Finn is said to have decided to become a musician at the age of 12 and throughout his school years performed in hospitals and prisons, as well as at home gatherings. In 1976 he formed a group known as After Hours with Mark Hough, Geoff Chunn and Alan Brown. The following year, in 1977, Finn was invited to London to join Split Enz, the band formed by his elder brother, Tim Finn. Split Enz broke up in 1984 and Neil Finn formed a new band, Crowded House, with several other Australian and New Zealand musicians.
Crowded House had a string of hits over the next 10 years, releasing four albums and culminating in a concert in the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House. Finn went solo after this, releasing several albums as well as two albums with his brother Tim (Finn Brothers).
In 2007, Finn re-united Crowded House and released a new album, Time on Earth, and the band began a world tour. In 2010, another new album, "Intriguer", was released and coincided with another world tour.
In 2012, Finn recorded the track "Song of the Lonely Mountain", which was featured in the end credits of the movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey".
Addicted
Neil Finn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kevin has a caterpillar squeezed between his fingers
Hear the mailman come, see what he delivers
And you wait and it makes you feel strange
As if you were afraid
And you lie with a look to the side
And you say I was addicted to the drug
Now I know when I've had enough
But now I'm riding the train a hundred miles an hour
Feels like this train might never stop, ooh
Watching static on the television
When the morning comes
And you wait and it makes you feel strange
As if you were deranged
With a look to the side
And you say I was addicted to the drug
But now I know when I've had enough
So far, we've come so far
Come so far
Far, so far
The lyrics to Neil Finn's song "Addicted" are quite abstract, but it seems to be about the feeling of being consumed by something - perhaps a drug addiction, as hinted at in the chorus. The first verse sets the tone with nonsensical phrases - "Hear the words a jumble" and "Kevin has a caterpillar squeezed between his fingers." These lines could represent the confusion and chaos that can come with addiction.
The second verse introduces the mailman as a symbol of time passing and opportunities slipping away. The singer is waiting for something, yet feels afraid and strange. The chorus then kicks in, with the singer admitting to their addiction but also claiming to have control over it now. The line "Could curl up and sleep on the floor" suggests the singer has hit rock bottom, but they're now on the upswing - "riding the train a hundred miles an hour" and feeling unstoppable.
The final verse paints a picture of ennui, with the singer watching "static on the television" and waiting for morning to come. Despite this, they seem to be at peace with knowing when they've had enough of their addiction. The repeated line "So far, we've come so far" at the end of the song hints at the journey that the singer has been on and how much progress they've made.
Overall, "Addicted" is a powerful depiction of the struggle and triumph of addiction recovery. It highlights the confusion, fear, rock bottom moments, and the eventual sense of control that can come from overcoming addiction.
Line by Line Meaning
Hear the words a jumble try this tongue twister
The words sound muddled and difficult to decipher, so listen closely and repeat them back like a tongue twister.
Kevin has a caterpillar squeezed between his fingers
An absurd image, highlighting the strangeness of the situation and the discomfort it may cause, possibly a metaphor for the singer's own experiences.
Hear the mailman come, see what he delivers
Pay attention to what's coming, as it may bring major changes, good or bad.
And you wait and it makes you feel strange
The anticipation is causing uneasy and uncomfortable feelings.
As if you were afraid
The unease is similar to fear, suggesting that the situation may be uncertain or dangerous.
And you lie with a look to the side
The singer is avoiding eye contact or confrontation, possibly indicating shame or guilt.
And you say I was addicted to the drug
The singer is admitting to a past addiction, which may have caused regret or damage in their life.
Now I know when I've had enough
The artist has learned to recognize and control their addictive behavior, a sign of growth and self-awareness.
Could curl up and sleep on the floor
A defeatist and depressed state of mind, echoing feelings of despair or being worn out.
But now I'm riding the train a hundred miles an hour
The artist is on a fast pace and heading towards something exciting or new, contrasting with the previous line.
Feels like this train might never stop, ooh
The momentum and excitement is so strong that it is overwhelming, and could lead to potential risks or dangers.
Watching static on the television
An image of boredom and uneventfulness, possibly a metaphor for the artist's past struggles with addiction.
When the morning comes
A new day is approaching, bringing hope and anticipation for the future.
So far, we've come so far
Reflecting on the progress made, possibly indicating a sense of pride or hope for continued improvement.
Come so far
Repeating the previous line, emphasizing the sense of accomplishment or positivity in the progress made.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: NEIL MULLANE FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind