Crowded House

Biography

Crowded House are an Australian/New Zealand rock band, formed in 1985 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The band's founding members were Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist, primary songwriter), Paul Hester (drums), and Nick Seymour (bass). Later band members included Mitchell Froom, Finn's brother Tim, Finn's sons Liam and Elroy, and Americans Mark Hart and Matt Sherrod. Neil Finn and Seymour are the band's sole constant members.
Originally active from 1985 to 1996, Crowded House had consistent commercial and critical success in Australia and New Zealand. They achieved success in the United States with their self-titled debut album, which provided the Top Ten hits "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Something So Strong×Something So Strong1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASomething So Strong2:51BI Walk Away3:05". Further international success came in the UK, mainland Europe and South Africa in the early 1990s with their third and fourth albums (Woodface×Woodface24 June 1991 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Chocolate Cake4:022It's Only Natural3:323Fall at Your Feet3:194Tall Trees2:205Weather With You3:446Whispers and Moans3:407Four Seasons in One Day2:508There Goes God3:509Fame Is2:2310All I Ask3:5611As Sure as I Am2:5312Italian Plastic3:4013She Goes On3:1614How Will You Go / I'm Still Here4:46 and Together Alone×Together AloneOctober 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Kare Kare3:352In My Command3:433Nails In My Feet3:394Black & White Boy4:005Fingers Of Love4:276Pineapple Head3:277Locked Out3:188Private Universe5:399Walking On The Spot2:5510Distant Sun3:5011Catherine Wheels5:1312Skin Feeling3:5713Together Alone3:57) and the compilation album Recurring Dream, which included the hits "Weather with You×Weather With You17 February 1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Weather With You (radio edit)3:462Fall at Your Feet6:593When You Come6:224Walking on the Spot3:23" and "Distant Sun×Distant Sun1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Distant Sun3:522Walking on the Spot2:573When you Come (Live)6:254Skin Feeling3:595Weather With You (Live)5:26". Neil and Tim Finn were each awarded an OBE in June 1993 for their contributions to the music of New Zealand.
Crowded House disbanded in 1996 following several farewell concerts that year, including the "Farewell to the World×Farewell to the World16 November 2006 · Album · LiveSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 29 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Mean to Me4:192World Where You Live3:353When You Come6:414Private Universe5:385Four Seasons in One Day3:356Fall at Your Feet4:057Whispers & Moans4:348Hole in the River7:179Better Be Home Soon5:3910Pineapple Head4:1811Distant Sun5:4212Into Temptation5:4913Everything Is Good for You4:2514Locked Out4:0815Something So Strong5:1916Sister Madly5:0017Italian Plastic3:5718Weather With You7:0619It’s Only Natural5:4120There Goes God6:3521Fingers of Love5:4022In My Command4:2823Throw Your Arms Around Me3:0024Don’t Dream It’s Over5:27Disc 21The Day They Brought the House Down2Planning the Event3Channel 7 “Witness”4Photo Gallery5Discography" concerts in Melbourne and Sydney. Hester died by suicide in 2005. A year later, the group re-formed with drummer Matt Sherrod and released two further albums (Time on Earth×Time on Earth30 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Nobody Wants To4:112Don’t Stop Now3:543She Called Up2:544Say That Again5:215Pour le Monde5:116Even a Child3:587Heaven That I’m Making3:568A Sigh3:179Silent House5:5210English Trees3:4311Walked Her Way Down4:1712Transit Lounge4:2613You Are the One to Make Me Cry3:4414People Are Like Suns3:55 and Intriguer×Intriguer11 June 2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Saturday Sun3:262Archer’s Arrows4:053Amsterdam3:354Either Side of the World4:355Falling Dove4:356Isolation4:387Twice If You’re Lucky3:338Even If4:029Inside Out3:2010Elephants4:29Disc 21[opening titles]0:202Either Side of the World5:083Amsterdam3:434Saturday Sun3:315Twice If You’re Lucky3:406Elephants5:127Falling Dove4:518Isolation5:109Archer’s Arrows5:0310Either Side of the World (live at the Auckland Town Hall)5:2811Don’t Dream It’s Over (live at the Auckland Town Hall)6:3512Saturday Sun (music video)3:25), each of which reached number one in Australia. After going on another hiatus, the band reunited in 2020 with a new line-up featuring Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mitchell Froom, and Finn's sons Liam and Elroy. Their most recent album, Gravity Stairs×Gravity Stairs31 May 2024 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Magic Piano4:472Life’s Imitation3:423The Howl3:274All That I Can Ever Own3:055Oh Hi2:596Some Greater Plan (For Claire)4:117Black Water, Blue Circle3:438Blurry Grass3:099I Can’t Keep Up With You4:0110Thirsty3:3011Night Song4:14, was released in 2024.
As of 2021, Crowded House have sold over 15 million albums worldwide. In November 2016, the band was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

