Ahoy! Ahoy!

Skids : Into the Valley

[Purchase]

On January 9, 1979 Skids released the anthemic UK Top 10 hit "Into the Valley". Because of Richard Dobson's accent, most people don't know the lyrics are actually about Scottish youths being recruited into the army, with a personal touch after a friend was killed on duty in Northern Ireland .

"A lot of the guys I knew who went to Northern Ireland had become prejudiced when they came back. They spoke about Catholics or Irish Nationalists in a very negative way, and always used that precursor, 'I know you're not like that, but...' It definitely had a curious effect on them as people, and psychologically scarred them. So that had a deep influence on the song."

The anthemic quality served the band well and would also be a defining quality of  guitarist Stuart Adamson's next band, Big Country.

How Long Now?

The Skids : The Saints Are Coming

[Purchase]

In October of 1978 The Scottish punk rock band The Skids released their Wide Open EP, featuring the anthemic single "The Saints Are Coming". It would peak at UK#48 in November. and become a football terrace singalong. Songwriter Stuart Adamson would take his anthem writing abilituies to the next level in his future band Big Country.

 In 2006 Green Day and U2 would team up on a cover version to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.

My Top Ten: Stuart Adamson of Big Country

[Purchase]

Anticipating the May release of the single "In A Big Country" ( their follow-up to the Top 10 "Fields of Fire") and the album The Crossing, vocalist and guitar player Stuart Adamson provided Smash Hits an eclectic, wide-ranging list of his ten favorite songs. The single was a big hit in the big country of Canada ( #3) and made inroads in the US thanks to MTV.The list comes courtesy of Brian at Like Punk Never Happened.



LEONARD COHEN AVALANCHE



ROXY MUSIC PYJAMARAMA



FOUR TOPS SEVEN ROOMS OF GLOOM