[ ]   [ ]   [ ]                        [ ]      [ ]   [ ]
Crowded House — Don't Dream It's Over
Album: Crowded House
Avg rating:
8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 3879









Released: 1986
Length: 3:42
Plays (last 30 days): 2
There is freedom within
There is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead
Many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road while you're traveling with me

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know that they won't win

Now I'm towing my car
There's a hole in the roof
My possessions are causing me suspicion, but there's no proof
In the paper today
Tales of war and of waste
But you turn right over to the TV page

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
We know that they won't win

Now I'm walking again
To the beat of a drum
And I'm counting the steps to the door of your heart
Only shadows ahead
Barely clearing the roof
Get to know the feeling of liberation and release

Hey now, hey now
Don't dream it's over
Hey now, hey now
When the world comes in
They come, they come
To build a wall between us
You know that they won't win

Don't let them win
(Hey now, hey now)

Hey now, hey now

Hey now, hey now
Don't let them win

(They come, they come)
Don't let them win

(Hey now, hey now) yeah

(Hey now, hey now)
Comments (293)add comment
 Hippostar wrote:

Such a great song... except how did they go to that level of production and yet it's out of tune?  Did they just let the intern do the master tape to digital transfers?


Is it really? I never noticed that. I just tried playing along a little bit on a keyboard and it sounded all right. I suppose it could be a teeny bit off. How off is it? If you heard that you have a better ear than I do. At least it's in tune with itself (as far as I can tell).
I saw Crowded House on their debut US tour at The Bayou in the Georgetown section of D.C.  Their album just came out. I was first row against the stage, standing. An amazing show. Very witty musicians for sure. Became a huge fan after that.  I have most of their recordings. A shame about Mr. Hester. He was the funniest of them all. Very zany. RIP
That's a great line isn't it?... "My possessions are causing me suspicion, but there's no proof"
Such a great song... except how did they go to that level of production and yet it's out of tune?  Did they just let the intern do the master tape to digital transfers?
 chiplueck wrote:

When this song starts and I hear the first two notes, I pause, smile, and continue on with whatever I was doing. With a smile on my face.



Same here!! This tune hits me right smack dab in my happy place. Comfort food for the soul!
(Pop) Songwriting as good as it gets for me. 
10 straight from the heart!
Such a fantastic song. 10 for me. 
Brilliant.  Always makes me happy.  
Covered in Italian by Antonello Venditti ("Alta marea").
For me for ever connected to my New Zealand trip in '93. We stood our first evening in Christchurch in a backpacker. There was a coverband playing Crowed House.  We had a lot of drinks and were the only dancing people. The Kiwis sitting on the tables, listen to the music. Unforgattable 



THIS WILL FOREVER REMIND ME of Summer of '90, feeding the jukebox, beer in hand, to hear this played, at Mataranka Hot Springs Lodge, in Northern Territory, where I met my best Ozzie mates Geoff and Vicki from Melbourne. I'm glad I saw Crowded House play their Woodface Tour at Macky Auditorium in '92!
Curious to see Paul Hester as an angel on the album cover, he passed in 2005.
Neil Finn, a gifted song writer.
Anytime I want to hear gorgeous Hammond organ tones, I run to this solo and Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale".  So good!
The official video for this song…now THAT is a 10.
Neil Finn has to be considered one of the top ten songwriters of the last 4 decades.

Pure genius 
 brentjamesmills wrote:

"Origin - Melbourne, Aus" - silly Wikipedia... Neil Finn is the heart of the group and he is a fellow kiwi from NZ



Uhm, it stated they formed in Melbourne, therefore, it's not about where the members are born.
"Origin - Melbourne, Aus" - silly Wikipedia... Neil Finn is the heart of the group and he is a fellow kiwi from NZ
 George_Tirebiter wrote:
Gosh.  This sounds so much like Fleetwood Mac right now. 


I just happened to be visiting Auckland when FM came through. When Neil did “I Got You” the crowd went wild for their homeboy. 
Later, Mick F introduced Neil saying something like “we have to keep reminding him that a song like this comes once in a generation” and then…after Neil sang the first verse, fuckin’ goat-bleat Stevie Nicks took the song from him and sang most of the rest of it. WTF?
 zon00460 wrote:

I wonder were their connection is with Split Enz? They're Kiwi's.



Neil Finn and Paul Hester were both in Split Enz, as was Eddie Rayner who played keys with them as they toured. Later, Tim Finn joined for a while - Split Enz was basically his band and his younger brother Neil wrote tunes like “I Got You.”
Is it a premonition, where Paul Hester is depicted on the album cover with angel's wings? During the first hiatus of the band he died by suicide.
 coloradojohn wrote:

I cannot help but think, WOW, what an astounding dive into the Deep End he made, what a massive chunk of existential angst he bit into, what a masterpiece of timeless quality Neil pulled off here, so early on in his amazing musical career. I'm so grateful I saw them!




Saw them live 3 weeks ago. Amazing show, voices have lost nothing to time.
Wasn't previously a huge CH fan - that's now changed :)
What a delightful lyrical salve after that Josh Ritter Sunday School lesson we just heard..
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
What an excellent little tune, I've always liked the off-time feeling to the guitar and Neil Finn's singing.
 

And that Bass line !! 
 zon00460 wrote:
I wonder were their connection is with Split Enz? They're Kiwi's.
 
Lead singer and chief songwriter, Neil Finn hails from his brother's band, Split Enz. 
I wonder were their connection is with Split Enz? They're Kiwi's.
 chiplueck wrote:
When this song starts and I hear the first two notes, I pause, smile, and continue on with whatever I was doing. With a smile on my face.
 
Didnt some band do a great cover of this song?  

Gosh.  This sounds so much like Fleetwood Mac right now. 
 memoryboxer wrote:

"if it weren't for the intro sounding..." like a song recorded 8 years AFTER Crowded House did this. Who is the problem?
 
That's why I DID bump my 8 rating to a 9....
{Rubs the bottle}  Genie:  What is your wish?  Me:  To have a quarter of the talent Neil Finn has in writing a song.
Excellence in pop songwriting.
Pop as its best     
A real knack with the pop pen.
Long Live                                                                                                                             Radio Paradise
Rating to me                                                                                                                8 - Most Excellent    
 lizardking wrote:

I'm at an 8 rating too.  And if it weren't for the intro sounding a lot like the song "How Do You Talk to an Angel" (a 1-hit wonder if there ever were... http://previously.tv/beverly-hills-90210/ray-pruit-of-90210-had-a-fake-band-with-a-real-1-hit/) I might go 8→9.

Oh....to hell with it...I'll go 8→9 despite the 'sounds-like' - keep playing it BillG!  And Long Live RP~!~!

 
"if it weren't for the intro sounding..." like a song recorded 8 years AFTER Crowded House did this. Who is the problem?
 Noé wrote:
The Finn brothers
 
This is just Neil. When Tim/Yoko joined, the band had passed its high point.
I don't think it would make sense for radio play on RP, but this live cover by Ariana and Miley is quite lovely

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2ua3O_fdCY
 Tomasni wrote:
To me 8 : Most Excellent  

 
I'm at an 8 rating too.  And if it weren't for the intro sounding a lot like the song "How Do You Talk to an Angel" (a 1-hit wonder if there ever were... http://previously.tv/beverly-hills-90210/ray-pruit-of-90210-had-a-fake-band-with-a-real-1-hit/) I might go 8→9.

Oh....to hell with it...I'll go 8→9 despite the 'sounds-like' - keep playing it BillG!  And Long Live RP~!~!

On a hot hot day like this, all I hear is 'air-con, air-con', I'm so sorry {#Bounce}
When this song starts and I hear the first two notes, I pause, smile, and continue on with whatever I was doing. With a smile on my face.
Best part of the song is the bass popping in at the intro.  Also lyrics that are oddly reminiscent of now.
And now Neil is in Fleetwood Mac...there's a crowded house...
 
Awesome song! Great sing-along-karaoke-annoy-everyone-around-me-sorta-song! But I love it! {#Cheesygrin}{#Roflol}
 Steely_D wrote:

and it doesn't rhyme!

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me 

 
I never noticed that even though I've heard the song so many times over the years.  I always liked the lyric "my possessions are causing me suspicion but there's no proof".

