Hinterland

Album: Hidden City (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • 'Hinterland' is a German word referring to an area behind a coast or the shoreline of a river. It is derived from 'hinter' ("behind") and 'land' ("land"). The term was first used in English in 1888 by George Chisholm in his book Handbook of Commercial Geography.
  • The Cult recorded this track for their Hidden City album. Stemming from the Spanish phrase "La Ciudad Oculta" or "hidden city," the record reflects an awakening of consciousness. "Hidden City is a metaphor for our spiritual lives, our intimate interior lives," explained frontman Ian Astbury. "I find today's gurus are trying to peddle some cure, product or insight as if it's a new phenomenon. My place is to respond, not react, to observe, participate and share through words and music. There is no higher authority than the heart."
  • The Cult filmed a haunting video for the track where a mysterious young woman enters a dream world: "'Hinterland' is a place both real and imagined, a hidden city symbolic of a new Rome," Astbury explained to Billboard magazine. "Through the eyes of several witnesses, we observe a young woman as she realizes her enlightened self in a dystopian dream world. 'Hinterland' is filled with symbolism, reflecting a new aeon in the shift of human consciousness as we realign with our planet's natural rhythms."
  • Ian Astbury explained the song's meaning to The Sun. "Hinterland is a place that's known and unknown. It's the power of nature. We're at a place in our evolution where we don't know what's going to happen. There's more conflict, the oceans are full of plastic... It goes back to the theme of existential spiritual crisis – the human condition."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Commercials

CommercialsFact or Fiction

Was "Ring Of Fire" really used to sell hemorrhoid cream?

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal Tap

The 10 Bands Most Like Spinal TapSong Writing

Based on criteria like girlfriend tension, stage mishaps and drummer turnover, these are the 10 bands most like Spinal Tap.

Adam Duritz of Counting Crows

Adam Duritz of Counting CrowsSongwriter Interviews

"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"

Dean Friedman - "Ariel"They're Playing My Song

Dean's saga began with "Ariel," a song about falling in love with a Jewish girl from New Jersey.