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.
Something So Strong
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Roots that spread so deep, bring life to frozen ground
(Something so strong) could carry us away
(Something so strong) could carry us today
Turning in my sleep, love can leave you cold
The taste of jealousy, is like a lust for gold
(Something so strong) could carry us away
(Something so strong) could carry us today
(I've been) feeling so much older
(Frame me) and hang me on the wall
(I've seen) you fall into the same trap
(This thing) is happening to us all
(Something so strong) could carry us away
(Something so strong) could carry us today
(Something so strong)
(Something so strong)
(Something so strong)
Something something so strong
The lyrics to Crowded House's song Something So Strong revolve around the theme of love and its powerful impact on human emotions. The first verse talks about how love can both make you joyful and vulnerable. Love has the capability to bring life to even the coldest and most frozen grounds. The chorus talks about how something so strong could take them away today. The second verse mentions how love can create feelings of jealousy, which can be as powerful as the lust for gold.
The bridge section of the song is an introspection by the singer, who reflects on the aging process and observes that the passing of time makes him feel older. He also imagines being framed and hung on the wall, a metaphor for feeling exposed and vulnerable. He laments everyone falling into the same trap with love and how it affects them all.
Overall, the song highlights the power of love as something strong that could take you to unexpected highs and lows. It presents a raw and authentic portrayal of the complexities of human emotions and relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Love can make you weep, it can make you run for cover
Love has the power to stir up strong emotions in people, to the point where they feel like they need to retreat or hide from it.
Roots that spread so deep, bring life to frozen ground
When love is deeply rooted, it has the ability to bring warmth and new growth to otherwise barren and lifeless situations.
(Something so strong) could carry us away
Love is a powerful force that has the ability to sweep people off their feet and take them on a wild adventure.
(Something so strong) could carry us today
Love is not just a distant dream, it has the ability to impact our lives in the present moment, if we let it.
Turning in my sleep, love can leave you cold
Love can be unpredictable and leave us feeling vulnerable and alone, even when we are surrounded by the warmth of another person.
The taste of jealousy, is like a lust for gold
Jealousy has a powerful hold on people, much like the desire for wealth and influence, causing them to act in ways that are not always rational or healthy.
(I've been) feeling so much older
Love can have a transformative effect on a person, causing them to feel like they have aged beyond their years.
(Frame me) and hang me on the wall
Love can make us feel like we are on display, with all our flaws and imperfections exposed for the world to see.
(I've seen) you fall into the same trap
Love can be a dangerous game, and often people find themselves making the same mistakes that others have made before them.
(This thing) is happening to us all
Love is a universal experience that touches the lives of everyone, regardless of who they are or where they come from.
(Something so strong)
Love is an incredible force that has the power to transform lives and bring people together.
(Something so strong)
Love is not just an emotion, it is a tangible force that can move mountains and change the world.
(Something so strong)
Love is the thread that connects us all, and has the power to bring light to even the darkest places.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN, MITCHELL FROOM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Danny Rutledge
Love can make you weep
Can make you run for cover
Roots that spread so deep
Bring life to frozen ground
Something so strong
Could carry us away
Something so strong
Could carry us today
Turning in my sleep
Love can leave you cold
A taste of jealousy
Is like a lust for gold
Something so strong
Could carry us away
Something so strong
Could carry us today
I've been
Feeling so much older
Frame me
And hang me on the wall
I've seen
You fall into the same trap
This thing
Is happening to us all yeah
Something so strong
Could carry us away
Something so strong
Could carry us today
Something so strong
Something so strong
Something so strong
Something, something so strong
Dan Phillips
It's 2023.This tune still brings a smile to my face!
Duke Walker
"Something so strong!".
A Bomb
Amazing little song
Muhammad Sahl
Mine too!!!
Rich Long
In the 80s my dad worked at a tow yard. As a little kid i would go through all the smashed cars and i found this tape in one car. Been a fan ever since. True story
X-75 Hurricane
Cool story bro....watching from the mighty Waikato!
LastLetterisZed@702
I remember hearing this song on the radio multiple times when it was Back Tracks to the 1980s. However, I remember listening to: Don't Dream It's Over many, many times. Now that I watched Something So Strong (I think I might have seen it 3 or 4 times in my life) I bought the record in 2014 but the record had a small crack in it. I took it back to the Record Store and the man at the front gave me a 2nd copy and he threw in Split Enz.
LastLetterisZed@702
The same guy who throws a paper airplane (which everybody is so amazed by) dances with some piece of clothing. Then there's a forklift that lifts up the drummer and his drumset. Kisses the guy with this hand over his mouth after getting soak and wet and gives him a hug. Then the video ends. Who designed the music video this way?
profpurge
Such a cool story! Good for you.
Rich Long
@profpurge 🙃