History

Neil Finn (vocals, guitar, piano) and drummer Paul Hester (the Cheks, Deckchairs Overboard) were both former members of New Zealand band Split Enz, which spent part of 1975–76 in Australia and several years in England. Neil Finn is the younger brother of Split Enz founding member Tim Finn, who joined Crowded House in 1990 on vocals, guitars and keyboards for the album Woodface×Woodface24 June 1991 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Chocolate Cake4:022It's Only Natural3:323Fall at Your Feet3:194Tall Trees2:205Weather With You3:446Whispers and Moans3:407Four Seasons in One Day2:508There Goes God3:509Fame Is2:2310All I Ask3:5611As Sure as I Am2:5312Italian Plastic3:4013She Goes On3:1614How Will You Go / I'm Still Here4:46. Bassist Nick Seymour (Plays with Marionettes, Bang, the Horla) is the younger brother of singer-songwriter and guitarist Mark Seymour of Australian rock group Hunters & Collectors.

Formation and name change (1984–1986)

Finn and Hester decided to form a new band during the first Split Enz farewell tour, "Enz with a Bang", in late 1984. Seymour approached Finn during the afterparty for the Melbourne show and asked if he could audition for the new band. The Mullanes formed in Melbourne in early 1985 with Finn, Hester, Seymour and guitarist Craig Hooper (the Reels) and first performed on 11 June. They secured a record contract with Capitol Records, but Hooper left the band before the remaining trio moved to Los Angeles to record their debut album.

At Capitol's behest, the band's name was changed to Crowded House, which alluded to the lack of space at the small Hollywood Hills house they shared during the recording of the album Crowded House. Former Split Enz keyboardist Eddie Rayner produced the track "Can't Carry On" and was asked to join the band. He toured with them in 1988, but was unable to become a full member due to family commitments.

Early albums (1986–1990)

Thanks to their Split Enz connection, the newly formed Crowded House had an established Australasian fanbase. They began by playing at festivals in Australia and New Zealand and released their debut album, Crowded House, in August 1986. Capitol Records initially failed to see the band's potential and gave them only low-key promotion, forcing the band to play at small venues to try to gain attention. The album's first single, "Mean to Me×Mean to MeJune 1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAMean to Me3:15BHole in the River4:02", reached the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart top 30 in June. It failed to chart in the US, but moderate American airplay introduced US listeners to the group.
The next single, "Don't Dream It's Over", was released in October 1986 and proved an international hit, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one in Canada. New Zealand radio stations initially gave the song little support until months later when it became internationally successful. Ultimately, the song reached number one on the New Zealand singles chart and number eight in Australia. It remains the group's most commercially successful song.
In March 1987 the group were awarded "Best New Talent", along with "Song of the Year" and "Best Video" awards for "Don't Dream It's Over", at the inaugural ARIA Music Awards. The video also earned the group the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist that year. The song has often been covered by other artists and gave Paul Young a hit single in 1991. It was also used for a New Zealand Tourism Board advertisement in its "100% Pure New Zealand" worldwide promotion from October 2005. In May 2001, "Don't Dream it's Over" was voted seventh in a poll of the best Australian songs of all time by the Australasian Performing Right Association.

