Peace in Our Time (Big Country song)

Last updated
"Peace in Our Time"
Big Country Peace in Our Time 1989 single cover.jpg
Single by Big Country
from the album Peace in Our Time
B-side "Promised Land"
Released23 January 1989 [1]
Length4:33
Label Mercury
Reprise (US)
Vertigo (Canada)
Songwriter(s) Stuart Adamson
Producer(s) Peter Wolf
Big Country singles chronology
"Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)"
(1988)		"Peace in Our Time"
(1989)		"Save Me"
(1990)

"Peace in Our Time" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1989 as the third and final single from their fourth studio album Peace in Our Time (1988). It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Peter Wolf. "Peace in Our Time" reached number 39 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks. [2]

Contents

Background

In a 1990 interview with Melody Maker , Adamson described "Peace in Our Time" as a "very Sixties feel protest song, naive but I did it anyway." [3] He added in an interview with Sounds , "I do feel music can be more than a three-minute adrenaline rush, but there's a great danger in viewing a song with too much weight. 'Peace in Our Time' was written with irony, but you can be too smart-assed for your own good. It was called a plea for peace when it was really much smaller than that." [4]

Release

"Peace in Our Time" was released in the UK on 23 January 1989. [1] On 30 January, a limited edition version of the single was issued on 12-inch vinyl. [5] It contains four tracks which were recorded live at the Palace of Sports, Moscow, on 2 October 1988. [6]

Critical reception

Upon its release as a single, Tony Beard of Record Mirror commented, "This is a grand record, all large guitar solos, awesome power chords and a lyric that could set East-West relations back a few eons if ever the powers that be hear it." [7] As guest reviewers for Number One , Simon Tedd and Shark of Big Bam Boo gave the song three stars and described it as "just another Big Country record" but one that's "good for fans". [8]

Paul Taylor of the Manchester Evening News gave a mixed review. He considered it to be "more like the Big Country of old, if only because of the martial drum beat", but felt the song "is barely equal to its subject matter" and concluded that it was "sure to sound better in concert". [9] Caren Myers of Melody Maker wrote, "This is so ponderously well-meaning it practically grinds to a halt. No tiny gossamer wings could lift this concrete hippopotamus of a single off the ground." [10]

In a review of Peace in Our Time, Peter B. King of The Pittsburgh Press noted the song's "anthemic chorus" and described it as "catchy as the cold going around this newsroom". [11] Brett Milano of The Boston Globe considered the song a "chunky rocker" which "recall[s] better days". [12]

Track listing

7-inch single

  1. "Peace in Our Time" – 4:33
  2. "Promised Land" (The R.E.L. Tapes) – 5:39

7-inch single (UK promo)

  1. "Peace in Our Time" (Radio Edit) – 3:26
  2. "Peace in Our Time" – 4:33

12-inch single

  1. "Peace in Our Time" – 4:33
  2. "Promised Land" (The R.E.L. Tapes) – 5:39
  3. "Over the Border" (The R.E.L. Tapes) – 5:17
  4. "The Longest Day" (The R.E.L. Tapes) – 6:36

12-inch single (UK limited edition)

  1. "Peace in Our Time" (Live) – 5:01
  2. "Chance" (Live) – 5:46
  3. "In a Big Country" (Live) – 4:08
  4. "Promised Land" (Live) – 4:52

CD single

  1. "Peace in Our Time" – 4:33
  2. "Chance" – 4:25
  3. "The Longest Day" (The R.E.L. Tapes) – 6:36
  4. "Promised Land" (The R.E.L. Tapes) – 5:39

CD single (US promo)

  1. "Peace in Our Time" – 4:33

Personnel

Big Country

Production

Charts

Chart (1989)Peak
position
Irish Singles Chart [13] 16
UK Singles Chart [2] 39

Related Research Articles

<i>The Circus</i> (Erasure album) 1987 studio album by Erasure

The Circus is the second studio album by the English synth-pop duo Erasure, released on 30 March 1987 by Mute Records in Germany and the United Kingdom and on 7 July 1987 by Sire Records in the United States. It was Erasure's second consecutive album to be produced by Flood.

<i>Peace in Our Time</i> (Big Country album) 1988 studio album by Big Country

Peace in Our Time is the fourth studio album by Scottish band Big Country, released in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People Are People</span> 1984 single by Depeche Mode

"People Are People" is a song by English electronic music band Depeche Mode, released on 12 March 1984 as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Some Great Reward (1984). Recorded at Hansa Mischraum in West Berlin, it was the band's first top-20 single in the United States, peaking at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Don't Want Your Love</span> 1988 single by Duran Duran

"I Don't Want Your Love" is the seventeenth single from Duran Duran and the first single from the Big Thing album. It was released in September 1988. As with the album, the band's name was rendered on the artwork as Duranduran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Country</span> Scottish rock band

Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn My Back on You</span> 1988 single by Sade

