Bernard Fanning, the revered frontman of Australian rock icons Powderfinger, is preparing to hit the road for a very special tour. He will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut solo album, 'Tea & Sympathy', with a series of shows across Australia in February and March 2026.
From a Hangover to a Hit: The Story Behind 'Wish You Well'
In a candid new interview, Fanning revealed the unexpectedly rough origins of one of the album's most beloved tracks. The optimistic anthem 'Wish You Well' was penned in a mere 15 minutes while the musician was severely hungover. "I got wasted," Fanning admitted, recalling the period just before he left for the UK to record. "The next morning I made a cup of tea and sat on the couch and that song just fell out." He explained the lyrics were a direct reflection of his state: "'Freight train rattled through my head' – I was hungover as a donkey. 'Whistle blowing, love is dead' – I was in the last stages of a long-term relationship."
Reflecting on performing these deeply personal songs two decades later, Fanning dismissed the romantic notion that artists constantly relive the original emotion. "Sometimes you’re on stage and you’re like, 'Fuck, did I leave the iron on?'" he quipped. His primary satisfaction now comes from knowing the record meant a great deal to his fans, which he considers an "unreal bonus" to his selfish desire to simply write music he enjoys.
Controversial Opinions & Late-Night Masterpieces
The conversation turned to pop culture, where Fanning shared his most controversial take: an unwavering admiration for 'First Dates Australia'. "It's actually a masterpiece," he declared, praising its perfect, mindless appeal for exhausted touring musicians. When asked for the greatest guitar riff of all time, he singled out John Lennon's work on The Beatles' 'Day Tripper', praising its melody and iconic sound. However, he respectfully declined to endorse fellow Australian music legend Paul Kelly's scathing review of Lennon's 'Imagine', quipping, "This could be a whole new question for the column – is Paul Kelly wrong about Imagine?"
Fanning also discussed his lifelong musical inspirations, naming Rodriguez's 1970 album 'Cold Fact' as a perennial return-to record that inspired his own political commentary. His most-watched film, however, is the comedy classic 'Caddyshack', which he called a "comic masterpiece" full of quotable lines.
The Beastie Boys, Sleepless Nights & A Favourite Guitar
The interview took a hilarious turn when discussing cringeworthy celebrity encounters. Fanning recounted Powderfinger's stint on the 2005 Big Day Out tour with the Beastie Boys. He found the group, particularly the supposedly Buddhist Adam Yauch, to be "really fucking rude and extremely unfriendly." The tension culminated after the final show in Perth. "The Buddhist guy came up and did a Buddhist bow to me through the window of the car," Fanning recalled. "And I gave him the finger."
On a more personal note, Fanning opened up about his struggles with sleep, especially on tour, which is crucial for vocal recovery. He has tried various remedies, including a medical marijuana prescription, but finds the most effective solution is simply a lot of exercise. His most prized possession is the acoustic guitar he bought just before recording 'Tea & Sympathy', a instrument that has beautifully aged over the last 20 years. "They should last 100 years if you look after them," he noted.
As for the strange item currently in his fridge? A skincare rice concoction belonging to his daughter that, in his words, "looks like regurgitated milk."
