"Pineapple Head" is a song by Australian-New Zealand

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wales ...

band Crowded House from their fourth studio album, ''

Together Alone ''Together Alone'' is the fourth studio album by New Zealand-Australian recording artists Crowded House. It was released in October 1993 and was their first album to feature multi-instrumentalist Mark Hart as a full band member. Unlike the band ...

''. It was released as a single in September 1994. The song was later included on the group's greatest hits compilation ''

Recurring Dream A recurring dream is a dream which is experienced repeatedly over a long period. They can be pleasant or nightmarish and unique to the person and their experiences. Common themes in recurring dreams Through psychological analyses and studies, s ...

''. It was also performed by the band in their farewell concert ''

Farewell to the World ''Farewell to the World'' is a 1996 concert by rock group Crowded House, which was released on video in 1996 and on CD and DVD in 2006. The concert was recorded on the outside footsteps of the Sydney Opera House, as a charity event to raise fun ...

'' in 1996. The song was left off the initial VHS release and television broadcast, but was, however, restored for the tenth anniversary DVD release. In 2005,

Natalie Imbruglia Natalie Jane Imbruglia ( , ; born 4 February 1975) is an Australian singer and actress. In the early 1990s, she played Beth Brennan in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''. Three years after leaving the programme, she began a singing caree ...

recorded a version of "Pineapple Head" to contribute to ''

She Will Have Her Way ''She Will Have Her Way'' is a compilation album featuring female Australian and New Zealand musicians performing songs written by Neil Finn and Tim Finn ( The Finn Brothers), members of Split Enz and Crowded House. A follow up album, '' He W ...

'', a tribute to

Neil Finn Neil Mullane Finn (born 27 May 1958) is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician who is known for being a member of Crowded House, Split Enz (which he co-fronted with brother Tim), and Fleetwood Mac. Finn rose to prominence in the late ...

and

Tim Finn Brian Timothy Finn (born 25 June 1952) is a New Zealand singer and musician. His musical career includes forming 1970s and 1980s New Zealand rock group Split Enz, a number of solo albums, temporary membership in his brother Neil's band Crowd ...

by various female musicians and bands.

Cover art

The single's cover art was created by

Reg Mombassa Christopher O'Doherty, also known by the pseudonym Reg Mombassa, is a New Zealand-born Australian artist and musician. He is a founding member of the band Mental As Anything and member of Dog Trumpet (alongside his brother Peter O'Doherty). Ea ...

, the artist responsible for creating the clothing brand

Mambo Graphics Mambo Graphics (also, 100% Mambo; and marketed as Mambo) is an Australian company designer of clothing. The company produces and commercialises surfing wetsuits, and casual wear clothing. Mambo was launched in 1984 by musician Dare Jennings and ...

and who had also been a member of popular Australian band

Mental as Anything Mental As Anything are an Australian new wave and pop rock band that formed in Sydney in 1976. Its most popular line-up (which lasted from 1977 to 1999, and recorded all of their charting singles and albums) was Martin Plaza (birth name Mar ...

. The cover features a man with three eyes and a pineapple for a head, indicative of the song title.

Composition

The original inspiration for the song was Neil's son,

Liam Finn Liam Mullane Finn (born 24 September 1983) is a New Zealand singer and musician. Born in Melbourne, Australia, he moved to New Zealand as a child. He is the son of musicians Sharon and Neil Finn. In 2020, he joined his father's band, Crowded ...

, who uttered several phrases which later became lyrics while affected by fever. The song shares musical similarities with " Norwegian Wood" by

the Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the developmen ...

. The song is somewhat unique in the modern pop/rock era, being a 3/4 time signature song, compared to most contemporary music being in 4/4. This gives it a unique, waltz-like swing. On the live album, LIVE 92–94, Pt. 1 – Track 8, Neil counts out 1,2,3 1,2,3 after slowing the band down during the performance intro.

Reception

Junkee Junkee is an Australian popular culture and news website run by new media company Junkee Media. It covers various topics including film, university, food, TV, politics, travel, career, health and Internet culture. Its target demographic is 18- to ...

described it as, "a sea-shanty waltz, with steely guitars and a cooing Mellotron beneath it. Compositionally it’s part " Norwegian Wood", part "

Golden Brown "Golden Brown" is a song by the English rock band the Stranglers released as a 7-inch single on EMI's Liberty label in 1982, noted for its distinctive harpsichord instrumentation. It was the second single released from the band's sixth studio ...

", all Crowded House."

Track listings

CD and 12-inch single # "Pineapple Head" – 3:28 # "

Weather with You "Weather with You" is a song by Australian-New Zealand rock band Crowded House. It was the third and most successful single released from the group's third studio album '' Woodface'' (1991), reaching top 50 in 10 countries, including the United ...

" – 3:44 # "

Don't Dream It's Over "Don't Dream It's Over" is a song by rock band Crowded House, recorded for their 1986 self-titled debut studio album. The song was composed and written by New Zealand frontman Neil Finn, and released in October 1986 as the fourth single from ...

" – 3:55 # "Together Alone" – 3:55 Cassette single # "Pineapple Head" – 3:28 # "Weather with You" – 3:44

Charts

Notes

{{Authority control 1994 singles Crowded House songs Songs written by Neil Finn 1993 songs Capitol Records singles