Here's another Tuesday for you! To go with it, have a side of the ever-entertaining Tuesday's Musical Notes blog! It's the official blog of Cross & Kin entertainment! (Cross & Kin YouTube channel)
The blog is your one-stop source for musical musings and sometimes even a discovery or two about yourself! Occasionally, The Notes will take a side trip down the rabbit hole of songs we've never heard, by groups we know. Today is one of those hippity hop moments we hope you enjoy as much as we do.
So let's relax, find an easy chair or lawn chair, and prepare for some unusual February weather, as we join the band Crowded House soaking in some "Saturday Sun"...
I know right! You've heard that band name before, but can't quite place it. Crowded House has been around since 1984 when founding members Neil Finn (vocalist, guitarist), Paul Hester(drums), and Nick Seymour (bass guitar) hit the world stage with their New Zealander/Australian brand of pop music. Upon the release of their first single, "Mean To Me" from their self-titled debut album, Crowded House began to get international, including US airplay. Unfortunately, that single failed to hit the charts in the US. However, the exposure granted by "Mean To Me" allowed their second single to get even more airplay. "Hey now, hey now..." "Don't Dream It's Over" would catapult Crowded House to a #2 peak on the Hot 100 and create demand for the album. The heightened profile created by sales and requests of the single, blasted the album up the charts, causing it to peak at #12 on the US Album Chart. Does any of this sound familiar? Yup! It's THAT Crowded House! The accolades soon followed as "Don't Dream It's Over" piled up regional awards, as well as international acclaim from MTV and its Music Video Awards show. (MTV at one time played nothing but music videos...I know shocking!)
The third single from Crowded House, "Something So Strong" soared up the charts, peaking at #7. It solidified the band as a stalwart for the 80s. (OHH! THAT Crowded House!)
The pressure to produce a successful follow-up record took its toll on the band. Between poor sales and lineup changes the band finally decided to call it quits in 1996. The members of Crowded House took to solo projects, none of which performed to the level of their combined efforts as a band. After the death of Hester in 2005, original band members held a tribute concert. This spurred a conversation that caused a solo project by Neil Finn to become released as a Crowded House project. Crowded House reformed in 2006.
The reformed Crowded House released the album, Intriguer, in 2009. Its first single is today's featured song, "Saturday Sun". The single came with the video above that was released on the internet. While receiving positive reviews from critics and fans, "Saturday Sun" failed to chart and Intriguer peaked at #50. Touring in support of the album would result in another "hiatus" from touring and recording.
From 1986 to 2010, Crowded House released 7 albums, none reaching the critical acclaim, nor sales that Crowded House, the album, afforded them.
After announcing a reunion show in 2020, Crowded House decided to reform once again with founding members Finn, and Seymour, original producer Mitchell Froom, and Finn's sons, Liam and Elroy. The band has been active since this time, being seen on late-night shows and producing new music for fans. It seems that they didn't want to be satisfied enjoying "Saturday's Sun"...
During the creation account in Genesis and reinforced through the chronology of Exodus, Sabbath was established and institutionalized as a day of rest for the Israelites. It was to be observed from sundown Friday through sundown on Saturday. Again, pointing to the creation narrative, "
...And there was evening and there was morning, one day." - Genesis 1:5b, "...
And there was evening and there was morning, a second day." - Genesis 1:8b, and continuing in this fashion until all of creation was complete and God rested. Genesis 2:1-3 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV
During the daylight hours of Friday, which had become darkened during the crucifixion, Jesus hung scourged and dying on the cross. Because of the upcoming Sabbath observance, both the religious rulers and the political rulers knew they were under a time crunch to make the way for the Sabbath observance where everything literally shut down in Jerusalem. The legs of the criminals were broken to expedite death, but upon examination of Jesus, it was discovered He had already died. His bones not being broken were the fulfillment of more Scripture: Psalm 34:19-20 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV ( prophecy written 1000 years prior to Jesus' death) To ensure Jesus' demise, a spear was thrust into his body, and blood and water flowed indicating He was indeed dead. Isaiah 53:5 NASB/AMP/ESV/KJV (prophecy written 700 years prior to Jesus' death)
With Jesus dead, and Sabbath looming, followers of Jesus, specifically Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea asked for Jesus' body so that they might prepare it for burial before Sabbath began. Their request was granted and they took Jesus, prepped His body to be entombed, and placed Him in Joseph's burial plot. The Pharisees, aware of Jesus' prophecies to rise from the dead, wanted to guarantee that Jesus' body would indeed be secure, so they requested of Pilate that a guard be placed at the tomb.
Then Sabbath. Sundown Friday happens and all must rest. No work is to be done. Nothing at all is to occur in the lives of devout Jews. They would have made preparations for food and other activities the day before. Jesus' disciples are nowhere to be found, save Nicodemus and Joseph. The apostles are fearful for their own lives and cannot be found. "...
It's a Saturday sun And the madness is won..." The Bible tells us very little about the Saturday following the crucifixion of Jesus. One would assume the guards stood watch, and the disciples and apostles attempted to figure out what to do next. The Pharisees and Sadducees are satisfied that they have squelched the blasphemer and His rebellion. But Jesus, His mission not quite yet accomplished, and while the remainder of the world enjoys the Saturday Sun, rests. Again mirroring creation.
Friend, do you have the peace, the rest that the Sabbath portends? Jesus, while He was preaching and teaching said, "Come to Me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest..." Matthew 11:28-30 Imagine the kind of rest in which Jesus speaks.
Imagine the delight God must have had as He rested and enjoyed creation. Imagine the satisfying rest Jesus felt as He knew that what He had just endured would be the price to pay for the trespasses of mankind, from Adam all the way to you and me. Imagine the anticipatory rest Holy Spirit experienced as He knew He was about to be sent as "God in us" for those who believe what the Bible says Jesus said and did.
It's the Sabbath friend, come find your rest...enjoy the Saturday Sun...
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by Loving You,
randy
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