Big Country - We Could Laugh (Stuart and Bruce, 1981) Full length version.
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- When you think of the Big Country 'epics', tracks like 'Porrohman' or 'The Crossing' most probably spring to mind.
What might not be so apparent is that there is a Big Country 'epic' that pre-dates both of these songs.
When Stuart Adamson first got together with Bruce Watson and started writing songs in May and June of 1981, a room in the Townhill Community Centre in Dunfermline was used as a makeshift studio. There as just a duo and armed with guitars, drum machine, keyboard and a Tascam 4 track portastudio, they wrote and recorded the first 9 songs that would set the foundation of the new collaboration that would come be known as Big Country.
Harvest Home, Heart and Soul, Angle Park, Wake, Lost Patrol, We Could Laugh, Echoes, The Crossing and Inwards were those first 9 songs written and recorded.
Officially, only Harvest Home, Angle Park and We Could Laugh have been released. (The Crossing 30th Anniversary Deluxe CD)
'We Could Laugh' - the original 1981 recording was unreleased until it was first included on that 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition CD but its release there was a massive edit.
Whether it was down to the fact the quality is reasonably poor or time constraints on the CD, it was faded at 3min13sec from it's original 7min30sec version that you hear now and quite frankly, all the best bits lie in the second half of the song including a great solo and some very progressive keyboard work and programming the likes of which have to be heard to be appreciated.
This is truly a Big Country 'epic.' According to the timeline when this was written compared to any others, the first ever.
Celebrating 40 years of Big Country - 1981 to 2021.
Stay Alive!
I do not own copyright to this track, it is posted for educational purposes only. No monetary gain is made from the production or uploading of this video in any way.
Oh how we would run
All around the table
Lost in the summer sun
Catching jars of fables
Finding jewels in the trees
While the doors were growing smaller
Marking time with gifts
Oh how swiftly change positions
We could laugh
We could laugh
We could laugh
I can remember
I can remember
Oh how we would walk
Dragging days before us
Locked in a waltz of keys
As the jailer made his entry
Picking stars from the night
With a reckless indecision
Save a board and dice
For the rain will fall at wrong times
We could laugh
We could laugh
We could laugh
I can remember
I can remember
Colour cards in our eyes
We could dance a thousand hours
Hard without a thought
That such skirts would hang so heavy
In the echo of the wind
We could hear the strident seagulls
All forgetting the time when the grass
Would turn up so quickly
We could laugh
We could laugh
We could laugh
I can remember
I can remember
Very much the 'missing link' between the Skids and Big Country. a brilliant discovery, thanks for sharing!
Incredible that a song so wistful and reflecting on youth was written by a mere 22 year old...
It was absolutely wonderful listening to this. Stuart with some of his most poetic lines and such a tremendous mix of sounds. Thank you for sharing.
Thank U BC1000Star! It's so precious to the BC fans!
I always love U'r share with many information,👍👍👍 thanks again!
Chen佩如 You’re very welcome! I’m glad you like the clips. 🙂
You Never Dissapoint, A Rare And Heart Warming piece Of Pure Joy, Thanks Stu,/ Bruce, Priceless.
Thank you very much for this upload. Interesting to note that the line "such skirts would hang so heavy" was later recycled in "Chance" ! Another thing that always strikes me is how their songwriting matured as time went on. These early lyrics have a very imaginative component to them (if I may express it like that), compare Angle Parks' lyrics ("tongues stuck in jaw sad clowns parade"). Stuart went on to write about more everyday things later on. It's a bit sad there were not more songs like this one, it really makes fireworks go off in my brain ! :D
A very original sound. Pure, poetic and energetic it captivates you. Incredible this has been produced in the first month of Stuart's post-Skids time period. Thank you for presenting us this great find.
Cheers for the share
Stay Alive
An interesting development in the lyrical component of BC songs is to be witness right here from the earliest beginnings. I echo the thoughts of Daan Decimaal (comment underneath) that there is magic and imagination to be discovered in these lyrics, especially in the first songs - including this track “we could laugh”. Even though this composition has a rather mundane lyrical theme, magic and romance is to be found due to the frequent usage of romanticized metaphors - written in a contemplative form (Stuart's reflection on an event/memory). I agree that in the later BC years and its compositions, Stuart would tend towards introspection, which makes it less magical but much more emotional and tangible. Nevertheless, also these lyrics with deep content are thought provoking through the multitude of interpretations to be drawn from. Yet these lyrics were also steeped in metaphors (no longer romanticized as much though). Ponderous reflexive words prevailing (sin, darkness, soul etc). It demonstrates a clear psychological development, at least in my humble opinion. I just wanted to say I found the comment of Daan delightful to read and truly intriguing.As wmuch as I always enjoy your analysis of lyrics, songs and background stories to each individual post. Thank you Andy for your great contribution in keeping the BC spirit so alive!
Love this! I don't know where you find these gems BC1000Stars, but please keep 'em coming : )
Thanks for this 1000 Stars. And especially for including the lyrics and recording dates. This is BC DNA at its most pure. Perhaps the new line up could do a version.
That would be amazing! I would love to see that. Can we suggest it to them? I'm seeing them in November in Southend!
Thanks for uploading always nice to hear something abit different i really liked it ,can,t understand why they didn,t release it ,not too keen on the space ending but great find.
Thanks v much for uploading - it’s fascinating!
Maybe Bruce and Jamie could re-record this and use Stuart's vocal ?
Awesome I covered this on my channel