Finn started a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Auckland in 1971. There he jammed in music practice room 129 (later the name of a Split Enz song) with friends and future Split Enz bandmembers Mike Chunn, Robert Gillies, Philip Judd and Noel Crombie. Music soon became more important to him than his studies; in mid-1972 he quit university. A few months later, Judd and Finn (the band's members used their middle names as stage names) formed group Split Ends (renamed Split Enz, shortly before their first move to Melbourne in 1975). The bands' music style is best described as eclectic, incorporating influences from art rock, vaudeville, swing, punk, glam rock, rock and pop. Between 1972 and 1977, Finn and Judd alternated as frontman for the band. Once Judd permanently left the band, Tim Finn's younger brother Neil Finn took his place.
In 1983 Finn recorded his debut solo album, Escapade, while still a member of Split Enz. This met with major commercial success both in Australia and New Zealand, and yielded hit song Fraction Too Much Friction. After contributing four songs to the Split Enz album Conflicting Emotions, Finn left the band permanently in June 1984, to focus on a solo career. The following year he moved to London. 1986 saw the release of his second solo album Big Canoe.
In late 1989, Finn was back living in Melbourne, recording his eponymous third album, Tim Finn, for Capitol Records. In early 1990, he began playing music with younger brother Neil, for an intended Finn brothers record. After working together on some songs, Neil Finn proposed incorporating the tracks onto the latest album of Crowded House, the group he had formed after Split Enz dissolved. Tim Finn performed with the band to promote the band's album Woodface, and co-wrote eight songs, including the hit Weather with You. Yet some time during the tour which followed the album's American release, all concerned realised that the combination was not a good fit. Tim Finn returned to pursue his solo career.
In 2004, the Finn brothers released their second album together, Everyone Is Here. Since then Finn has continued to release solo albums.
Fraction Too Much Friction
Tim Finn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a fraction too much friction
There's a fraction too much friction
There's a fraction too much friction
Take a typical man, put him
With a typical woman, then,
Sit back and watch everything slide
Expression of ill will, but
When will hostilities subside
There's a fraction too much friction
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
Don't believe in opposing factions
What we need is some positive action
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
Oh yeah
It's a very old problem, that
goes back to the dark ages,
The wages of original sin
Let's make it a better world
Let's shake it up, boys and girls
It's never too late to begin
There's a fraction too much friction
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
Men and women need each other
Should be like sister and brother
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
Oh yeah
Looking for a man who will love his woman
Looking for a woman who will love her man
Looking for a man who will love his woman
Looking for a woman who will love her man
I swallow my pride for you
My personal highs bore you
You're too wrapped up in your own world
I'm not a man for nothing
I gotta become someone
Inside this oyster there's a pearl
There's a fraction too much friction
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
Holding on to the bygone era
Everybody shout ‘cause we're getting nearer
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
What we need is some positive action
What we need is some positive thought, yeah
The song "Fraction Too Much Friction" by Tim Finn is a commentary on the difficulties in relationships between men and women. The repetition of the line "There's a fraction too much friction" emphasizes that the tension between the sexes is a pervasive problem. Finn suggests that the reason for this friction is "the wages of original sin" - a reference to the Biblical story of Adam and Eve and the fall of humanity. He encourages listeners to "make it a better world" by ending this ancient conflict and promoting positive action and thought.
Finn highlights that men and women need each other, but they should act more like siblings than opponents. The verse "Looking for a man who will love his woman/Looking for a woman who will love her man" shows that he desires a mutual and equal relationship. His line "I gotta become someone/Inside this oyster there's a pearl" is a message of self-improvement, indicating that individuals must work on themselves to become the best partner possible.
The song's upbeat melody contrasts with the seriousness of the message, creating a feeling of optimism. The chorus's harmonies highlight the need for unity and action to overcome the problem. Finn manages to tackle a complex issue with a catchy and accessible tune, making it a classic pop song with a powerful message.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a fraction too much friction
There's too much tension or conflict between men and women.
There's a fraction too much friction, yeah
The tension or conflict is still present and needs to be addressed.
Don't believe in opposing factions
There shouldn't be a divisive or hostile separation between men and women.
What we need is some positive action
Instead of continuing the conflict, we should take steps towards resolution.
Oh yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation.
Men and women need each other
Both genders are necessary and complementary to each other.
Should be like sister and brother
Men and women should treat each other with familial love and respect.
It's a very old problem, that goes back to the dark ages
The conflict between men and women has existed for centuries.
Let's make it a better world
We should work towards creating a more harmonious and peaceful society.
Let's shake it up, boys and girls
Let's make changes and take action to improve the situation.
It's never too late to begin
No matter how long the conflict has existed, there is always a chance for positive change.
Looking for a man who will love his woman
Seeking a man who will treat his partner with love and respect.
Looking for a woman who will love her man
Seeking a woman who will treat her partner with love and respect.
I swallow my pride for you
I'm willing to put aside my ego for your sake.
My personal highs bore you
You're not interested in the things that make me happy or excited.
You're too wrapped up in your own world
You're too focused on your own desires or interests to prioritize our relationship.
I'm not a man for nothing
I have value and worth in this relationship.
I gotta become someone
I need to work on improving myself and growing as an individual.
Inside this oyster there's a pearl
Despite the conflict, there is something valuable and beautiful within the relationship that is worth preserving.
Holding on to the bygone era
Clinging to outdated views and expectations of gender roles.
Everybody shout ‘cause we're getting nearer
We're making progress and getting closer to a resolution.
What we need is some positive thought, yeah
Our attitudes and beliefs need to shift towards positivity and cooperation.
Lyrics © MUSHROOM MUSIC PTY LTD
Written by: TIM FINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kimi T
I had totally forgotten about this song! Thanks so much for posting.
rocco antonio sanza
There's a fraction, too much friction
There's a fraction, too much friction
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah, yeah
There's a fraction, too much friction
Take a typical man put him
With a typical woman then
Sit back and watch everything slide
It's a perfectly natural
Expression of ill will but
When will hostilities subside?
There's a fraction, too much friction
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah
Don't believe in opposing factions
What we need is some positive action
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah, oh, yeah
It's a very old problem that
Goes back to the dark ages
The wages of original sin
Let's make it a better world
Let's shake it you, boys and girls
It's never too late to begin
There's a fraction, too much friction
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah
Men and woman need each other
Should be like sister and brother
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah, oh, yeah
La la la
Look for a man who will love his woman
Look for a woman who will love her man
Look for a man who will love his woman
Look for a woman who will love her man
I swallowed my pride for you
My personal highs bore you
You're too wrapped up in your own world
I'm not a man for nothing
I gotta become someone
Inside this oyster there's a pearl
There's a fraction, too much friction
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah
Holding on to the bygone era
Everybody shout 'cause we're getting nearer
There's a fraction, too much friction, yeah, oh, yeah
Oh, yeah
What we need is some positive action
What we need is some positive thought, yeah