DEEP! 🎵 Big Country - "In A Big Country" Reaction

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

1) Yes they are from Scotland; 2) The song is basically about doing your best to maintain hope through difficult times.

[@TimedRevolver]

Which is fairly tragic considering the lead singer committed suicide.

[@byerenny]

@@TimedRevolver Gotta give him credit for looking for happiness to the end considering it was at a hotel room in Hawaii.

[@JD-eq4dp]

2 members were from London.

[@Dobzie795]

You're right nicely deduced 😁👋

[@paulheap1982]

​@@JD-eq4dpso?

[@paulockenden4278]

Big Country probably one of the most criminally underrated bands of all time

[@briancarr4607]

BIG TIME

[@raymo6795]

they had a great sound

[@Veyron1967]

Damn right, a brilliant and unique band. Always loved Big Country and was lucky enough to have seen them live. RIP Stuart.

[@kevinn.5066]

I totally agree!

[@swfcocs1]

@@raymo6795 Adamson had a unique guitar sound, in the skids and big country.

[@JMitch67]

This song definitely goes down as one of the many songs that screamed 80’s classic. Love this band

[@classiccars1994]

Without doubt one of the best bands of the 1980's and simply brilliant live. You wont see more energy in any crowd than the crowd at a Big Country gig

[@Indie2kNBA]

One of the best songwriters ever.

[@johnclark677]

Best live band ever. You really need to hear the live version of this and other Big Country songs. Happy memories of the mosh pit

[@cmsxcb]

Me too, mate! Pushing 60 and still some of my best memories.

[@philwhitworth8769]

R.I.P Stuart Adamson; I think it's about making the best of what you have... "I'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert, but I can live and breathe and see the sun in wintertime." Life isn't perfect, but you can always find a way to make things look more positive.

[@TheMasonator777]

Kalda Forn Nah. They listen to everything. You must be new here.

[@raymo6795]

What a great song Phil. I think you described it well. Funny how this song was catchy in the 80s, and it still sounds good nearly 40 years later..even to a couple of kids from LA who were not born when this song was being played on MTV...(when MTV was not bullish&t)

[@davidransom4703]

best comment today

[@davidransom4703]

@Kalda Forn well you have a no having a thought block of wood who has stink face permanently and a very bright woman who is happy its a match made in ....

[@davidareeves3041]

Hi I'm I getting this wrong. Was Stewart Adamson in the rutts? But i still have the album steel town, in my top 50 albums it would be great if brad and lex did a Scottish week .

[@kurtjk01]

When I first heard this song, my first thought was, "They are making their guitars sound like bagpipes. So they're Scottish." Then I heard the lyrics, and I realized it was a "survive and thrive by any cost" anthem. A great song.

[@wolf762x51]

RIP Stuart. One of the best bands pretty much ever. Their guitar sound was once described as bagpipes from hell. There's so many other great songs to react to from them.

[@greghall7887]

Nice one Charles. Like that. "Bagpipes from hell"

[@gregj1295]

I thought it was bag pipes. Didnt think a guitar could make that sound.

[@normandavidtidiman9918]

@@gregj1295 It ain't fucking bagpipes 🙄

[@paulsmith2516]

As a friend of Stuart since I was 11 till he sadly passed, let me be clear *ahem* IT'S NOT EFFING BAGPIPES!!!!!! 😡😡😡😉😆😆 It is a sound inspired by the Scottish folk music Stuart and Bruce, and I was brought up on, and that is entirely played on fiddle and accordion. Hope this helps. Greetings fae Dunfermline in Scotland ❤🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤

[@David-tx1ig]

I have to say that the guitar tone is a very different but reverent ode to the "perceived" bagpipes. Good reproduction of traditional melody lines in my humble opinion...

[@toddbefield1100]

One of my favorite 80's bands...their Scottish sound has never been replicated!

[@anthonymatter5478]

It means that there's so many dreams in the big city that it'll take a lifetime to reach them all

[@luckyboy4766]

The Crossing album was an absolute masterpiece. They were unique and a great live band. All excellent musicians and more than the sum of their parts. They had one of the best rhythm sections and the dual guitars gave them their signature sound. RIP Stuart Adamson.

