Neil Mullane Finn (born May 27, 1958) is a New Zealand singer, songwriter, guitarist, and keyboardist. He is best known for his work with Split Enz and Crowded House, two bands whose melodic pop-rock helped bring New Zealand and Australian music to a broad international audience. Across his career, Finn has developed a distinctive songwriting style marked by strong melodies, carefully shaped arrangements, and lyrics that often balance warmth, uncertainty, and emotional restraint.
Born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, Finn grew up in a musical family and began writing songs while still young. His older brother, Tim Finn, was a founding member of Split Enz, an ambitious art-rock group that emerged from New Zealand in the 1970s. Neil joined the band in 1977, initially as a guitarist, after the departure of founding member Phil Judd. Although he was initially less prominent than his brother, Finn soon became one of the group's key songwriters.
His major breakthrough with Split Enz came through "I Got You," a song he wrote for the 1980 album True Colours. The single became the band's most successful international hit and established Finn as a songwriter capable of combining sophisticated pop craft with immediate commercial appeal. He took on an increasingly central role as Split Enz moved toward a more accessible new wave sound. The band continued recording and touring until its breakup in 1984.
In 1985, Finn formed Crowded House in Melbourne with former Split Enz drummer Paul Hester and bassist Nick Seymour. The group's self-titled debut album introduced a more focused and direct version of Finn's songwriting. Its single "Don't Dream It's Over" became a major international success, reaching the top five in the United States, while "Something So Strong" and "World Where You Live" extended the band's appeal. Crowded House followed with albums including Temple of Low Men, Woodface, and Together Alone. Tim Finn joined the group during the Woodface period, creating one of the most notable brotherly collaborations in popular music.
Crowded House dissolved in 1996, allowing Finn to pursue a solo career. His debut solo album, Try Whistling This, appeared in 1998 and presented a more personal and sonically varied approach than his work with the band. One Nil followed in 2001, while later releases such as Dizzy Heights and Out of Silence showed his continued interest in experimentation, collaboration, and unusual recording processes. Finn also worked with his brother as the Finn Brothers, producing the albums Finn and Everyone Is Here.
Collaboration has remained central to Finn's career. The 7 Worlds Collide project brought him together with musicians including Eddie Vedder, Johnny Marr, and members of Radiohead for a series of concerts and recordings. He later recorded with his son Liam Finn, including the 2018 album Lightsleeper, and formed the short-lived duo Pajama Club with his wife, Sharon.
Finn joined Fleetwood Mac in 2018 alongside guitarist Mike Campbell, performing with the band during its world tour and bringing songs from Split Enz and Crowded House to a new audience. He returned to Crowded House, which was revived with a new lineup and released Dreamers Are Waiting in 2021 and Gravity Stairs in 2024. His enduring reputation rests on an unusual combination of melodic accessibility, lyrical subtlety, and a willingness to keep reshaping his musical surroundings.