This song applies to all American presidents we've had so far EXCEPT FDR, Theodore Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, Jimmie Carter, and some "founding fathers"! All the little Republican and some Democrat politicians fit this song too!
Awesome, musically and lyrically! Why is this not remembered as a rock classic?
Although they were written years before he came to power. I reckon the lyrics could have been written about Tony Blair, they fit perfectly! But then they could have been written about any charismatic warmonging politician.
No, it's actually about barack obama. The lyrics fit perfectly. Stuart was as prescient as he was brillant, talented, and much missed. Lyrics mean what you wantg them to mean -ask Dylan.
Yeah this song and album was way to heavy for vapid US music industry-0no wonder it's sucking wind! This song is about..Adolf Hitler-"A Stranger came by Traveling and Went to every Door, He said he lost his people he had come to look for more."
"The Spell He Wove upon us Fills My Body With Despair."
"He had the Voice of an Angel and the Face of a Saint"
Pretty disturbing that comments I made a few months ago have been erased from this. What gives you the right to censor my comments about my favourite band BIG COUNTRY ?
Yes , the rich appear to stay rich and the poor stay poor . in all countries . Has it always been this way . ? I think the poorer people have a taste of real life experiences , saving for new clothes or a holiday the rich or richer become too judgemental , it is nice to have a ton of money we all know this , but the poor don't bother the rich and the rich can't be bothered with the poor , if governments chuck money at the poor the rich won't chuck money at the governments. .it's a bad circle .
Yeah, but this song is so political, and as an American i must respond. The wealthy controll America, and the poor seem to have no limit to what they will swallow. Why? Send help! :(
Guys....just enjoy the f*cking music.....i was a 15yr old boy....fell in love with this tune and album.....25yrs later and it still sounds as good....real music will never die!!
BC were huge when their first album came out, and toured the US. Then they recorded an EP called "Wonderland" that got little promotion from their label in the US. Then their 2nd album Steeltown got absolutely zero promotion (critical acclaim, yes, promotion, no) from their label in the US (the politics of the lyrics probably being an issue). US radio was already on to the "next big thing" by then so BC became just a cult favorite in the US, except for a minor hit with "King of Emotion" (1988?).
From the BBC website: Steeltown (1984) -"... The songs celebrate working men, be they steelworkers, soldiers or seamen. The album also includes 'Flame of the West', a comment on the right-wing policies of then US president Ronald Reagan, and the strong anti-war pairing of 'Where the Rose is Sown' and 'Come Back to Me'. The latter is a haunting song, sung from the perspective of a woman watching her husband go off to a war from which she knows he will never return."
To clarify my previous remark, the entire song "Flame of the West" was written by Adamson about US president Ronald Reagan... not just the lines I quoted but the entire song. Listen to it with that in mind and whole new layers of meaning come out.
Factoid: A Rolling Stone magazine article about Big Country came out shortly Steeltown's release, and stated that Ronald Reagan (who was starting his second term as US president then) was the person referred to by Stuart in these lyrics."There will be dollars in his hand/he has all hell to pay/and he will pass them to you if you promise you will stay". What is sadly forgotten now is that Reagan was just as unpopular among artists and musicians then as GW Bush was in his time (for good reason).
Flame Of The West. Under 6000 views and 30 comments...With these ratings this song is considered just about forgotten. Nevertheless it is one truly great song from the 80´s.
true. I remember well. I was in grade 12, barely age 17, recovering from The Crossing and the epics 'Porrohman' and 'The Storm'. Then I heard Steeltown. Flame of the West was quite strking to me, but the title track and 'Girl with Grey Eyes' spelled the end of my youth. I hold fast to these songs.
The politics of Stuart Adamson were too dangerous for corporate rock in the US. Plus the over-hype of bands like U2 (who are great in their own right). Some great artists just can't get it across to the US--Paul Weller for example.
Jimmy Page and Led Zep would have been proud of that opening guitar riff. I hadn't appreciated until now how mighty a song this is, and it is definately without doubt in the same league as Zeppelin.
Jeez - I haven't heard this for ages either. The older I get the more I love Big Country. Magnificent. The more I miss Stuart too. Rest in peace buddy.