[@mickmcdonagh1557]

Well said probably my favourite band ever 👍

[@kirktravis5780]

My first vinyl purchase. Beautiful cover art.

[@TRL1967]

I love it how y'all play '80 Music often because it brings me back memories when I was in High Schools.

[@robertsaul234]

"Fields of Fire" is another good one from them

[@DavidAntrobus]

You are brilliant. Scotland, exactly. And they were indeed imitating the bagpipes. You got this from one listen and no context. Amazing.

[@theJukeboxHero40]

I think it's about picking yourself up after a devastating event in your life. "In a big country your dreams stay with you" -- even after a loss "So take that look out of here it doesn't fit you" -- you are not a broken person "Because it happened doesn't mean you've been discarded" -- you can still achieve your goals/fulfillment "Pull up your head off the floor, come up screaming, cry out for everything you might have wanted" -- remind yourself of your goals and reinvigorate yourself "You can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered" --you have to move on from this tragic event. "

[@mrkelso]

So glad Brad was fighting for the lyrics here. The music is damned catchy, but the lyrics elevate the song to actually being important.

[@RamseyHaddadWZ]

Always liked the music. Never really paid attention to the lyrics until now. Like the song even more now.

[@adam872]

Too right, how can you go past: "I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered". Followed by that fantastic guitar part.

[@aestheticperfection9349]

So underrated, great band.

[@jumpinjojo]

Underrated by who? Their fans?

[@frankrizzo4460]

Man I used to love this song when they would play it on MTV Rip Stuart Adamson you left us way too soon 🙏

[@SFDoucette]

Yeah, when MTV actually played music instead of crappy reality shows.

[@gregfagan199]

This is one of the greatest sounding songs ever ever recorded. The guitars were engineered to sound like bagpipes. The song is about overcoming obstacles and emotional setbacks. "Pull up your head off the floor - Come up screaming!" And they're Scottish.

[@jeffreynichols6291]

As a lifelong Big Country fan, I absolutely love this reaction. (And, yes, it does take a little while to decipher the lyrics. In my case, decades.)

[@paulscott775]

A magnificent Band. RIP Stuart Adamson. So many excellent Songs. Vastly underrated but loved by many

[@johnholding9680]

"So take that look out of here it doesn't fit you Because it's happened doesn't mean you've been discarded Pull up your head off the floor, come out screaming Cry out for everything you ever might have wanted I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered" It's not really about a place, but a state of mind. A big time song of hope when everything feels hopeless. One of my favourite bands, you would not believe how amazing they are/were live. If you can, react to "Fields of Fire" but a live version, amazing Love watching you two react on here, always a high point in my day

[@jmcc2275]

…..at the Barrowlands of course.👌🏼

[@raymo6795]

..as a youth, I never realized how powerful this song is (was), great song!

[@johnholding9680]

@@raymo6795 very powerful song, as a lot of theirs are. Sadly in hindsight you can kind of see where it came from.

[@johnholding9680]

@@jmcc2275 I wish :) sadly not though. I saw them at Wembley and a lot of small venues. My favorite being The Hummingbird in Birmingham. Always brilliant live though, I'd much rather listen to them on a live recording than a studio album.

[@paulsmith2516]

@@jmcc2275 Plenty of times, but I can top that wi the GLEN PAVILLION right here in my ain hame toon. THAT was MENTAL!

[@geo_ashburn]

My first reaction back in the 80's was "GOOD GOD! GUITARS SOUND LIKE BAGPIPES!" Appealed to the Scottish part of my DNA

[@deboragill4756]

A feel good song. Lifts you up every time. Love the cadence. No copy cat song here. Lex likes All of the songs. She is a bright soul. Rock on 🎸!

[@goatbut29]

Always felt the, "you can't stay here when every single hope you had shattered!".

