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The Dream Academy — Life In A Northern Town
Album: The Dream Academy
Avg rating:
7.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2702









Released: 1985
Length: 4:11
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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A Salvation Army band played
And the children drank lemonade
And the morning lasted all day, all day
And through an open window came
Like Sinatra in a younger day
Pushing the town away, ah

Ah hey, ma ma ma
Life in a northern town

They sat on the stony ground
And he took a cigarette out
And everyone else came down to listen
He said, "In winter 1963
It felt like the world would freeze
With John F. Kennedy and the Beatles"

Ah hey, ma ma ma
Life in a northern town
Ah hey, ma ma ma
All the work shut down

The evening had turned to rain
Watch the water roll down the drain
As we followed him down to the station
And though he never would wave goodbye
You could see it written in his eyes
As the train rolled out of sight, bye-bye

Ah hey, ma ma ma
Life in a northern town
Ah hey, ma ma ma
Life in a northern town
Comments (195)add comment
Check out Dario G and his club version to this - Synchime - excellent
Posted 2 weeks ago by rgillard    [ Reply ]
College. Would drag a palm plant into the bathroom, fill the tub and put blue food coloring in and listen to this song over and over and over. A Caribbean experience in N. Cal….drove my roommate crazy. Accounting majors are an odd breed - says the guy in the blue bath with the palm plant.
Posted 3 weeks ago by SkyWhip    [ Reply ]
 dmcanany wrote:

I was 10 when this came out and got a lot of radio play. Kind of makes my heart ache hearing it. Beautiful song, but, even more, nostalgic for me. 



I'd just finished compulsory education and had started A Levels (16) in the UK. The world was a VERY different place, seems like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once. Definitely agree on the heart ache, would go back in a second...
Posted 6 months ago by glowworm    [ Reply ]
Produced by David Gilmour. 
Posted 7 months ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
This song was in heavy rotation on my local radio station when I was 8. I heard before school most days and it put me in a relaxed,  positive mood.  43 years later it has the same effect. 
Posted 9 months ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
 Aud wrote:


Northern town? Anywhere in Minnesota


Somewhere near Denmark in my case. Probably Flensburg ?
There's always some northern town.
Posted 9 months ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
 bctreefarmer wrote:

I know us canadians don't have a lock on northern towns, and it wasn't written about "our North" but I always felt like it was.  Thumbs up to dmcananay whose comment about "makes my heart ache" resonated with me. 



Northern town? Anywhere in Minnesota
Posted 10 months ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
This is their biggest hit that people recognize (this was high school for me).  But, they have a far better song on this album, "The Edge of Forever", that you've most likely heard but didn't realize was them.  In the movie Ferris Bueller's day off, this is the song that plays when Ferris drops Sloane off just before he starts running home.  The album is actually pretty good overall too, at least as an example for the music of the time.
Posted 11 months ago by keymaster    [ Reply ]
Sitting here reading when this caught my attention, thought it was a Beach Boys tune I'd never heard. Very nice!
Posted 11 months ago by ImaOldman    [ Reply ]
 dmcanany wrote:

I was 10 when this came out and got a lot of radio play. Kind of makes my heart ache hearing it. Beautiful song, but, even more, nostalgic for me. 



Agreed. It seemed nostalgic at the time. Perhaps that's why I recall it fondly. 
Posted 1 year ago by AndyR    [ Reply ]
Nostalgic!  Brings me back to listening to this before school in 3rd grade.  Life was so easy then
Posted 1 year ago by nelsonha    [ Reply ]
That line “With John F Kennedy…and The Beatles (yeah yeah yeah)” then the screaming…it’s so perfect. Gives me chills.
Posted 1 year ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
 bctreefarmer wrote:

I know us canadians don't have a lock on northern towns, and it wasn't written about "our North" but I always felt like it was.  Thumbs up to dmcananay whose comment about "makes my heart ache" resonated with me. 



As a teen in Buffalo, NY in the 1980's, I always thought of being in a northern town; so many grey days.  Everything is relative.
This song takes me back to that place and time.  Will always be a favorite.
Posted 1 year ago by tisha510    [ Reply ]
I know us canadians don't have a lock on northern towns, and it wasn't written about "our North" but I always felt like it was.  Thumbs up to dmcananay whose comment about "makes my heart ache" resonated with me. 
Posted 2 years ago by bctreefarmer    [ Reply ]
I remember a version of this song was used in the mid-2000 in a cruise line commercial.  Given the content of the song, this shows how tone-deaf advertisers and marketers are.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
Good Tune! I haven't heard it in a long time A hey, a ma ma ma!.  Thanx RP
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
 Rollie_32 wrote:

Sounds like Mama, I'm coming home, Ozzy Osbourne.



