…..She had a blind date with destiny, And the sound of te awamutu Had a truly sacred ring, “ For those of you who aren’t singing along, these are the opening lines of “Mean to Me” by Crowded House. Perhaps, I think, my favourite Crowded House song. Though that designation changes on a regular basis, I always seem to come back to that one. It is truly the song that made me a life long fan.
I liked them from day one. I remember seeing the video for “Don’t Dream It’s Over” for the first time and going oooo who is this, and where can I hear more? I liked them enough that for my 15th birthday my sister Heather got us tickets to see them at Place Des Arts in Montreal. We both loved the album, my sister was already a Split Endz fan, so going was a no brainer. We had great upper level seats, a high energy crowd and then the lights went dim. Silence. Then simply a solo voice…..” She came all the way from America” and that was it. A life long fan had been born. I still get a shiver when I hear that song start. I can never remember where it comes on the greatest hits cd, so the anticipation is like the night of the concert. The show was non-stop energy, they inadvertently invited the crowd on stage, but went with it, enjoying the moment. They were obviously having so much fun themselves it was contagious. For weeks after, I would play the album and relive the experience in the basement.
Crowded House have just stuck with me. Neil Finn, Nick Seymour and Paul Hester played their way onto the soundtrack of my life. I have every cd, my concert t-shirt somewhere. The Wiggles became that much cooler when I realised Paul the Cook was none other than Paul Hester. I remember where I was when I heard Paul had committed suicide in 2005, cried more than a few tears while listening to “Better Be Home Soon”. Saddened at the loss of a true talent and the thought that I would never be able to relive that live experience again, but grateful that I had been able to see him play in his prime. It was tough listening to them after that, but it kept getting easier.
The bands place in my heart was re-affirmed July 2002 when Neil Finn set out on a solo tour and landed at the Palais Royale in Toronto. My friends Fran and Alan and I made our way to the small, standing room only venue that holds maybe 400 people. 400 people, no air conditioning and the hottest bloody day of the year. The heat and humidity were unreal, but no one was going anywhere, and the night that unfolded was well worth any discomfort. First song complete, Neil took his off his shoes and socks, made sure we were okay, told us to drink plenty of liquids and suggested that if “we all blow at the same time, we may get a decent breeze in here” What a showman, what a show. (coincidentally the Palais Royale was fitted with A/C the following Summer)
Okay, I say to myself, I managed to get another dose of live Neil Finn and some Crowded House tunes, I am a happy girl. But wait, can it be, could it be…..WHAT DO YOU MEAN CROWDED HOUSE ARE TOURING ???!!! Oh yes, you read that correctly, August 2007 and the boys were back. Exactly 20 years after that first concert in Montreal. Saddened knowing that Mr. Hester would not be there in person, I knew he would be in spirit. This time round Neil and Nick were joined by Neil’s brother Tim and son Liam, and they were heading to Massey Hall. Two tickets for my sister and I, and two for Fran and Alan and we were ready to go. Now it just so happened to be Alans 30th birthday that year, and I think the tickets may have been the best present he received. He never, ever thought he would have the chance to see Crowded House live. I think I was almost more excited about Alan getting to see them than I was for myself. Almost. And yup you guessed it, another amazing show. It was like nothing had changed, no time had passed by. Paul was definitely there in spirit, and the rest were playing a great tribute to him.
Now you are probably thinking how lucky I am. To have been able to see one of my favourite bands more than once considering the circumstances, members passing away, side projects and dis-banding etc. Well folks, they managed to surprise me again, and came back to Toronto in 2008. 2008, as it turns out, was the year I was moving from the big city to the East Coast. Personally, I think they came back to say farewell to me. Someone must have told them I was moving and that is why they came back. You know it’s true! The venue this time, the Danforth Music Hall. A former movie theatre, with great sound and we, Fran, Alan, my sister and I, had amazing 12th row seats. The band, well, they just seem to get better and better. It was so relaxed, hanging with friends you had not seen in a while. A hint of improv thrown in. The banter between the band and the audience, the crowd shouting out requests, segue ways into Rush songs, and the biggest surprise of the night, getting to hear “Throw Your Arms Around Me” , a Hunters and Collectors classic…..seriously hairs standing on end. It was like every single person in the audience was singing along, but quietly enough so that we could hear Neil sing it….you know what I mean? That quiet way of singing at the top of your lungs. Amazing. The show could have ended right then and there, but thankfully they went on for a wee bit longer. The four of us were tempted to go back the next night and do it all again, but I think a bit scared of tarnishing the great memories we had just made.
I am not really sure what brought all this on today. I don’t think I heard them on the radio, but something just got into me. Into my head. I just love this band. I have nothing but great, wonderful memories of my time with this band. From being in high school discovering them with my friends, enjoying them, appreciating them just as much 20 years later. I can sing every word to almost every song, and I do so out loud. I can’t help but smile and bop around when I hear them. The speedometer tends to climb if they come on in the car. They are just one of those bands that I keep going back to time and time again. Rediscovering my love for them. Not that it has diminished or gone away, just dusting it off, shining a light on it and feeling the need to share it with others.
Enjoy.
