80’s at 8 Rockturnal With Scotty B Monday 04-17-23
SWITZERLAND – MAY 01 : Peter Schilling performs on stage at the Montreux Rock Festival held in Montreux, Switzerland in May 1984. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
The first track in tonight’s 80’s at 8 came from German artist Peter Schilling titled Major Tom (Coming Home).Major Tom (Coming Home) released in 1983. The song tells the story of an astronaut named Major Tom, who is on a space mission and loses contact with Earth. He drifts further and further into space, disconnected from humanity, until he decides to come back home. This Major Tom is unofficially related to David Bowies protagonist in his 1969 song Space Oddity. Major Tom (Coming Home) reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Major Tom (Coming Home)” is a beautiful and haunting song that explores the human experience in a powerful and meaningful way. It’s a testament to the power of music to connect us to each other and to the world around us, and its message of hope and redemption is as relevant today as it was when it was first released. You can watch the music video to Major Tom Coming Home by Peter Schilling below:
Big Country (mit Sänger Stuart Adamson) on 24.09.1986 in München / Munich. (Photo by Fryderyk Gabowicz/picture alliance via Getty Images)
The second track in tonight’s 80’s at 8 was from the Scottish band Big Country titled In A Big Country. It reached #3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #17 on the Billboard Hot 100 . It reached the top 20 in several countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada. The song begins with a distinctive guitar riff, played on a custom-made instrument that creates a unique sound, reminiscent of bagpipes. The riff is instantly recognizable and has become one of the most iconic guitar parts in rock music history. As the song progresses, lead vocalist Stuart Adamson sings about the challenges of life and the importance of staying true to oneself. He encourages listeners to embrace their dreams and to never give up, even when the going gets tough. Despite the song’s success, Big Country never quite achieved the level of fame and commercial success of some of their peers, such as U2 and The Police. However, “In a Big Country” remains a beloved classic, and the band’s legacy continues to live on. The song’s music video is also notable, featuring the band performing on a mountain top, with sweeping views of the Scottish countryside in the background. The video captures the spirit of the song perfectly, with its sweeping vistas and sense of adventure. You can watch the music video for In A Big Country by Big Country below:
