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Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

Crowded House leader Neil Finn wrote this song after having a terrible fight with his wife, Sharon. (thanks, Jordan - North Bend, WA)

This was Crowded House's biggest hit in the US. The group is from New Zealand, where they are very popular. Crowded House was their first album, which did very well in the US. Subsequently released albums had success in the UK, but not in the states.

This was used in commercials for the New Zealand Tourism Commission.

In 1989 Paul Young performed a cover of this song at the Nelson Mandela Tribute Concert. (thanks, Gabor - Budapest, Hungary)

This song was used in the TV miniseries The Stand, which aired in March, 1994. The miniseries was based on the Stephen King novel. (thanks, Johnny - Rockland, MA)

Sixpence None The Richer recorded this song for their album Divine Discontent. They're version has a similar arrangement, but female vocals.

Comments:

Jeff, I always took the lines of "now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof/My possessions are causing me suspicions but there's no proof" as being a kind of syncronicity-effect going on...his "possessions" are falling apart, much like his relationship is. His possessions are foreshadowing what's happening within his relationship. Finn seems to use travel as a metaphor. At first he's telling his love that she'll "never see the end of the road" as long as she travels with him...then says that his car has broken down and is falling apart (so much for traveling with him)...then finally says he has to resort to walking alone down the same road he promised her she would never see the end of. Plus, he's walking back to "the door of her heart", no longer using the "car", starting all over again to try and win her back.
- Chris, San Bernardino, CA

Curtis, from Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY; you are thinking of a different song. "Who'd have thought that a boy like me could come to this?" is not from Crowded House-Don't Dream It's Over, it's from the Cutting Crew-I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight.
- Nina, Bronx, NY

I remember the excitement created when it was found out that DDIO were at #2 on the American charts. I took an instant liking to Crowded Houses first album, initially released in 1986. It wasn't an instant success but took some time before songs started to get some air play. Once this happened the album started to sell. This album was an easy album to listen to. I found that I had to listen to Temple of Low Men and Together Alone a few times before I was able to enjoy them. Woodface however was instantly likeable.
- Glenn, Auckland, New Zealand

When Crowded House performed this at the end of their "Farewell to the World" concert outside Sydney Opera House, it was amazing. And why has no-one here mentioned the tragedy of Paul Hester's death? Paul Hester was a musician and TV presenter in his own right and gave the band a lot of personality. I adore Neil Finn but I couldn't be more infuriated with the person who stated below that the other band members were "nobodies".
- Deb, Melbourne, Australia

Alright so I might be a Beatlemaniac... but I think there might be a reference to the song "Across the Universe" in the lyrics. In this song, it says "try to catch the deluge in a paper cup" and in Across the Universe it says "words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup." Anyone see the connection? That song was apparently written after John and Cynthia had an argument.
- Caitlin, Oakland, MD

"now I'm towing my car, there's a hole in the roof," says to me his car is completely useless. It does not move on it's own accord and it can't even be used as shelter. What this means, baffles me, though. And the next line, "My possessions are causing me suspicions but there's no proof," is equally so. I think it has to do with the material world we bury ourselves in (think of the "80's" I mean come on). But, coupled with the rest of words, the author is saying there's nothing in this world of ours that is lasting or filling, except for love, a powerful adoration and caring for another. That we get lost in modern life with it's excess and flippant concern with what's new and hot is too distracting. His love for his mate is enduring and waiting patiently on the back burner, so to speak. Very romantic, I have to say. Poetic and not easily gleaned.
- Jeff, Casa Grande, AZ

When they played this song at Live earth on 07-07-07, I got goosebumps. This is one of my all time favourite songs. Of CH I also like Fall at your feet;Four seasons in one day; Distant sun and Into temptation.The Split Enz. song Message to my girl is also one of the best songs ever! I like the way the voices blend together and with the music and lyrics the songs become timeless.
- Hanny, Roden, Netherlands

Such a lovely, poignant song. I will, however, put in my two cents and nominate "How Will You Go" for one of the best CH songs. (Really, there's not much from Woodface that isn't very good.)
- Michelina, The Mountains, CO

