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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask mumsnet to settle an argument about Crowded House?

315 replies

Specksofwhiteallaround · 07/12/2022 19:03

My husband is absolutely convinced that your average person in the Uk will not have heard of the band Crowded House. This is entirely based on the fact he can only name one song by them. Despite me listening to them on a weekly basis during 16 years I’ve been with him…
I’m equally convinced he’s wrong but I do have to admit I grew up in New Zealand and didn’t move back to the Uk until 1998 so probably fairly biased. I’m willing to concede they probably weren’t that popular here and I don’t think they had many big hits but I refuse to believe they were as unknown as he claims.
So who’s right?

OP posts:
Teapleasebobb · 07/12/2022 20:14

I love them and did as a teenager too, I'm in my 40s

Brefugee · 07/12/2022 20:14

one of my absolute favourite songs ever is by CH - As Sure As I Am (off the Woodface album). It is a beautiful waltz and sometimes i think I'd like to see someone do it on Strictly. Then I remember the Dave Arch singers will murder it and I'm grateful for small mercies.

i always forget about Sister Madly until they do it, and then i dance like mad.

Var57 · 07/12/2022 20:14

Here are some stats on their singles/albums in the UK Charts.

www.officialcharts.com/artist/24226/crowded-house/

WeAreTheHeroes · 07/12/2022 20:14

I know what you mean. Squeeze are great too.

AndrewGloubermanisaperv · 07/12/2022 20:15

Fall at your feet one of the best songs

OxanaVorontsova · 07/12/2022 20:16

Love them, never been anywhere near NZ, am early 50s

Twoscotcheggsandajarofmarmite · 07/12/2022 20:17

Not sure how it started but in our house we always sing ‘everywhere you go, always take your mother’ Cant think of it any other way now!

YouCantBeSadHoldingACupcake · 07/12/2022 20:17

I've heard of them, have a couple of their songs in my phone playlist. I'm 36, grew up in the uk

mintich · 07/12/2022 20:18

I have! I would be surprised if people hadnt!

Findyourneutralspace · 07/12/2022 20:18

Awful, dreary band but yes, I’ve heard of them.

Original poster
Specksofwhiteallaround · 07/12/2022 20:18

@JamieNotJames To be fair to him I didn’t know that either. Neither of us has much interest in Glastonbury so definitely passed us both by.
Im very happy he’s been proven wrong, they have some amazing songs. Fingers of love is one of my favourites, as well as Locked out, Distant Sun and Private Universe.
I actually received a video of their farewell concert for Christmas one year which I think has sort of cemented in his head that it’s a NZ thing and they were a musical footnote in the UK lol…

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 07/12/2022 20:18

I'm 52 - CH where regularly sung on drunken nights when someone had a guitar! C1990

7 Worlds Collide is still on my Spotify playlist

catandcoffee · 07/12/2022 20:19

I definitely know that name but can't think of a song they've done.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/12/2022 20:19

I've seen them.live in the 90s. I'm not a huge fan but DH was. I'd say you'd have heard of them if you're over 40, not sure about younger generation.

Unicorn1919 · 07/12/2022 20:19

Absolutely. Great music.

ghostyslovesheets · 07/12/2022 20:20

Distant Sun even - couldn't remember the title #menopausebrainfog

Imissmoominmama · 07/12/2022 20:20

I’m 56 and I know them!!

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 07/12/2022 20:21

Crowded House are great, I still have them on my USB in the car. I saw them live twice in the 90s and they were so good (and funny) and still brilliant at Glastonbury this year. My favourites are 'Sister Madly' and 'When you come' and I am still pissed off with the scrote who nicked my car in the 90s and took my bootlegged CH concert cassette tape.

mamaduckbone · 07/12/2022 20:24

I have heard of them but couldn't name one of their songs

dudsville · 07/12/2022 20:25

It's a household name of a band. I never bought any of their stuff but always enjoyed it when they came on the radio. Ashamed to say i did not know they were an AUS/NZ band though!

LaLaLouella · 07/12/2022 20:25

I love a bit of Crowded House, Into Temptation is my favourite...

StrawberryWater · 07/12/2022 20:27

They are huge in the U.K. in the early to mid 1990s and still get plenty of air play on Smooth radio and throwback stations.

Love them.

MrsToothyBitch · 07/12/2022 20:30

I've heard of them! Initially from back episodes of nmtb but I do know who they are. I'm early 30s.

lanadelgrey · 07/12/2022 20:30

Me and my kids: part of their childhood though DS was seeing something else when I was ever so slightly moist eyed at Glastonbury this year, Afavourite sentiment in the ‘Grey’ house about taking the weather with you

FeelWellEnoughToTellYou · 07/12/2022 20:30

I used to live near Te Awamutu,so he was always around (musically) The guy is a legend!