Nice catch.  Yes, they are close cousins, if not step siblings. 
Posted 2 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
Sounds like Mama, I'm coming home, Ozzy Osbourne.
Posted 2 years ago by Rollie_32    [ Reply ]
I can't hear this song without thinking of my dorm hall at SUNY Potsdam in the mid-80s. It is rare that a song is so anchored in a time and place for me.
Posted 2 years ago by NotShakespeare    [ Reply ]
Great interview with Nick Clowes about the creation of this song. How Paul Simon, the Beatles, Nick Drake and David Gilmour all played a part:
https://youtu.be/ymH7fH7Ip7U
Posted 2 years ago by phlattop    [ Reply ]
How timely today, Nov 22...
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Great song pick for the day the trains to Glasgow ain't running on the rush to get to a northern town. 
Posted 3 years ago by Grayson    [ Reply ]
Maybe this isn't their best song, honestly, I don't think I've heard anything else from them. But when I hear the opening I'm instantly 11 or 12 years old,  hearing the synth for the first time, thinking "What is this MAGIC"
Posted 3 years ago by bctreefarmer    [ Reply ]
The atmospherics in this track are outstanding.  The interplay of the theatrics between the instruments and the vocals is really quite amazing...

Pretty great stuff given the era of its release...mid 80's...some pretty cringy stuff in those crazy-haired days...
Posted 3 years ago by sfoster66    [ Reply ]
 Jelani wrote:

What's that supposed to mean?

"Sung by a bunch of southerners..."

My hunch - 

Most likely a cheeky reference to the geographic location of London relative to the rest of the UK....    (The Dream Academy originated in London)
Posted 3 years ago by radiotoe    [ Reply ]
wow. haven't listened for this great tune for a long time. one of my fav on the radio back then
ty RP
Posted 3 years ago by luisaa72    [ Reply ]
Always stops me in my tracks and sends me back to hearing this on KBCO that magical summer and fall...  I think that this is a really special sound they had going here in this! Such a dreamy atmosphere and lovely arrangement, helped well by David Gilmour's incredible musical sensibilities and expert production.
Posted 3 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Bill... are you ok?  Who put you up to this?  No more Dream Academy- please!
Posted 3 years ago by garyclark663    [ Reply ]
some songs just make me literally buzz, this is one
Posted 3 years ago by jkforde    [ Reply ]
My junior year of high school… nice happy poppy jangles
Posted 3 years ago by tm    [ Reply ]
So much love for this song. That's a good thing. 
Posted 3 years ago by nomnol    [ Reply ]
Crushingly beautiful. Makes my heart ache in a soft, slow burn sort of way. 
Posted 3 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
 johnnyhardiman wrote:
..sung by a bunch of Southerners
 
What's that supposed to mean?
Posted 3 years ago by Jelani    [ Reply ]
..sung by a bunch of Southerners
Posted 3 years ago by johnnyhardiman    [ Reply ]
I love this song. When we get to the part where they mention the Beatles and you hear the fans screaming, I get chills.
Posted 3 years ago by talexb    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

They had some radical radio stations in Miami back then. Now if you said that about a Cowboy Junkies song I'd believe it 
 
Hey!  I like Cowboy Junkies!


Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:


Nope, God's honest truth, man.
 
They had some radical radio stations in Miami back then. Now if you said that about a Cowboy Junkies song I'd believe it 
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:

What are you talking about? I've never heard a DJ complain on air that they have to play a certain song. Great way to get canned quickly. You're full of it, man.
 

Nope, God's honest truth, man.
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
 jelgator wrote:
This song is, and has always been, terrible.  I remember listening to rock radio back in Miami when I was growing up, and the DJ's actually were complaining about having to play it.  Why was it pushed on us so hard?
 
