"East of Eden" | ||||
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Single by Big Country | ||||
from the album Steeltown | ||||
Released | 21 September 1984 (UK) [1] | |||
Length | 4:10 | |||
Label | Mercury | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Adamson Mark Brzezicki Tony Butler Bruce Watson | |||
Producer(s) | Steve Lillywhite | |||
Big Country singles chronology | ||||
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"East of Eden" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1984 as the lead single from their second studio album Steeltown . It was written by Big Country and produced by Steve Lillywhite. [2] [1] "East of Eden" reached No. 17 in the UK, [3] and No. 12 in Ireland. [4]
Speaking to Number One in 1984, Adamson said of the song: "It's a questioning song, a song about always having to look for any hope or inspiration." [5] A music video was filmed in Glasgow to promote the single, directed by Mike Brady. [5] The single's B-side, "Prairie Rose", is a cover of the 1974 song by Roxy Music. [1]
Upon release, Karen Swayne of Number One said: ""East of Eden" is as powerful and majestic as anything they've done." [6] Vici MacDonald of Smash Hits commented: "The production on this record is truly awful. The instruments blur into one muddy, thrashing mass, completely submerging any hapless tune which might be struggling to escape." [1]
Chart (1984) | Peak position |
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Irish Singles Chart [4] | 12 |
New Zealand Singles Chart [7] | 41 |
UK Singles Chart [3] | 17 |