Singer On The Moving 80s Classic Rock Hit PRODUCED By Pink Floyd's David Gilmour | Professor of Rock

Nick Laird Clowes of The Dream Academy tells the exhilarating story behind the moving and hypnotic 1985 song Life in A Northern Town and How David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Paul Simon helped him reach his full potential with the hit. This interview is a beautiful example of the magical muse that transpires when a song is born and raised in greatness.. On professor for rock.
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​#80s #Rock #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 80s songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to see our brand new show there.
It’s time for another edition of our show Revelations where featured artists take us for a deep dive behind their greatest songs and albums.
In 1985, The Dream Academy released one of the greatest songs of that Year: Life in a Northern Town:
Lead singer and songwriter Nick Laird Clowes told me the story of how this magical song transpired and the meaning behind the poetic lyrics and how David Gilmout of Pink floyd and Paul simon helped him to reach full pontential Let’s get right into it, you’ll be fascinated.
As we go into this interview I want to thank our sponsor Zenni Eyewear. they are my frames of choice. So one of the best benefits Iv’e received from wearing Zenni’s for over a year now is their blue blokz feature. I used to get headaches all of the time from staring at a computer screen, well Zenni blue blokz protect your eyes from that digital blue light. It’s a difference maker for sure. Check it out at Zenni.com today. Heres these tory of the Life in a Northern town.
Make sure to leave us a comment about this magical song from 1985. What is your take on the lyrics. What memories are associated with this beautiful song? What are your memories of the year it came out Make sure to let us know in the comments below. f you like our content we invite you to be a full time part of our channel Make sure to check us out on patreon for even more content and check out our merch including our Vintage years collection Help us keep the music alive until next time.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Poll about 1985: !985 was such a great year including this song "Life in Northern Town", What are some of the best songs and albums of 1985?

[@RFXLR]

Dire Straits - Brother in Arms, Tears for Fears - Songs From the Big Chair, Whitney Houston’s debut, Ratt - Invasion of Your Privacy, Dokken - Under Lock and Key, Motley Crüe - Theater of Pain

[@ProfessorofRock]

@@RFXLR Great songs. Tears for Fears is my favorite. Great choices.

[@stephenbrown4211]

Songs: So Far Away Dire Straits, Lavender & Kayleigh Marillion, Stainsby Girls Chris Rea, Les Morts Dansants Magnum Albums: Misplaced Childhood Marillion, Brothers In Arms Dire Straits, Rock A Little Stevie Nicks

[@av_oid]

Take On Me. Saw a-ha live in 2020 just weeks before we went into lockdown here.

[@bethshadid2087]

Grew up listening to radio, the songs from skating and just out and about. If it was good I listened...that being said the 70s were big in my youth and 80s the soundtrack of my teen years. Unfortunately they all blend together and honestly couldn't tell you the year in particular alot of music came out but can tell you it affected my life in so many ways 🕊️

[@babygerald4645]

These in-depth interviews with artists are an absolute gift to fans, historians, musicians and lovers of music in general. Your research and insight into their work combined with a genuine love and appreciation for their creative talents and output is infectious. I can only imagine that Casey Kasem is looking down at what he inspired and smiling widely.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Wow! Thank you sir! That made my day!

[@charlesspankysmith3952]

You truly took the words out of my mouth. I can't get enough of the Professor's work.

[@EphemeralProductions]

So true. Isn’t it a damn travesty that WAY more people don’t know about him?!! He’s gotten interviews with some of the most famous people in music! I don’t know how he does it! That talent right there should be enough to get him a million viewers! ❤️

[@OrdoSanctiBenedictus]

Amazing song.It did what's legendary song does.Takes you to a good place.

[@reeb9016]

Funny how I was thinking how Casey Kasem-esque The Professor is, yet more in-depth so much more gratifying.

[@theplanetruth]

Life in a Northern Town was anthemic musically and lyrically. It’s an unbelievable original. I had never heard another song like it then or since. I blew me away.

[@PastPresented]

You probably have heard another song like it since: Sunchyme 🙃

[@carnivoreRon]

I like this man. He's humble and entertaining and excited about life. An excellent interview.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you for watching.

[@davidconroy1060]

Can't agree more! What an interesting life he's had. Best interview I've seen on this channel.

[@random22026]

I totally agree: just love this man's energy and excitement, his heartfelt reminiscences, everything. Such strong emotion was evident in 'Life in a Northern Town'--moving music when it emerged in the 1980s, and still transports the listener today. ❤

[@richardgithens1960]

Definitely.

[@n.agustin113]

He's also very cool & gentle with his lifetime/new wave fans! I fuckin' admire HIM!

