Heading South On The Great North Road

Album: 57th and 9th (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is inspired by the Great North Road, which is the main route out of Sting's home city of Newcastle. Sting told The Sun about this autobiographical track:

    "It's about my journey (from the North East) to make my fortune, which I share with people like Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Mark Knopfler, Bryan Ferry and The Animals."
  • This is one of two road songs on the 57th and 9th album; the other one, "Petrol Head" is about the mythic highway of the American West. Sting said:

    "In my young life I covered enough road miles in both of these locales to recall that relentless gravitational pull, the promise of a different kind of life just around the next bend!"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

TV Theme Songs

TV Theme SongsFact or Fiction

Was a Beatles song a TV theme? And who came up with those Fresh Prince and Sopranos songs?

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."