Big Country Reaction - Chance vs Just A Shadow Song Battle!

[@johncall9090]

Big Country is a GREAT band. They have a lot of quality songs both in music and lyrics. If you like these then you pretty much will become a fan.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check some more out for sure. Thanks John!

[@marcharley6465]

I saw Big Country play live twice in 1983, the year of their debut album. On both occasions, they were excellent. "Chance" is one of their more restrained songs and they have quite a few hits that rock out more. If you want to react to more of their songs, I recommend "Fields of fire", "Harvest home", "In a big country" and "Wonderland".

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Appreciate the suggestions thanks Marc!

[@TomCastor]

100% Spot on

[@kevincostello6645]

This band and these two songs had a huge impact on me as a teenager. Thanks for choosing & reviewing!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

That is awesome! Thanks for watching Kevin!

[@davidstorm4015]

My favourite band, bar none! You really should listen to their entire catalog from 1983 through to 2001. They were the best live band you will ever see too.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

High praise. Will check some more out for sure. Thanks David!

[@paulboxer2863]

Thank you for bringing some reverent attention to these two songs, absolute heavyweights in the BC catalog. Stuart Adamson is a legend whose skill on the guitar was matched by his lyricism. ,🔥

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for checking it out Paul!

[@sergioluciw673]

La mejor banda escocesa de la decada de los 80... rock heroico con epicas guitarras y la melancolica voz del gran Stuart. Desde Argentina escuchando a Big Country.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@grantpaterson1016]

Big Country also did the Soundtrack to one of my favourite ever comedy movies called 'Restless Natives'. Which had an excellent part by Ned Beatty :)

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Never heard of it need to check that out.

[@MEWA-ft3fg]

If there is a better lyricist than Stuart Adamson I haven’t heard them BIG COUNTRY is one of my favorite bands. Stuart was a criminally underrated guitarist of the band for top-notch musicians. I hate to say this, but the popularity of their first song in a big country may have worked against them in the United States . They could all only write beautiful ballads, but rocked hard just as well There is numerous covers big country did such as paranoid by Black Sabbath rocking in the free world by Neil Young hey hey, my my (Don’t Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult were Stewart shows what a great guitarist he was I recommend you listen to the Buffalo Skinners, which has numerous great songs with great guitar

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

I agree, sometimes an artists first hit can be a blessing and a curse! Thanks for the info and for watching!

[@JohnLovesSpain]

Fantastic band - great music , great lyrics... RIP Stuart, a brilliant songwriter and musician

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@rashedala-uddin9012]

Thank you for reacting to these two great songs, by such a fantastic band. I appreciate it very much. Big Country are immense. For me, Just A Shadow (only just). That outro - wow.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great point and thanks Rashed appreciate it!

[@Spacepen2002]

I could not pick between the two tracks, both are phenomenal songs which brought back great memories of my early 20’s. Thanks for the reaction, didn’t realize I was so old until you mentioned the years these songs were recorded 😂😂 👍

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

lol I feel that one on the age thing. It happens fast. Thanks for watching!

[@seancagney8897]

Chance is one of my fave songs so I am going to go with that on this one but it's definitely not easy.. Just a Shadow is an incredible song in it's own right. Great band and as usual heartfelt insightful lyrics!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Yes very underrated! Thanks Sean!

[@hirepgym6913]

Just A Shadow - Kirsten Adamson Stuarts daughter

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great suggestion I will check it out! Thanks!

[@grantpaterson1016]

Stuart Adamson was previously in a Band called The Skids.... Most famous for 'The Saints are Coming', 'Into The Valley' and 'Working For the Yankee Dollar' (Saints are coming most famous in the USA as a cover by U2/Green Day for Hurricane Katrina relief.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

For sure have to check out more from them. Thanks for the info Grant!

[@jamesorth6460]

Girl With Grey Eyes would what I call slow dance tune

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestion and thanks for watching @jamesorth6460!

[@harnois75]

I always preferred the 12 inch version of this song, you can hear much of what went into it regarding harmonies being brought to the fore etc.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out. Thanks!

