| Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Mark Knopfler |
| Album: | Local Hero |
| Released: | 4 March 1983 |
| Genre: | |
| Length: | 5:00 (album version); 3:58 (single version) |
| Label: | Vertigo |
"Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero" is an instrumental rock track by Mark Knopfler, and the closing track from the 1983 film Local Hero soundtrack.[1] It was the debut solo single by Knopfler, and charted at number 56 in the UK,[2] [3] at number 26 in the Netherlands and at number 18 in New Zealand.[4] The soundtrack album also features a reprise called "Wild Theme", which consists of Knopfler's acoustic guitar interpretation of the song's melody. Despite its rather modest chart position in Knopfler's native UK, "Going Home" remains one of the artist's most popular songs. The saxophone piece was played by the American jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker. The song is popular among fans of English football, in particular those of Knopfler's home town club, Newcastle United, as it is played as the team runs out before every home game.[5]
The music video features footage of Knopfler playing on the New York City waterfront (with the Twin Towers and Empire State Building visible), intercut with footage from the film.
Besides its popularity in Knopfler's solo live set, "Going Home" had become a live staple also for Dire Straits, entering the band's repertoire since its release,[6] and indeed the song's popularity grew thanks to its inclusion in the live album . The studio version of the song was included on the 1993 solo compilation Screenplaying (which also included "Wild Theme")[7] and on the 2005 compilation , both on the single disc and double disc edition.[8] [9]
A supergroup, referred to as Mark Knopfler's Guitar Heroes, recorded "Going Home" to support the Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America. The recording, released 15 March 2024, was Jeff Beck's final recording before his death. Sir Peter Blake, who designed the sleeve for The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, created the single's artwork; a collage of all the contributors, plus Local Hero actors Peter Riegert and Burt Lancaster,[10] in front of "Hanks", the famous guitar shop in London's Denmark Street.[11] The sessions were recorded at British Grove Studios although some performances were submitted remotely.[12] [13]
Produced by former Dire Straits keyboardist, Guy Fletcher, more than sixty musicians, mostly guitar players, participated in the nine minute recording. All musicians listed below played electric guitar except where noted:
| Peak position | |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[14] | 32 |
|---|---|