Hole In The River
Neil Finn/Eddie Rayner
There’s a hole in the river where my auntie lies
From the land of the living to the air and sky
Left her car by the river left her shoes beside
Through the thorns and the bushes I hope she was…
Dreaming of glory
Miles above the mountains and plains
Free at last
We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
The sound of desperate breathing her fear inside us all
She was coming to see him but something changed her mind
Drove her down to the river
There is no return
There’s a hole in the river where a memory lies
From the land of the living to the air and sky
She was coming to see him
But something changed her mind,
Drove her down to the river
There is no return
Song appears on:
Crowded House - Crowded House (1986 debut album)
Live: Fangradio broadcasts 2020-2021
The song’s title was a line from the 1963 movie, Irma La Douce, in which Shirley MacLaine’s character threatens to throw herself off a bridge “and make a hole in the river.” The day after seeing the film, Neil was notified of an Aunt’s suicide.
“I was writing a piece of music at the time I was told, so it was one of those things which seemed to demand to be written. I suppose I could have chosen not to air it, but there was a compulsion to have what I thought was one of the strongest pieces of music around be out there.
I still rate the song as really good. All the lyrics came in one go. It didn’t go down very well within the family. I understand completely and sympathise with their point of view.
I would hope it has become what at the time I thought it was - the most positive way I could reflect on something which was tragic. I like the feeling songs inhabit spaces that are difficult for people to talk about, so they gain some degree of empathy or comfort from listening to them.”
“I remember going into a rehearsal room and having no idea what I was going to play, and I was slightly freaking out because I thought, ‘Do I just do what’s on the demo or do I try and find my way somehow?’
So I made this suggestion about doing the verses on a ride cymbal on the drums similarly to a Doors feel. That’s mildly psychedelic. And just playing octaves. I could live in that space for long enough to actually work out, ‘Oh, I think I’m getting away with this. I think these guys think I know what I’m doing.’”
Hole In The River (Split Enz demo, 1984)
Neil Finn/Eddie Rayner/Paul Hester
There’s a hole in the river where my auntie lies
From the land of the living to the air and sky
Left her car by the river, left her shoes beside
Through the thorns and the bushes to the place she died
Well, people don’t die just ‘cause they’re dead
Listen close, turn off your headset
Memory stays just a little longer
I’m glad to say I’m still emotional
I’m still emotional
We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
Her desperate breathing inside us all
She was coming to see him but something changed her mind
Drove her down to the river
There is no return
Well, people don’t die just ‘cause they’re dead
Listen close, turn off your headset
Memory stays just a little longer
I’m glad to say I’m still emotional
I’m still emotional
We were touched by a cold wind, my father and I
The sound of her breathing inside us all
She was coming to see him but something changed her mind
Drove her down to the river
There is no return now
Well, people don’t die just ‘cause they’re dead
Listen close, turn off your headset
Memory stays just a little longer
I’m glad to say I’m still…
I’m still…
I’m still…