[@daveydave1940]

Saw them live back in 87', Balaam and the angel supported them. Brilliant live, one of my favourite gigs. R.I.P. Stuart ❤

[@stevenmay5850]

Saw them on that tour as well. My first gig was Big Counter supported by the Cult in 85. They were a great band

[@cmsxcb]

Best Big Country support band I remember - Diesel Park West.

[@go234ko96ts5]

This 80's song brings back great memories, what a great upbeat song. This Scottish rock band was formed in 1981. Lead singer William Stuart Adamson left us on December 16 2001. RIP STUART, LEFT US WAY TOO SOON

[@hoyt_arms]

My favorite 80s classic of all time. The song in my eyes is just about making the most out of every hand your dealt . Rather how good or bad . Run with it. My step dad played this Song for me when I was 8 years old and I'm 30 now and it still sticks with me hard.

[@Stoo61]

Yas, from my home town, Dunfermline, Scotland. As well as Nazareth, I assume that's where the connection was made. We have a new street near town called Stuart Adamson Crescent. They were really big Germany for some reason. RIP Big Man!

[@greghall7887]

Worked on The Gannet once. Stayed in Kincardine.

[@jmcc2275]

German ,Scandinavian folk took to Runrig in a big way as well. Obviously countries with excellent musical taste!

[@paulsmith2516]

Forever missed neebs 😥

[@newageassholes]

Jim leishman's black and white army.

[@michaelangel25]

Is Stuart Adamson Crescent the place where they painted a giant Stuart Mural in the wall? I’m sure his daughter Kirsten unveiled it a few years back.

[@neilmurray7330]

Welcome to 1980's Scotland. You might also want to check out: Deacon Blue - Dignity The Proclaimers - Sunshine On Leith Danny Wilson - Mary's Prayer Altered Images - I Could Be Happy and Blue Nile - Tinsletown in The Rain

[@eroy66]

The Waterboys- Pan Within, Big Music, A Pagan Place and many more

[@newageassholes]

Gun-Shame on you Simple Minds-Waterfront Texas-i don't want a lover.

[@philsalle5637]

"where the rose is sown" is another great song from them !!!! love this guitar "bagpipe sound " ; love Scotland !!!

[@thomasfrank5668]

It´s the best!

[@andyallan2909]

Try the live version of, "Once In A Lifetime," by Runrig. They've had a 45 Year career, worldwide support and criminally underrated.

[@jasonfuller332]

“Just a Shadow” another.

[@rickhurren4374]

Fields of Fire was a favourite from the 1st album

[@JoinTheProgress]

Listened to WtRiS for first time just now, wow, really good song.

[@jkbezo1]

It's new wave! Loved that band. They mixed new wave, punk with Celtic Rock. Like U2. They were from Scotland or Ireland and were a '80s and '90s band. "Wonderland" and "Alone" are good too.

[@sparks5063]

You’re right, they were from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@KevinLangley-nw2eb]

They used a device called an E-bow on their guitars on that album. It can give that kind of sound.

[@koss41]

Gave me great joy to see them bobbing their heads

[@jet07son]

exactly lex a bag pipe sound comming out of a guitar , agree a very unique sounding song , brad im gonna look up the meaning of this song , you got me curious , love your reactions !!!

[@jmcc2275]

You should have watched the live at Glasgow Barrowlands version. Before it Stuart tells the crowd to “ stay alive”, unfortunately he started drinking heavily and took his own life. When he was gone the band still set up his mike with a tartan scarf tied to it at gigs.Try “ Chance” live at the Barrowlands.

[@IStandAlone1]

Especially this drummer Mark killed it. He also played in The Cult. When I was a teenager learning drums he was one of my favorites. Stuart was genius in inventing this sound and they are one of the most emotional band ever to me. I can't listen to more then two Big Country songs without tears running down my face. His first Post Punk band The Skids is great too.

[@jimboh1]

One of the best tunes of all time.

[@jaxteller4565]

Lex-"What country is he in? Brad-"A big one!" Got me in stitches over here!

[@chestrockwell8328]

Sort of like what is a "Eminece Front" ?