It really is a rarity in that respect. 
The Finn brothers {#Notworthy}
10 ten Ten TEN


Great, recent live version of Neil playing this.....
https://youtu.be/4Nt9u1jXzF0
 onelittlemoose wrote:
Wow, this song takes me back. Reminds me of the boyfriend I had at the time the song was popular. He was abusive. Tough lesson to learn at 18.

 
Thank you for sharing.

OK, time to pass the kitty.


Wow, this song takes me back. Reminds me of the boyfriend I had at the time the song was popular. He was abusive. Tough lesson to learn at 18.
Radio Paradise sure loves itself some Neil Finn. I do too, though, so everything is all good from where I'm standing.
I cannot help but think, WOW, what an astounding dive into the Deep End he made, what a massive chunk of existential angst he bit into, what a masterpiece of timeless quality Neil pulled off here, so early on in his amazing musical career. I'm so grateful I saw them!
Miss you paul...
This was just another 80's song for me, until I heard the live version here on RP. There was something about so many people singing the chorus that really gut to me. I'll give this studio version a 9- and save the 10 for the live version, next time Bill plays it for us. :-)
So hard to be believe that this was from 30 years ago! 
This song leaves quite an impression on an '80s 12-year old. Really. 
 phlattop wrote:
so you've commented a few times to express your displeasure. Maybe you should try the PSD button, hmmm?
 
Amen.
 ppopp wrote:
*Immeasurably violent vomiting sound*

 
so you've commented a few times to express your displeasure. Maybe you should try the PSD button, hmmm?
 Coventry wrote:
Not vapid, not insipid. I mean, it's not some soul-searching masterpiece, but it's a melodic, interesting tune that, like it or not, is a classic piece.

 
and it doesn't rhyme!

There is freedom within, there is freedom without
Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup
There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost
But you'll never see the end of the road
While you're traveling with me 
Still gives me chills. A great song that I can sing passably along with.
my guilty pleasure band - do not tell anyone please!
mein kaffe is eingeschlafe bei der Mugge
Heard this just once, in 1986.
Crowded House / Finn fan ever since.
Instantly, continuously.
(Touch of Whiter Shade of Pale)
This is good. I only knew the Sixpense None The Richer version...
Flawless.  Up to a big fat 10 today on this dreary Bristol morning.  Thanks RP.

 ppopp wrote:
*Immeasurably violent vomiting sound*

 
ditto!  Barfbarfbarf
*Immeasurably violent vomiting sound*
I am surprised to find this cuddly bear stuff on RP. 
Some songs fit the inside of your head so well, they become part of your soundtrack. Love it..

{#Daisy}

 

 kingart wrote:

A better song than I previously gave it credit for. 7 > 8 . 

Hell, with few exceptions, including a few tracks I'd like to hear less of, I seem to like almost everything here on R.P.  I think it's the d.j.  Just sayin'. 

 

 


I want this song at my PROM (if i ever go, that is...)
Finn is this generation's Gershwin. 
 
This song brings me right back to junior year in college. Still sounds great after all these years. Gorgeous melody.
A better song than I previously gave it credit for. 7 > 8 . 

Hell, with few exceptions, including a few tracks I'd like to hear less of, I seem to like almost everything here on R.P.  I think it's the d.j.  Just sayin'. 

 
The timeless lyrics, the ringing chords, the fabulous bass, the steady drums — one of the world's most perfect songs still sounds great!
Anyone remember this song in the opening of Stephen King's "The Stand"?
{#Cheers} ...... outstanding would be an understatement 
 hempmandan wrote:
When they finished recording this song I hope they took off their earphones, threw them to the ground and smiled, knowing they NAILED IT!!!!
 
 
This comment needs a like button
Sucko-barfo. 
Sorry

lame 
...10 ..mosh pit memories of the great Crowded House in concert
 somnium wrote:
This song seems to bring back memories for many people.

For me, it reminds me of the first girl I ever kissed. It had never got much further than that, and then we'd each moved out of town and were writing to each other sporadically (no email back then). During this time she sent me a mixtape in the post, on which this song figured. This was the same mixtape that introduced me to Van Morrison's Into the Mystic, to Massive Attack, and to the Mamas and the Papas "Make your own kind of music" - the last of which doesn't appear to be an RP favourite though it should be. Eventually we stopped writing and lost touch.