In June 1987, nearly a year after its release, Crowded House finally reached number one on the Kent Music Report Album Charts. It also reached number three in New Zealand and number twelve in the US. The follow-up to "Don't Dream it's Over", "Something So Strong×Something So Strong1986 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksASomething So Strong2:51BI Walk Away3:05", was another global hit, reaching the Top 10 in New Zealand, the United States and Canada. "World Where You Live×World Where You Live1987 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1World Where You Live (single version)3:052World Where You Live (live at Wolfgang’s, San Francisco)5:083Something So Strong (live at the Trocadero, Philadelphia)4:024Don’t Dream It’s Over (live at the Roxy, Los Angeles)5:53" and "Now We're Getting Somewhere" were also released as singles with chart success.
As the band's primary songwriter, Neil Finn was under pressure to create a second album to match their debut and the band joked that one potential title for the new release was Mediocre Follow-Up. Eventually titled Temple of Low Men, their second album was released in July 1988 with strong promotion by Capitol Records. The album did not fare as well as their debut in the US, only reaching number 40 and selling around 200,000 copies, but it achieved Australasian success, reaching number one in Australia and number two in New Zealand. The first single, "Better Be Home Soon×Better Be Home SoonJuly 1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Better Be Home Soon3:072Kill Eye3:10", peaked at number two on both Australian and New Zealand singles charts and reached the top 50 in the US. The following four singles were less successful.
Crowded House undertook a short tour of Australia and Canada to promote the album, with Eddie Rayner on keyboards. Multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart, who would eventually become a full band member, replaced Rayner in January 1989. After the tour, Finn fired Seymour from the band. Music journalist Ed Nimmervoll claimed that Seymour's temporary departure was because Finn blamed him for causing his writer's block; however, Finn cited "artistic differences" as the reason. Seymour said that after a month he contacted Finn and they agreed that he would return to the band.

Early 1990s (1991–1994)

Crowded House took a break after the Canadian leg of the Temple of Low Men tour. Neil Finn and his brother Tim recorded songs they had co-written for their own album, Finn. Following the recording sessions with Tim, Neil began writing and recording a third Crowded House album with Hester and Seymour, but these tracks were rejected by the record company, so Neil asked Tim if Crowded House could use the Finn songs. Tim jokingly agreed on the proviso that he become a member, which Neil apparently took literally. With Tim as an official member, the band returned to the studio.
The new tracks, as well as some from the previously rejected recordings were combined to make Woodface, which was released in July 1991. The album features eight tracks co-written by Neil and Tim, which feature the brothers harmonising on lead vocals, except on the sombre "All I Ask" on which Tim sang lead. The track was later used on AIDS awareness commercials in Australia. Five of the album's tracks were Neil's solo compositions and two were by Hester, the exuberant "Italian Plastic", which became a crowd favourite at concerts, and the hidden track "I'm Still Here".
"Chocolate Cake×Chocolate Cake1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1Chocolate Cake4:022As Sure as I Am2:553Anyone Can Tell3:38", a humorous comment on American excesses that was not taken well by some US critics and sections of the American public was released in June 1991 as the first single. It failed to chart in the US; however, it reached number two on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song peaked at number seven in New Zealand and reached the top 20 in Australia. The second single, "Fall at Your Feet×Fall at Your Feet1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Fall at Your Feet3:202Don't Dream It's Over3:563Sister Madly (album version)2:544Better Be Home Soon (album version)3:08", was less successful in Australia and New Zealand but did at least reach the US Hot 100. The album reached number one in New Zealand, number two in Australia, number six in the UK and made the top 20 in several other European countries. The third single from Woodface, "Weather With You×Weather With You17 February 1992 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Weather With You (radio edit)3:462Fall at Your Feet6:593When You Come6:224Walking on the Spot3:23", peaked at No. 7 in early 1992 giving the band their highest UK chart placement. By contrast, the album had limited success in the US, only reaching number 83 on the Billboard 200 Album Chart and selling 225,000 copies.
Despite the success of the album, Tim Finn left Crowded House suddenly part-way through the UK leg of the Woodface tour, a few hours before the band were due to play at King Tut's Club in Glasgow on 1 November 1991. Neil Finn noted that "on stage, it just didn't feel right for us or him. We're very off-the-cuff and conversational, whereas Tim is into creating a spectacle and the two approaches don't gel all that well ... We'd all open our mouths at the same time and then stop and go, Oh, after you. From Tim's point of view it was quite a relief to put it all on the table, I think. For half the set he was standing there with his acoustic guitar, not really feeling part of it." Paul Hester commented that "both sides felt good about parting before it could get ugly".