What are you talking about? I've never heard a DJ complain on air that they have to play a certain song. Great way to get canned quickly. You're full of it, man.
Posted 4 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
I had a mix tape that followed this with "Nothing Ever Happens" by Del Amitri - can't hear this song without then going into this one....
Posted 4 years ago by Ironmat    [ Reply ]
I've always loved this song. Then I found our it's a homage to Nick Drake. Now I leurve it.
Posted 4 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
This song is, and has always been, terrible.  I remember listening to rock radio back in Miami when I was growing up, and the DJ's actually were complaining about having to play it.  Why was it pushed on us so hard?
Posted 4 years ago by jelgator    [ Reply ]
What a great reminder of better times
Posted 4 years ago by NorthernLad    [ Reply ]
 Thin_Air wrote:
Gilbert Gabriel was in the sixth form of the grammar school I attended when I entered the first year in 1974 and I clearly remember him for being very much an individual so probably not surprising the musical career he followed.  The school was/is called Sexey's School, Lusty Hill in Bruton - I jest not.  I'm not sure if this helped or hindered GG's career.
 

I was chummy with Gilbert when he was living in North London, spending all the money he'd made from this album. I remember seeing the gold disk for this track/album on his wall. Lovely bloke. Still never gave me my book back though..
Posted 4 years ago by j_mason    [ Reply ]
Channeling Beach Boys
Posted 5 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Great song when it came out and still tops a list for me. Started out as an 8 but when i realized it is about Nick Drake bumped it to 9.
Posted 5 years ago by spacemanspiff    [ Reply ]
Great song when it came out and still tops a list for me. Started out as an 8 but when i realized it is about Nick Drake bumped it to 9.
Posted 5 years ago by spacemanspiff    [ Reply ]
 dmcanany wrote:
I was 10 when this came out and got a lot of radio play. Kind of makes my heart ache hearing it. Beautiful song, but, even more, nostalgic for me. 
It was nostalgic the first time I heard it.

Posted 5 years ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
I was 10 when this came out and got a lot of radio play. Kind of makes my heart ache hearing it. Beautiful song, but, even more, nostalgic for me. 
Posted 5 years ago by dmcanany    [ Reply ]
 midigitguy wrote:
Apparently written for and about Mr. Nick Drake.

That makes me like it more... :) 
 

Presumably with reference to "Under a Northern Sky", one of the most beautiful and moving songs ever written.
Posted 5 years ago by JayHay-Char    [ Reply ]
Bloodyfluckingtorture.
Posted 5 years ago by sfyi2001    [ Reply ]
Gilbert Gabriel was in the sixth form of the grammar school I attended when I entered the first year in 1974 and I clearly remember him for being very much an individual so probably not surprising the musical career he followed.  The school was/is called Sexey's School, Lusty Hill in Bruton - I jest not.  I'm not sure if this helped or hindered GG's career.
Posted 5 years ago by Thin_Air    [ Reply ]
Ever wondered where the event horizon goes in the movie? A northern town with this on a PA.
Posted 5 years ago by yougivememosi    [ Reply ]
In college we joked we were the Northern Town. After all, we were just south of the Canadian border. 
Posted 6 years ago by NotShakespeare    [ Reply ]
Outstanding.
Posted 6 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
 kingart wrote:
Catchy and memorable tune and sure conjures up the nostalgia.  But it would start to drive me bonkers after about the 24th lifetime listen. And this has been at least the 21st. 

 
You're in luck, as this song does not show up with much frequency. I have always appreciated this composition, but also have a lifetime limit. Not approached yet. I recall seeing this band on Saturday Night Live about the time this was released (the only time most folks ever heard anything by this band) and they performed some sort of punk-inspired yet uninspiring piece. I was amazed at how little it resembled this song.
Posted 7 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
I remember seeing this on MTV. I fell in love with the Karmann Ghia they were driving.
Posted 7 years ago by folkrocker    [ Reply ]
 5Relayer wrote:
You can hear Gilmour's production here.  Beautiful sound, as expected from him.

Also, a bit of trivia, the Dream Academy singer Nick Clowes also cowrote "Poles Apart" on the Pink Floyd album The Division Bell, and it one of the most impressive tracks on that album.  So check it out. 

 
Thanks for that! I knew about Gilmour's contribution with DA, but not about Clowes' contribution on Poles Apart. {#Cheers}


Posted 7 years ago by SeriousLee    [ Reply ]
You can hear Gilmour's production here.  Beautiful sound, as expected from him.

Also, a bit of trivia, the Dream Academy singer Nick Clowes also cowrote "Poles Apart" on the Pink Floyd album The Division Bell, and it is one of the most impressive tracks on that album.  So check it out. 