Bassist, Nick Seymour, multi instrumentalist, Mark Hart, and Drummer, the late Paul Hester are not nobodies and Neil Finn would never think of them as such! After all he recently got the band back together, because he wanted to work as a band again and he said there is no better band for him. As for 'Don't Dream It's Over' - it's a classic from Crowded House's first album. Session musicians HAD been used for a few tracks uring recording, and this was the first track after that which Paul & Nick played on. This is often the reason attributed to the melancholy sound that the song has. I have never heard before that it is about a fight Neil had with his wife. They like any couple must've had fights in their time I'm sure. - Neil is quite often more obscure than just writing a song "about" an argument. He is very imaginative. Lots if his songs do not relate to his own life directly. I love the line "Don't ever let them win". It is a line to be remembered in a lot of situations in life I believe!
- Paul, Glasgow, United Kingdom

Interesting that the song's highest position on the Billboard US chart was #2 and was kept out of the top spot by "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" by Aretha Franklin and George Michael. When DDIO was at #3 the week before, it was Aretha and George still at #1, but Starship's Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" was at #2.
- Jill, Decatur, GA

Does anybody remember an obscure kids TV show that had weather with you playing over the end credits. I'm pretty sure it was about a boat. I'm desperate to find it!
- Genevieve, North Melbourne

I agree with Sam from New York. Crowded House was FORMED IN AUSTRALIA. It has a mix of Australian and New Zealand members. Both nations deserve to be mentioned.
- TearsOfBlood, Nowhere That Concerns You

It's a bit dated news now but the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony featured Sarah Blasko as lead singer of Sixpence None The Richer. I normally despise cover versions but sometimes a cover comes out that just moves you as much as the original. Such is this version. The vidclip is even better and actually shows the pure mystical imagery with the confetti falling down as she sings this song. It's truly stunning.
- Sean, Auckland, New Zealand

i love this song! and i aggree with T from London, England. fall at your feet is another fave of mine too!
- Buddy, Barbourville, KY

I agree with Jay from Atlanta. They don't write great songs anymore like this. Songs in the 80's made you think and feel. Aw the good ol days.
- constance, dallas, TX

Jay in Atlanta pointed out the lyric, "In the paper today,Tales of war and of waste.But you turn right over To the TV page". I always loved that lyric. It paints such a great sense of the how obsorbed we get with the minusae of the world when there's so really important things going on all around.
- scott, los angeles, CA

"They" is the outside world.
- Mick, Las Vegas, NV

An amazingly insightful song.... another fave of mine is Fall at Your Feet! Just great lyrics all round!
- T, London, England

One of my favourite Neil Finn songs is "Message to my Girl". It's actually a Split Enz song but so identifiably the Neil Finn of the Crowded House period. Hey, Dave from Cardiff. One of the reasons artists from Down Under have only been "one hit wonders" in the States or the UK is it's so bloody hard to break into these music scenes if you're a foreigner. That doesn't make their music inferior. Abba wrote classic pop tunes that were massive in the UK and Aust/NZ but they never cracked the States. It doesn't usually speak of failure, more of timing and opportunity. If Neil Finn had been a Yank or a Pom he would have still been a great songwriter even if he didn't end up writing with that quintessential Down Under consciousness he's renowned for.
- Guy, Wellington, New Zealand

When a deep, insightful person loves a shallow follower of pop commercialism and the mass mentality, the result is frustration, pain, and sometimes worse. Survivors are often superficial and maleable;however,world-changers, while short-lived, are insightful, sensitive people of depth and conviction who leave us too soon, but they bequeath us their wisdom and their vision. We stand on their shoulders. These are the two faces of humanity, which strangely enough complement each other with their contrasting strenghths. That's what the truly classic song "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House means to me.
- Bill, Queens, NY

Tim & Neil Finn are originally from Te Awamutu, a small town in the Waikato, New Zealand. And believe me, they are regarded as legends in the town (I work there...I should know!!!)
- Derek, Cambridge, New Zealand

Mary, if the Australian members were nobodys, then why didn't Finn drop them and continue on his own. You have to remember that outside New Zealand, Split Enz were one hit wonders('I Got U' was their only big worldwide hit) and Tim and Neil Finn did not become household names until after Crowded House made it big... Don't underestimate the importance of session musicians to the history of rock music
- Dave, Cardiff, Wales