Possibly my favorite BC song, thanks. I have doubts that this was written about Ronald Reagan as jsuffolk1972 states. Please tell me why many people believe this is so. Where did this information originate? If it originated from Stuart, saying, "I wrote that song about Ronald Reagan", I'll believe it. But I've only heard critics and fans saying that is what it is about.
the more i study the lyrics 2 this song the more i get it.its about Ronald Reagan.i have a live bootleg of this song n stuart says"should have heard the conversation we had b4 we came on stage!,WE'RE ALL BUYING NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM AMERICAN ACTORS!""this is flame of the west"Ronald Reagan being an actor b4 a president.Stuart was a song writing genius.the lyrics just blow me away as the song does .
Best unknown (in US) band of the 80's.
GracoPhillips 2 months ago
A trident holding...
aarlevanbram 1 year ago
This masterpiece never won a grammy!
1rendezvous 1 year ago
Long live Western civilization.
TheFlameoftheWest 1 year ago
@TheFlameoftheWest
We're in danger of losing our Western civilization. I like your comment.
n8tureboy 9 months ago
This song applies to all American presidents we've had so far EXCEPT FDR, Theodore Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, Jimmie Carter, and some "founding fathers"! All the little Republican and some Democrat politicians fit this song too!
1rendezvous 1 year ago
Awesome, musically and lyrically! Why is this not remembered as a rock classic?
Although they were written years before he came to power. I reckon the lyrics could have been written about Tony Blair, they fit perfectly! But then they could have been written about any charismatic warmonging politician.
Grichal1981 1 year ago
Bloody awesome!
y16amp 1 year ago
" Tame of the Test" . .
twonky721 1 year ago
Oh that guitar work is exquisite. What a unique sound. Utterly bewitching. Totally under rated.
1unsung 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
1996 ... maybe it was the date the album was remastered.
yoshii33 1 year ago
1996 ... maybe it was the date the album was remastered ???
yoshii33 1 year ago
57 seconds into the track if you can, listen to Tony's bass line . . . "now that's a bass line" . .
twonky721 2 years ago
there is NO ambiguity, Stuart prefaced this song saying "American actors who come bearing nuclear weapons..." (3-25-1986, Birmingham Odeon)
Ronald Reagan and Thatcher (terrible politicians w/terrible policies)
volscho 2 years ago
No, it's actually about barack obama. The lyrics fit perfectly. Stuart was as prescient as he was brillant, talented, and much missed. Lyrics mean what you wantg them to mean -ask Dylan.
zywa349 2 years ago
Yeah this song and album was way to heavy for vapid US music industry-0no wonder it's sucking wind! This song is about..Adolf Hitler-"A Stranger came by Traveling and Went to every Door, He said he lost his people he had come to look for more."
"The Spell He Wove upon us Fills My Body With Despair."
"He had the Voice of an Angel and the Face of a Saint"
"He Strode the World like Caesar,"
joshuaehugo 2 years ago
Pretty disturbing that comments I made a few months ago have been erased from this. What gives you the right to censor my comments about my favourite band BIG COUNTRY ?
james007magic 2 years ago
sadly true !!!
chrispravda 2 years ago
Yes , the rich appear to stay rich and the poor stay poor . in all countries . Has it always been this way . ? I think the poorer people have a taste of real life experiences , saving for new clothes or a holiday the rich or richer become too judgemental , it is nice to have a ton of money we all know this , but the poor don't bother the rich and the rich can't be bothered with the poor , if governments chuck money at the poor the rich won't chuck money at the governments. .it's a bad circle .
twonky721 2 years ago
Yeah, but this song is so political, and as an American i must respond. The wealthy controll America, and the poor seem to have no limit to what they will swallow. Why? Send help! :(
tomeeeee1 2 years ago
Guys....just enjoy the f*cking music.....i was a 15yr old boy....fell in love with this tune and album.....25yrs later and it still sounds as good....real music will never die!!
sgtwilkosbarmyarmy 2 years ago 9
BC were huge when their first album came out, and toured the US. Then they recorded an EP called "Wonderland" that got little promotion from their label in the US. Then their 2nd album Steeltown got absolutely zero promotion (critical acclaim, yes, promotion, no) from their label in the US (the politics of the lyrics probably being an issue). US radio was already on to the "next big thing" by then so BC became just a cult favorite in the US, except for a minor hit with "King of Emotion" (1988?).
melbavideos 2 years ago 2
From the BBC website: Steeltown (1984) -"... The songs celebrate working men, be they steelworkers, soldiers or seamen. The album also includes 'Flame of the West', a comment on the right-wing policies of then US president Ronald Reagan, and the strong anti-war pairing of 'Where the Rose is Sown' and 'Come Back to Me'. The latter is a haunting song, sung from the perspective of a woman watching her husband go off to a war from which she knows he will never return."