[@markadams7046]

While longer than most of your interviews, this is most interesting of all the interviews you've done. I'm glad you let him just go with talking about the history of this song without interrupting him.

[@ProfessorofRock]

That's how I felt. It's a longer segment but it's such a great story, it doesn't matter.

[@audibletapehiss3764]

This x 100. The best stuff isn't just sitting there on a plate. A guy like Nick has to work his way around those recollections to the gold.

[@heathkondro8647]

totally agree. Never expected to like this interview this much.

[@MaddyN999]

Love the song, love the story. Love that Paul Simon shared his knowledge so generously. Love how David Gilmour had the foresight to listen to the cassettes in cars and then tweak what was needed. Such an amazing insight into how his brain works. Fantastic interview.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you. Good observations. it's a really magical story.

[@5roundsrapid263]

I don’t think Gilmour was the first to do that. I’ve heard that Brian Wilson and ABBA would test their singles in a car, too.

[@MaddyN999]

@@5roundsrapid263 I didn't say he was or wasn't first to do that. Listening to this interview was the first time I've heard about it. I think it was great. Kudo's to any Band that did it.

[@5roundsrapid263]

@@MaddyN999 I didn’t think you thought he was first. It is a brilliant idea, either way.

[@jackquarantillo5192]

It is actually pretty common practice to check mixes in various settings, especially cars. Nowadays, you need to check mixes on phones and crappy earbuds.

[@AnyangU]

That was such a passionate, high energy interview by Clowes. He seems like someone who couldn't be anything but a musician. I am intrigued about how this guy on the periphery of professional music seemed to know all these famous people and how they all seemed to be willing to help him. You can tell he feels blessed and maybe he was. I absolutely loved this song when it came out in the US. I love it all the more now.

[@northernguy8860]

Two storytellers keeping us spellbound over a musical memory that drips with nostalgia. And that Nick Drake connection was such an unexpected bonus.

[@Tracey..H]

One of the best songs of the 80s. Ethereal, gorgeous, heavenly.

[@krystalhardwick808]

1985, I graduated High School. This is the most brilliant and most beautiful song ever written. I tear up everytime I hear it. This interview was mesmerising.

[@brianpattison4603]

Always takes me back to that smell of a classic fall day, cool air and leaves falling . Thanks Professor .

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same here. I've always loved this song. It's just so beautiful.

[@andrewlast1535]

This song has always made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and did take you to somewhere else. Amazing track. I remember it clearly when it came out. I was 13.

[@txkos]

It’s hard to describe how different this song was than anything else being played on the radio at the time, at least in OKC, OK. I was heading down I35 to see my girlfriend, it was dark and cold, when I first heard the song on the radio. The tone, lyrics, and rhythm matched the loneliness of being in car on a cold dark night. It was like I had my personal soundtrack playing. I can’t say this song changed my life, but I’ll never forget where I was when I first heard it.

[@Texhorns71]

I agree. So different than anything else at that time.

[@rickabyg7914]

I get where you're coming from. Life is full of almost infinite moments that just don't stick in our memories. And then there are those moments that fall on a spectrum of significance that become enduring memories. Thank you for sharing one of yours.

[@swingersonian]

Sorry dude, but this song is the polar opposite of everything else played on the radio in OKC. I'm an OTR truck driver, and especially in the 80s, you had nothing on the same planet as this song.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

I was growing up in Northern England at the time, it was the era of Thatcherism and all the turmoil it unleashed, cold winters and variable summers, The Cold War and all the fear it engendered and so much else. Life In A Northern Town spoke to a sense of nostalgia I was too young to experience or understand ( I was 15 when it was released), rooted as it was musically in its folk influences and Nick Drake, of course, one of the formative influences on the band. The lyrics both evoke a sense of nostalgia and spoke of the present; the morning lasted all day is the line about unemployment in areas laid to waste by Thatcherism. Nearly forty years later there are many places in Britain that have never recovered.

[@mililaniman]

"Sara" by Starship and "Something About You" are two of my favorite songs of 1985.

[@musicandfiction]

I have to say, Nick seems to be a very evocative person. He has such a passion. He really seems like a guy who would be fun to be around. And that adds to the charm of all of the Dream Academy's works. Knowing more about the person behind the vocals, in the case, adds a great amount of richness to a musical soup that's good for the soul.

[@b5maddog]

I really enjoy his excitement and humbleness. I too used to go into a trance whenever I heard that song. After hearing your interview, I will appreciate this song even more. Thank you both.

[@ProfessorofRock]

He's a great individual. That's how I feel, the song has deepened even more for me.

[@mikewalker8179]

It is so wonderfully hypnotic.

