Every month, 5AM StoryTalk explores a different song about our struggle to lead good and meaningful lives in a confusing, increasingly grim modern world...
It's one of my favourite songs ever, and reminds me of my brother. The lyrics are amazing as they can have so many different meaning depending on how you are feeling. And yes, Cole, like you, I am sickened by so much, and trying to be brave and optimistic, and continue to write my poems, and make little references to the shit among the lightness of my poetry, because if we all go to the dark side we'll be useless. Sending you lots of love and hugs.
I'm not so much writing these as autobiography, but trying to catch the spirit of the songs as I understand them and marry them to my own interpretation of a current consciousness. I've come to accept my interpretation, while incredibly specific, will speak to others or it won't. I'm glad this one spoke to you in any way. And I agree with you, I love this song!
Ouf, this hit hard. I feel very seen, and right now, that's quite a rare thing for me. I remember vividly the first time I heard this song: it was played during an episode of the 90s TV adaptation of Stephen King's THE STAND. I must have watched it 100 times as a kid, and every time that scene came on, I remember looking at the destruction on the screen, and hearing those lyrics, and feeling a strange sense of hope. I never understood that feeling until I rewatched it again recently, and realised just how much HOPE this song actually gave me, even when juxtaposed with such devastating scenes. I think the phrase "don't dream it's over" has saved my life on more than a few occasions. Thank you for sharing this.
You're welcome, Debs. And also, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who can cite its use in "THE STAND" TV adaptation. I discovered it in the '80s myself, in part because I was obsessed with Aussie artists who could explain my mother's country to me in any way.
Oh, they are INCREDIBLE! Watching a video of them playing "The Romp" live was the moment I fell in love with music. I don't believe they're still together, unfortunately, but they had a great run in the 90s. A particularly relevant song at the moment is "Sirens", about waiting for the bush fires to hit. It's incredibly powerful.
It’s an extraordinary record, with some great and very affecting live versions on YouTube. This version, Neil with a string section, is really fantastic… IMHO… https://youtu.be/I90oxWF2lms?si=XKLxtc-tsANBJSb9
Ah yes, this is one of those “pure magic” songs that seems to have been channeled directly from the ether every time I hear it. It was never really my genre, but there are a few other songs like this that speak to me that always seem to have just been around forever.
Some songs are spirituals, as I describe them. They work regardless of your interest in a type of music. Like, there's no one on Earth who isn't moved when they hear "Hallelujah" from Cohen or covered by anyone else for that matter. It vibrates at a place that feels almost numinous.
Thank you for sharing the love of this incredible song. The only thing better than listening to the recording of it is hearing them play it live while surrounded by a crowd of Crowded House fans (which must be the collective noun for such a gathering??), all of you singing along with Neil Finn at the top of your lungs. I've been lucky enough to do that twice and it's so moving, so uplifting.
Have you ever seen the Songwriters Circle episode with Neil Finn, Roddy Frame and Graham Gouldman? Neil does a solo version of Don't Dream It's Over and it's magical - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5RTIbTfakw (and it's followed by a sweet/funny exchange with Roddy Frame, too)
That’s accurate, but the ambiguity of it, when performed, is much more subjective and spiritual. It can feel small or epic depending on the context. You should give it a listen.
Absolutely. In Australia, they remain iconic. But around the world, they’re not the powerhouses they used to be. “Something So Strong” might be a lighter song, but it makes me float.
I still have the first four Crowded House albums on cd which I bought when I was 17. This is a beautiful song and strikingly appropriate for the times we live in.
I’m currently holding on to the New Year post from my favourite band, We Are Scientists, in terms of not giving way to despair. They reference the Raymond Carter story “A Small, Good Thing,” which I’ve since read, and I’m making it my business to find the small, good things which happen to me and to also think deliberately about the acts of kindness I can carry out for other people. I’m not sure how much difference I can make to the world at large but I can absolutely be what I want to see in the world.
This is a lovely philosophy and that is a wonderful short story. I've had it on my list of ideas for an essay for a while now. Maybe I need to get around to that...
Just realised I typed Carter instead of Carver. Cathedral is such a beautiful collection, I can see why he is your favourite writer of short stories. My Dad passed away last week so I need the small, good things more than ever right now. I’d very much like to read that essay.
Oh god, Lou, I’m so sorry. I think you’ve worked out by now my parents have left us. I know what this feels like all too well. I will be thinking about you and your family.
Thank you. You’ve spoken so eloquently about your parents here that I didn’t mind mentioning it. I hope that’s ok. We are all doing alright at the moment.
This is such an important song for me. I remember the first time I heard it, I was programming music on a Sydney radio station (vinyl, analogue) and the record rep came in and said, this is perfect, you will definitely play it. And he was right. We had it on the cart and on the air almost immediately. Been on personal and global high rotation since its release.
There’s been a lot written about the influences on Neil Finn, and Tim really. And that is all true. But it is still mind blowing to think of those young men, all of Split Enz, living a life in this corner of the globe at a time when they were so remote from the direct influences of European and US culture, growing to have the impact that he and they have had.
It's one of my favourite songs ever, and reminds me of my brother. The lyrics are amazing as they can have so many different meaning depending on how you are feeling. And yes, Cole, like you, I am sickened by so much, and trying to be brave and optimistic, and continue to write my poems, and make little references to the shit among the lightness of my poetry, because if we all go to the dark side we'll be useless. Sending you lots of love and hugs.
I'm not so much writing these as autobiography, but trying to catch the spirit of the songs as I understand them and marry them to my own interpretation of a current consciousness. I've come to accept my interpretation, while incredibly specific, will speak to others or it won't. I'm glad this one spoke to you in any way. And I agree with you, I love this song!
