Formation

Stuart Adamson assembled Big Country in 1981 after his departure from The Skids, a Dunfermline post-punk band that cut multiple singles and the 1979–80 Virgin albums Scared to Dance, Days in Europa, and The Absolute Game.

For his new band, Adamson first recruited multi-string player Bruce Watson and Spizzenergi drummer Clive Parker. He invited Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen, who declined. With bassist Alan Wishart and his keyboardist brother Peter (future Runrig), Big Country rehearsed in a Ladbroke Grove space owned by the Skids’ Virgin label-mates The Members. The core lineup of Adamson, Parker, and Watson demoed material for CBS Records.

1982

Big Country opened two February 1982 dates in Brighton and Birmingham for Alice Cooper‘s Special Forces. In June, Adamson and Parker cut their first single with bassist Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki: the rhythm section on the 1980 WEA pomp-rock single “Ready for Action” by On The Air, which also featured (future Roman Holliday) keyboardist Adrian York and singer Simon Townshend, the younger brother of Pete Townshend.

The Big Country lineup of Adamson, Watson, Butler, and Brzezicki lasted seven years and four studio albums.

On September 24, 1982, Big Country released their debut single: “Harvest Home” backed with “Balcony,” both Adamson compositions. The 12″ contains a third track, “Flag of Nations (Swimming).” 

B1. “Balcony” (-)
B2. “Flag of Nations (Swimming)” (-)

Big Country recorded the single with producer Chris Thomas, a recent Pretenders soundman with prior credits behind Roxy Music, The Sex Pistols, and Pete Townshend’s 1980 solo album Empty Glass.

Thomas produced early versions of four additional Big Country songs: “1000 Stars,” “Lost Patrol,” “Inwards,” and “Close Action.” Though tapped for their first album, the band soon parted ways with Thomas.

1983

On Febrary 18, 1983, Big Country released their second single: “Fields of Fire,” a taster from their upcoming album backed with “Angle Park,” a group-credited exclusive.

B. “Angle Park” (4:08)

“Fields of Fire” marked their first collaboration with Steve Lillywhite, a decorated new wave soundman behind late-Seventies recordings by Ultravox, Penetration, Siouxsie and the Banshees, XTC, and recent titles by U2, Peter Gabriel, Thompson Twins, and The Psychedelic Furs. Big Country co-produced “Angle Park” with Steve Churchyard, a recent Stranglers soundman.

“Fields of Fire” reached No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

On May 19, they released the self-referential “In a Big Country,” which became their theme song. Lillywhite produced the song and its exclusive b-side, “All of Us,” which dropped as sessions wrapped on their first album. 

B. “All of Us” (4:09)

The music video for “In a Big Country” follows the band members on a playful treasure hunt, constantly outwitted by a rival female adventurer across various scenic landscapes, from the ruins of Corfe Castle to the waters of Swanage Bay. Despite their persistent efforts, including comedic mishaps and underwater searches, it’s the woman who ultimately leads them to the hidden treasure, hinting at a pre-existing relationship. Interspersed performance shots of the band provide a dynamic visual accompaniment to this lighthearted pursuit.

“In a Big Country” reached No. 7 in Australia, No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart, and peaked just outside the Irish Top 20.

The Crossing

Big Country released their debut album, The Crossing, on July 15, 1983, on Mercury Records.

The album contains ten group-written songs, including their two recent a-sides (“Harvest Home,” “In a Big Country”) and their fourth single, “Chance.” The Crossing also includes new versions of their first single (“Harvest Home”) and the yet-unreleased 1982 songs “1000 Stars,” “Lost Patrol,” “Inwards,” and “Close Action.” Two epic numbers, “The Storm” and “Porrohman,” close sides A and B, respectively.

Stuart Adamson plays piano and interlocks with Bruce Watson on guitar and e-bow, an electronic string-vibration device that helped them create their signature ‘bagpipe’ guitar sound. Watson provides vocal backing along with bassist Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki. Scottish singer Christine Beveridge (39 Lyon Street, Orbidöig) provides auxiliary backing.

A1. “In a Big Country” (4:44)
A2. “Inwards” (4:36)
A3. “Chance” (4:26)
A4. “1000 Stars” (3:50)
A5. “The Storm” (6:19)

B1. “Harvest Home” (4:19)
B2. “Lost Patrol” (4:52)
B3. “Close Action” (4:15)
B4. “Fields of Fire (400 Miles)” (3:31)
B5. “Porrohman” (7:52)

Sessions occurred in May 1983 at Richard Branson’s Manor mansion in Oxfordshire. Further work took place at Mickie Most’s RAK studio in central London. Steve Lillywhite produced The Crossing between U2’s third album (War) and the seventh Simple Minds album, Sparkle In the Rain — a sequence later recognized as Lillywhite’s ‘Celtic trilogy.’ His earlier assistant on Talk Talk Talk, Will Gosling, engineered The Crossing amid work with Kim Wilde and Paul McCartney.