[@edryba4867]

At the radio station where I was working in 1985, “Life In A Northern Town” certainly didn’t sound like anything else on our playlist. And I think that’s something that made it and our station really stand out. In a sea of loud rock music and the occasional power ballad, suddenly here was something completely different! Our listeners knew it, WE knew it, and it became a part of what made our station RULE the airwaves at that time in history. There were a LOT of ingredients that you’d think would NEVER go together on the same station, but they were exactly what made our station, the one smack in the middle of the FM dial (and in ‘85, FM tuners still had dials!) THE station to listen to. With its mix of incredibly great music, entertaining personalities, and the fact that we always kept it unpredictable, songs like this one kept our audience from changing the station - our listeners always had one thought in the backs of their minds… “What on Earth are these guys going to do NEXT?!” Our audience got to a point where they thought, “If I tune out NOW, WHAT WILL I MISS?”.

[@hectormonclova7563]

I love so much his child-like enthusiasm... ❤️❤️❤️

[@da5idnz]

Great song. That "bye bye" at the end always got me. The chord is different and sad and wistful.

[@coloaten6682]

I loved listening to Nick's musical adventures (He should make a movie with that title!) and his connections to all these amazing musicians. Most people dream of being an Eric Clapton, David Gilmour or a Paul Simon but there are so many musicians like Nick who don't become mega-stars but do have an amazing career and lots of success in music. Life in a Northern Town is one of those songs that most people wouldn't list as an all-time fave but absolutely would start singing if it came on the radio. It goes under the radar a little but the story of the creation of the song is really inspiring! Nick has had a great career so far. He didn't mention all the movie soundtracks he's created and worked on. He's an amazingly talented musician and shows what can be achieved if we keep creating and believing in ourselves :).

[@hurk130]

This is just another excellent interview by the Professor. Well done! Extremely well done.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you for watching! Appreciate your support!

[@wbrian507]

Wow, what an outstanding interview Professor! Like just about everyone who’s heard “Life in a Northern Town” the music and lyrics take on a special personal meaning that goes straight to your core. Nick, if you read these comments, I just want to say thank you for your awesome contribution to the music world. The only thing that would make this video better would be a follow up video interviewing Kate St John.

[@garym81]

This is an amazing interview. The excitement in Nick's voice, on his face, and in his body language is contagious. You captured this perfectly

[@2beJT]

Nick Laird Clowes is such a great interview. His energy and love for the music of his teenage years has made me a bigger fan. I am going to dig into The Dream Academy's stuff and see what I think. Love these interviews. Love hearing about how these iconic musicians grew up and grew to love Rock.

[@BaddogSports]

I watching MTV constantly waiting for “Life in a Northern Town” to be played back in 1985. Years later, I remember desperately trying to find it on CD. The CD was long out of print. I looked in dozens of record/cd stores looking for the song on an 80’s compilation album. I eventually found one that had the song in it. Every time I hear it, I’m just a 9 year old boy, sitting on my living room floor, watching MTV on our floor unit television. Nostalgia overload

[@shanehebert396]

Absolutely love "Life In A Northern Town". I have a lot of very strong feelings/emotion that go with this song. I was in the second half of my junior year in high school. I had met a few friends who were into home computers, dungeons and dragons, etc. like I was. We had great parents who would let us all have sleepovers (several of us at a time), sometimes all weekend long, and many nights during the week after school and many days/nights during the summer. We played so many computer games, D&D, learned about computers (programming, etc.) and this song was in heavy rotation both on the radio and in our home stereos. There are a bunch of songs from the mid 80s that will snatch me back to that era of my life. An absolutely amazing time. Some of the best times of my life.

[@V01t2]

Fascinating. It still manages to pull me into the same trance all these year later

[@ProfessorofRock]

Same. It's pretty magical.

[@briankrahn2364]

I'll admit, I didn't like this song 30 some odd years ago, I tried to, I recognized that it was a great song but it wasn't to my tastes. Years later I'm much more eclectic and I now love it. Thanks for all you do Adam, this series you do brings me back to a time when I had more hair and less back pain.

[@ricksatterstrom7461]

I agree, even when I read the lyrics, I didn't know what it was about. Now hearing the explanation it makes sense but I was too young to understand it back then. I enjoyed listening to it back then though I didn't know what the lyrics were about- like many 80's songs. I just love listening to music and now the professor is helping me understand them.

[@haydendegrow945]

An in-depth interview about one of the deepest songs of the 1980s. Life in a Northern Town is one of my favourite songs, I love singing along to it every time I hear it. It is calming, relaxing, and simply wonderful. Another thing I love about this tune is that, though it takes place and references England, the song also really resonates in my hometown in Regina, Saskatchewan. The place was, until about fifteen years ago, a prairie backwater, with jobs flying out of the city, the economy flushing down the tubes, and little reason to stay in the city. Saskatchewan had become the place to be FROM, not to be IN. Though things have indeed changed for the better significantly, this song still resonates with many people in Saskatchewan who have lived through the hard times. no matter how old this song gets, it will always resonate with people.