Performances on the UK tour, at the Town and Country Club in London, were recorded live and given a limited release in Australia, while individual songs from those shows were released as B-sides of singles in some countries. In June 1993 the New Zealand government recommended that the Queen award an OBE to Neil and Tim Finn for their contribution to the music of New Zealand.
For their fourth album, Together Alone×Together AloneOctober 1993 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Kare Kare3:352In My Command3:433Nails In My Feet3:394Black & White Boy4:005Fingers Of Love4:276Pineapple Head3:277Locked Out3:188Private Universe5:399Walking On The Spot2:5510Distant Sun3:5011Catherine Wheels5:1312Skin Feeling3:5713Together Alone3:57, Crowded House used producer Martin Glover (aka "Youth") and invited touring musician Mark Hart (guitar and keyboards) to become a permanent band member. The album was recorded at Karekare Beach, New Zealand, which gave its name to the opening track, "Kare Kare". The album was released in October 1993 and sold well internationally on the strength of lead single "Distant Sun×Distant Sun1991 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Distant Sun3:522Walking on the Spot2:573When you Come (Live)6:254Skin Feeling3:595Weather With You (Live)5:26" and follow-up "Private Universe×Private Universe1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Private Universe (radio edit)4:002Nails in My Feet (1994-04-11: Boathouse, Norfolk, VA, USA)4:383In My Command (1994-04-11: Boathouse, Norfolk, VA, USA)3:414Whispers and Moans (1994-04-11: Boathouse, Norfolk, VA, USA)4:425I Am in Love4:36". It topped the New Zealand Album Chart, reached number 2 in Australia and number 4 in the UK. "Locked Out×Locked Out1993 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Locked Out3:232World Where You Live (live)5:343It's Only Natural (live)3:554Weather With You (live)5:20" was the album's first US single and received airplay on MTV and VH1. This track and "My Sharona" by the Knack, which were both included on the soundtrack of the film Reality Bites, were bundled together on a jukebox single to promote the film soundtrack.

Saying farewell (1994–1996)

Crowded House were midway through a US tour when Paul Hester quit the band on 15 April 1994. He flew home to Melbourne to await the birth of his first child and indicated that he required more time with his family. Wally Ingram, drummer for support act Sheryl Crow, temporarily filled in until a replacement, Peter Jones (ex-Harem Scarem, Vince Jones, Kate Ceberano's Septet) was found. After the tour, the Finn Brothers released their album Finn in November 1995. In June 1996, at a press conference to announce the release of their greatest hits album Recurring Dream, Neil revealed that Crowded House were to disband. The June 1996 concerts in Europe and Canada were to be their final performances.

Recurring Dream contained four songs from each of the band's studio albums, along with three new songs. The album debuted at number one in Australia, New Zealand and the UK in July 1996. Early copies included a bonus CD of live material. The album's three new songs, which were released as singles, were "Instinct×Instinct1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Instinct3:102Recurring Dream3:243Weather With You (live)6:004Chocolate Cake (live)7:44", "Not the Girl You Think You Are×Not the Girl You Think You AreAugust 1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Not the Girl You Think You Are4:112Instinct (live)3:333Distant Sun (live)4:374Fall at Your Feet (live)3:36" and "Everything Is Good for You×Everything Is Good for You17 June 1996 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Everything Is Good for You3:592History Never Repeats (live)3:353Chocolate Cake (live)7:454Into Temptation (live)4:58", which featured backing vocals from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Paul Hester returned to the band to play drums on the three new tracks.
Worried that their goodbye had been too low-key and had disregarded their home fans, the band performed the Farewell to the World concert on the steps of the Sydney Opera House on 24 November 1996, which raised funds for the Sydney Children's Hospital. The concert featured the line-up of Neil Finn, Nick Seymour, Mark Hart and Paul Hester. Tim Finn and Peter Jones both made guest appearances. Support bands on the day were Custard, Powderfinger and You Am I. The concert had one of the largest live audiences in Australian history with the crowd being estimated at between 120,000 and 250,000 people. Farewell to the World was released on VHS in December 1996. In 2007, a double CD and a DVD were issued to commemorate the concert's tenth anniversary. The DVD featured newly recorded audio commentary by Finn, Hart and Seymour and other new bonus material.