The cover features a compass motif above the band’s distinctive logo, symbolizing journey and direction, and incorporates a Scottish thistle, explicitly linking Big Country to their heritage and Celtic musical influences. The primary version of the cover features a blue background with embossed silver foil for the designs, while a variant exists with a red-backed gold symbol, reportedly inspired by playing cards with Guinness harp logos. The striking and iconic visual identity was designed by J. B. & Q. Branch (Jeremy Bird), a firm also credited on sleeves for Adam Ant and Tears for Fears, with photography by Paul Cox, known for his work with bands like The Bluebells, Thompson Twins, and Wang Chung.

In August 1983, Big Country released an alternate version of “Chance” (4:37) backed with “The Crossing,” the name-sake album’s omitted title track.

B. “The Crossing” (7:10)

“Chance” reached No. 14 in Benelux, No. 18 in New Zealand, and No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Crossing reached No. 3 on the UK Albums Chart, No. 8 in Zealand Albums, and No. 11 in the Netherlands.

In North America, The Crossing peaked at No. 4 in Canada and No. 18 on the US Billboard 200. MTV rotation of “In a Big Country” fueled their breakthrough in America, where the song reached No. 3 on the Top Rock Tracks chart (No. 17, Billboard Hot 100) and made Big Country part of the Second British Invasion.

1984

On January 13, 1984, Big Country released the standalone single “Wonderland,” released on standard 7″ and extended 12″ with another exclusive, “Giant.”

A. “Wonderland” (3:52 / 7:00)

B1. “Giant” (3:56 / 5:00)

Big Country recorded the single in late 1983 with Steve Lillywhite.  They filmed the video for “Wonderland” in November 1983 in the Mount Hood area outside Portland, Oregon, chosen for its resemblance to the band’s native Scottish Highlands. It primarily features the band performing the song in a wooded, outdoor setting, emphasizing their raw energy and signature guitar sound. The video captures the sense of innocence and wonder inherent in the song, with visual elements reflecting the lyrical themes of belief and human connection.

“Wonderland” reached No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart.

Steeltown

Big Country released their second album, Steeltown, on October 1, 1984, on Mercury Records.

The album contains ten group-composed songs with lyrics by Stuart Adamson. He again interlocks on guitar and e-bow with Bruce Watson, who adds mandolin to the mix.

Steeltown includes Big County’s fifth single, “East of Eden,” and the subsequent singles “Where the Rose Is Sown” and “Just a Shadow.”

A1. “Flame of the West” (5:01)
A2. “East of Eden” (4:29)
A3. “Steeltown” (4:39)
A4. “Where the Rose Is Sown” (4:58)
A5. “Come Back to Me” (4:35)

B1. “Tall Ships Go” (4:38)
B2. “Girl with Grey Eyes” (4:47)
B3. “Rain Dance” (4:19)
B4. “The Great Divide” (4:50)
B5. “Just a Shadow” (5:38)

Sessions occurred between March and July 1984 at RAK, London, and Polar Studios in Stockholm, Sweden. and RAK Studios in London, where Steve Lillywhite produced Steeltown between the second Post-ABBA album by Frida Lyngstad (Shine) and the sole solo outing by former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton (Touch Sensitive). Will Gosling engineered Steeltown and Touch Sensitive amid work with The Adventures, Danse Society, and Orange Juice.

Steeltown appeared in a sleeve designed by Jeremy Bird, featuring photography by Brian Aris. The cover depicts industrial decay with a soaring factory chimney silhouetted against a dramatic, often stark sky, symbolizing the album’s themes of working-class struggle and economic hardship.

“East of Eden” appeared in September as the album’s lead single backed with the Roxy Music cover “Prairie Rose.”

The video for “East of Eden” depicts dramatic scenes of rural life, tension, and loss (culminating in a funeral) in 1952 Scotland. Between the monochrome period scenes, the band perform in color amid bright lights and quick cuts, which emphasize the song’s rhythm and emotion. “East of Eden” reached No. 12 in Ireland and No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.

In November 1984, Big Country lifted “Where the Rose Is Sown” backed with the non-album “Belief In the Small Man.” In January 1985, “Just a Shadow” became the third Steeltown single, backed with the exclusive “Winter Sky.”

B. “Belief In the Small Man” (-)

B. “Winter Sky” (-)

Steeltown reached No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart, No. 12 in Norway, and No. 15 in New Zealand.

The Seer

Big Country released their third album, The Seer, on July 14, 1986, on Mercury Records.