[@imaguandaloops]

Man, it's just great that you are preserving the oral history of these fantastic old songs before they are forgotten. Thanks!

[@robinbittel9420]

Yes, especially when they just don’t make music like this anymore

[@janet4498]

"Life in a Northern Town" was one of the great quirky (in a good way) hits of the '80s. As for POR's question, I'd say best songs of '85 include: "We Are the World," "Money for Nothing" by Dire Straits, "We Belong" by Pat Benatar, "Shout" and "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, and "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner. As for albums, my list would include: Brothers in Arms, Songs from the Big Chair, and the self-titled debut album by Whitney Houston.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Dire Straits and Tears for Fears! What a year!

[@hbofbyu1]

"We Belong", I forgot about that great song!

[@jasongerrard8940]

I love we belong by pat,one of my all time favourates., We belong, we belong together, plus i am one of the straight guys who was a massive erasure fans, i grew up in the eightys.

[@swingersonian]

We Are the World?!? No thanks. Nice sentiment, but the Brits had already done that, and with much better style and taste.

[@mikewalker8179]

You have great taste in music, Janet

[@AlanHH]

Fascinating interview that provides the backstory to one of my favourite songs of that era. Nick is a great storyteller. I live in a Northern Town too.

[@raeann63]

i cannot like this interview enough!! thank you, nick laird clowes and professor! nick's energy and enthusiasm, wonderful stories - each becoming more amazing and twists with turns, and the trip down memory lane. I AM CRYING RIGHT NOW.

[@bethshadid2087]

Remember this song well...very thought provoking and serious but also puts you into a state of "peace". Miss the days of music that was well thought out and meaningful to the listeners as well as the artist.....their lives and experiences captured and given to us which were same experiences. They connections could be uncanny....but today not so much..too far and few between to captivate 😓

[@ProfessorofRock]

I love your comment. You really nailed it. Peace for sure. Thank you.

[@5roundsrapid263]

Exactly! I miss music that makes you think about life. Now, it’s just so shallow and meaningless.

[@69fcortina]

Incredibly generous with his time, one of your best interviews because of it. But then, I think he remembers what other people being generous with him meant.

[@ProfessorofRock]

I agree. He's a great guy.

[@mikewalker8179]

Well said.

[@judikingsman6132]

My husband was born in Liverpool England. This song resonated with him. I still like it. ❤

[@scottburton9701]

"Life In A Northern Town" is an awesome song.

[@ianrobinson4200]

Oh man, how good is this? One of the best interviews ever on this channel. Due to my age, I knew of the Dario G song a long time before this track - it was a massive hit in the late 90s. This song blew me away when I first heard it and I still play it all the time. Very interesting to hear about interactions with Paul Simon, David Gilmour and the talk about Nick Drake was fantastic, love Nick Drake...

[@rcr76]

France 98

[@robertdeen8741]

I have a memory of being in Chetwin BC, about 9:30pm. The road is just empty, October, so chilly. Looking toward I believe was one of two traffic lights in the town. The guy I was on the road with comes out of the diner, with him comes the sound of this song playing on the radio inside. It was just perfect. That's the vision that enters my mind every time I hear the song. Beautiful.

[@cozmicpfunk]

I think this is one of my Favorite Professor of Rock interviews. Nick has such enthusiasm in his storytelling and the details in there are just incredible. If I ever had a top hit song with a story, this would have to be it- Paul Simon, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, how many more legendary names do you need to make an amazing story like this? It's remarkable to hear this story and then reflect back into the time the song came out and then the times that song is referring too in the lyrics. Just as spectacular as any piece of timeless literature. Totally Enthralled! Bravo

[@sharonc6602]

Graduate of 1985. Love the feel of this song and feel like crying when they sing about John F Kennedy. Beautiful.

[@Trish.Norman]

I love his energy! This is a man who you’d invite to dinner for great conversations that lasts hours. You know the kind where it’s 2am and you wonder where on earth did the time go.

[@michaelehlert9]

Thanks Prof. I was not a fan of this song when it came out, but I have to give credit where it’s due as it is creative and original.. timeless actually. I LOVE the level of detail in this interview. You have a gift of taking us back to the day with your writing and interview style of letting the artist tell the story nudged by your intriguing, well informed questions. Please keep up the great work.

[@johnstegmeier3758]

You really do know how to sit and listen, not all interviewers know when or even how to do that.

