Crowded House’s New Single ‘Oh Hi’ Celebrates Children’s Joy and Education

Crowded House‘s latest single, ‘Oh Hi,’ is a spirited homage to the potential within children, Neil Finn, the band’s co-founder, and leader shared in an exclusive with Billboard‘s Gary Graff.

Embracing the beauty of children’s possibilities, Finn drew lyrical inspiration from his involvement with the non-profit organization So They Can, which imparts education to numerous children in East Africa. The song’s lyrics kickoff with captivating lines like “Every child is a mystic, having visions of a new dawn,” encapsulating the essence of the track.

The band unveiled a heartwarming video featuring children from Aberdare Ranges School in Kenya, one of the 51 schools under So They Can’s support. So They Can is on a mission to empower 500 schools and 400,000 students in Kenya and Tanzania, aiming to generate a ripple effect by rallying 1 million people to donate $1 each monthly.

‘Oh Hi’ not only comes with this charity-focused video but also a quirky official video that exudes jubilance. The offbeat visuals showcase an unidentified child with Finn’s singing head superimposed on the body, prancing joyfully around the streets of New York City.

Crowded House members, with their scattered residences across the globe, pieced together ‘Oh Hi’ and their forthcoming album ‘Gravity Stairs’ between touring schedules over the past few years. The band’s lineup spans from New Zealand to California, pushing the boundaries of distance in a band but staying remarkably united.

In a memorable February rendition, ‘Oh Hi’ was transformed into a vibrant performance by Neil Finn and bass player Nick Seymour alone for BBC 2‘s Piano Room show. The enchanting orchestral backing and the arrangement by Victoria Kelly added a new dimension to the song, showcasing its versatility.

Neil Finn reflected on the experience, noting the enthralling yet nerve-wracking live rendition with minimal rehearsals that resulted in a beautiful rendition. The band’s flexibility and willingness to evolve their music hint at more transformations for ‘Oh Hi’ in live performances to come.

For the full story and insights from Neil Finn himself, listen to the interview with Billboard, providing an in-depth look at the band’s creative process and the backstory of ‘Oh Hi.’