melbavideos 2 years ago
To clarify my previous remark, the entire song "Flame of the West" was written by Adamson about US president Ronald Reagan... not just the lines I quoted but the entire song. Listen to it with that in mind and whole new layers of meaning come out.
melbavideos 2 years ago
Factoid: A Rolling Stone magazine article about Big Country came out shortly Steeltown's release, and stated that Ronald Reagan (who was starting his second term as US president then) was the person referred to by Stuart in these lyrics."There will be dollars in his hand/he has all hell to pay/and he will pass them to you if you promise you will stay". What is sadly forgotten now is that Reagan was just as unpopular among artists and musicians then as GW Bush was in his time (for good reason).
melbavideos 2 years ago
Flame Of The West. Under 6000 views and 30 comments...With these ratings this song is considered just about forgotten. Nevertheless it is one truly great song from the 80´s.
aivokallo77 2 years ago 2
You know that xx
debbieedeedoo 3 years ago
Alway,s thought this was a stronger song than East of Eden...only ever seen BC play it live at Motherwell Civic Centre...Cheers Bud For posting
i4bc 3 years ago 2
I totally agree.......first 3 are the best!!! This album is so underrated.....the music and the message are soooo good!
philby971 3 years ago 2
This song is pure genius.
josephaiello 3 years ago 6
This wasn't released in 86, it was 1984. No, it's not a remix, original track. Stu's birthday (11th of april)! RIP
Chefen92 3 years ago 6
Thanks for that, always wondered about the date.. for some reason it says 96 on the record.. Thanks for watching anyway! :)
stayalive378 3 years ago
No problem mate! An even greater thanks for uploading, we must never forget what Stu left for us to inherit!
Chefen92 3 years ago
true. I remember well. I was in grade 12, barely age 17, recovering from The Crossing and the epics 'Porrohman' and 'The Storm'. Then I heard Steeltown. Flame of the West was quite strking to me, but the title track and 'Girl with Grey Eyes' spelled the end of my youth. I hold fast to these songs.
mongo88now88 1 year ago
I don't think this one is a re-mix, could be wrong though.
And thanks for watching! :)
stayalive378 4 years ago
The politics of Stuart Adamson were too dangerous for corporate rock in the US. Plus the over-hype of bands like U2 (who are great in their own right). Some great artists just can't get it across to the US--Paul Weller for example.
cejannuzi 4 years ago 3
Jimmy Page and Led Zep would have been proud of that opening guitar riff. I hadn't appreciated until now how mighty a song this is, and it is definately without doubt in the same league as Zeppelin.
sodacakeblues 4 years ago 3
Correct. It was about when Reagan came to Europe to convince it to put nukes on the continent to press the Soviets.
bfbjr 4 years ago 2
This is f***ing Legendary - i think in 1000 years time people will be appreciating Big Country even more than we do today ..
james007magic 4 years ago 4
Jeez - I haven't heard this for ages either. The older I get the more I love Big Country. Magnificent. The more I miss Stuart too. Rest in peace buddy.
sdhunterx 4 years ago 2
they were huge for a while.
patrick95212 4 years ago
Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful
james007magic 4 years ago
Possibly my favorite BC song, thanks. I have doubts that this was written about Ronald Reagan as jsuffolk1972 states. Please tell me why many people believe this is so. Where did this information originate? If it originated from Stuart, saying, "I wrote that song about Ronald Reagan", I'll believe it. But I've only heard critics and fans saying that is what it is about.
HumGuitar 4 years ago
the more i study the lyrics 2 this song the more i get it.its about Ronald Reagan.i have a live bootleg of this song n stuart says"should have heard the conversation we had b4 we came on stage!,WE'RE ALL BUYING NUCLEAR WEAPONS FROM AMERICAN ACTORS!""this is flame of the west"Ronald Reagan being an actor b4 a president.Stuart was a song writing genius.the lyrics just blow me away as the song does .
jsuffolk1972 4 years ago
loving it!! cheers!going 2 give it another listen now(thats 3 on the trot)cheers!
stay alive.
jsuffolk1972 4 years ago
thanks for posting! this was one of their best song! long live Big Country...Stuart u will be missed
nessun000 4 years ago
Super powerful song.Tons of new BC stuff on youtube lately!! I'm having a field day. Thanks for posting.You got my subscription.
tigeroak 4 years ago 2
Thanks, glad you like it :)
stayalive378 4 years ago
great song---thanks
krausy 4 years ago
another of my favs :)
666VooRHeeS 4 years ago