[@conroypawgmail]

In 1985, I was 13 when I first heard this song on the radio, I was in my room. I was going through my 60s music phase, listening to all the oldies that I could absorb and record on to cassette. Occasionally, I would have friends over, and I'd flip over to the contemporary music stations. I had believed that 60s music was making a huge comeback and there were more than a handful of updated covers, television shows, movies, and commercials that were proving my point. Right away, I could tell that there was something different and special about this song. It sounded so different from everything else that was playing on Top 40. The instrumentation reminded me of a more mature sound, adult contemporary music like the Carpenters - well produced, all encompassing sound. It was not just nostalgic. It was moody, wistful, and passionate. The subject matter was about the 60s. I couldn't get enough of it. I was completely sold on Dream Academy, when I heard their cover of "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" by the Smiths from the "Ferris Buehler's Day Off" soundtrack. Also... I had a huge crush on Kate St. John. This song and video do bring me back to those days, but unfortunately, only for a moment.

[@tomwilson5822]

Old retired Scotsman living in Germany. Remember this song with great affection. The story of the song is absolutely Brilliant. Your best presentation your best. So Far

[@wmg1958]

This was a long entry but worth every second: a great portrait of the artist, the song and finally the musical and business process of the time. I enjoyed learning all the personal and musical history that went into this one song. Great job of listening and letting the stories unfold.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for watching!

[@hectormonclova7563]

Two things: First is the song as Life’s soundtrack. I was an Art Student, a painter, in old San Juan, Puerto Rico (the magical Spanish town, who recently reached 500 years), I was 21 years old, an adult an child, in my first adult dream, in Love and loving all what I was living, painting, loving, drinking, crashing in a thousand homes, and in Autumn, with that constant thin rain, adding it’s essence to the sea breeze over the ancient limestone it created a dream where my life have stayed. Second thing, dear Professor, was that the conversation in which my beloved Nick Drake spranged out that you told me? This was on of the edition of your show I have enjoyed the most. Thank you... ❤️❤️❤️

[@l11l1venom1l11l]

I was born in 1987 and I hadn't heard this song since I was probably a toddler until just a few years ago. I was at my girlfriend's house and we left 80's music videos playing while we were working from home and this song came on. I literally had to walk away from my laptop, away from the office and sit in front of the TV to see what it was as my eyes began filling with tears and my chest felt like it was caving in. I have no idea why. It must have some connection to someone I loved or a moment that I really embraced at a VERY young age. My girlfriend walked in the room and asked if I was alright and she was seriously concerned because I cry maybe once every 10 years - I actually find it difficult to do. But man...this song just squeezes my heart like you wouldn't believe. I think that puts it in my top 10 favorites of all time - maybe even top 5. Thankfully it's a killer track to boot.

[@davidllamas1570]

Beautiful job all around Adam! This song was always a clean win. It just never fails to deliver. Great to hear Nick sing in the studio and his memories and insight from studying with Paul Simon. The man can still paint a picture! This one was a gift. Great job by all involved.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you!

[@ravenstromdans]

Late to the party, but this is a song my parents, my father in particular, introduced me to in my youth. He was an artist and musician who wound up largely giving up creating both working hard to keep a five person household fed and housed, but he never lost his love of music, especially folk and rock. But it was much later, when I was waiting alone in an airport waiting to fly to Korea for a year long tour in the Army, that I happened to have The Dream Academy on cassette with me. Listening to "Live in a Northern Town" in that moment struck me with the most profound sense of homesickness (as a kid born in upstate New York, I feel like "northern town" definitely hit a chord there). Ever since then, whenever I heard the song, that feeling comes back and I struggle with tears every time. It's the funeral dirge of my childhood, in spite of being a song about childhood an entire generation *before* I was born and I love every second of it.

[@theslo777ery]

This song is in my top 5 ever. Life in a northern town, like you said takes me into another dimension. Its magical.

[@savageishbu]

In 85 my grandmother died. My grandfather remarried and my mother and I became homeless. This was one of those songs that eased the pain we were going through. At least for me.

[@Rossturnerphoto]

I've always been fascinated with this song from the time I was a kid, and the stories of how it all came together is fascinating as well. I would love to hear more from Nick. I bet he has a lot of great stories.

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome episode Professor! I always loved "Life in a northern town " I had just got married and turned 21 in 1985 and had moved to the city to find work, every time I hear this song I'm taken back to driving to work in my 1968 charger and hearing this song on the radio! Awesome interview Professor! Thanks for bringing back the memories!

[@robinbittel9420]

For some reason, this song always reminded me a lot of Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” of 1984. Both of these British songs that I loved just seemed to tell a story about life across the pond I’d never experience. Filled my imagination and soul. Love Nick’s passion. He’s proof joy is contagious. Thank you, Adam, for your best interview.

