Following Adamson's death in 2001, the band reformed in 2007, with the surviving members. Between 2010 and 2013, the band reformed with Mike Peters of The Alarm on lead vocals. Since then the band has continued with only two of the original members (Watson and Brzezicki).
Big Country's first single was "Harvest Home", recorded and released in 1982. It was a modest success, although it did not reach the UK Singles Chart. Their next single was 1983's "Fields Of Fire (400 Miles)", which reached the UK's Top Ten and was followed by the album The Crossing. The album was a hit in the United States (reaching the Top 20 in the Billboard 200), powered by "In a Big Country", their only US Top 40 single.
Stuart Adamson was found dead in a room at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii on 16 December 2001, having been believed to have died by suicide.
On 24 May 2024 the band announced that singer Tommie Paxton would being "helping them out" for the year. Paxton is guitar player and singer with the Big Country tribute band Restless Natives.
1000 Stars
Big Country Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Move in closer, understand
This time like never before
Only the black queen scores
A card so high and so wild
We should burn it
The luck of a thousand stars
The luck of a thousand stars
Losing its charm
There are people I have loved
Hypnotized by lies
In defensive disguise
Some say protect and survive
I say it's over
The luck of a thousand stars
Can't get me out of this
The luck of a thousand stars
Losing its charm
Hold me through the darkest night
I feel secure in your arms
While all the city's on fire
It's not between you and me
But we are losing
The luck of a thousand stars
Can't get me out of this
The luck of a thousand stars
Can't get me out of this
The luck of a thousand stars
Losing its charm
In "1000 Stars", Big Country sings about the end of a relationship as they "play our final hand" and move "in closer, understand". The lyrics speak of a struggle between holding on and letting go, and the confusion and pain that can come with that decision. The singer acknowledges that they've loved people who were "hypnotized by lies" and closed off in "defensive disguise", suggesting that perhaps the relationship they're currently in is similarly unhealthy or unsustainable.
The chorus, "The luck of a thousand stars can't get me out of this / The luck of a thousand stars losing its charm" speaks to the idea that sometimes, despite all our efforts and despite the good fortune we may have had in the past, we simply can't escape our present circumstances. The luck of a thousand stars, something that may have once felt like a guiding force in the singer's life, now feels futile and ineffective.
In the final verse, the singer seeks comfort in the arms of their partner, even as chaos and destruction reigns around them ("While all the city's on fire"). But despite the singer's desire to hold onto the relationship, the repeated line "Can't get me out of this" suggests that they may be resigned to the fact that things have come to an end.
Line by Line Meaning
Now we play our final hand
We are at the end of something and we need to make our final move.
Move in closer, understand
Let's get closer and be on the same page.
This time like never before
This is a unique and special moment we haven't experienced before.
Only the black queen scores
The strongest and most powerful move will win.
A card so high and so wild
This move is unexpected and unpredictable.
We should burn it
We need to destroy the card to prevent it from being played again.
The luck of a thousand stars
Even the best luck in the world cannot save us.
Can't get me out of this
We are in a difficult and uncertain situation we can't escape from.
Losing its charm
Good luck has lost its value and importance.
There are people I have loved
In the past, I have cared deeply for certain individuals.
Hypnotized by lies
I was deceived or misled by these individuals.
In defensive disguise
In order to protect myself, I put up a façade.
Some say protect and survive
Some people believe that we should focus on safeguarding ourselves in times of difficulty.
I say it's over
I believe that there is no hope for the situation we find ourselves in.
Hold me through the darkest night
I need someone to be there for me during the toughest of times.
I feel secure in your arms
Being held helps me feel safe and protected.
While all the city's on fire
Even though the world around us may be falling apart.
It's not between you and me
The problems we are facing are not because of us or our relationship.
But we are losing
Nonetheless, we are still suffering losses and setbacks.
Can't get me out of this
We are still in a dire situation we can't escape from.
Losing its charm
Even good luck has lost its appeal.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ANTHONY EARL BUTLER, BRUCE WILLIAM WATSON, MARK BRZEZICKI, WILLIAM STUART ADAMSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Patrick Stocks
Now we play our final hand 🖐
Move in closer, understand
This time like never before
Only the black Queen scores
A card so high and so wild 😝
We should burn it
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Losing its charm
There are people I have loved 🥰
Hypnotized by lies
In defensive disguise 🥸
Some say protect & survive
I say it’s over
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Losing its charm
Hold me through the darkest night
I feel secure in your arms
While all the cities on fire 🔥
It’s not between you & me
But we are losing
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Losing its charm
Lídia Maria
all the songs in this band are excellent
Lance Foley
one of the most underrated bands ever........ What a sound -if only all bands were half this good
paul wilkins
Killer drums from Mark-rhythmically awesome across the album. My Dad gave me this album when I was 13-been a fan ever since. Stuarts still very missed but his spirit lives on in the songs. THE band from the 80's for me, passion, musicality and technically brilliant-oh and not bad live!!!
760kdub
@Allan Fifield true that!
Frank Stared
And don't forget the most significant component: intelligent lyrics that always advocated on behalf of equity, connections and peace.
Allan Fifield
They're all Good, but the drummer makes it!
Phil Jones
Same here. My brother gave me the record to listen to, and I was hooked
Renato Andrade
HINO!!!!!!!
UKMC
Great song by very underrated band
Patrick Stocks
Now we play our final hand 🖐
Move in closer, understand
This time like never before
Only the black Queen scores
A card so high and so wild 😝
We should burn it
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Losing its charm
There are people I have loved 🥰
Hypnotized by lies
In defensive disguise 🥸
Some say protect & survive
I say it’s over
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Losing its charm
Hold me through the darkest night
I feel secure in your arms
While all the cities on fire 🔥
It’s not between you & me
But we are losing
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Can’t get me out of this
The luck of a 1,000 stars 🌟
Losing its charm