[@mooseylad]

That's the American education system for you

[@vincentharris7854]

Exactly, Bagpipes on guitar. Big Country was part of wave of Irish bands breaking out worldwide in the 80s. U2, The Alarm, Clannad, etc.

[@luckyboy4766]

Big Country are Scottish. The Alarm are Welsh.

[@oronmendel2451]

Lex, you ARE brilliant. The novelty of this young Scottish band was that they managed to make their lead guitar sound like their national instrument, the bagpipes. And Brad, you are perceptive that this song has great meaning. It exhorts the listener to not give up hope... "You can't stay here with every hope you had shattered". The optimistic lyrics are brilliant and poetic, the imagery of their grand homeland lending itself to the wildness of the the music and the open-heartedness of the words. This was a monster hit for these lads, from a period when the Celtic sound ruled Rock music.

[@iain860]

My home, my town, my island,my country...Mine! Of course I need and want to share, otherwise it's only mine...🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💖

[@KEvronista]

big country was part of "the big music" sound of the early 80's, which included the waterboys, the alarm, u2, simple minds and others. KEvron

[@patdavis6383]

This is the soundtrack of my childhood! I shared a study at school with probably Big Country's biggest ever fan! He had every album, single, ep, special etc. Nothing else was ever listened to for several years. Hardly one hit wonders, they were never out of the charts for a couple of years. They released at least 4 albums in the 80's.

[@davidcox30004]

One of my top 5 bands. RIP Stuart.

[@jamesshort8660]

The big country is Scotland. I've always loved this song especially with the guitars that sound like bagpipes in the background. It stirs my Celtic soul

[@ggagg123]

Big Country one of the best Scottish bands ever. Nice video.

[@Rhuarc1]

Ugh. I literally suggested this on the Hooters a minute ago. Fair play!! Also, that little tune is Irish.

[@bwilliams463]

For me, the bestpart of their music is how they've got an electric guitar playing the bagpipe part.

[@Murp268]

Fields of Fire and Harvest Home also classics from this album. Great band! RIP Stuart!

[@davebeach2343]

I've loved this song from the first time I heard it. The positive message can be applicable any time. Thanks

[@joostclaeys2082]

thx for reacting to Big Country, a great underrated band of the 80's, the guitar sound of Stuart Adamson was indeed very unique. Maybe Lloyd Cole - perfect skin or rattlesnakes - is something to check out, Fisher-Z (So Long, ..), The Hooters (Satelite, Johnny B, Hardrockin' summer...), thank you for reacting to less obvious bands or deeper cuts from popular bands to react to (like recently rush - witch hunt)!!

[@dragonflyparade8143]

Oh, yes to Lloyd Cole. I loved "Charlotte Street", among others!

[@Bludngutz]

E-bow on lead guitar. It's an electomagnet that's run along the strings. Sounds like a bagpipe.

[@michaelavery6390]

I love the song they done called 'Chance '

[@christopherkeegan1960]

"It's almost like it was a bagpipe on guitar..." nailed it!

[@adamw.p.6287]

RIP Stuart Adamson, a very tragic end to such a talented musician. Love your reaction guys, keep up the good work.

[@mikeclements252]

Thanks for letting us enjoy the music that we grew up in…and reliving it through you guys

[@tvgator1]

Lex is SO ON IT; definitely Scotland. And yes they use affects to make that bagpipe sound. Too bad this was the minimal scaled down version of this song though.😢

[@tommack9395]

It's a rack mounted pitch shifter along with chorus and some compression. Back then pitch-shifters were still not too common.

[@module79l28]

*Effects

[@tommack9395]

@@module79l28 Yep, but we're not spell checkers... ;) If I listen to the track I'd find the key but if we were in the key of A the lick between the verse lines would be C# A C# E C# E F# F# E F# A F# A B C#

[@module79l28]

@@tommack9395 - It might not have any effect on you but bad grammar affects me.

[@MatthewC137]

@@tommack9395 That wasn't a spell check, it was a word check. The two have different meanings like then and than.

