Where the Rose Is Sown explained
Where the Rose is Sown is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country,[2] which was released in 1984 as the second single from their second studio album Steeltown. It was written by Big Country and produced by Steve Lillywhite.[3] "Where the Rose Is Sown" peaked at No. 29 in the UK and No. 25 in Ireland.[4] [5]
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single. It received medium rotation on MTV.[6]
Critical reception
Upon release, Lesley White of Smash Hits commented: "More of the same from the frustrated messiahs of contemporary rock. A treat for lovers of "real music" everywhere - give me artful pretence any day."[7] Sunie of Number One said: ""It's the lovin' things you do..." Anyone remember the old '60s hit? It lurks just behind this song, artfully obscured by guitar solos, "heeyahs" and the Lillywhite wall of sound. I rather like it."[8]
Cash Box commented: "Big Country delivers a pounding slice of tragic political rock which is given its edge in Adamson's biting delivery. Trademark guitar riffs and a no-nonsense beat should help [it] become another anthemic classic from the band."[9] Billboard stated: "Group's stirring strength is sadly buried in muddy sound."[10]
In a retrospective review of Steeltown, Tim Peacock of Record Collector described the song as one of the album's "obvious go-to tracks", adding that it had an anti-war message "especially resonant in the wake of the Falklands".[11]
Track listing
- 7" single
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 4:03
- "Belief in the Small Man" - 5:12
- 7" single (German release)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 4:08
- "Bass Dance" - 1:40
- 7" single (US/Canada release)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 4:08
- "Prairie Rose" - 4:50
- 7" single (UK limited edition release)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 4:03
- "Belief in the Small Man" - 5:12
- "Wonderland" - 4:47 (Recorded live in Austin, Texas, 22 March 1984)
- "In a Big Country" - 6:15 (Recorded live in Austin, Texas, 22 March 1984)
- "Auld Lang Syne" - 1:09 (Recorded live in Austin, Texas, 22 March 1984)
- 7" single (US promo)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 3:58
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 3:58
- 12" single
- "Where the Rose Is Sown (Extended Remix)" - 7:43
- "Where the Rose Is Sown (7" Version)" - 4:03
- "Bass Dance" - 1:40
- "Belief in the Small Man" - 5:12
- 12" single (German release)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown (Extended Remix)" - 7:43
- "Bass Dance" - 1:40
- "Belief in the Small Man" - 5:12
- 12" single (Canadian release)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 4:44
- "Prairie Rose" - 4:47
- 12" single (US promo)
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 3:58
- "Where the Rose Is Sown" - 3:58
Chart performance
| Chart (1984) | Peak
position |
|---|
| Irish Singles Chart | 25 |
| UK Singles Chart | 29 | |
Personnel
- Big Country
- Production
- Other
- Brian Aris - sleeve photography
- Grant-Edwards Management - management
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: singles.
- News: The Michigan Daily - December 6, 1984 - Big County - Steeltown. 6 December 1984. The Michigan Daily. 25 June 2016.
- Web site: William Ruhlmann . Steeltown - Big Country | Songs, Reviews, Credits . AllMusic . 2018-04-04.
- Web site: BIG COUNTRY | full Official Chart History . Official Charts. 2018-04-04.
- Web site: The Irish Charts - All there is to know . The Irish Charts . 2018-04-04.
- Billboard magazine - MTV Programming - 8 December 1984 - page 31
- Smash Hits magazine - Singles - Lesley White - 6–19 December 1984 - page 19
- Number One magazine - Singles - Sunie - 24 November 1984 - page 52
- Cash Box newspaper - 8 December 1984 - Reviews: singles - page 11
- Billboard magazine - Reviews: singles - 15 December 1984 - page 73
- Web site: Steeltown - Record Collector Magazine . Recordcollectormag.com . 2018-04-04.