[@harnois75]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJOXmnZ9a5Zmfqs

[@Skunk8pe007]

Tough call but Just a Shadow’s ending is a fav of mine. A good battle would The Sailor vs Ships (Buffalo Skinners version).

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out. Thanks!

[@CA5124]

This group is Another blast from the past here for me. I do Remember In a Big Country in the charts a Great song . I could easily get into this band though now. Their lyrics are strong. Just a Shadow is my choice but such a Good Battle Pete ! Thanks Shawn and Trey. 😊 though I have to admit as an English person that The Scots are just so annoyingly Good at Music !! They have got Some Great talented bands and singers that i love ! 👌 🙂

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha they do for sure. Thanks CA!

[@ImpartiallySpeaking]

Chance is an absolute masterpiece

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@richardbray6454]

It has to be "Just A Shadow" for me,probably my favourite of theirs,tugs at the old heartstrings,being such an emotive song,& with those lyrics,can't help to feel a tad emotional,the song dealt with abuse,I think?,Stuart Adamson does mention that,in a live version on KZbin of the song,his Daughter Kirsten Adamson sings a beautiful cover on her channel on KZbin,(like looking at Stuart),also "Chance" in a duet,also she covers many others of her Father's songs,also Jason Allen on KZbin does a fine cover too of "Just A Shadow",beautiful backdrop of the English countryside with birds singing,I got into The Skids circa 1979,bought the "Days in Europa" album,with that controversial cover,meant to depict an aryan race athlete,"Working For The Yankee Dollar " is on that album,which was a single too,Bill Nelson,amazing lead guitarist & singer from Be Bop Deluxe produced it,their final album before Stuart Adamson left,is 1980s, "The Absolute Game" ,great album,love "A Woman In Winter" on it,also "Arena","Circus Games" also,was released as a single,Stuart Adamson only played on 1 track I think? on The Skids "Joy" album,song called "Iona",the album was more or less a complete departure from their earlier stuff,but I quite like it though,circa 1982,I saw Big Country at the London Lyceum ballroom,with a few other bands too,saw Richard Jobson lead singer with The Skids hanging around near the bar,& I got to see them again at Hammersmith Odeon in London in 1984,a year after their debut album "The Crossing" came out,which has "Chance" on it,also "In A Big Country" & their 1st single in the UK "Fields Of Fire",such a great debut album,got to number 18 in America,& I think "In A Big Country" too?,probably "Inwards" is my favourite from that album,I bought the follow up album "Steeltown" from 1984,which features "Just A Shadow",has a strong anti-war song on it "Where The Rose Is Sown",then "The Seer" from 1986,Kate Bush sings on the title song,"their single "Look Away" is on it,I think it was their best selling single in the UK?,Big Country are still around today,lead guitarist Bruce Watson,who was an original,plays,also his son too,who is on lead guitar,not too sure if the original drummer is though?,definitely no Tony Butler,the bass guitarist,& sadly,no Stuart Adamson of course,even The Skids are still going,with the original singer Richard Jobson,& Bruce Watson & his Son also play in The Skids,they brought out a new album a few years ago,called Burning Cities I think?

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

So much great stuff here! Super appreciate you taking the time to share!

[@martinarscott3524]

Had the 12" version of Just a Shadow, definitely my favourite by a long way

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Need to check that one out. Thanks Martin!

[@martinarscott3524]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics tbh it's just a slightly padded out version of the single but I liked the song enough to be conned into buying it lol

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

I remember those days Martin!

[@mickdarcy3063]

I really only ever heard the song Big Country. The guitar god Bill Nelson wrote a song called For Stuart for the singer guitar player. I think A Shadow edged out for me!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Mick!

[@dougieroberts7045]

Difficult to choose. Both very evocative songs, Big Country were the purists dream band, all great musicians, fantastic live, poetical lyrics, every album was brilliant, the rarities collections are incredible, how the band wanted their songs to sound before the record producers and sound engineers butchered them, I always admired how Adamson quite often wrote songs from the female perspective.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

I for sure need to check out more of their stuff, obviously one-hit wonder in US because, well we missed it with so many great artists! Thanks for watching Dougie!