[@ooo_Kim_Chi_ooo]

Fields of Fire is such an amazing song by Big Country.

[@michaelscott9974]

80's were such a fun time Makes me love them & miss them as well

[@JMD1965]

I still listen to their first album constantly!! They make me proud of my Scottish bloodlines!!

[@TheCornishCockney]

I rate the Average White Band the only band above them from Scotland. Fantastic live,and Stuart Adamson’s suicide was very puzzling to say the least. Tragic.

[@Mamawaffa]

Aye…Just finished watching Restless Natives and here for the reactions to this iconic Scottish anthem🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Love all the way fae Edinburgh, Bonnie Bonnie Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 ✌🏻🐺🤡

[@feferosette]

I love this song! Music from my childhood. Wonderful song from the past! Love the instrumental and the singer's voice. I love this music video!🙂👍

[@j.t.antonopoulos4886]

Love this song the most, love your reaction the most. More guitarists should mimic bagpipes. I think the song means there is always room to move, get away from the bad,, start over, you know how, you know the way, it all translates, universal

[@laurabrevitz3944]

ONG, I was literally just thinking about this song and wondering why no one ever reacted to it! Thank you!

[@sneeks]

Great band and their Restless Natives movie soundtrack is one of my favourites. The film is also awesome.

[@enorbet2]

I think Big Country means "wide open country" because in rural areas things are simpler but options are limited and dreams become smaller especially in hard economic times.

[@BrendanPramjee]

Masterpiece !! RiP Stuart Adamson❤

[@bonsaitomato8290]

To get the “bagpipe “sound out of your guitar like Big Country you need an Ebow and pedals to adjust octaves, overdrive, and a screamer pedal. R.I.P Stuart, you were an under appreciated genius and Big Country was a great band.

[@spookytoothable1911]

The guitars sound that way because they were using E_bows which allows for infinite sustain. I don't know if anyone ever figured out what Stuart Adamson was singing about, the lyrics were obviously very personal. They dominated the airwaves the year this came out.

[@CJReaper666]

The guitars sound that way because they used an MXR M-129 Pitch Transposer that gave them the bagpipe sound.

[@paulsmith2516]

The song is about hope. Hope over adversity. Always thought it was blindingly obvious really.

[@emileconstance5851]

The guitars sound that way because they're Scottish. ;)

[@tonyd.944]

Ebows? No they weren't hahaha

[@rollomaughfling380]

That's not an e-bow, ya muppet. Listen to the attack.

[@Danny-hx1wk]

big country are amazing great history sad story. they have an amazing catalogue

[@tracysnow349]

OMG! My favorite band and my favorite man, Stuart Adamson! in the whole wide world of music EVER!!!!! Do more! You won't regret it. I seriously recommend "Wonderland" or "Lost Patrol".

[@TheNoNonsenseNinja]

"Inwards" and "Wonderland" by them are outstanding.

[@michaelangel25]

Yep. Also Restless Natives is one of my favourites. RIP Stuart Adamson.

[@thechronicmaster-baker7172]

My #1 80's POP song of all time.......

[@Alewifes_Husband]

Always liked this song, since MTV (!) introduced me to it! Love how the guitar effects mimic bagpipes!

[@capcolombie3834]

You hit pure gold with this track and this amazing band. Their debut album 'The Crossing' is in my opinion the finest debut album ever made by any band, just full of brilliant songs. I was lucky enough to see them in '84 and they were absolutely amazing. R.I.P. Stuart.

[@adellittle3547]

The best band I ever seen play live. 😊

[@BrendanTripp]

Big Country was one of my fave bands back in the day ... just a couple of weeks ago I got a 5-CD set of them that I'm slowly working my way through ... great memories!

[@roydavis5222]

A very underrated band

[@jumpinjojo]

Underrated by who?? Their fans?

[@eichbienyermaw]

Only found this channel the other day and I’ve been binge watching it. Love how you’re like two ends of the spectrum in your reactions. Best reaction channel out💯 You should react to the Portishead album Dummy

[@davidickes4621]

Agreed. The best.

