Neil Finn reveals the personal and musical influences that shaped Crowded House and his solo career in this episode of Take 5 with Zan Rowe.
With a career spanning nearly five decades, Neil Finn has crafted songs that have become ingrained in the collective consciousness. In the latest episode of Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC and ABC iview, the renowned New Zealand-born songwriter reflects on the music that has shaped his life.
Hosted by Zan Rowe, this engaging conversation offers a unique glimpse into the personal and professional influences behind Finn’s storied career, touching on his work with Split Enz, Crowded House, his solo endeavours, and his brief stint with Fleetwood Mac.
Throughout the discussion, Finn shares candid insights about the music that has elevated him. Despite his immense success, his humility shines through, as does his characteristic Kiwi humour. At one point, Finn jokes about how he “borrowed” inspiration from a Beatles lyric, offering a light-hearted look at his creative process. Another moment sees him react viscerally to a piece by Beethoven, with his fingers mimicking the motion of playing piano as if by instinct—a testament to the deep-rooted connection he has with the music of his past.
Family is central to Finn’s story, and he speaks with warmth about collaborating with his sons Liam and Elroy. He also reflects on the emotional experience of discovering his late father’s record collection, a trove that deepened his appreciation for the music of previous generations. These personal anecdotes underscore the intimate nature of the conversation, revealing the strong familial bonds that continue to inspire his work.
Finn is perhaps best known for his time with Crowded House, and he revisits key moments in the band’s history, including their iconic farewell performance on the steps of the Sydney Opera House in 1996. Although the band reformed in 2006, they eventually took another break before Finn decided to revive the group in 2018, this time with his sons joining the lineup. It’s clear that, for Finn, music and family are inseparable.
In discussing his influences, Finn celebrates a wide range of artists, from David Bowie to Ella Fitzgerald and, of course, Beethoven. His eclectic taste and appreciation for a variety of genres highlight his mastery as a songwriter, and the joy he finds in music is infectious. As he puts it, the ideal legacy for any song is to outlive its creator:
“The ultimate reward would be to think that a song was getting played in 100 years’ time and nobody remembers who wrote it, and they’ve got the words wrong, and the tune’s just living still. So, it’s like this little living creature that’s going off and having a life and it exists forever.”
Take 5 with Zan Rowe is a production of ABC, with Zan Rowe serving as creator, host, and writer. The show is executive produced by Nikita Agzarian and Josh Schmidt, with Aaron Smith as series producer, director, and director of photography. Katie Ring is associate producer, while Kath Earle oversees as Head of Arts, Music, and Events.
