Crowded House Distant Sun on The Tonight Show

[stubbarmy05]

These lads are gods musically, they'd get me through anything!

[bigworld3001]

Never fully appreciated Nick's bass playing until I saw THIS video!!! Thanks for posting this gem!!

[Ctemple2012]

Real song writing, real music...bliss

[MorpheusBride]

Thanks for putting these up. I had a friend back in the day call me up and tell me that they played on the tonight show the day AFTER it aired. That killed me. But now I can live again. :)

[lukecannington]

wow, they sound perfect here. great performance

[beaglehowl]

@lukecannington exactly right.

[JDdeziner]

I LOVE this song! It's even better than the studio recorded version. Don't know exactly what's different about it, but I love it!!!!! Thanks for posting this, it made my day ;) Rock on Enz, CH and Neil Finn...you're the best!

[dieter1215]

Tim and neil finn are from Nz so they are a NZ band but they had players from the US and Aust. and I guess made their name as a big band here in aust also we claim them as Aussie like russell crowe and mel gibson lol. bottom line is they where a great band no matter where they came from .

[strauchanside]

@dieter1215 Technically they formed in Melbourne as Neil was living here at the time, Tim only joined for the Woodface record. Neil is a Kiwi, but to me Crowded House are Australian.

[ramadarose41]

@karrzer Neil is the younger brother who joined Tim's Split Enz around 1977 or so. As far as whether Crowded House is Kiwi or Aussie, your mileage may vary. I consider them both because Neil, who started it, is from New Zealand, and Paul and Nick are from Australia... and the band was kind of started in Australia (though they got their first record deal in the U.S.). I think that they are the best of all countries, and that they are awesome no matter where they hail from!

[Mob01971]

Neil Finn=perfection

[loveamorgood]

I would agree with the statement below, Paul Hester's influence in the band is definitely missed.

[lagerzok]

superb - agree that it's the best live performance - best recorded version ever period? Love it :-)

[lagerzok]

superb - agree that itsthe best live performance - best recorded version ever period? Love it :-)

[lagerzok]

superb - agree that it the best live performance - best recorded version ever period? Love it :-)

[GabVanDerV]

As a Kiwi who's followed CH closely, as many of us do, this is easily the best live version I've seen or heard. A reminder of what a gone-too-soon talent Paul was, harmonizing effortlessly with Neil; Neil's powerful lead vocal, Mark Hart nailing that 12-string. Superb.

[carathebaker]

One of the songs that really touches the heart . . . beautiful!

[joshgillaus]

0.43 sec, paul looks like jack nicholson the joker

[NoImAMocker]

My favorite song writing since Lennon/McCartney and Neil has that ability to get you feeling every emotion in one song and sometimes at one time. Just magic, and I definitely miss Paul.

[Asagtr]

one of the best bands ever

[setonend]

Flawless performance, what a great fuckn band. Tingling from start to finish

[mandolinroad]

omg, van damme and crowded house on the same show. how did the universe not explode from such vast amounts of awesomeness.

[MrRichardSabsay]

I love this band and this is one of there best songs I don't give a dam if they come from the moon.I saw them in Toronto last year and they were grate

[bickis76]

I could watch this over and over. Especially Neil's sweet eyes and smile at 2:31. Sigh... ;)

[Nigelxman1]

Great performance. Jay Leno is completely cringe worthy though.

[mandolinroad]

@Nigelxman1 as usual

[stormin300]

Up there with the very best songs ever written. Perfect!

[01jbarnes]

they are a multi national band nz ,u.s and aussie, i dont see what the big deal is on where they are from, but this band is nothing without neil who is a kiwi on an awesome aussie contract

[icanwaitanotherday]

This is wonderful!

[CjScott101]

Aren't they from New Zealand, not Australia? It's just I'm Aussie and I always thought they were Kiwi

[ChizelMonkee]

@CjScott101 I think it depends on how you count. Neil, the leader is Kiwi. Nick and Paul are Aussies. Mark is from the US.

That is this line up at least. In the current line up you have two Americans, so I guess it all depends.

[karrzer]

If neil is a kiwi,who is his brother....sorry im a bit ignorent,always loved there music,but don't know much of the backround...

[ChizelMonkee]

@karrzer Neil's brother is Tim Finn who co-founded Split Enz and later joined Crowded House. He's performed on The Tonight Show a few times.

