Where the Rose Is Sown
Where the Rose is Sown is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country,[3] released in 1984 as the second single from their second studio album Steeltown. It was written by Big Country and produced by Steve Lillywhite.[4] "Where the Rose Is Sown" peaked at No. 29 in the UK and No. 25 in Ireland.[5][6]
"Where the Rose Is Sown" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Big Country | ||||
from the album Steeltown | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released | 23 November 1984 (UK)[1] December 1984 (US)[2] | |||
Length | 4:13 | |||
Label | Mercury Vertigo (Canada) | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Adamson Mark Brzezicki Tony Butler Bruce Watson | |||
Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
Big Country singles chronology | ||||
|
A music video was filmed to promote the single. It received medium rotation on MTV.[7]
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."[8] 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."[9]
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."[10] Billboard stated: "Group's stirring strength is sadly buried in muddy sound."[11]
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".[12]
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
Personnel
- Big Country
- Stuart Adamson - vocals, guitar
- Bruce Watson - guitar
- Tony Butler - bass
- Mark Brzezicki - drums, percussion
- Production
- Steve Lillywhite - producer
- Will Gosling - engineer
- Other
- Brian Aris - sleeve photography
- Grant-Edwards Management - management
References
- "Big Country - Where The Rose Is Sown / Belief In The Small Man - Mercury - UK - MER 185". 45cat. 23 November 1984. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- "Big Country - Where The Rose Is Sown / Prairie Rose - Mercury - USA - 880 412-7". 45cat. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- "The Michigan Daily - December 6, 1984 - Big County - Steeltown". The Michigan Daily. 6 December 1984. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
- AllMusic Review by William Ruhlmann. "Steeltown - Big Country | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- "BIG COUNTRY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- Jaclyn Ward - Fireball Media Group - http://www.fireballmedia.ie. "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". Irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
- Billboard magazine - MTV Programming - December 8, 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 - December 8, 1984 - Reviews: singles - page 11
- Billboard magazine - Reviews: singles - December 15, 1984 - page 73
- "Steeltown - Record Collector Magazine". Recordcollectormag.com. Retrieved 4 April 2018.