North Star

Album: The Far Field (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Balearic-sounding track is based on a long distance relationship that Future Islands frontman Samuel Herring had in 2016. "Falling in love with someone who lives thousands of miles away is the only way I've known how to fall in love for the last few years of my life, he told Q Magazine. "I've been here before. Then you ask those questions: 'Why do you put yourself in that position? Why can't you fall in love with someone who lives up the street?'"
  • Stranded in Baltimore because of a snowstorm, Herring cannot fly to his long-distance lover. The North Star doesn't appear in the lyrics, but it represents a symbol of hope and direction as he drives across the country to be with her.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

John Waite

John WaiteSongwriter Interviews

"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.

Joe Jackson

Joe JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.

Howard Jones

Howard JonesSongwriter Interviews

Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"

Neal Smith - "I'm Eighteen"They're Playing My Song

With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.