Between farewell and reunion (1996–2006)

In May 1999, Crowded House issued a compilation of unreleased songs, Afterglow×Afterglow8 December 1999 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1I Am in Love4:382Sacred Cow3:373You Can Touch3:474Help Is Coming4:495I Love You Dawn2:346Dr. Livingstone3:577My Telly’s Gone Bung3:148Private Universe4:099Lester2:1910Anyone Can Tell3:3611Recurring Dream3:2512Left Hand2:5713Time Immemorial4:07, which included the track "Recurring Dream", recorded when the group were still called the Mullanes and included Craig Hooper on guitar. The album's liner notes included information about the songs written by music journalist David Hepworth. Some limited-release versions included a second CD with songwriting commentary by Finn. The liner notes confirmed that Crowded House had no plans to reunite at that time.
A 2003 Crowded House compilation album, Classic Masters×Classic Masters2003 · Album · CompilationSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Something So Strong2:552Weather With You3:443When You Come (live)5:474Don't Dream It's Over3:595Fingers of Love4:276Nails in My Feet3:407Never Be the Same4:298Chocolate Cake4:019It's Only Natural3:3210Distant Sun (remix)3:4611Sister Madly (live)2:5812Hole in the River4:01, was released only in the US, while 2005 saw the release of the album She Will Have Her Way, a collection of cover versions of Crowded House, Split Enz, Tim Finn and Finn Brothers songs by Australasian female artists. The album reached the top 5 in Australia and New Zealand.
On 26 March 2005, Paul Hester died by suicide in a park near his home in Melbourne. He was 46 years old. His obituary in The Sydney Morning Herald stated that he had fought "a long battle with depression". Following the news of Hester's death, Nick Seymour joined the Finn Brothers on stage at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where the three played in memory of Hester. A snare drum with a top hat on it stood at the front of the stage as a tribute.

Reunion and Time on Earth (2006–2009)

In 2006 Neil Finn asked Nick Seymour to play bass on his third solo album. Seymour agreed and the two joined with producer and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Johns to begin recording. As the recording sessions progressed it was decided that the album would be issued under the Crowded House band name rather than as a Neil Finn solo album. In January 2007, the group publicly announced their re-formation and on 23 February, after 20 days of auditions, former Beck drummer Matt Sherrod joined Finn, Seymour and Mark Hart to complete the new lineup. As Sherrod and Hart had not participated in the initial sessions, four new tracks were recorded with producer Steve Lillywhite including the album's first single "Don't Stop Now".
On 17 March 2007 the band played a live show at their rehearsal studio in front of around fifty fans, friends and family. The performance was streamed live as a webcast. The two-and-a-half-hour set included some new tracks, including "Silent House" co-written by Finn with the Dixie Chicks. A concert onboard The Thekla, moored in Bristol, followed on 19 March. Crowded House played at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona on 26 April as a warm-up for their appearance at the Coachella Festival on 29 April in Indio, California. They played at the Australian Live Earth concert in Sydney on 7 July. The next day, Finn and Seymour were interviewed on Rove Live and the band, with Hart and Sherrod, performed "Don't Stop Now" to promote the new album, which was titled Time on Earth×Time on Earth30 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Nobody Wants To4:112Don’t Stop Now3:543She Called Up2:544Say That Again5:215Pour le Monde5:116Even a Child3:587Heaven That I’m Making3:568A Sigh3:179Silent House5:5210English Trees3:4311Walked Her Way Down4:1712Transit Lounge4:2613You Are the One to Make Me Cry3:4414People Are Like Suns3:55. The single was a minor hit in Australia and the UK. The album was released worldwide in June and July. It topped the album chart in New Zealand and made number 2 in Australia and number 3 in the UK.

