Weather with You
"Weather with You" is a song by Australian-New Zealand rock band Crowded House. It was the third and most successful single released from the group's third studio album, Woodface (1991), reaching top 50 in 10 countries, including the United Kingdom, where it reached number seven. At the APRA Music Awards of 1994, the song won Most Performed Australian Work Overseas.[1] The song was intended to be part of the Finn Brothers' planned 1990 debut, but after Capitol Records expressed interest in the recordings, they were included on what became Woodface alongside tracks recorded for Crowded House. In 1996, Crowded House disbanded, releasing a greatest hits album, Recurring Dream, in June of that year. "Weather with You" was made the album's first track. Later in the year, the band reunited for one final performance at the Sydney Opera House and performed the song again, calling upon ex-member Tim Finn, who originally performed the song with the group, to join the group onstage. This live performance was not included on the VHS release of the concert, but it was shown on television broadcast and also appeared on the 10-year anniversary DVD entitled Farewell to the World. BackgroundOn his website, Neil Finn explained:
He went on to say, "Ultimately, the theme of the song is of course, that you are creating your own weather, you are making your own environment, always."[3] Critical receptionAndrew Mueller from Melody Maker wrote that songs like "Weather with You" "tout pleasingly wry sentiments but are entirely bereft of any hooks upon which to hang your heart."[4] Another music critic, Peter Paphides, complimented the way Neil Finn could write a song like this and "make it seem like a postcard from a dream."[5] Alan Jones from Music Week praised it as "splendid".[6] In 2025, the song placed 69 on the Triple J Hottest 100 of Australian Songs.[7] Music videoThe accompanying music video for "Weather with You" was filmed after Tim Finn's departure.[citation needed] The video, directed by MacGregor Knox (Director of I'm Talking's "Holy Word"), features the remaining members, Neil Finn, Paul Hester and Nick Seymour, at various beaches in Victoria, Australia (including Queenscliff) driving in cars including a Fiat 600 Multipla towing a small "Sports Minor" caravanette and a Ford Thunderbird "Bullet Bird" convertible. The music video features a slightly rearranged song structure, with a chorus placed before the second verse and some of the instrumental sections shortened. LegacyIn 2001, "Weather with You" was voted 16th-best New Zealand song of all time by APRA and featured on Nature's Best. PersonnelCrowded House
Additional musicians
Track listings
Note: Live tracks recorded with Roger McGuinn at the Pantages Theater, Los Angeles, 7 April 1989, previously released on "I Feel Possessed" CD and 12" single.
Note: Live tracks recorded at The Town & Country Club, London, 9–10 November 1991, exclusive to this release
Note: Limited edition. Live tracks recorded at Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium, 24 February 1992, exclusive to this release.
Note: The "Outlaw Remixes", mixed at Platinum Studios, Melbourne. Produced and remixed by The Outlaw.
Note: "Walking on the Spot" recorded at The Town & Country Club, London, 10 November 1991 (previously unreleased in Japan); "Don't Dream It's Over" recorded at The Roxy, Los Angeles, 26 February 1987; "Something So Strong" recorded at The Trocadero, Philadelphia, 24 March 1987; "Mr. Tambourine Man" recorded with Roger McGuinn at the Pantages Theater, Los Angeles, 7 April 1989 (however, label indicates 7 July 1989 incorrectly).
Note: All live tracks recorded at The Town & Country Club, London, England, 9–10 November 1991. "Walking on the Spot" was previously unreleased in the US. Charts
Certifications
Release history
Cover versions and live performancesIn 2001, Neil and Tim Finn performed the song during the week-long concert series that was captured on the CD/DVD 7 Worlds Collide.[citation needed] In 2006, Jimmy Buffett covered "Weather with You" and used it as the namesake for his album Take the Weather with You.[30] In 2009, a re-recorded version featuring Tim, Neil and Liam Finn appeared on the Tim Finn retrospective North, South, East, West...Anthology.[citation needed] In 2011, a recording by Hollie Smith was included on the compilation album They Will Have Their Way.[citation needed] In 2015, the song was included in the soundtrack of the film Everest (2015).[citation needed] References
|