alone, for pleasure
The pineapple head, it spins and it spins
Like a number I hold
Don't remember, if she was my friend
It was a long time ago
And if you choose to take that path
Would you come to make me pay
I will play you like a shark
And I'll clutch at your heart
I'll come flying like a spark to inflame you, I'll clutch at your heart and come flying like a spark to inflame you
The lyrics of Pineapple Head by Crowded House are open to interpretation, but it seems to be a song about being haunted by past memories and the possibility of retribution for past actions. The first verse appears to describe someone who has had a brush with the law but has managed to evade capture. The singer is lucid and focused, yet plagued by feverishly fast-moving images that are too close to the bone - suggesting that memories from the past or the recent brush with the law are hard to shake off. The lines "if you choose to take that path, I will play you like a shark and I'll clutch at your heart" suggest that the singer is warning someone not to cross them, and if they do, he will use his cunning and intelligence to come after them with all his might.
The second verse paints a picture of someone sleeping alone, as if they're content with their own company. The pineapple head spinning and spinning could be a symbol of thoughts or memories that just won't stop swirling around in their head. The line "Like a number I hold, don't remember if she was my friend" shows that the singer is unsure about the details of this person's past - suggesting that even though they have a strong connection to the person, time has taken its toll and memories have started to fade.
Overall, Pineapple Head is a song that is open to interpretation, but it hints at themes of introspection, regret, and the possibility of revenge. It's a haunting and introspective track, which showcases the lyrical talent of Crowded House.
Line by Line Meaning
Detective is flat, no longer is always flat out
The detective is no longer active and has slowed down.
Got the number of the getaway car
The detective has obtained the number of the car used as a getaway vehicle.
Didn't get very far
The detective has not made much progress in the investigation.
As lucid as hell and these images
The detective is experiencing vivid and clear images in his mind.
Moving so fast like a fever
The images in the detective's mind are moving quickly and intensely like a fever.
So close to the bone
The images are very personal and close to the detective's emotions.
I don't feel too well
The detective feels unwell due to the intensity of the images in his mind.
And if you choose to take that path
If you decide to take a certain course of action,
I will play you like a shark
The detective will be cunning and ruthless in his pursuit of justice.
And I'll clutch at your heart
The detective will attack you emotionally and psychologically.
I'll come flying like a spark to inflame you
The detective will come at you with intense energy and passion to provoke a reaction.
Sleeping alone, for pleasure
The subject is enjoying their solitude and independence.
The pineapple head, it spins and it spins
The subject's head is spinning with thoughts and ideas like a pineapple.
Like a number I hold
The subject feels a sense of detachment from their own thoughts and ideas.
Don't remember, if she was my friend
The subject cannot recall if someone was their friend or not.
It was a long time ago
The event or memory being referred to happened a long time ago.
Would you come to make me pay
Are you planning to seek revenge on me?
I'll come flying like a spark to inflame you, I'll clutch at your heart and come flying like a spark to inflame you
The detective will attack emotionally and psychologically with intense energy and passion to provoke a reaction.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Tony Stanton
on Mean To Me
The lyrics for this song are not correct.