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.
The Storm
Big Country Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The winter closed in and the crows filled the sky
The houses were burning the flames gold and red
The people were running with eyes filled with dread
Ah my James
They didn't have to do this
Through forest and moors as the clouds filled the skies
The storm broke upon us with fury and flame
Both hunters and hunted washed out in the rain
I know I can never return
To the time of hope when I was born
Let the strength of peace run through my hand
When we walk away from the ?stormy shore?
Then I will be afraid no more
And now I'm sure of where I stand
Let the strength of peace run through this land
And nobody smiled as we took back our own
While rain beat upon us the thunder did moan
And nobody smiled when we knew what was lost
We knew well enough only time proves the cost
The lyrics of Big Country's song "The Storm" tell a story of a person who has witnessed destruction and despair during what seems to be a war or an attack of some sort. The singer starts by describing the scene of destruction: "The houses were burning, the flames gold and red, the people were running with eyes filled with dread." The lyrics give a sense of chaos and despair, as the singer and his companions chase after the perpetrators through the forest and moors. However, the storm breaks upon them with fury and flame, washing out both the hunters and hunted.
The middle section of the song has a hopeful feel to it. The singer admits that he can never return to the time of hope when he was born, but he aspires for peace and strength to run through his hand. He wants to walk away from the stormy shore and be afraid no more. He hopes that the strength of peace will run through the land.
The last section of the song brings back the sense of despair, as the singer describes the aftermath of the battle. Nobody smiled as they took back their own, and nobody smiled when they knew what was lost. The lyrics suggest that the cost of war or conflict is too high, and only time can prove its worth.
Line by Line Meaning
I came from the hills with a tear in my eye
I arrived emotionally wounded, coming from a higher place with sorrow in my eyes
The winter closed in and the crows filled the sky
As the season transitioned and the air got colder, darkness and foreboding crept in
The houses were burning the flames gold and red
The buildings were on fire, with flames flickering in the golden and reddish hues
The people were running with eyes filled with dread
The locals were escaping while looking panicked and frightened
We chased them for miles I had hate in my eyes
We pursued the enemy with extreme anger and resentment in my gaze
Through forest and moors as the clouds filled the skies
Traveling through rugged terrain, with gray clouds overhead
The storm broke upon us with fury and flame
The tempest arrived suddenly, with forceful winds and raging flames
Both hunters and hunted washed out in the rain
Everyone involved was equally affected, drenched and defeated
I know I can never return
I've come to terms with the fact that I can't go back
To the time of hope when I was born
To that period of my life where everything seemed promising
Let the strength of peace run through my hand
May I be filled with the power of tranquility
When we walk away from the ?stormy shore?
When we leave the place of turmoil and uncertainty
Then I will be afraid no more
I will find the courage to be fearless
And now I'm sure of where I stand
I am certain of my position, my beliefs and my values
Let the strength of peace run through this land
May the power of calm and serenity extend across this entire region
And nobody smiled as we took back our own
When we reclaimed what belonged to us, there was no joy or celebration
While rain beat upon us the thunder did moan
As we fought, we were pelted and battered by the storm's fury and deafening roar
And nobody smiled when we knew what was lost
When we acknowledged what we had forfeited, there was no happiness
We knew well enough only time proves the cost
We were aware that the true expense of things will only be revealed through the passing of time
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BRIAN THOMAS PARKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
123ubuntu666
I think Big Country needed to take some time. Stuart, Bruce, Mark, Tony.
They had an odd chemistry.
The producers on their albums were hit and miss.
They needed to take time out. Go to that mansion in the country. They needed to find that producer/engineer combo.
This is not slight on the great people that made the great records for them. It's just a 'what if'.
There was always the tension there of Tony and Mark being Session musicians. No big deal with that. I don't think that was the problem. All the best musicians are in demand and need to get paid.
But Stuart had a certain sensitivity. Bruce as well, was kind of second in command. But really, Big Country is all about Stuart, Bruce, Tony and Mark (in no particular order, apart from Stuart being first).
I don't know what I'm trying to say. It's all moot anyway.
I just think they had great untapped potential, both as a band and as songwriters (even if Stuart was the main man).
Out of all those 'Celtic' bands, Big Country have stood the greatest test of time. No offense. I can't stand to listen to but a handful of U2 songs. Simple MInds - some stuff is still good.
This was one glorious band though. Enough of a legacy to enjoy what they did. Their records only sound better with age.
paulhank
This album was bought for me as a Christmas gift in 1983 and was played endlessly. After a 30 year gap it's sound has never been matched. It's got everything.
Steve Taylor
Hear. Hear. A real masterpiece!
Karl Mills
It still holds up
Andrew Greaves
Merry Christmas. I'm late but do agree. Chreers
Leon Straatman
Great comment,cheers from Holland
Karl Mills
It holds up
BLEAK HALL micro #00 gauge
First great record I bought, and Steeltown was just as good, amazing 4 piece with great production, powerful and melancholy. Genius with 4 superb musicians 👏🏻
Paul Murray
Oh my. Not many things make me more proud to call myself a Scot than this band and this man. He was a genuis. RIP Stu, you made such an impact.
Nessie ZZHuang
Fantastic song. Watched their live performance from The Tube 17.02.1984 & totally blown away. ❤️
123ubuntu666
Stuart was a genius. Surrounded by great musicians.