Intriguer, second split and Sydney Opera House shows (2009–2018)

Crowded House began recording their follow-up to Time on Earth in April 2009, at Finn's own Roundhead Studios. The album, Intriguer×Intriguer11 June 2010 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Saturday Sun3:262Archer’s Arrows4:053Amsterdam3:354Either Side of the World4:355Falling Dove4:356Isolation4:387Twice If You’re Lucky3:338Even If4:029Inside Out3:2010Elephants4:29Disc 21[opening titles]0:202Either Side of the World5:083Amsterdam3:434Saturday Sun3:315Twice If You’re Lucky3:406Elephants5:127Falling Dove4:518Isolation5:109Archer’s Arrows5:0310Either Side of the World (live at the Auckland Town Hall)5:2811Don’t Dream It’s Over (live at the Auckland Town Hall)6:3512Saturday Sun (music video)3:25, was produced by Jim Scott who had worked on The Sun Came Out by Neil's 7 Worlds Collide project. In August 2009, Finn travelled to Los Angeles to record some overdubs at Jim Scott's Los Angeles studio before they began mixing tracks. The album was released in June 2010, in time for the band's appearance at the West Coast Blues & Roots Festival near Perth. Finn stated that the album contains some, "Unexpected twists and turns" and some songs that, "Sound like nothing we've done before." Intriguer topped the Australian album chart, reached number 3 in New Zealand and number 12 in the UK.
A new compilation album, The Very Very Best of Crowded House×The Very Very Best of Crowded House18 October 2010 · Album · CompilationSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 32 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Now We’re Getting Somewhere4:082World Where You Live3:063Weather With You3:454Something So Strong2:555When You Come4:466Fingers of Love4:277Four Seasons in One Day2:488Distant Sun3:529Don’t Stop Now3:5410Sister Madly2:5411Chocolate Cake4:0112Locked Out3:1813Never Be the Same4:2914Hole in the River3:5915Not the Girl You Think You Are4:1116Better Be Home Soon3:08Disc 21Mean to Me3:152It’s Only Natural3:313Fall at Your Feet3:194Recurring Dream3:255Private Universe5:406Pineapple Head3:297She Called Up2:548I Feel Possessed3:499Instinct3:0810Everything Is Good for You3:5611Into Temptation4:3312Nails in My Feet3:4113Don’t Dream It’s Over3:5914Pour le monde5:1115Whispers and Moans3:4216Throw Your Arms Around Me (live)3:55, was released in October 2010 to celebrate the band's 25th anniversary.
Following the success of the album She Will Have Her Way in 2005, a second album of cover versions of Finn Brothers songs (including Crowded House songs) was released on 12 November 2010. Entitled He Will Have His Way, all tracks are performed by Australasian male artists.
In November 2011 an Australian tour featured artists involved with the "She Will Have Her Way" and "He Will Have His Way" projects, including Paul Dempsey, Clare Bowditch, Seeker Lover Keeper (Sarah Blasko, Sally Seltmann and Holly Throsby), Alexander Gow (Oh Mercy) and Lior. The band played what would be their last concert for over five years at the A Day on the Green festival in Auckland on 27 February 2011.
Former Crowded House drummer Peter Jones died from brain cancer on 18 May 2012, aged 49. A statement issued by the band described him as "A warm-hearted, funny and talented man, who was a valuable member of Crowded House."
In September 2015 the song "Help is Coming×Help Is Coming21 September 2015 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksAHelp Is ComingBAnthem", from the Afterglow album, was released as a download and limited edition 7" single to raise money for the Save the Children charity. The B-side, "Anthem", was a previously unreleased track, recorded at the same demo session as "Help is Coming" in 1995, with vocals added in 2015. Peter Jones plays drums on both songs. The money was used to provide shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene for refugees in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Neil Finn said of "Help Is Coming" that "It was always a song about refugees, even if at the time I was thinking about the immigrants setting off on ships from Europe to America, looking for a better life for their families. There is such a huge scale and urgency to the current refugee crises that barely a day goes by without some crushing image or news account to confront us. We can't be silent any more."
Neil Finn confirmed in a 2016 interview with the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant that Crowded House had been on indefinite hiatus since the end of the Intriguer tour. Later that year, however, he and Seymour announced a series of concerts at the Sydney Opera House to mark the 20th anniversary of the Farewell to the World show (24 November 1996). The band, with the same lineup as its initial reunion and Tim Finn as guest, performed four shows between 24 and 27 November 2016.

