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.
Twice If You're Lucky
Crowded House Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can hear you now
You think reality's shut you down
And you're locked away
Where you can't get out
Spent awhile on your back
And you know what it means to me, babe
It all makes sense to me somehow
And it's not what it used to be, no
We're suddenly free to let go
Look what's happening now
You will love this one
You will love this one
As if we create something magical, honey
There are times that come
These are times that come
Only once in your life
Or twice like mine
Do you wish to love
Can you give enough
Use your saving graces
In the heavy light
'Til the sky falls down
He can pray all he likes
But you know what it means to me, babe
In the course of a history, hey
It all makes sense to me somehow
It's a course in philosophy, yeah
What is life is it just a dream, no
A perfect mystery but somehow I know
You will love this one
You will love this one
And if we create something magical, honey
There are times that come
These are times that come
Only once in your life
Or twice if you're lucky
And if the chance it comes around
Another time
You risk it all, you take the fall
For what you like
And sure enough before your love
Has taken flight
You make the revelation
You will love this one (Love this one)
You will love this one
You will love this one
Dream in my head
Something magical, honey
There are times that come
These are times that come
Only once in your life
Or twice if you're lucky
The lyrics of Crowded House's song Twice If You're Lucky evoke feelings of hope and the possibility of a special connection between two people. The opening lines address someone who feels trapped or shut down in reality, the next lines being a message of reassurance that the singer can hear them and that they can still find freedom. They have spent some time in isolation and introspection, and now they seem to have a clearer view of what is important: the magical moments that only come along once or twice in life.
The chorus repeats the phrase "you will love this one" and explains that this refers to something magical that the two can create together. The second verse delves more into philosophical thoughts about the nature of life and the mysteries that are hidden within it. There is reassurance that although we may not have all the answers, we can still sense something that is worth pursuing, something that is worth the risk.
The final verse also echoes this sentiment and suggests that we should be willing to take a chance for something that we truly desire, even if it means taking a fall. The song ends with the hopeful repetition of the chorus and a dreamy description of something magical that could happen between two people. Overall, the lyrics are encouraging us to seek out connections that are special and meaningful, and to be open to the possibilities that life can offer.
Line by Line Meaning
Breathe it out
Take a deep breath and let go of whatever is troubling you
I can hear you now
I'm finally able to truly listen and understand you
You think reality's shut you down
You believe that life's difficulties have defeated you
And you're locked away
You're isolated and can't escape from your problems
Where you can't get out
Your situation has you feeling trapped
Spent awhile on your back
You've been knocked down and feeling defeated for quite some time
And you know what it means to me, babe
I empathize with your situation and feel your pain
In the course of a history, hey
In the grand scheme of things, in the timeline of our lives
It all makes sense to me somehow
I have a sense that everything happens for a reason, even the tough times
And it's not what it used to be, no
Things are changing and evolving, and it's not the same as before
We're suddenly free to let go
We now have the power and ability to move on and stop clinging to our problems
Look what's happening now
Take a moment to appreciate how things are improving
You will love this one
I have something special to share with you
As if we create something magical, honey
Together, we can make something truly wonderful
There are times that come
Life presents us with moments we'll always cherish
These are times that come
These moments don't last forever, so we should treasure them while we can
Only once in your life
Opportunities like this only come along rarely
Or twice like mine
I've been blessed to experience such moments more than once
Do you wish to love
Are you ready to open yourself up to a romantic relationship?
Can you give enough
Are you able to provide someone with the emotional support they need?
Use your saving graces
Draw upon your best qualities and strengths to be a better partner
In the heavy light
Even in the most intense and difficult moments
'Til the sky falls down
Until the very end of our lives
He can pray all he likes
Even if someone prays fervently for something to happen
What is life is it just a dream, no
We all question what the meaning of life is, but it's not just an illusion
It's a course in philosophy, yeah
Life is a complex and philosophical journey that we must navigate
A perfect mystery but somehow I know
Although life is full of mysteries, I have a sense of what to expect
And if the chance it comes around
If a opportunity presents itself
Another time
At another point in our lives
You risk it all, you take the fall
Even if it's hard, you must still take the chance
For what you like
For something you truly believe in
And sure enough before your love
Before you know it, you will be in love
Has taken flight
Before your romance can truly take off
You make the revelation
You come to a realization
Dream in my head
I have an idea that seems far-fetched, yet promising
Something magical, honey
There's something extraordinary that we might create together
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Diego Aguirre
Breathe it out
I can hear you now
You think reality’s shut you down
And you’re locked away
Where you can’t get out
Spent awhile on your back
But you know what it means to me, babe
In the course of a history, hey
It all makes sense to me somehow
And it’s not what it used to be, no
We’re suddenly free to let go
And look what’s happening now
You will love this one
You will love this one
As if we create something magical, honey
There are times that come
These are times that come
Only once in your life
Or twice like mine
Do you wish to love
Can you give enough
Use your saving graces
In the heavy light
'Til the sky falls down
He can pray all he likes
But you know what it means to me, babe
In the course of a history, hey
It all makes sense to me somehow
It’s a course in philosophy, yeah
What is life is it just a dream, no
The perfect mystery but somehow I know
You will love this one
You will love this one
And if we create something magical, honey
There are times that come
These are times that come
Only once in your life
Or twice if you’re lucky
And if the chance it comes around
Another time
You risk it all, you take the fall
For what you like
And sure enough before your love
Has taken flight
You make the revelation
You will love this one (Love this one)
You will love this one
You will love this one
Dream in my head
Something magical, honey
There are times that come
These are times that come
Only once in your life
Or twice if you’re lucky
Charlene Jaszewski
Neil's songs make me feel loved. Who else is listening during Coronovirus isolation in 2020?
Klara Krass
<3
Annie N
@RePapero1 please keep safe🙏 as a Melbournian I understand
RePapero1
Greetings from Italy, twice lockdowned. Not so lucky.❣
Gena Wythe
I’ve been following forever too! Still here.....10/29/2020 😎😘👍✌🏼✨❤️
Wim Haverbeke
From the beginning of the band ive been folowing them
wildsmiley
When I hear songs like this, I'm just dumbfounded as to why Crowded House are not more popular in my country. But then I realize, well there's something wrong with everyone but me; after all, it should be impossible to resist the brilliance and the beauty in the simple truths that Neil Finn imbues in every song he writes. To me, listening to Crowded House is the closest I can get to understanding someone living in the '60s and being in awe of the Beatles. That's how I am with this band.
Hoover
Right on.
You're not alone
Treff Bennett
@truemansparks YES SIR! I have to force myself not to play it constantly! Heard Private Universe the other day-it was a great day! Closest band to the Beatles, in my estimation! Other musicians are completely in awe of Neil's genius..... and we are talking heavyweight musicians..... a lot of them! stay safe and keep cranking the good stuff!
Treff Bennett
Amazing melodies and whip-smart lyrics-Neil and company are music at it's very highest form.....sublime melody and sonics, deeply meaningful lyrics, and an undeniable CHEMISTRY between band members! I firmly believe that people who hear Crowded House and don't really like it, also hate puppies and ice cream and feel anger at the sight of a rainbow. It must also be said that Tim Finn is a remarkable talent as well and his solo stuff is A+ material! And lastly, everyone check out the albums Neil and Tim made together-brilliant melodies and harmonies!!!!!! wildsmiley-you said it beautifully, you're paragraph was a joy to read and ON POINT!!!!