“Life In A Northern Town” by The Dream Academy
“Life In A Northern Town” was created in honor of a singer named Nick Drake, who passed away in 1974 at the age of 26. Nick Drake reads like an artist who was truly disinterested in the limelight. And with that in mind, the subject of this song also comes off as a musician who is truly content with the small-town life, i.e. playing solely for the edification of himself and his neighbors.
And to note, said subject is a caricature of Drake, not being based on his actual life per se. But that said, it can be deemed that the vocalist perceives the subject as being somewhat of a hero, i.e. a figure who brought excitement and entertainment wherever he tread.
When did The Dream Academy release “Life in a Northern Town”?
This is a pop song recorded and released by British ensemble, The Dream Academy. “Life in a Northern Town”, which is one of the group’s most popular songs, was officially released in March of 1985. It was issued as the first single from the band’s self-named, debut studio album.
The track is also one of Dream Academy’s best-charting singles. It was a major hit in the US and Canada, peaking at #7 on the official singles charts in both nations. It also saw considerable success in the United Kingdom, where it reached #15.
Credits and Notable Covers
This was penned by Dream Academy bandmates, Gilbert Gabriel and Nick Laird-Clowes. The latter was also involved in co-producing this tune. English guitarist David Gilmour, famous for his work with rock band Pink Floyd, and George Nicholson are the other co-producers of the song.
Since this song was released, multiple recording artists have created their versions of it. A prominent cover version was done by Australian-American recording artist, Rick Springfield in 2005.
Another well-known cover of “Life in a Northern Town” was released by American country music act Sugarland in 2008. Their version, which appeared on their third studio album “Love on the Inside”, featured country musical collective, Little Big Town as well as American singer Jake Owen.
American singer Chris Collingwood and The Coats (an a cappella group) both released their versions of this track in 2014. Other performers who have created versions of this single include:
- Columbia Kingsmen (in 1993)
- Sexton Blake (in 2007)
- Eddy McManus (in 2011)
Additional Facts of “Life In a Northern Town”
“Morning Lasted All Day” was the intended title for this track. However, it was later changed to its current title.
The track was authored as a tribute to the memory of Nick Drake, an English folk singer who died in 1974. Drake gained fame for his guitar-based songs. Also to note, the band actually used one of Drake’s guitars in composing this track.
The Dream Academy Album
“Life in a Northern Town” was not the only single released from the group’s self-titled project. Thus, in addition to this single, the project had a total of four singles. The second single, “This World”, was also issued in 1985. The third single of this album, “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” (which is a cover of the Smiths’ 1984 song), was made public in November of 1985.
Warner Records Inc. was responsible for issuing this album in the US. And in the UK, the album was released through Blanco y Negro Records.
“The Dream Academy” landed on the Billboard Hot 200, peaking at #20. And it reached #58 in the United Kingdom.