That all happened about ten years after this song came out. And it was at least another ten years before it occurred to me that there might possibly have been a hidden message in the inclusion of a song called "Don't dream it's over".



 
Great story. 
The 15-year-old just walked through the kitchen, singing along.
This song seems to bring back memories for many people.

For me, it reminds me of the first girl I ever kissed. It had never got much further than that, and then we'd each moved out of town and were writing to each other sporadically (no email back then). During this time she sent me a mixtape in the post, on which this song figured. This was the same mixtape that introduced me to Van Morrison's Into the Mystic, to Massive Attack, and to the Mamas and the Papas "Make your own kind of music" - the last of which doesn't appear to be an RP favourite though it should be. Eventually we stopped writing and lost touch.

That all happened about ten years after this song came out. And it was at least another ten years before it occurred to me that there might possibly have been a hidden message in the inclusion of a song called "Don't dream it's over".

 nagsheadlocal wrote:
What an excellent little tune, I've always liked the off-time feeling to the guitar and Neil Finn's singing.

 

Yep, that is one of things I like about it too.
What an excellent little tune, I've always liked the off-time feeling to the guitar and Neil Finn's singing.
There's also a very nice low key version of this on the Seven Worlds Collide live album.
1986? You must be feckin' kidding right?

There were a handful of good releases in the entire decade that was the 80's let alone 1986.

Open your ears to 1966.

Now that was a good year. 

DM
 
amb599
(New York, NY)

1986 was the best year for music? Everyone knows that? I didn't know that.  Didn't know that fact. Where is it recorded, like, you know, a pound is 16 ounces, or a jet plane flies fast? Because I always thought 1967 was a good candidate with its indisputable lineup of supernova bands and tunes. If I devoted some thought, I'd propose other years too. So I'm disputing this "fact."  


 Proclivities wrote:

The post did not seem to imply that the '80s were "the best decade for music" - you inferred that.  Each decade had excellent music and lousy music.  It's all subjective anyhow.

  
That's ridiculous.  Everyone knows that 1986 was the best year for music, so the 80's are the best decade.  This song proves it.  That's a fact.  You can't dispute facts.


 
 Proclivities wrote:

The post did not seem to imply that the '80s were "the best decade for music" - you inferred that.  Each decade had excellent music and lousy music.  It's all subjective anyhow.

 
That's ridiculous.  Everyone knows that 1986 was the best year for music, so the 80's are the best decade.  This song proves it.  That's a fact.  You can't dispute facts.
{#Kiss} ..... luv this loads - thanks RP.    "O U T S T A N D I N G"
{#Cheers}  Nice one - Happy Australia Day!
There was a time that I considered my Split Enz / Crowded House / anything Finn fascination as a "guilty pleasure"- looking back, i don't feel guilty. Great stuff that stands the test of time.
 Krakus wrote:
This song reminds me of the best years of my youth, i.e. college. I was slim, trim, with full head of hair. The girls in summer dresses were irresistable...

 
True here too.
That's true, it's a beauiful song, but   i don't why, it brings back emotions of what is the true magic of life:

being young full of  hope and ideas for a better futur, who cares if it was not the best decade for music !

It was the best of times,  because it was the time of my youth.
 Krakus wrote:
This song reminds me of the best years of my youth, i.e. college. I was slim, trim, with full head of hair. The girls in summer dresses were irresistable...

 
They always are. :)
This song reminds me of the best years of my youth, i.e. college. I was slim, trim, with full head of hair. The girls in summer dresses were irresistable...
I moved to St. Louis Park early in '86, but this song reminds me of Duluth.  Odd.  
 e_b wrote:


The 80's were filled with "so much excellent music..."?!  You must have been as high as Charlie Sheen.   The 70's, 90's and 60's were filled with excellent music and although not on the same caliber, I would argue the 00's were better than the 80's.  There were some gems in the 80's no doubt, but to imply it is the best decade for music—that's just plain wrong.