[karrzer]

@ChizelMonkee Ok,thank you,that clears that up,as i said im not that up on the history,just bits and pieces ive heard over the years,great music tho.....:)

[ChizelMonkee]

@karrzer Great! There's a lot to discover. Be sure not to miss the two Finn Bros. albums that Neil and Tim did together. They are fabulous!

[karrzer]

@ChizelMonkee I will do,ive heard of the finn brothers alrite,thats where the confusion came from,im irish and i know they've played here,i just always presumed they founded and finished crowded house together,kinda like the oasis gallaghers,didnt know it was as complicat

ed,cheers man for the info...:)

[wanderlost64]

Gob smackingly wonderful! Almost brings a tear to my eye.

[ruinawish]

@CjScott101 I've read that they were formed in Melbourne. And plus, it's the Aussie way to claim anything good out of Kiwi-land!

[uluru28]

@CjScott101 - During their first run (before they reformed a few years ago) they considered Melbourne their 'home base.' Neil Finn lived there most of that period. It was where they all gathered to rehearse, regroup, depart from on tours, etc. So that is probably the biggest reason they were referred to as Australian by most people.

[skyhook75]

Crowded House themselves will tell you they are an Australian band. Formed in Melbourne. I've heard them say it from the stage at many shows. Especially when they are back playing in their "hometown"!

[setonend]

@CjScott101

Neil wrote all the music, so its probably fair to call them a New Zealand outfit. But im kiwi, so I guess im bias haha. Fuckn great band anyway

[teddyinjapan]

@CjScott101 It was from the very beginning a band made from both New Zealand and Australian friends. In fact, they at one time in the beginning of their career moved their base to Australia in order to be eligible for Australian artist awards, because as a New Zealand band they were in competition with other more famous international bands. But they evolved into their own special thing that the world will never forget. Hessie... you will always be my favorite drummer in the whole world. RIP

[ThePhil909]

@CjScott101 ah wow how refreshing of u to say, yes they are kiwis man and we r al proud of them

[ruinawish]

I'm making myself sick watching all of these Crowded House vids...

[icanwaitanotherday]

@ruinawish I know what you mean!!!

[fabfabcemoi]

It's not the same without Paul now…

[uluru28]

This is a great band performing at the height of their powers.

I love the bit of self-indulgence Neil shows when he sings "shower over everyone" in the second chorus. It's justified when your voice is sounding that amazing!

[jagtone]

I'm pretty sure Hessie and Nick are both Australian, and Mark is American. Only Neil is from NZ (out of this lineup, anyway).

[Dingbat142]

When was this performed?



[Redvaliant]

leno .....from Nz not Aus as always they get geography wrong

[skyhook75]

Wrong. They are are an Australian band. Formed in Melbourne by 3 blokes all living in Melbourne. Just cos Neil was born in NZ doesn't automatically mean the band comes from there. If that is the case that means Cold Chisel are Scottish!!!!

[mixmmick]

@skyhook75 And AC/DC would be as well. Plus it would also mean Noiseworks are from NZ.

Kiwi's always try to claim bands, but only when they contain members who have made success in other countries. I'm half Maori (my mums side) and half italian, born in New Zealand but lived all but 1 month of my life in Australia, do you think New Zealand would claim me as I am? What about if I had several hit records and millions of dollars?

[johnweston]

nailed it

[twattybollock]

Effortless.



[ronares]

Neil's voice in it's finest form...

[sullysnet]

song is perfect, I absolutely love the studio ending

[sullysnet]

song is perfect, I absolutely love the ending

[k5spa]

absolutely fantastic, supreme, they are so great, great lyrics, melodies and performers, they were fab at the isle of wight too, 2010

[crowdiecarmen]

CROWDED HOUSE, SIMPLY THE BEST!!

[CrassieTrassieNZ]

New Zealand's most successful band! EPIC SONGS!

[TheSharkPool]

Best live version of this i can find on YouTube. Really good.

Always thought CH were better in this era, being a little more serious and moody, rather than all goodtime and happy clappy, like the Glastonbury 2008 version of this which is also online....

[ginnydk]

Thanks for putting this up. I went to the taping of the show and my VHS tape is in such bad condition. Such great memories.

[fisherkingbat]

Great performance of this song, Mark Hart's 12 string playing is great on this.

[curt1030]

I don't pretend to know what you want, but I offer love.

[ISAACSFLOCK13]

Australia? haha love it!

