Life in a Northern Town

Did You Know?

• Stephen Holden of The New York Times described the song as a "richly textured nostalgic ballad" that looks back on "winter 1963, when it felt like the world would freeze with John F. Kennedy and the Beatles".
• ClassicFM.com notes the song's nostalgic quality is achieved partly through the wistful sound of an oboe.

Writing

Laird-Clowes has said the song concerns the collapse of the shipping industry in the United Kingdom. Co-writer Gilbert Gabriel drew inspiration from his time at Dartington College of Arts. Laird-Clowes noted that before writing, the pair intended to create a folk song with an African-style chorus; the verse melody reminded him of Nick Drake. The track incorporates classical elements, an "African-esque" chant of "hey ma ma ma ma" later sampled by Dario G and Tritonal, and hints of psychedelia. It is in E major with a chord pattern of E-A-E. The song was dedicated to Nick Drake, and Laird-Clowes wrote it on the guitar Drake holds on the cover of his 1971 album Bryter Layter. Laird-Clowes told Mojo that Paul Simon prompted the title after hearing the song and suggesting it not be called "Morning Lasted All Day."

Release

Released as a single in 1985, the track also appeared on the band's self-titled album. By December 1985, Radio & Records reported that 70% of contemporary hit radio stations in the United States were playing it. Two promotional videos were made: an earlier version shows the group performing in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire; a second from November 1985 features concert footage intercut with clips of Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester, and Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

Sugarland version

In 2007, Sugarland performed the song live on their Change for Change Tour with Little Big Town and Jake Owen. Becky Fluke directed a music video for Country Music Television using that concert footage. The track was later included on the Deluxe Fan Edition of Sugarland's 2008 album Love on the Inside, as well as on Capitol Records' re-release of Little Big Town's A Place to Land later that year. This collaboration received nominations for Vocal Event of the Year at both the Country Music Association awards and the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music awards, plus a nod for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals at the 51st Grammy Awards.