 
The post did not seem to imply that the '80s were "the best decade for music" - you inferred that.  Each decade had excellent music and lousy music.  It's all subjective anyhow.
beautiful song - if you ever get a chance to see Crowded House live, do it. They are a remarkably great live band.
When you have a spare 2 hours or so - head to youtube to see Neil Finn and Paul Kelly live at the Sydney Opera House. Superb. Skip to 19:35 to start the concert.
Not vapid, not insipid. I mean, it's not some soul-searching masterpiece, but it's a melodic, interesting tune that, like it or not, is a classic piece.
shades of Procol Harem
 rdo wrote:
Mediocre 80s radio hit - 6.
 
Bite me.  Best song of it's time!  And off a great CD start to finish.
 ice-9 wrote:

I'd have to agree that of all those decades the 80's was by far the most artistically vapid, and those were my teen years, so I'm expected to love this stuff like all my "peers" do.  Jesus it was awful.
 
Maybe it was you. I mean, maybe you used to listen to awful and vapid stuff back then. You should have searched a little.
Mediocre 80s radio hit - 6.
A great song from a fun decade. Brings back fond memories of LA and mainly, of all places, Kodiak Alaska, where I was stationed in the summers of 86-87. This song at sunset while driving along a cliff over the ocean, of having just met someone, of being a little older and wiser and sadder - yeah, it was a good decade.
Another favorite german station play lot of times. Not bad, btw.
Hey, now — hey, now...  Takes me back to hearing it at my place along Boulder Creek when it came out...and to hearing it a few years later over the rocking sound system at the party scene of Mataranka Hot Springs down in the fabulous outback of Oz...and then a few years after that at a house party the Mexican ex- and I threw in Noto Peninsula in the wilds of Ishikawa, Japan...and now here I am happy to jam to it once again at Standard Orbit back in Colorado...single and free and like starting over...get to know the feeling of liberation and release...Yes! So many times over the years in so many places, and never ever will I dream it's over, thanks to Crowded House and RP!
I will never ever EVER get sick of listening to this song.....
 

 e_b wrote:


The 80's were filled with "so much excellent music..."?!  You must have been as high as Charlie Sheen.   The 70's, 90's and 60's were filled with excellent music and although not on the same caliber, I would argue the 00's were better than the 80's.  There were some gems in the 80's no doubt, but to imply it is the best decade for music—that's just plain wrong.
 
I'd have to agree that of all those decades the 80's was by far the most artistically vapid, and those were my teen years, so I'm expected to love this stuff like all my "peers" do.  Jesus it was awful.

This song isn't so terrible, but it reminds me too much of all that other horrible music.
crank it up and slow dance.
MUTE!
Floors me, EVERY FRICKIN' TIME!  When the world comes in...they come...to build a wall between us...but we know that they won't win...YES!
 billybob123 wrote:
From a decade filled with so much excellent music, this one still holds its own.  I remember seeing these guys for this tour in Hollywood, my first year in California, right up against the stage.
 

The 80's were filled with "so much excellent music..."?!  You must have been as high as Charlie Sheen.   The 70's, 90's and 60's were filled with excellent music and although not on the same caliber, I would argue the 00's were better than the 80's.  There were some gems in the 80's no doubt, but to imply it is the best decade for music—that's just plain wrong.
I had this on the same VHS video mixtape as Edie Brickell's 'Circle', which Bill played a few songs ago this morning.

Loved the video to this song, and still stop what I'm doing to listen to it when it comes on Radio Paradise...
From a decade filled with so much excellent music, this one still holds its own.  I remember seeing these guys for this tour in Hollywood, my first year in California, right up against the stage.
It never is a great time with prom queens—or football team captains for that matter. It takes some years before they can hoist in the fact that life is not all about them and no one owes them anything. An unlucky few teen heros never get any insight into themselves—God save their mortal souls.

 
lafcadio wrote:
My High School sweetheart, the prom queen, picked this as the official prom song, or whatever that was.  It's a great song.  It wasn't a great relationship.
 


My High School sweetheart, the prom queen, picked this as the official prom song, or whatever that was.  It's a great song.  It wasn't a great relationship.
 finoufk wrote:
the song is ok...nothing more. rate it 8 ? as high as the best pop/rock standars : are u kiding ?
 
of course!. they are among the best pop/rock standards