Posted 7 years ago by Relayer    [ Reply ]
A great favorite. Wonderfully melodic. Would love to hear it more.
Posted 7 years ago by chasech5    [ Reply ]
Recommended listening: Dario G - Sunchyme {#Smile}
Posted 7 years ago by rgabriel    [ Reply ]
This is a great song, and I hear it so infrequently, that when it does come on, I have to smile.  
Posted 7 years ago by melzabutch    [ Reply ]
Nanuk a no no!
Posted 7 years ago by CoYoT51    [ Reply ]
Catchy and memorable tune and sure conjures up the nostalgia.  But it would start to drive me bonkers after about the 24th lifetime listen. And this has been at least the 21st. 
Posted 7 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
was just thinking about this one last week...can still picture the video of this....

good call RP 
Posted 7 years ago by thecdar    [ Reply ]
So good - thank you RP
Posted 8 years ago by musicforme    [ Reply ]
 NinerSevenTango wrote:
Hey-Ah-Ma-Ma-Ma pew.

 
Soo tedious, poor Nick Drake im sure better songs have been written about him 😀



Posted 8 years ago by sijpkes    [ Reply ]
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!{#Bounce}{#Cheers}
Posted 8 years ago by molson    [ Reply ]
80s-tastic!
Posted 8 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
 Stratocaster wrote:
Just love the overall feel of this song.

 
Agree with that!  {#Hearteyes}
Posted 8 years ago by fitmartin    [ Reply ]
Just love the overall feel of this song.
Posted 8 years ago by Stratocaster    [ Reply ]
An outstanding piece of work !
 
Posted 8 years ago by msymmes    [ Reply ]
YES!!!!!!!!! This was one of my faves from my teen years. LOVE LOVE LOVE
Posted 8 years ago by kellipeter05    [ Reply ]
Produced by David Gilmour
Posted 8 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
A welcome blast from the past... 30 years gone by! This ethereal song broke about this time of year; I was living On The Hill, a mile or so from here; KC Royals had just won The World Series, I was starting things over after a big Life Change... Perfect Time-Space Loop!
Posted 9 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 This song holds up well - hadn't heard it in years and still find it enjoyable.  Side note - this was the last vinyl album I purchased!
Posted 9 years ago by Timbo080    [ Reply ]
 posworld wrote:
Always really liked this tune... not sure why.

 

Because it's good tune. That's why.
Posted 9 years ago by eroz    [ Reply ]
woo-hoo (uggh, shit!), my 90's hippster beard is getting all jammed in my Nehru, aaarrrggh that hurts!
still, dippy cool tune   : ) 
Posted 9 years ago by hayduke2    [ Reply ]
Yup, another Gilmour hit.    the Cor Anglais player Kate St John has done lots of other stuff with some very famous acts,   I guess most bands start somewhere.    Some think its rubbish some think its great but its important enough to show up 30 years later on an internet radiostation.
Posted 9 years ago by stunix    [ Reply ]
Apparently written for and about Mr. Nick Drake.

That makes me like it more... :) 
Posted 10 years ago by midigitguy    [ Reply ]
Hey-Ah-Ma-Ma-Ma pew.
Posted 13 years ago by NinerSevenTango    [ Reply ]
The song's probably aged better than the video (which was shot about two miles from me)
Worth a watch if you can see it on Youtube though.

There was a sample of this used in a more recent song - that was rather good too. 
Posted 15 years ago by Chipps    [ Reply ]
Good to hear this one again. Sounds fresh and sweet. I loved the Dream Academy back in the day.
Posted 15 years ago by jpgr69    [ Reply ]
I played this song over and over. Doesn't have the same magic now, but it's still nice.
Posted 15 years ago by Shimmer    [ Reply ]
{#Cowboy}{#Clap}{#Cowboy}..............{#Notworthy}
Posted 15 years ago by ciprian    [ Reply ]
I think this is aging quite well.
Posted 15 years ago by Peace_tode    [ Reply ]
{#Clap}
Posted 15 years ago by spindrift    [ Reply ]
Always really liked this tune... not sure why.
Posted 15 years ago by posworld    [ Reply ]
 mastertown wrote:
It was produced by one from the pink floyd... I don't remember which one...
 
David Gilmore, I think.

