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.
Twinkle
Tim Finn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And there ain't no stars out to be seen
All that luster must've lost its glow
Down here
You fly? into space
There's no time to waste
You're the twinkle in the sky
There's a full moon hidden in your eyes
And it takes me to the other side
Where the light man plays upon the hill
I found my thrill
You fly? into space
There's no time to waste
You're the twinkle in the sky
You're full of surprises
Oh I can't describe it
You're the twinkle in the sky
The light that shines from you
The light that ?
The light that dims the sun
There's a light for everyone
You fly into space
It's nobody's place
You're the twinkle in the sky
You're full of surprises
And I can't describe it
You're the twinkle in the sky
You're the twinkle in the sky...
The song Twinkle by Tim Finn is an ode to the beauty and wonder of the night sky. Finn uses imagery to describe how polluted and unclean the city skies are, devoid of any stars to be seen, and how the lustre seems to have lost its glow. However, the song takes a turn when Finn sees beyond the grime and pollution of the city and finds solace in the twinkling stars and the moon hidden within someone's eyes. He admires their beauty, describing the light emanating from them as the one that dims the sun and is meant for everyone. The person becomes the twinkle in the sky, flying high above and full of surprises, even though Finn is unable to describe their beauty and wonder fully.
The song talks about how we all need something to hold onto in our tough times, something that gives us hope and makes us feel happy, and how the twinkling stars might offer that peace and respite from the world's chaos. The persona encounters the ultimate shine in the other person's eyes that takes them to the other side, that is, away from the city's filth and into a world of magic, art, and nature. The twinkling stars and the person's eyes become a metaphor for hope, love, and strength, making the song a tranquil escape from the drab city life.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the skies of the city are unclean
The city's skies are dirty and polluted.
And there ain't no stars out to be seen
The stars cannot be seen due to the city lights and pollution.
All that luster must've lost its glow
The brightness of the stars has faded away in the city.
Down here
On earth, in the city.
You fly? into space
In your imagination or dreams, you travel to space.
There's no time to waste
There is no time to delay or lose.
You're the twinkle in the sky
You are the source of light and joy in the sky.
There's a full moon hidden in your eyes
The person's eyes reflect the brightness of the full moon.
And it takes me to the other side
It transports the artist to another place.
Where the light man plays upon the hill
The light man creates magical scenes on the hilltops.
I found my thrill
This experience has given the singer satisfaction and joy.
You're full of surprises
The person has many unexpected qualities.
Oh I can't describe it
The singer finds it difficult to articulate the person’s qualities.
The light that shines from you
The person emits a special light.
The light that ?
This line is left blank and could be interpreted in many ways.
The light that dims the sun
The person's light is so bright that it surpasses the light of the sun.
There's a light for everyone
Everyone has their own unique light they bring to the world.
It's nobody's place
The vastness of space belongs to no one in particular.
You're the twinkle in the sky
The person is still the source of light and joy in the sky.
You're full of surprises
The person has many unexpected qualities.
And I can't describe it
The person has so many qualities that the artist finds it hard to put it into words.
You're the twinkle in the sky
The person is still the source of light and joy in the sky.
Contributed by Aaron T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
marcswadel
Man - you made an effort!! I directed this one - can send you a high res 25fps version if you want!
jim st.patrick
so cool