The band rose from the ashes of Redivider (1997-2001), a melodic guitar band that won the Grote Prijs van Nederland ('Grand Prize of The Netherlands'), Holland's number one band battle, in 1998. As Diederik Nomden - musically a key figure - left the group, Ralph Mulder (guitar/vocals), David Corel (bass/vocals), Len Lucieer (guitar) and Guy Bours (drums) decided to carry on as Alamo Race Track. This was towards the end of 2001. The name change also marked a dramatic shift in sound and therefore, effectively, the birth of a new band.
The band's sound has been described as "introspective like Sparklehorse or Neil Young's Harvest, but with a big city buzz", whereas newspaper The Austin Chronicle felt that "Alamo Race Track. . . spills blood on the tracks with the shake 'n' bake of Silkworm and The Jesus Lizard."
Alamo Race Track released two studio albums thusfar, both on Holland's prestigious Excelsior Recordings label: Birds At Home (2003) and Black Cat John Brown (2006). Both albums received rave reviews in The Netherlands and - remarkably - France, where Alamo Race Track are popular in the indie circuit. The band also played Manchester's In The City festival and the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.
Having disappeared from the spotlights after 2006, Alamo Race Track re-surfaced in early 2010, in a different line-up. It appeared that Corel and Bours had quietly disappeared. Mulder and Lucieer remain in the band; Jelte van Andel (bass) and Robin Buijs (drums) complete today's line-up. The band wrote the soundtrack for a theatre play called 'Innenschau' and performed it live on stage as the play went on tour in The Netherlands. The songs for 'Innenschau' will feature on the band's forthcoming third studio album, which has been scheduled for early 2011.
The Northern Territory
Alamo Race Track Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Backed against the wall
Staring six feet in the distance
I stand sixes in the valley
Then I'm off toward the city lights
You send me no letter
Lack of information
I was cracking empty bottles
By the distant tree line
All the way
Let's go all the way
Dance the night away
Let's go all the way
All the way
Let's go all the way
Dance the night away
Let's go all the way
Blue wide yonder
Down by the water
Fight for glory
I'm in the northern territory
All the way
Let's go all the way
Dance the night away
Let's go all the way
(repeat)
You send me no letter
Lack of information
Gives me no shelter
I was cracking empty bottles
By the distant tree line
All the way
Let's go all the way
Dance the night away
Let's go all the way
(repeat)
I stand tall waiting
Backed against the wall
Staring six feet in the distance
I stand sixes in the valley
Then I'm off toward the city lights
All the way
Let's go all the way
Dance the night away
Let's go all the way
(repeat)
Go wide yonder
Down by the water
Fight for glory
I'm in the northern territory
Down by the water
Is a creature
To fight for your glory
In the northern territory
Down by the water
Fight for glory
I'm in the northern territory
Mm-mmm-mmm
I step back in the garden (repeat)
The song “The Northern Territory” by Alamo Race Track is a contemplative piece that captures the feeling of being lost and waiting for something to come along. The opening lines of the song, “I stand tall waiting / Backed against the wall / Staring six feet in the distance / I stand sixes in the valley” describe a sense of unease and vulnerability. The singer is looking off into the distance, waiting for something to happen, but it’s not clear what that might be. The use of the phrase “sixes in the valley” creates an image of the singer standing in a low point, surrounded by hills or mountains, which could amplify the sense of isolation and helplessness.
The chorus of the song, “All the way / Let's go all the way / Dance the night away / Let's go all the way” provides a counterpoint to the more somber verses. The repetition of the phrase “let’s go all the way” could be interpreted as a call to action, a way to pull oneself out of the depression or inaction that the singer seems to be struggling with. The line “I'm in the northern territory” is a reference to Australia’s Northern Territory, which is known for its rugged landscapes and sparse population. The image of the singer “fighting for glory” and encountering a “creature” down by the water further emphasizes the sense of danger and uncertainty that pervades the song.
Overall, “The Northern Territory” is a song that captures the mood of someone who is lost, waiting for something to change but unsure of how to take the first step toward that change. The use of evocative phrases and images creates a vivid landscape that is both beautiful and lonely, encouraging the listener to empathize with the singer’s sense of unease.
Line by Line Meaning
I stand tall waiting
I wait patiently and confidently for something
Backed against the wall
I have limited options or resources and feel cornered
Staring six feet in the distance
I am focused on something far away or uncertain
I stand sixes in the valley
I feel small and insignificant in a large, open space
Then I'm off toward the city lights
I am drawn to the excitement and promise of the city
You send me no letter
You do not communicate with me or keep me informed
Lack of information
Not having enough details or knowledge creates uncertainty or anxiety
Gives me no shelter
Not having a safe place to go or feeling exposed and vulnerable
I was cracking empty bottles
I am frustrated, restless, or possibly seeking a distraction
By the distant tree line
I am somewhere secluded or far away from others
All the way
Committing fully to something, going all out
Let's go all the way
Encouraging full commitment and immersion in an experience
Dance the night away
Lose yourself in the moment and enjoy life
Blue wide yonder
Looking out at something vast, possibly with a sense of longing or awe
Down by the water
Being close to a body of water, which may have different symbolic meanings
Fight for glory
Striving for success or recognition, possibly through hardship or struggle
I'm in the northern territory
Being in a remote, isolated, or unfamiliar place
Down by the water
Is a creature
To fight for your glory
In the northern territory
A possible reference to Australian folklore or mythology
Mm-mmm-mmm
Nonverbal sound, possibly indicating feelings that are hard to express
I step back in the garden (repeat)
Revisiting a familiar or comfortable place, perhaps trying to find solace or a sense of home
Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Loic F
This is one of the most UNDERRATED song I know
I can hear it twenty times in a row and don't get bored because the energy is so good
What happenned to those guys... do anybody know ?!
Let's do something crazy for 2021 and bring them back together 😅
SYMPALA Music
I'm in
Sara Smith
I love this song! It is perfect! Listening & loving this from the US Northern Territory state; Michigan!
Heavin Sticks
Man i wish America was into this, you guys are lucky to get these great artists.
Hannah Vlasblom
Ik ga vanavond naar een concert van hen! (L) echt zin in :D
Jacquelyn Garcia
why isn't this band more popular in the united states? :( i love them!
Wesley Coldmud
+Ruben Raviv Touché Sir
Ruben Raviv
+Wesley Coldmud chuck norris does
Azanna Mohd
Loving this from Trinidad!!:-)
Michael Moon Music
such a fine song! grüße in die niederlande! :D