Of the album’s ten originals, Stuart Adamson lone-wrote “Eiledon,” “Red Fox,” and the singles “Look Away,” “The Teacher,” and “Hold the Heart.” He co-wrote songs with bassist Tony Butler (“One Great Thing”), drummer Mark Brzezicki (“Sailor”), and both (“I Walk the Hill”).

Guitarist Bruce Watson triples on mandolin and sitar. He collaborated with Adamson on “Remembrance Day” and the title track, which features Kate Bush on backing vocals.

The Seer features the core lineup supplemented by backing vocalist June Miles-Kingston, the onetime Mo-dettes drummer and recent sidewoman for Fun Boy Three and Everything but the Girl. Shakin’ Pyramids percussionist (and early Cuban Heel) Davie Duncan guests on the bodhrán, an Irish frame drum.

A1. “Look Away” (4:23)
A2. “The Seer” (5:26)
A3. “The Teacher” (4:05)
A4. “I Walk the Hill” (3:30)
A5. “Eiledon” (5:35)

B1. “One Great Thing” (4:00)
B2. “Hold the Heart” (6:04)
B3. “Remembrance Day” (4:28)
B4. “Red Fox” (4:09)
B5. “Sailor” (4:52)

Sessions occurred (November 1985 – February 1986) at Power Plant and RAK Studios in London, with original production by Robin Millar, additional production and mixing by Walter Turbitt, and engineering by Will Gosling.

The Seer appeared in a sleeve designed by Julian Balme, with illustration by David Da Silva.

In April 1986, “Look Away” was released as a single backed with “Restless Natives,” also released as a double-7″ with “Margo’s Theme” and “Highland Scenery.”

B. “Restless Natives” (4:00)
C. “Margo’s Theme” (3:42)
D. “Highland Scenery” (4:06)

“The Teacher” followed as the June 1986 second single with the non-album “Home Came the Angels.” In September, “One Great Thing” became the third single with a fifth Seer-era outtake, “Song of the South.” In November, “Hold the Heart” became the fourth and final single, backed with a live cover of the Rolling Stones classic “Honky Tonk Woman.”

B. “Home Came the Angels” (2:07)

B. “Song of the South” (3:49)

The Seer reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart, No. 7 on the New Zealand Albums Chart, and No. 8 on the Dutch Albums Chart.

Peace in Our Time

Big Country released their fourth album, Peace in Our Time, on September 23, 1988, on Mercury Records.

This was the last of four albums by the classic lineup of Stuart Adamson, Bruce Watson, bassist Tony Butler, and drummer Mark Brzezicki.

Adamson composed everything apart from the group-written “Time for Leaving” and two songs (“Thousand Yard Stare,” “I Could Be Happy Here”) co-written by Watson, who plays harmonica, mandolin, sitar, second guitar, and e-bow.

Peace in Our Time features two auxiliary keyboardists: Diamond Head alumnus Josh Phillips and Austrian journeyman Peter Wolf, the onetime Gipsy Love organist. His then-wife and Vienna partner Ina Wolf appears as a backing vocalist alongside Donna Davidson, Maxine Anderson, and Merry Clayton.

1. “King of Emotion” (4:50)
2. “Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)” (5:10)
3. “Thousand Yard Stare” (3:57)
4. “From Here to Eternity” (4:54)
5. “Everything I Need” (4:39)
6. “Peace in Our Time” (4:34)
7. “Time for Leaving” (5:01)
8. “River of Hope” (4:29)
9. “In This Place” (4:21)
10. “I Could Be Happy Here” (4:28)

Sessions spanned March through June 1988 at 41B Studios in Westlake Village, California, where Peter Wolf produced Peace in Our Time amid projects with Boz Scaggs and Kenny Loggins.

“King of Emotion” appeared in August 1988 as the lead single, backed with “The Travellers,” a self-produced Adamson exclusive.

B. “The Travellers” (3:13)

In November, “Broken Heart (Thirteen Valleys)” became the second single backed with “Soapy Soutar Strikes Back.” The maxi-version contain two additional non-album songs. 

B. “Soapy Soutar Strikes Back” (-)
B1: “When a Drum Beats” (5:01)
B2: “On the Shore” (-)

In January 1989, Big Country lifted “Peace in Our Time” backed with “Promised Land (The R.E.L. Tapes)” and two additional maxi-only songs.

B. “Promised Land (The R.E.L. Tapes)” (-)
B1: “Over the Border” (-)
B2: “The Longest Day” (6:36)

Peace in Our Time reached No. 22 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 59 on the US Billboard 200.

Discography:

• The Crossing (1983)
  
• Steeltown (1984)
  
• The Seer (1986)
  
• Peace in Our Time (1988)
  
• No Place Like Home (1991)
  
• The Buffalo Skinners (1993)
  
• Why the Long Face (1995)
  
• Driving to Damascus (1999)
  
• The Journey (2013)

Sources:

• Discogs: Big Country
  
• 45cat: Big Country