Black Curve

11 Crowded House Facts Only Die-Hard Fans Will Know

Crowded House. For many they’re just that band with infectious ear-worm ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ to their name, but for real fans they are so much more. One of Australia's finest exports, Crowded House were formed in 1985 around the songwriting talents of Neil Finn. Originally active until 1996, the group released four acclaimed albums before splitting on the back of a greatest hits compilation ‘Recurring Dream’. 11 years later the band surprised everyone by reforming and, in good rock and roll tradition, splitting up and reforming a few more times as well.
With over three decades of history, thirty-four singles and ten million album sales to their name the story of Crowded House is one of dreams truly coming true. Along with the likes of AC/DC, Nick Cave and Tame Impala, they have come from a land down under and conquered the world. Below we’ve collected eleven little known facts in celebration of this truly special outfit.





1. Frontman Neil's full name is rather interesting - it's Cornelius Mullane Finn, but he started calling himself Neil at an early age. We don't blame him.

2. Ever the prolific songwriter, Neil Finn has performed with and written songs for other high profile artists, including Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Sheryl Crow, and Sebastian Bach, former front man of Skid Row.

3. After Tim Finn left the band, younger brother Neil considered inviting The Smiths’ Johnny Marr to join as the fourth member of Crowded House. When interviewed years later, Marr said that he would have joined if he was asked. What a missed opportunity!

4. In 1994 the band beat grunge kings Nirvana and Pearl Jam - as well as the mighty U2 - to win the Brit Award for International Group. They'd lost the previous year to R.E.M.

5. In 2001, "Don't Dream It's Over" from their self-titled debut album was voted the #7 song in a poll of the Best Australian Songs Of All Time, held by the Australian Performing Rights Association. Number 1? 'Friday on My Mind' by The Easybeats.
 


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6. The band was originally called The Mullanes. Luckily Capitol Records requested the group change their name before their debut was released. As they were sharing a cramped Hollywood Hills home during its recording, they went with 'Crowded House.'

7. The song 'Into Temptation' off 1988's 'Temple of Low Men' is based on a rather memorable evening Neil Finn had while staying in a motel in New Zealand. Neil watched as a rugby team and a netball team - fellow guests - met at the bar and began to pair off as the evening went on.

 

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8. 'Hole in the River' from the band's debut has a sadder origin. A rare Finn composition where he's trying to tell a direct story, the song deals with the suicide of his aunt.

9. A band as big as Crowded House has picked up a few surprising fans along the way, including Dave Mustaine of thrash metallers Megadeth, Princess Diana, Liam Gallagher, and Paul McCartney.

10. Their song 'Fall At Your Feet' from 1991's 'Woodface' has been covered by the likes of David Essex, James Blunt, and Mary Black.

11. More recently, global superstars Miley Cyrus and Arian Grande covered 'Don't Dream It's Over' for a Happy Hippie Backyard Session while dressed in cute onesies, helping bring this masterful pop song to a new generation.

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