[@BRazquin]

Just out of the army, working security for an oil company in my native Argentina... FM radio was my refuge, my escape from the social and economic instabilities of the 80's there. And one afternoon, this song comes on the radio. It is one of those songs that changed my life.

[@shawnmclean7932]

I'm an American. I lived in Norway for a couple of years. Every morning at the same time the t.v. would play this song everyday. Such good memories. It transports me like only music can, especially in that setting. Such a visual, poetic song.

[@MerkinMuffly]

From a Paul Simon biography: There's a story about how Paul Simons met Nick Laird-Clowes when Clowes was assigned to be his personal assistant at the 1981 Grammys. When Simon found out Clowes was a songwriter with an album that had been favorably reviewed by Rolling Stone he invited him to bring the album with him to his apartment the next day. While Simon was listening to the album title, Too Late for 20, some friends stopped by and started gushing over the music: wonderful, incredible. When the album ended Simon was asked if he didn't agree. Simon, in his usual blunt appraisal said, no, I don't think so, it has some good things but it's not there. Laird's heart sank. If the tale ended there it would just be another story bout Paul Simon being brutally honest. But the rest of the story reveals Simon's generosity, reaching out to other artists if he senses they will be responsive. Actually Simon was impressed enough with the young Englishman's music to ask him to keep in tourch and that's exactly what Laird did. Laird says several months later I went to see Simon in his office in the Brill building and he started playing the piano, after a few seconds he asked me what key he was playing in. I had no idea, I guessed, is it G, and he said no, it's D. Simon then picked up a legal pad and spent several minutes writing down chords and various other musical notations. He told me to go learn them before I came back. I think he was trying to see how dedicated I was to song writing. Before I left he showed me the lyrics to what would become Hearts and Bones that he'd been working on for a year. He said if you want to become better than anyone else, you've got to work harder than anyone else. When Laird saw Simon next he'd learned all Simon had written on the page and Simon was pleased and they spent considerable time talking about song writing. Later, Laird had formed a new band called The Dream Academy which was signed to Simons label Warner Brothers. Thanks to a gentle nostalgic tune called Life in a Northern Town the band had a major hit in 1985 and Laird went on to have a long life in music. Laird said the amazing thing is Paul Simon went through all this when he was going through problems in his own career Laird said. I remember he came to London after Dream Academy had a hit, still extremely depressed, but still had his sense of humor, he said to me the way things are going I'll end up singing backing vocals on someone's album. People will see my name in the linear notes and go, oh, that's what he's doing now. But the thing I'll never forget was how pleased he was for me and my band. We eventually went on Saturday Night Live and Paul was in the audience. Before the show he pulled my chain, don't make me look bad. It was amazing, he was so gracious.

[@markross9624]

That may have been your best interview yet....loved it...another song from the 80s that has been rattling around in my head for years but knew nothing about...great vid!

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thanks for listening

[@pamelachisholm2166]

I just love Nick’s enthusiasm ❣️ All these years later and he’s telling his story still in awe , still in disbelief ❣️💯💯💯

[@TimothySmiths]

I've loved this song ever since I first heard it back in 85 ...it was great hearing all this background about it..thank you

[@kerranz]

Dream Academy's three albums are all masterpieces. And got me laid, too. I knew them all front to back. Thanks for letting me meet Nick through you.

[@thereissomecoolstuff]

This is an amazing inside story of a very creative mind. 2 things struck me. 1 I forgot the song came out that long ago. 2. The song is way way more complex than I ever thought. Going to give it a listen or 5 to pick out the things mentioned in this fantastic interview. Adam this is why your channel is so great. Thank you.

[@thefog3361]

Just watched this one. It's my favorite of all the interviews he's done.

[@lorifarrell5705]

it's timeless, it will always sound mesmerizing

[@edstenson7764]

One of the most refreshing songs of the 80s.

[@jonpierce4058]

I love this song and seeing how enthusiastic Nick Laird Clowes brings to this interview is magical. Thank you so much for bring this to us!

[@sherriweibert3311]

Fantastic interview. Truly a song that can instantly transport me back in time. ❤️

[@mountart2]

What a great story of the journey this song became.

[@billywilson4908]

Dude, I live for these videos. To learn that songs I loved back then (and still do) were laid down on a canvas of amazing experiences and influences is awesome. I love it when you interview artists that still have so much energy and enthusiasm to this day. One of my favorite songs! Thanks for these.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Thank you for watching. Your support is paramount to our success Billy.

