Big Country was formed in Dunfermline, Scotland by ex-Skids Stuart Adamson (guitar/synthesizer/vocals), Bruce Watson (guitar), Tony Butler (bass), and Mark Brezicki (drums). They made their mark in the UK with "Fields of Fire" a #10 hit in that territory. "In A Big Country" was their next single; they went on to have three more UK Top 10 hits: "Chance," "Wonderland" and "Look Away." When they disbanded in 2000, Adamson became a country singer/songwriter, but got depressed after his second marriage collapsed. His wife declared him missing in November 2001 and the following month he was found hanged in a hotel room in Honolulu, Hawaii.
From its opening notes, "In A Big Country" bursts with fresh energy. The Celtic guitar parts produce a signature bagpipe sound as lead signer Stuart Adamson yelps "Sha!" and urges listeners to remain resilient and "Stay Alive!" "The lyrical idea was about having hope, a sense of self in times of trouble," Adamson told Melody Maker in March 1990.
Steve Lillywhite produced this track. This came at a time when he was emerging as one of the top producers in the business, known for his work with Peter Gabriel and U2. Lillywhite's impact on this song was dramatic when compared with the demo. Changes included delaying the chorus until after the second verse, adding the iconic bagpipe guitar break, and having Adamson sing the bridge an octave higher.
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