Crowded House's new single, the upbeat “Oh Hi,” is an ode to the possibilities of children, says band co-founder and frontman Neil Finn. Billboard's Behind the Setlist Podcast.
Finn's lyrics, which begin with “Every child is a mystic and has visions of a new dawn,” were inspired by his experience with the nonprofit. So they can, which provides education to thousands of children in East Africa. “It's about the joy of watching children, being part of their story, creating a good environment for them and then receiving a lot in return. [in return] of that,” he says.
The band released a Official charity video for “Oh Hi” which features children from one of those schools, Aberdare Ranges School, dancing and singing to the song. It is one of 51 schools supported by So They Can in Kenya and Tanzania. The organization aims to support 500 schools and 400,000 students, the youtube page of the video he explains, and hopes to get 1 million people to donate $1 a month.
“Oh Hi” also has a traditional official video that is quirky and equally joyful as the charity video. The video captures an unnamed boy, with Finn's singing head attached to his body, strutting and dancing through a New York City neighborhood. Finn got the idea from observing his grandson's “uncoordinated” dancing style. “It occurred to me that no adult would dance like that,” he says. “So there would be some good humor… to rear its head.” [him].”
Because the members of Crowded House reside all over the world, “Oh Hi” and the rest of gravity stairs (available May 31 via BMG) was recorded over the past few years during sessions that fit into the band's touring schedule. Bassist Nick Seymour lives on the west coast of Ireland. Finn's son Elroy, the band's drummer, lives in London. Guitarist and another son, Liam Finn, and keyboardist Mitchell Froom live in Los Angeles. Finn himself resides in his home country, New Zealand. “We're testing the theory of how far apart you can be in a band and still be really together,” he says.
In February, “Oh Hi” was transformed by a live performancebacked by an orchestra and background singers, on BBC 2 piano room show. Instead of performing as a full band, only Finn and Seymour performed, with Finn on piano, to better complement the orchestra and the arrangement prepared by her friend Victoria Kelly.
“It's live and we only got to go through it with two rehearsals,” he says of the BBC 2 recording. “So you're on the edge of your seat. But there was something really beautiful about it and I think it turned out well. Any song should be able to be redefined. “That song is destined to be redefined several times because I'm sure when we go on stage it will be another transition.”
Listen to the full interview with Neil in the embedded player below or listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iheart either Amazon Music.
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