The Loneliest Place On The Map

Album: Sparks of Ancient Light (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In a November 2008 interview with Simon Barrett, Al said this song was about Queen Dido, but he kept reworking it and the emphasis changed. "Songs are fluid, songs should not be constrained, and songs should grow and change over time. Once you record it though, it is cast in stone. There are several songs that I play regularly, and when I play them I want to put my other words in. In fact when I am on stage I sometimes have to catch myself mid song, and force my other lyrics from my mind," he said.

    Queen Dido was the first Queen and in fact the founder of Carthage, but this is a song about modern times. Running to around 3 minutes 33 seconds, the big question is where is this place, perhaps some deserted French colony, or maybe some place in the nethermost reaches of the writer's mind? >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England

Comments: 1

  • Richard M. Weber from United StatesThe answer to the question about, "Where is this place?" is the Kerguelen Islands aka The Desolation Islands. It is sub-Antarctic in the South Indian Ocean and has roughly 50-100 people at any time doing research. The reference in the song to, "Over the southernmost ocean so cold. A small group of rocks, seagulls and ice" and "A paper in french from long ago. A finger that juts out into the foam" which are references to is being French and the coastline which has many isthmuses that jab out into the sea like fingers.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Annie Haslam of Renaissance

Annie Haslam of RenaissanceSongwriter Interviews

The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger

Kelly Keagy of Night RangerSongwriter Interviews

Kelly Keagy of Night Ranger tells the "Sister Christian" story and explains why he started sweating when he saw it in Boogie Nights.

AC/DC

AC/DCFact or Fiction

Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Joan Armatrading

Joan ArmatradingSongwriter Interviews

The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."