Ouf, this hit hard. I feel very seen, and right now, that's quite a rare thing for me. I remember vividly the first time I heard this song: it was played during an episode of the 90s TV adaptation of Stephen King's THE STAND. I must have watched it 100 times as a kid, and every time that scene came on, I remember looking at the destruction on the screen, and hearing those lyrics, and feeling a strange sense of hope. I never understood that feeling until I rewatched it again recently, and realised just how much HOPE this song actually gave me, even when juxtaposed with such devastating scenes. I think the phrase "don't dream it's over" has saved my life on more than a few occasions. Thank you for sharing this.
You're welcome, Debs. And also, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who can cite its use in "THE STAND" TV adaptation. I discovered it in the '80s myself, in part because I was obsessed with Aussie artists who could explain my mother's country to me in any way.
If you're a fan of Aussie bands, do you know My Friend The Chocolate Cake?
I don't!
Oh, they are INCREDIBLE! Watching a video of them playing "The Romp" live was the moment I fell in love with music. I don't believe they're still together, unfortunately, but they had a great run in the 90s. A particularly relevant song at the moment is "Sirens", about waiting for the bush fires to hit. It's incredibly powerful.
I've always loved this song. It has so many memories behind it. I wish I could go back to those days. ❤️✨
It’s an extraordinary record, with some great and very affecting live versions on YouTube. This version, Neil with a string section, is really fantastic… IMHO… https://youtu.be/I90oxWF2lms?si=XKLxtc-tsANBJSb9
This is so lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Ah yes, this is one of those “pure magic” songs that seems to have been channeled directly from the ether every time I hear it. It was never really my genre, but there are a few other songs like this that speak to me that always seem to have just been around forever.
Some songs are spirituals, as I describe them. They work regardless of your interest in a type of music. Like, there's no one on Earth who isn't moved when they hear "Hallelujah" from Cohen or covered by anyone else for that matter. It vibrates at a place that feels almost numinous.
Great record. Saw them in concert many times and the highlight was always this song 💙
I've somehow never seen them live. Hoping to rectify that, at least with regard to Neil, here in Australia.
Thank you for sharing the love of this incredible song. The only thing better than listening to the recording of it is hearing them play it live while surrounded by a crowd of Crowded House fans (which must be the collective noun for such a gathering??), all of you singing along with Neil Finn at the top of your lungs. I've been lucky enough to do that twice and it's so moving, so uplifting.
Have you ever seen the Songwriters Circle episode with Neil Finn, Roddy Frame and Graham Gouldman? Neil does a solo version of Don't Dream It's Over and it's magical - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5RTIbTfakw (and it's followed by a sweet/funny exchange with Roddy Frame, too)
This is a lovely rendition of the song, thank you so much for sharing this with me, Andrea!
It's a great record, well worth everyone's time.
Yes, yes it is.
I still love and listen to this song.💕
Great Record!
i kind of missed this song – i heard it (a lot) but never really listened to it – i was more of a Split Enz fan
reading the lyrics, the song feels like a beautiful, melodic way of saying, “don’t let the bastards grind you down”
That’s accurate, but the ambiguity of it, when performed, is much more subjective and spiritual. It can feel small or epic depending on the context. You should give it a listen.
The rest of the album also unjustly forgotten. Some absolute bangers buried in there.
Absolutely. In Australia, they remain iconic. But around the world, they’re not the powerhouses they used to be. “Something So Strong” might be a lighter song, but it makes me float.
I still have the first four Crowded House albums on cd which I bought when I was 17. This is a beautiful song and strikingly appropriate for the times we live in.
I’m currently holding on to the New Year post from my favourite band, We Are Scientists, in terms of not giving way to despair. They reference the Raymond Carter story “A Small, Good Thing,” which I’ve since read, and I’m making it my business to find the small, good things which happen to me and to also think deliberately about the acts of kindness I can carry out for other people. I’m not sure how much difference I can make to the world at large but I can absolutely be what I want to see in the world.
This is a lovely philosophy and that is a wonderful short story. I've had it on my list of ideas for an essay for a while now. Maybe I need to get around to that...
Just realised I typed Carter instead of Carver. Cathedral is such a beautiful collection, I can see why he is your favourite writer of short stories. My Dad passed away last week so I need the small, good things more than ever right now. I’d very much like to read that essay.
Oh god, Lou, I’m so sorry. I think you’ve worked out by now my parents have left us. I know what this feels like all too well. I will be thinking about you and your family.
Thank you. You’ve spoken so eloquently about your parents here that I didn’t mind mentioning it. I hope that’s ok. We are all doing alright at the moment.
Thanks for this! I saw them at Bumbershoot in Seattle a long time ago. Tim joined them onstage. Loved The Split Enz as well.
Yes, they're both wonderful bands. I got to interview Neil once upon a time. Lovely man, or so it seemed.
Thank you. ❤️
You're welcome, Sally!
This is such an important song for me. I remember the first time I heard it, I was programming music on a Sydney radio station (vinyl, analogue) and the record rep came in and said, this is perfect, you will definitely play it. And he was right. We had it on the cart and on the air almost immediately. Been on personal and global high rotation since its release.
There’s been a lot written about the influences on Neil Finn, and Tim really. And that is all true. But it is still mind blowing to think of those young men, all of Split Enz, living a life in this corner of the globe at a time when they were so remote from the direct influences of European and US culture, growing to have the impact that he and they have had.
This is an excellent point!