BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1985
REQUEST
“Life in a Northern Town” is a pop song by The Dream Academy, an English dream pop group. The song is the first single from their 1985 self-titled debut, The Dream Academy. Reaching #7 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1986, it is also their highest-peaking chart single in the US.
The Dream Academy released the original version in 1985 as the first single from their self-titled album. It was a Top Ten pop hit for them, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
There were two different versions of the music video. The first one was made in 1984 and was filmed in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, England. It was directed by Tim Pope. The second version was filmed in 1985 and was directed by Leslie Libman and Larry Williams. It was filmed in and around Newcastle upon Tyne with some scenes filmed in Manchester in the UK and in the USA. The video featured footage from one of their first TV appearances, on the British music show The Tube.
The lyrics are references to English singer-songwriter Nick Drake, who suffered from depression and insomnia throughout his life and often reflected those topics in his lyrics. Gilbert Gabriel, a member of The Dream Academy and co-writer of the song, has also said that the inspiration for the tune came from his experience at Dartington College of Arts. Nick Drake died of an antidepressant overdose in 1974 at the age of twenty six, but his music has influenced songwriters and guitarists well after his death. He was best known for sombre pieces composed on his favorite instrument, the guitar, and The Dream Academy intended the song as a tribute to Drake. The song, which took a year to record, also includes elements of classical music, an “african-esque” chant, and hints of psychedelia.
SIDE A:
Life In A Northern Town (Extended) 5:18
Test Tape No.3 5:04
SIDE B:
Life In A Northern Town (7″ Mix) 4:15
Poised On The Edge Of Forever 3:52
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
CHARTS:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Life In A Northern Town | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #7 |
| 1986 | Life In A Northern Town | U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks | #7 |
| 1986 | Life In A Northern Town | U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | #2 |
| 1986 | Life In A Northern Town | U.S. Cashbox Top 100 Singles | #11 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Blanco Y Negro – NEG 10T
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: Electronic
Style: Synth-pop
Credits: Design – Town & Country Planning
Photography By – Richard Haughton
Producer – David Gilmour (tracks: A1, B1), Dream Academy, The (tracks: A2, B2), George Nicholson (tracks: A1, B1), Nick Laird-Clowes (tracks: A1, B1)
Written-By – Gilbert Gabriel, Nick Laird-Clowes
NOTES:
Dedicated to Nick Drake, Steve Reich & ‘Classics For Pleasure’
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