[@billywilson4908]

My pleasure! If you ever decide to do an evolution of an artist type thing I’d love to see one on Gilmour. He is my GOAT guitar songwriter. 😁

[@IsikPalion]

This is why I absolutely love this channel. As a kid born in 1990 I missed all these incredible songs growing up and your channel brings the best songs I never would have heard of right to me and drops them in my lap while giving me all the context of what was going on when they were envisioned to truly appreciate them the way they were the day they were first inspired. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and please don't stop as this channel is probably the best thing that has ever been brought to KZbin.

[@atreyuprincipalh4043]

What a fabulous man this Gentleman is May God bless Him and You Professor Of Rock

[@mangrove]

I bought both Bryter Layter and Pink Moon at my old college record shop. The owner was talking on the phone when i brought them to the counter. As he rang them up, he paused mid-conversation to tell me "GREAT albums."

[@davidellis5141]

The song is a perfect celebration of life.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Agree 100% David. Thanks for always watching!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

It is about unemployment in northern England. The morning lasted all day is a reference to joblessness ( caused by Thatcherism) and also an eerily evocative line in my view.

[@dannysunay4386]

When I was a 10th grader, I had a friend in band, one day during lunch, I went to visit him and a few students were rehearsing this song. I got so absorbed by its sound and lyrics. When I finally got to see the video, it blew my mind! Still love it to this day!

[@covatembelmusic]

Adam, your interviews are getting better and better. This was truly satisfying. An excellent speaker, great story, Paul Simon, David Gilmour (my connection to one of the greatest singer songwriters of all time, Kate Bush) and Nick's oh so positive energy. I grew up in in the 80s in Vancouver - one of the most beautiful northern towns in the world. The song captures the feel of living in a cold weather city so well. Cheers!

[@Heartwing37]

Right? I wish the professor would talk about Kate!

[@larrybarnes3rd430]

@@Heartwing37 to

[@dr.westwood]

I HAAAATED this song when it first came out. It wasn't until the early 2000s I was in my feels and the song came on and something about it really struck me at the time and I've loved it ever since.

[@jeanetteswalberg6166]

Loved this interview! His sincerity and enthusiasm were were delightful. I can see why other musicians wanted to mentor and help him.

[@erickrupa1748]

I think your longer documentaries are so good. Loved this song back then. What a great story

[@ericnoak3320]

I started this video with no intention of seeing it through to the end. OHMYGAWD! I couldn’t tear myself away. Brilliant! Thank you!!

[@sspbrazil]

Sorry Professor, I have to correct you, Peter Gabriel was exploring African rhythms long before this song was even a thought of and before Paul Simon did “Graceland”. “Biko” was on Peter’s 3rd album which came out in 1980, he was also using African rhythms and African percussion like the Surdo drum on his 4th album as well as having The Drummers of Burundi play on the song “Rhythm of The Heat” on that album which came out in 1982, both albums predated this song and Paul Simon’s album “Graceland”. Peter also started the WOMAD (World Of Music and Dance) festival in 1982 which gathered bands and musicians from all over the world and subsequently started his Real World music label which helms musicians and bands from all over the world, Peter was really the progenitor of this trend and continued it throughout his solo career, so your history is off there with regards to the popularization of African music in pop music, but this is still a great song and a nice interview with Nick.

[@catherine6653]

Nice fact. I have Peter Gabriel albums. The Talking Heads also used African influences in their music in the early 80s. All us "Music Junkies " teach each other fun facts about artists and their songs. That's what so great about this channel. 🙂

[@sspbrazil]

@@catherine6653 that’s correct, Talking Heads first explored Afro rhythms on the song “I Zimbra” on “Fear Of Music” and then dedicated an entire album to these rhythms on their subsequent album “Remain In Light”. Yes, sharing music nerd knowledge is fun!

[@doscwolny2221]

Obscured by clouds by Floyd in 72 touched on African roots.

[@sspbrazil]

@@doscwolny2221 No they didn’t, it was a soundtrack to the film “ La Vallée” there are not any African inspired rhythms on it, only a recording of a tribal chant at the end of “Absolutely Curtains”, the film takes place on the Island of New Guinea, not Africa and the tribe is a New Guinean tribe not African.

[@Llyrin]

Nick is fun to watch and listen to. ☺️

[@ProfessorofRock]

He's a great guy.

[@JLuisT.]

Every time I hear it, I feel like I am 15 years old again and memories of the fall of 1985 come back. This song along with Scritti Politti’s “Perfect Way”, ABC’s “Be Near Me”, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”,and Prefab Sprout’s “When Love Breaks Down” were the soundtrack of that autumn.

[@ProfessorofRock]

Great year!