"Turn My Back on You" is a song by English band Sade from their third studio album, Stronger Than Pride (1988). It was released as the album's fourth single on 14 November 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7 Year Bitch (song)</span> 1985 single by Slade

"7 Year Bitch" is a song by English rock band Slade, released in 1985 as the second single from their twelfth studio album Rogues Gallery. The song was written by lead vocalist Noddy Holder and bassist Jim Lea, and was produced by John Punter. It reached number 60 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save Me (Big Country song)</span> 1990 single by Big Country

"Save Me" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1990 as a single from their compilation album Through a Big Country: Greatest Hits. The song was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Tim Palmer. It reached number 41 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King of Emotion</span> 1988 single by Big Country

"King of Emotion" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1988 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Peace in Our Time. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Peter Wolf. "King of Emotion" reached number 16 in the UK Singles Chart. In the US, it reached number 11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 20 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ships (Where Were You)</span> 1993 single by Big Country

"Ships (Where Were You)" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, written by Stuart Adamson (lyrics, music) and Bruce Watson (music). The song was originally recorded for and included on the band's fifth studio album No Place Like Home (1991). It was then re-recorded for their following album, The Buffalo Skinners (1993), and released as the album's second single. "Ships (Where Were You)" reached number 29 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 75 for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)</span> 1988 single by Big Country

"Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1988 as the second single from their fourth studio album Peace in Our Time. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Peter Wolf. "Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)" reached number 47 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republican Party Reptile (song)</span> 1991 single by Big Country

"Republican Party Reptile" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released by Vertigo in 1991 as an extended play from their fifth studio album No Place Like Home. It was written by Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson, and produced by Pat Moran. The "Republican Party Reptile" EP reached No. 37 in the UK and remained in the charts for two weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hold the Heart</span> 1986 single by Big Country

"Hold the Heart" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1986 as the fourth and final single from their third studio album The Seer. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Robin Millar. "Hold the Heart" reached number 55 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful People (Big Country song)</span> 1991 single by Big Country

"Beautiful People" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in 1991 as the second and final single from their fifth studio album No Place Like Home. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Pat Moran. "Beautiful People" reached No. 72 on the UK Singles Chart, and No. 36 on the BBC's Heavy Metal/Rock chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heart of the World (song)</span> 1990 single by Big Country

"Heart of the World" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country, released in 1990 as a non-album single. It was written by Stuart Adamson and produced by Tim Palmer. "Heart of the World" reached number 50 on the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for three weeks.

<i>Non!</i> (Big Country EP) 1995 EP by Big Country

Non! is an extended play by Scottish rock band Big Country, which was released in the UK in 1995 as an action awareness record for Greenpeace. Non! reached No. 77 in the UK Singles Chart in December 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Big One (Black song)</span> 1988 single by Black

"The Big One" is a song by English singer-songwriter Black, which was released by A&M in 1988 as the lead single from his second studio album Comedy. The song was written by Black and produced by Dave "Dix" Dickie. "The Big One" reached number 54 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for four weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Up Escalator</span> 1989 single by Love and Money

"Up Escalator" is a song by Scottish band Love and Money, which was released in 1989 as the fourth and final single from their second studio album Strange Kind of Love (1988). The song was written by James Grant and produced by Gary Katz. "Up Escalator" reached number 79 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the Top 100 for two weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Days Are OK</span> 1980 song by the Motels

"Days Are OK", also known as "Days Are OK (But the Nights Were Made for Love)", is a song by American new wave band The Motels, which was released in 1980 as the first single from their second studio album Careful. The song was written by Tim McGovern and produced by Carter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dear John (Love and Money song)</span> 1986 single by Love and Money

"Dear John" is a song by Scottish band Love and Money, released in 1986 as the second single from their debut studio album All You Need Is.... The song was written by James Grant and produced by Tom Dowd.

References

  1. 1 2 Robin Smith, ed. (21 January 1989). "News: On the Peace". Record Mirror . p. 4. ISSN   0144-5804.
  2. 1 2 "BIG COUNTRY; full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Quotes on Big Country Songs..." Stuart Adamson. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
  4. ↑ "All of Us Volume 4 Issue 1 - Page 10". Bigcountryinfo.com. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Robin Smith, ed. (28 January 1989). "News: Releases". Record Mirror . p. 6. ISSN   0144-5804.
  6. ↑ "Peace In Our Time (Recorded Live In Russia)". Bigcountryinfo.com. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Beard, Tony (11 February 1989). "45". Record Mirror .
  8. ↑ Simon Tedd; Shark (1 February 1989). "Spot the spin". Number One .
  9. ↑ "Reviews: Singles" . Manchester Evening News . 31 January 1989. p. 36. Retrieved 7 August 2023– via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ↑ Myers, Caren (28 January 1989). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 32.
  11. ↑ King, Peter B. (4 December 1988). "Big Country's latest album well-crafted". The Pittsburgh Press .
  12. ↑ Milano, Brett (3 November 1988). "Recordings". The Boston Globe .
  13. ↑ "The Irish Charts - All there is to know". The Irish Charts. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.