Re-formation, new line-up and Dreamers Are Waiting (2019–2023)

In August 2019, Crowded House announced a reunion show at the 2020 Byron Bay Bluesfest. Shortly afterwards, Mark Hart announced that he would not be involved in the group's reunion. Finn confirmed Hart's departure on his podcast Fangradio, noting that he "love[s] Hart dearly as a friend, as a contributor and a collaborator" and that "all will be revealed... trust that good thought and good heart gets put into all of these decisions."
On 15 October 2020, the band released "Whatever You Want×Whatever You Want28 October 2020 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Whatever You Want3:20", the first single from the band in over a decade. The band also shared an accompanying music video, starring Mac DeMarco.
On 17 February 2021, the band shared another single, "To the Island×To the Island17 February 2021 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 3 tracks1To the Island (single mix)3:482To the Island3:593Whatever You Want3:22." The track serves as the second single to the band's seventh studio album, Dreamers Are Waiting×Dreamers Are Waiting4 June 2021 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Bad Times Good3:412Playing With Fire3:283To the Island3:594Sweet Tooth3:135Whatever You Want3:226Show Me the Way3:447Goodnight Everyone3:318Too Good for This World3:409Start of Something3:2010Real Life Woman3:4811Love Isn’t Hard at All3:0212Deeper Down3:11, which was announced on the same day for release on 4 June 2021. The band supported the single with a national tour of New Zealand in March 2021.
On 19 August 2021, the band performed their single "To the Island" on CBS's The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. On 2 December 2021, the band announced that it will be touring Australia in 2022, with 6 shows around the country, including the 2022 Bluesfest lineup. On 24 June 2022, the band played at Glastonbury Festival.

Gravity Stairs (2024–present)

In February 2024, Crowded House released "Oh Hi×Oh Hi2 August 2024 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Oh Hi2:59" from their eighth album Gravity Stairs×Gravity Stairs31 May 2024 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Magic Piano4:472Life’s Imitation3:423The Howl3:274All That I Can Ever Own3:055Oh Hi2:596Some Greater Plan (For Claire)4:117Black Water, Blue Circle3:438Blurry Grass3:099I Can’t Keep Up With You4:0110Thirsty3:3011Night Song4:14, which in turn was released on 31 May 2024.
Crowded House would later announce a North American tour for the album and release "Teenage Summer×Teenage Summer11 April 2024 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Teenage Summer3:40" as the second single, before later adding both a tour of Europe in October and a New Zealand and Australian tour beginning in November.

Songwriting and musical influences

As the primary songwriter for the band, Neil Finn has always set the tone for the band's sound. AllMusic said that Finn "has consistently proven his knack for crafting high-quality songs that combine irresistible melodies with meticulous lyrical detail." Neil's brother Tim was an early and important musical influence. Neil first saw Tim play with Split Enz in 1972, and said "that performance and those first songs made a lasting impression on me." His mother was another significant musical influence, encouraging him to listen to a variety of genres, including Irish folk music and Māori music. She would play piano at family parties and encourage Neil and Tim to accompany her.

Album covers, costumes and set design

Bassist Nick Seymour, who is also an artist, designed or co-designed all of the band's album covers and interior artwork. He also designed some of the costumes worn by the group, notably those from the cover of the group's debut album Crowded House. Seymour collaborated with Finn and Hester on the set design of some of their early music videos, including "Don't Dream It's Over" and "Better Be Home Soon×Better Be Home SoonJuly 1988 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Better Be Home Soon3:072Kill Eye3:10". Since the band reunited, Seymour has again designed their album covers.
The majority of the covers for the band's singles were not designed by Seymour. The artwork for "Pineapple Head×Pineapple Head1994 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1Pineapple Head3:282Weather With You3:443Don’t Dream It’s Over3:574Together Alone3:55" was created by Reg Mombassa of Mental As Anything. For the first four albums Mombassa and Noel Crombie, who had been the main designer of Split Enz's artwork, assisted Seymour in creating sets and costumes. For the Farewell to the World concerts Crombie designed the set, while Mombassa and Seymour designed promotional materials and artwork.