[@Danisdetermined]

The Dream Academy was my band. Every album was memorized, my white jean jacket was spray painted “Through poppy fields and…” Nick, Kate and Gilbert was all I played and then I discovered the B Sides and UK unreleased cuts. I was smitten and I couldn’t get enough. There was just a mystery in every song and no one could run lyrics quickly through in a tapestry story line like Nick. I even followed Trashmonk, Kate’s projects and Gilbert’s solo piano… thanks for doing this one Prof.

[@mico5678]

Me too! “In places on the run”, “indian summer “, “waterloo” and the cover of “please please please let me get what I want“ are my favourites, but I love all of their songs

[@GoodieWhiteHat]

I’m so glad you did this song! It’s one of my favourites. The backstory just makes it better.

[@christopherhebert9069]

This is one of my favorite interviews you have done that I have been privileged to see. Thank you both!

[@robertgrey7266]

Awesome interview and such a likable guy. I had forgotten about this song but the moment you first mentioned “Life in a Northern Town,” I immediately started singing that chorus at the top of my lungs (while driving).

[@VictorLonmo]

I love this song. It seems to mix darkness and hope, nostalgia and a desire to reach for the future. Thanks for this video POR!

[@scobakirne1]

Great song, and great interview! Special song for me as I was 11 and living in Newcastle at the time of release. Very evocative of the North East of England in the early 80s. Nick is an amazing talent, and I'd love to hear it Live one day. Managed to get a first pressing of album earlier this year, and it's a great album. 🙂

[@cyndifoore7743]

Wonderful interview! I love how the artists love what they do and love sharing it with you and us.

[@wesleywilliams1085]

When I was growing up, I wasn't allowed to listen to the radio (nor did we own a television). It wasn't until I started attending college that I could at least listen to the radio while driving to my classes in my car. This was in the autumn of 1985, and Life in a Northern Town was one of the first popular songs that I can say really touched me deep inside, though I didn't even quite understand why. It has remained one of my favorite popular songs since I first heard it, and I'm so grateful to The Dream Academy (and all those who assisted) for creating this masterpiece.

[@rb67mustang]

What can I say, I was born in the 60's and I like a lot of different music. The first job I had (Late 70's) we listened to whatever was playing on WBCN out of Boston, Ma. I don't think this song would've been on WBCN, but in the 80's my Dad had his own business for a while and I listened to a top hits radio station. I know this song and yeah I liked it, but I didn't buy many albums or cassettes back then. These days, I don't listen to the radio as I did when I was young. I listen to my favorites on youtube while I'm working in my home workshop. I recently found your channel and I'm enjoying your style of explaining how and why the songs were written and the interviews like this one pull it all together. I can say I have a greater appreciation for this song after watching this show.

[@user-og1rv6sr8e]

Wow! What a great interview. I didn't think this song could evoke even more emotion than it already did. Epic back story to an epic song!

[@melanielynne0414]

This song sticks with me because in the 80s a terrible hurricane was approaching the town I was living in. I was anxious and this song came on the radio. His voice instantly calmed me down. I just started singing along and felt better. Lucky the hurricane turned off and headed out to sea. Love this song.

[@BryanM362]

Such a great mystical song! I was in the Army and living in Hawaii in 1985. This song took me home to Michigan....

[@ProfessorofRock]

Wow. Thanks for sharing that. The power of music.

[@adriadri305]

Phenomenal interview!! I used to lay in bed with my headphones and that song would take me away to a different place everytime! Loved it and still love it. Thank you Professor!!!!

[@LonMoer]

I love this song, love the haunting....and this was a great story; Simon, Gilmour and Clapton..... But the song brings me back to memories of a time I try hard to forget...

[@Stan8561]

In 1963 iwas five and I remember the Beatles and death of JFK. I was listening to my local rock station yesterday late afternooon and Northern Town came on and it was a pefect ending to a beautiful day. I have been a fan of this song for awhile but dont remember it back in 1985. But the behind the music segment you just did was probably the best I've seen on KZbin. It is more of an anthem than just a song and its so spiritual, and the meaning for me in the title I relate to where I live which is a northern town iin Massachusetts called Newburyport, formally a clipper ship bulding town. Now I want to get a band and sing the song, I'm a vocalist jamorning zz and rock what an awesome show for a Saturday morning thank you

[@nicoletripp2257]

This may be one of my favorite interviews of all time. He is so down to earth and real. Self deprecating and so open about things. That song though….one of the best of my youth. I hear the opening chords of this song and it just transports me back to my childhood. To this Day I get chills hearing the opening music into the line “ A Salvation Army band played and the children drank lemonade & the morning lasted all day” …Ever noticed how long mornings seemed to last when you were a kid. Love the song love the interview and love his accent too…Lol.. Adam you killed it. Great job.