[@jmcc2275]

🤔 Bobo,would that be Dianbobo Balde?👍🏻

[@eichbienyermaw]

@@jmcc2275 The one and only!!!🍀

[@beriandavies2111]

I'm screaming THIS! Trip-hop. Beth Gibbons' voice is insanely beautiful. Brad and Lex must look into Dummy.

[@jezblades9913]

The Skids best live performance ever!

[@SuburbanConan]

Something that may not have been pointed out to you guys is that most of the 80's songs that you've loved have an EP version.Extended Play version which was a remastered mix of the original,adding solos or extra vocals or whatever.....and usually sold as a single or on the B side of a cassingle....now that takes me back. This songs' EP version is/was epic....one of the best made.....more than its'weight in gold if you can find it.

[@MrThebigredone]

I was lucky enough to see them live, over 30 years later still one of the best gigs I've ever been to

[@GhibliNova]

Favorite lines, "just because it hasn't happened doesn't mean you've been discarded" and "i'm not expecting to grow flowers in the desert but I can look and breathe and see the sun in wintertime" so good!

[@manguy2000]

My favorite band ever. Stuart one of the greatest story tellers and writers ever. Porrohman Steeltown Teacher Wonderland East of Eden Restless Natives Lost Patrol List goes on and on.

[@speleokeir]

Me too. I'd add The Sailor, Chance, The Seer... I could go on. I love all their stuff.

[@PjRjHj]

I don't know their deeper catalogue but I love Restless Natives

[@paulsmith2516]

I will go on further. The Storm Where the Rose is Sown Red Fox Eiledon Peace in our Time River of Hope Broken Heart (13 Valleys) Thousand Yard Stare Republican Party Reptile (very apt right now) Alone Save Me

[@grimson]

I used to see Stuart in the gym at the Carnegie Centre in Dunfermline. We spoke a couple of times - he knew I was on trial at East End Park and he was a huge DAFC supporter. All the players then (Norrie McCathie etc) loved him. Sad sad loss.

[@NickBUCS6]

Read the lyrics and you’ll really love it. Outstanding song.

[@abeldelarosa539]

Brad .he was talking about life in his big country. Life in general. Lex the bagpipes are their guitars... New wave music early 1980s. Very cool bands from the new wave music movement .u2 flock of seagulls.big country split endz.haircut 100.the fixx.adam and ants ,INXS AND many more. I wanna go back. And do it again.. STAY ALIVE....

[@robberkhout4768]

Another great song from them is ‘Look away’. Definitely worth a try.

[@loganjukes8820]

absolute banger ... Their greatest hits is one of my favourite albums ever

[@miketurner7009]

The seer for me

[@traceyvavrecan6714]

That's my favorite song by them

[@billyjoechambers8494]

Great song

[@gavinsmith9016]

A wonderful band. They were even better live. Loved Stuart Adamson in The Skids as well.

[@tammymartin7017]

What a blast from the past! They played this video on MTV over and over again. I loved this song back in the day. This was from a different time. They actually played videos 24/7 on MTV. That was our KZbin!

[@paulovalderramas5830]

This song is amazing.

[@thebear11]

Lying in a hospital bed, badly injured, in 1983, I first heard this. It raised my spirits to no end. Rock on to their penultimate concert in Belfast in 2000 before they split, I jumped up on stage and started dancing. A few others followed and the roadies tried to chuck us off. Stuart waved them away and I ended up , on my knees beside Stuart playing air guitar as he played fields of fire. A cherished memory for the rest of my life.

[@anthonymatter5478]

If one of the best drummers in the world

[@neilhendry4390]

Seen this band many times. Phenomenal. Their tribute act, Restless Natives, are incredible x

[@jasonfuller332]

Love the reaction. You should also check out “Just a Shadow” by them as well. Rest Easy Stuart.

[@blakewestwood8096]

This is a song I really enjoyed during my childhood

[@chedrcheis2392]

High on fire! Lex will love it!

[@cmdrcriton]

All guitars, baby