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

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

JJ Burnel of The Stranglers

JJ Burnel of The StranglersSongwriter Interviews

JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.