[@derekthomson8396]

The first group I ever saw play live; Fields if fire us a stalwart for me but their acoustic version of 13 Valleys @ Hlasgow Barrowlands is fantastic

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestions and thanks for watching Derek!

[@motr1912]

If you love these I'd highly recommend some of their later stuff too from 2000 and the track Loserville is just a glorious piece of music with some brilliant lyrics from the late, great Stuart Adamson.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out for sure. Thanks!

[@paultomaszewski1964]

No keyboards used in these songs, all done on guitars. All technique and tuning and a few obscure tools not used that much these days. (think e-bow)

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for the info and for watching!

[@seancagney8897]

Another one that came in 1986 from the Seer which is another one that the lyrics are in depth and you can really feel while listening to it is "Look Away" and it's not as mentioned as the others... Incredible song and video and one of their best songs IMO.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out for sure!

[@cyclops60]

Really enjoyed this reaction. Both great songs but 'Just a shadow' just edges it for me. I saw them live supporting the Jam on their farewell tour, brilliant live. Some good live youtube clips worth a look. Also worth checking out the Skids, Stuart Adamson's previous band.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Oh wow that had to be great and would have loved to see The Jam! Thanks!

[@paulsmith2516]

Thank you for highlighting my hometown heroes, my idols and my friends BIG COUNTRY. The first thing I MUST clear up immediately is the BAGPIPE nonsense. It absolutely is NOTHING to do with BC'S sound at all and is a description which INFURIATES the band. Their sound is inspired by the Scottish folk music that they, and I, grew up hearing which is played entirely on accordion, fiddle and guitar so THAT is what you hear. I am well aware the fault here lies with the lazy journo who wrote the piece you read, it's been the same for 40 years so sorry if I seem to be ranting at you lol but this is the biggest no no in the realm of Big Country by a million miles. If you listen to a few more of their songs you will start to see Stuart's clear disdain for all things military, and bagpipes are an ENTIRELY military instrument so this is why the comparison is rejected by us BC fans so vehemently. I agree with Dad on Chance, I am going into the fire to that song. For more strong lyrical content I would heartily recommend East Of Eden and Where The Rose Is Sown, both from the same album as Just A Shadow. After those two, you should probably go on to every other song from every other album lol, they're all just incredible. You even pronounced DUNFERMLINE properly, with your little stumble yes, but still everything right and nobody usually gets that right. They always pronounce the end as "line" not "liNN" as you did. Well done and thanks again. 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😀

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Appreciate all the info and suggestions. Also understand we do the very best we can to be accurate on every single video we do. While also understanding we shoot 40 - 50 vids a month and have over 2200 up so not everything will be perfect. Thanks

[@siubhan2047]

I have listened to a bunch of "chance" reactions and to my epic disappointment no-one ever listens to the version with the extended ending that doesn't fade out. If you are reading this, look it up, it is SO much better.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

ok

[@bobkinney7913]

Thank you!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for watching!

[@junkyardheaven]

Definitely "Chance" for me, such a unique song and sound. "Just a Shadow" is also a good song, but more trad/typical rock - and it lacks the uniqueness of "Chance". We lost a great songwriter in Stuart Adamson, left us much to early. Some great stuff with Skids, too...

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Arne!

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

Incredible band

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@heathcornbeef]

Troy you mentioned Jesus and the Mary chain there's a band i haven't heard in half a lifetime and really liked over thirty years ago

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

They are fantastic!

[@heathcornbeef]

Kia ora hello i only know these guys first album when i was a pre PUNKROCKER pre teenager and went down the road of PUNKROCK instead and I'm still STUMBLING AND WOBBLING DOWN THAT ROAD and really enjoying every wobble and stumble (not the faceplants) that i occasionally do with painful results

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

lol no faceplants HP!

[@heathcornbeef]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics another thing I've been meaning to mention is i like you referring to me as HP it's what my close friends call me HP MOUTH BECAUSE I'M A RANTER (HORSE POWER MOUTH) IT REV'S OUT

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha well see we are geniuses!

[@heathcornbeef]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics yes you are and bloody good people ✌️👍 on top of that