I love this song. It "sounds" so sad and beautiful. But I don't know who are the "THEY" that he talks about in the song.
- Sebastian, Providence, RI

Reply to: Samuel, New York, NY. The 3 'Australians' you mentioned were nobody's that partnered up with the already famous Neil Finn. Take him away and you have nothing...ergo NEW ZEALAND BAND!
- Mary, Auckland , New Zealand

Don't meant to sound rude here but does anyone have anymore insight into this song than that he wrote it after a fight with his wife? I've thought it was about suicide since I first listened to it while contemplating suicide. "Who'd have thought that a boy like me could come to this?" Even if I hear otherwise I will always think it's about suicide and fully intend to have it played at my funeral.
- Curtis, Cornwall on Hudson , NY

split enz are touring australia, be in adelaide june 14th (i think)...heres to hoping that they will play some crowded house material
- MeL, SoutH AustraliA, Australia

Great song. They just don't write lyrics like "In the paper today,Tales of war and of waste.But you turn right over To the TV page" and "Try to catch the deluge In a paper cup". And not to mention those opening chords...
- Jay, Atlanta, GA

I've appreciated the Finn brothers since Slit Enz...
- Jay, Atlanta, GA

This song is just one of MANY great songs that Neil has penned ( often with his Brother Tim ) Their newer albums are great.
- Geoff, Hamilton, New Zealand

I would like to mention that the band was formed by 3 Australians and 1 New Zealander, the band was based in Australia, yet it is listed here as a New Zealand band? The band should be credited as Australian/New Zealand. Split Enz is definitely a New Zealand band, and Crowded House is a mix of the two nations.
- Samuel, New York, NY

My favorite C.H. / Finn song is "Never be the Same". Could you put up some facts about it?
- Justin, Austin, TX

I seem to like Sixpence None The Richer's version better
- AJ, Cleveland, GA

This songs nice, and the lyrics are so mellow, yet sad. Notice, they always tend to write songs that somehow become uplifting on the chorus.
- Mistik, Sydney, Australia

Four Seasons in one day...has to be an all time classic from the boys. Dave, Coromandel, New Zealand
- Coromandel, Thames, New Zealand

I agree with Callum Cross that Distant Sun is better. One of my favorites is "In The Lowlands". I'm going to a concert from Tim and Neil in April again. Looking forward to it...
- Menze, Groningen, Netherlands

This song was used in the television mini-series "The Stand," by Stephen King, in 1994.
- Mike, Fort Worth, TX

most people reckon this is the houses best song i think the world where you live and distant sun are better.
- callum cross, scotland, England

I remember the first time I heard this song when it was first released I thought "this is an instant classic". I was right
- Geri, Nova Scotia, Canada

This may be the song that Crowded House will be most remembered for. Although they have other great classics ("World Where You Live," "Mean to Me," "Something So Strong," "It's Only Natural" and the under-rated "Better Be Home Soon"), this song, inspired by a fight that Neil Finn had with his wife, will be the song that truly stands out as THE Crowded House song. Great lyrics, great melodies, haunting background chorus...a simple classic.
- Justin, Felts Mills, NY

Another song used in the TV version of Steven King's THE STAND. Molly Ringwald plays the song on her record player during the opening credits of part 2 (THE BETRAYAL), after the super flu has wiped out most of mankind.
- DC, Hilo, HI

Their Farewell to the World concert has to be one of the most amzing performances I have ever seen!
- Nicola, Christchurch, New Zealand

Neil was in Split Enz TOO for a while.. Then eventually all those years later, Tim in turn joined Crowded House. They just have a great chemistry together.. when they sing in perfect harmony they say they often can't tell which voice is their own.
- Aimee, Auckland, New Zealand

great remake by sixpence none the richer of this song...but still, nothing at all like the feel of the original --carl, dj 103.5 k-lite manila, philippines
- Carl, Manila, Other

The Finn bros are musical legends. Enough said.
- Aimee, Auckland, New Zealand

Neil Finn is Tim Finn's (Split Enz) brother
- John, Greeneville, TN