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.
Fields Of Fire
Big Country Lyrics
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Between the city and the one
Before the teacher and the test
Before the journey and the rest
The shining eye will never cry
The beating heart will never die
The house on fire holds no shame
I will be coming home again
400 miles without a word until you smile
400 miles on fields of fire
Between a woman and a boy
Between a child and his toy
Between a woman and a boy
Between a child and a toy
Before the following of the west
Before the journey and the rest
400 miles without a word until you smile
400 miles without a word until you smile
400 miles on fields of fire
The lyrics of Big Country's song "Fields of Fire" explore the emotions and experiences that connect people through time and space. The song alludes to various relationships - between a father and son, a woman and a boy, a city and countryside, and so on - but what runs through all these relationships is a sense of distance and separation. The repetition of the phrase "between" highlights the idea that these connections exist somewhere in between, somewhere that is not always easy to find or maintain.
Yet, despite this distance, the song also highlights the resilience and strength of human connection. The shining eye and beating heart are symbols of the enduring nature of our humanity; even when we are far apart, we can still feel the same things and be moved by the same experiences. The imagery of a "house on fire" also captures this idea - no matter what happens to us, no matter how much we might feel ashamed or afraid, there is always a way to come back home and find safety.
The repeated refrain of "400 miles on fields of fire" serves to reinforce these themes. The distance between people can seem insurmountable, but the fields of fire - the challenges and struggles we encounter along the way - can be overcome with the strength of our relationships and the power of our shared experiences.
Overall, "Fields of Fire" is a song that speaks to the complexity and beauty of human relationships. It acknowledges the challenges and difficulties we face in connecting with others, but also celebrates the shared humanity that binds us together.
Line by Line Meaning
Between a father and a son
Relationship between a father and his son.
Between the city and the one
Relationship between a city and its people.
Before the teacher and the test
Prior to the process of learning and its evaluation.
Before the journey and the rest
Before starting a journey and taking a break.
The shining eye will never cry
The happy moments will remain forever.
The beating heart will never die
Love will never fade or die.
The house on fire holds no shame
Being in trouble doesn't mean a person should feel ashamed.
I will be coming home again
I will return home to my loved ones.
400 miles without a word until you smile
Traveling a long distance without saying anything until seeing a joyful expression.
400 miles on fields of fire
Traveling a long distance through challenging circumstances.
Between a woman and a boy
Relationship between a matured woman and an immatured boy.
Between a child and his toy
Relationship between a child and his plaything.
Before the following of the west
Prior to the westernization of society.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, Bruce Watson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@footstompinleroyscott6892
Was fortunate to catch this band 3 times in 1983.
Ayr Pavilion, Reading Festival then Glasgow Barrowlands at Hogmanay.
The energy of the music and the audience was really something every time.
There is a sense of truth and meaning in this music.
It's not spelled out so you can interpret what the band say for yourself.
I think the audience always did and so really got behind it.
It's also rare to get a pop band that can play as well as Big Country.
Fantastic playing chops across the board with Tony Butler really pushing the envelope of what the bass can do in a pop song.
it helps to be young when a band like this is on the scene.
The Crossing is one of the greatest rock albums.
Even tracks not making the album like"Angle Park" and "The Crossing" were better than most bands best stuff !!
@theunemployedtrucker
Who's listening to this masterpiece in 2023, big country are so underrated. 🔥
@ratkomartinovic65
20. December...
@Reecewelch-up8wo
22nd mucker@@ratkomartinovic65
@StrawberrySunday212
2024 👌🏼👌🏼
@user-hl9hm9he5q
Yes God please give him back. I will never forget this band ever. He had everything to live for. I had a son in the 80''s he died if Cancer. But he loved this Music. So sad. It breaks my heart. 😔💔🙏
@martintodd484
God bless your son
@capcolombie3834
Dear God. I'll swap you Justin Bieber, Rhianna, Nicki Minge and All of one Direction if you'll just give us Stuart Adamson back.
@AlfredE.Nueman
Cap Colombie Nicky Minge😆
@neilwardle9283
I'm with you there.
@steveacoustic9532
Yeah right