Northwestern Skies

Album: The Place We Ran From (2010)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Tired Pony is a music supergroup formed by Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody out of his love for Country music. The band consists of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck on guitar, Belle And Sebastian drummer Richard Colburn, Troy Stewart, a regular touring member of Snow Patrol, Iain Archer, a long-time Snow Patrol collaborator; producer Garret "Jacknife" Lee (U2, Bloc Party) and Scott McCaughey, R.E.M.'s full-time auxiliary member since 1994.
  • Lightbody explained to Uncut magazine August 2010 that The Place We Run From "was inspired by a renewed love of Country music over the last few years. New Country and me have been pals for a long time. This was Old Country - Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers and Waylon Jennings; all these records that I grew up with, but which I kept at arm's length. The concept of Tired Pony was of a worn-out cowboy. But when we got into the studio, I didn't tell them I wanted to make a Country record. We just made the record that we were supposed to make."
  • This song sets the action of the record inside a "crumble down cinema" as a pair of young lovers shelter from a cyclone. "We can hide where we always hide," Lightbody sings, "on the blank screen project our lives."
    The young lovers later return later on the record in the seven minute ballad "Held In The Arms of Your Words."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.

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."

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be GiantsSongwriter Interviews

Who writes a song about a name they found in a phone book? That's just one of the everyday things these guys find to sing about. Anything in their field of vision or general scope of knowledge is fair game. If you cross paths with them, so are you.