[cammiedelany]

@ISAACSFLOCK13 (& 297 bigbird) Jay Leno is not incorrect. The band as a whole is generally referred to as being Australian. Although Neil is from NZ the other two founder members were Australian, and the band was formed and generally based there.

cammiedelany 11 seconds ago

[Flocktonwhite61]

Too true slaphaddalztick Brilliant!!!!! The sun from a distant sun will shower over everyone

[rvm2112]

fantastic sound, they truly are a great live band.

[297bigbird]

Jay Leno hang your head in shame and shoot the researchers,Australia?!!!!

[DCHurlford1]

and Neil is a fantastic songwriter.

[DCHurlford1]

Excellent song from Together Alone and this live rendition is great as well, cheers for posting. I saw them at the very first T in The Park festival in the summer of '94 but i think Hester (RIP) had left the band at that point!? Wasn't that impressed with their comeback single Don't Stop Now from '07 but I've still to hear the rest of the album. Sucha melodic band and F

[thijsderoo]

This is in my opinion the most beautiful and best version of Distant Sun they've ever done. Neils voice is sooooo amazing. Especially at 1:48. Woow!

Unfortunately, as he got older his voice also weakened.

[wha65]

It's absolutely brilliant.

I also love the clips of this at " Live Earth " and their " Farewell To The World " at Sydney.

[Anon371]

@thijsderoo But OTOH, not many people can still sing as good as Neil can at 52 years old.

[peacemonger1967]

with all respect to you as a fan, thats true about Neil's voice..I saw them live last night (great show!) and he was in very strong voice, I can assure you...peace@thijsderoo

[peacemonger1967]

i meant to saw thats not true..ha ha!@peacemonger1967

[slaphaddalztick]

Stunning... without a doubt the best band since the Beatles

[wha65]

I totally agree. Paul Mcartney was asked, how it feels to be the greatest songwriter in the world. He said " I'm not, Neil Finn is " Apparently he said this in a rock magazine interview. High praise indeed from the master tradesman. Both bands have brilliant harmonies and songs that are so melodic.

[gtc123killie]

@slaphaddalztick , cood not agree any more with your comments

[frontman62]

@slaphaddalztick

Great song, Great melody!

[wildsmiley]

@slaphaddalztick no truer words have ever been said.

[fieldsroyal]

RIP Hessy.

[lesstratbelman]

Simply brilliant! Neil and the boys at their best. Thank you for posting.

[deejaybee]

Beautiful, beautiful tune; one of their best and wonderful to see them "giving it some" on this live version - neil's vocals, the gorgeous harmonies, the guitars, Hessy doing his thing (am a drummer myself, a sad, sad loss still)....just perfect.

And of course, that dick Leno putting both feet in. Australia? Good call man, great research.

[symmie666]

great just feckin great. neil's fairly beltin it out.

[nickwick]

Australia? ... I don't think so.

[pipsondemand]

Beautiful Song !

[81brett83]

I used to sing to this all the time when I was a kid, was on a now 26 CD I think, love this tune !!!

[dkrehbiel]

Native 'Australia'????? Nice staff work, Jay! :)

[fabrasham]

Amazing, thank you so much for putting this up. Boy I miss Paul Hester's influence on the band. Neil is a genius !

[chloecalixte]

Paul lives on with Crowded House, They haven't and wouldn't ever allow his influence to be forgotten x

[sullysnet]

@fabrasham

I agree, Paul is sorely missed :(

[proudseawolf]

"And I fell asleep as the dust laid on the ground." Oh....my......

Phenomenal performance of an incredible song. The vocals....and that guitar riff he keeps repeating. Awesome!

[uluru28]

Neil is astounding in this! When they're really "on" no live band is better than Crowded House.

[mrrichardfeder]

Video is no so hot, audio is pretty damn good, but .. never mind. One of the best rock songs ever, performed with complete assurance and power. Those guitars. Neil's voice. Super.

The Live Earth version is equally incredible (as are the other tracks).

[Markfly]

incredible! :))

[sherbetgirl]

I think Neil Finn is a musical genius and those who don't think so obviously don't get it.

[jamesgdavies2]

I get it.

He is fantastic.

[sherbetgirl]

I love this and I think it's possibly the best CH song.

How lovely.....and sad to see Hessy here on drums.

[guitaristavista]

One of the best performances of their brilliant song

[e8412561]

...Neil Finn is a genius....

[bobnfreely]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. It's a great performance of one of my favorite CH songs.

[whyohwhy999]

Love this one!

[finngirl76]

This is awesome