Dated feel, but still nice. 
Posted 16 years ago by islander    [ Reply ]
Zeito wrote:
I took it home, washed it off, and put it back on.
Uhh....I think that was CREAM Academy.
Posted 16 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
That just reminds me I have to rip my vinyl records as well..... Great song
Posted 16 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
It was produced by one from the pink floyd... I don't remember which one...
Posted 16 years ago by mastertown    [ Reply ]
i love this. bought the cassette tape right when it came out. there is something so peaceful and lovely about this sound. some other pretty good songs on the tape, too but...this one is special. sure, it doesn't exactly stand the test of time...but still.
Posted 16 years ago by lily34    [ Reply ]
...hey, tympani!..
Posted 16 years ago by mandolin    [ Reply ]
tra la la..twee wee wee...one hit wonder...la de friggin da...
Posted 16 years ago by dbenwen    [ Reply ]
Bought the CD when this song was hot. Never play it these days. IMHO, it hasn't aged well...but that's just my opinion....
Posted 17 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
corndog4000 wrote:
...I saw my penis lying on a blanket next to a broken toaster oven...
electronicshaman wrote:
Some guy was selling it. I had to buy it off him. He wanted twenty-two bucks, but I talked him down to seventeen.
I took it home, washed it off, and put it back on.
Posted 17 years ago by Zeito    [ Reply ]
To my ears, this song has a timeless quality - I don't necessarily associate it with the 80s, even though that's when I first heard it. Thanks for playing this.
Posted 17 years ago by doctec    [ Reply ]
I was hoping for Baba O'Reilly and I get this. Oh well, this is kind of good.
Posted 17 years ago by rockstarbro    [ Reply ]
its close to christmas. its cold, cloudy and the trees are brown. this is apropos to hear this song now.
Posted 17 years ago by rickhoran    [ Reply ]
This song has always BUGGED me. It has a pathetic, meandering, soulless quality. Maybe I'm missing something. Maybe it's missing something.
Posted 17 years ago by gjeeg    [ Reply ]
A great one from the 80s!!
Posted 17 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester    [ Reply ]
djcoolhandluke wrote:
This is from the Lion King, right?
Now that's just mean.
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
sig listens to this song with waterproof headphones while swim swam
Posted 17 years ago by bdblinux    [ Reply ]
This is from the Lion King, right?
Posted 17 years ago by djcoolhandluke    [ Reply ]
corndog4000 wrote:
...I saw my penis lying on a blanket next to a broken toaster oven...
Some guy was selling it. I had to buy it off him. He wanted twenty-two bucks, but I talked him down to seventeen.
Posted 17 years ago by electronicshaman    [ Reply ]
bryans song
Posted 17 years ago by exonic    [ Reply ]
This was played a lot in Minnesota during snowstorms...Makes me think of a real winter; not the global warmings ones we're getting these days.
Posted 17 years ago by Aud    [ Reply ]
Great song!
Posted 17 years ago by jcs    [ Reply ]
Daniel_Pittenger wrote:
Mainstream like The Beatles? Or Johnny Cash?
Posted 17 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
smilestoomuch wrote:
Northern town where? Africa?
Northen England, check it out here. As someone who has lived in several towns in northern England, not one of them looks anything like the one in the photo...
Posted 17 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Barf
Posted 17 years ago by bokey    [ Reply ]
cakkafracle wrote:
ahhhh, what a great summer that was.... I found my penis
...I saw my penis lying on a blanket next to a broken toaster oven...
Posted 17 years ago by corndog4000    [ Reply ]
ahhhh, what a great summer that was.... I found my penis
Posted 17 years ago by cakkafracle    [ Reply ]
laprincessa wrote:
I always thought the 45 of this song belonged hanging from my rearview mirror instead of being played ANYWHERE.
This tune blew chunks twenty years ago, and it blows even harder today.....thanks for that, RP........I'm all for eclectic, but you have to draw the line somewhere.......what's next, Bop by Cyndi Lauper?
Posted 18 years ago by SPACEDOG    [ Reply ]
Northern town where? Africa?
Posted 18 years ago by smilestoomuch    [ Reply ]
MickMan wrote:
Main-stream? It was main-stream, TWENTY YEARS AGO !!!
Agreed...rate an 8. Okay song, great memories.
Posted 18 years ago by redtex    [ Reply ]
Mainstream like The Beatles? Or Johnny Cash?
Posted 18 years ago by Daniel_Pittenger    [ Reply ]
Jambosala wrote:
Don't like this song. It's just too conventional, too main-stream to be played on RP.
Main-stream? It was main-stream, TWENTY YEARS AGO !!!
Posted 18 years ago by MickMan    [ Reply ]
I always thought the 45 of this song belonged hanging from my rearview mirror instead of being played ANYWHERE.
Posted 18 years ago by laprincessa    [ Reply ]