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* "Bands Unfairly Categorized as One-hit Wonders" (see previous post for explanation).
Crowded House - "Don't Dream it's Over"
Last month, I had the privilege of seeing Crowded House perform live at Bowery Ballroom, possibly my favorite NYC venue. I had seen them 5 or 6 times before, in different incarnations, but Bowery was the most intimate of venues. Seriously, on their 2007 tour, I saw them at a beautiful, but huge, theater in Oakland, CA. This was infinitely better.
CH shows are typically packed with loyal fans who sing along with every tune, not just their big hit, "Don't Dream it's Over" (which, I've been surprised to notice at their shows, is the second-biggest sing-along of the night, after "Weather With You.") Neil Finn and Co. engage in witty banter among themselves and have a fantastic rapport with their audience--better than nearly any live act I've seen.
I'd been a fan of Split Enz since 1981, when my brother and I got this awesome compilation LP called "The Beat (New Wave Hits)" or something like that. I seem to remember us getting it for free, as some kind of promo. Anyway, it included the Split Enz gem, "I Got You." And we played the effing CRAP out of that record. Seriously, the sleeve was so worn out it looked like we'd run it through the dishwasher. Along with Split Enz, the track listing included Billy Idol - "Hot Child in the City," Kim Wilde - "Kids in America," OMD, Duran Duran, Flock of Seagulls and others. KROQ sometimes played "Six Months in a Leaky Boat," too, so I was familiar with Split Enz.
Then, in 1986, Crowded House came along and "Don't Dream it's Over" was ALL OVER the radio and I loved it and I bought the album and I loved all the tracks and was so excited when KROQ started playing the second single, "Something So Strong." MTV aired the video a bit, too, and I'm thinking, "Cool--everyone seems to like these guys!"
But when their sophomore album, "Temple of Low Men," was released in 1988, it got a trickle of airplay for the lovely "Better Be Home Soon" and then kind of fizzled. Same with their 1991 album, "Woodface," which I absolutely adore and which holds major sentimental value for me, as I purchased it immediately following a life-changing event. I've purchased every one of their albums since, including Neil's solo stuff and the albums Neil and Tim recorded as Finn Brothers.
Nowadays, no piece written about CH fails to mention "Don't Dream it's Over" as their one hit. But, folks, that's only in the U.S.! They've had far greater success in their native New Zealand, in Australia, in the UK and all over Europe. A bunch of their singles that barely cracked the airwaves here were huge sellers everywhere else!
So, with that, I hereby contest Crowded House's standing as a one-hit wonder. Just ask the 300+ screaming fans at the Bowery Ballroom last month (and at their sold-out shows around the world this year). Sure, most are in their 40s or older and not what one might call "hip," but fuck if they (and I) didn't have a fabulous time grooving to CH for a full TWO & A HALF HOURS. Who plays that long anymore?! Neil Finn is one of the world's greatest, unsung (pun intended) songwriters and if he only has one "hit" to show for it in the U.S., so be it. He's laughing all the way to the bank.
P.S. I bought their new album, "Intriguer," last week and I challenge anyone to name more than a handful of artists still writing and playing beautiful, thoughtful, relevant music 30 YEARS into their careers. One-hit wonder, my ass!