Northern Lites

Super Furry Animals

About Northern Lites

"Northern Lites" is the ninth single by Super Furry Animals. It was the first single to be taken from the Guerrilla album and reached number 11 in the UK Singles Chart after its release on 10 May 1999. The song was written by singer Gruff Rhys and was inspired by the El Niño phenomenon. The track's title refers to the Aurora Borealis, a natural light display which the band were convinced they had seen prior to the song being written. Rhys wrote the melody for "Northern Lites" several years before it was completed but only decided on a calypso style after he wrote the lyrics. The steel drums on the track are played by keyboardist Cian Ciaran and were added on the spur of the moment after the group saw them "lying around" Real World Studios during recording. Critical reaction was largely positive with the song being named "Single of the Week" in both the Melody Maker and NME, with the latter also listing the song at number 3 in their single of the year list for 1999. The music video for "Northern Lites" was directed by Super Furry Animals and Martin McCarthy and features footage of curling and Irish road bowling although Rhys has blamed the song's failure to chart higher on the fact that it "didn't have a video". 


Year:
2005
3:33
68 

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Born in a manger.
Your getting stranger everyday.
Uncertain chancer.
Your sending everything astray.
Your certain danger.
Your a monsoon and fire all in one.
Got me on the run.

There's a distant light.
A forest fire burning everything insight.
Easy flight.
We pick it up in space with survey satellite.
Survey satellite looking at you.
Your turning every modern theory on it's head.
Leaving me for dead.

Your so demanding.
You've got me fumbling for escape.
I'm understanding.
But I'm afraid it's all too late.
To find a meaning.
Your blowing everything away.
From coast to coast.
Got me much too close.

There's a distant light.
A forest fire burning everything insight.
Easy flight.
We pick it up in space with survey satellite.
Survey satellite looking at you.
Your turning every modern theory on it's head.
Leaving me for dead.

Don't worry me or hurry me.
Blow me far away to the northern lites.
Abandon me, abandon me.
Blow me far away, blow me far away to the northern lites

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Super Furry Animals

Super Furry Animals are a Welsh rock band that lean towards psychedelic rock and electronic experimentation. Since their formation in Cardiff, Wales in 1993, the band has consisted of Gruff Rhys (lead vocals, guitar), Huw Bunford (lead guitar, vocals), Guto Pryce (bass guitar), Cian Ciaran (keyboards, synthesisers, various electronics, occasional guitar, vocals) and Dafydd Ieuan (drums, vocals). Actor Rhys Ifans is also a former member. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene. more »

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Written by: CIAN CIARAN, DAFYDD IEUAN, GRUFF RHYS, GUTO PRYCE, HUW BUNFORD

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


15 facts about this song

Song Background
"Northern Lites" is a song by the Welsh band Super Furry Animals in the year 1999.
Album Appearance
The song is the leading single from their third album known as 'Guerrilla'.
Genre
It is a psychedelic pop number with a mix of several music styles including tropicalia, dance, and soul.
Inspiration
The song's lyrics were inspired by one of the most spectacular natural phenomena, the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights.
Chart Performance
"Northern Lites" succeeded in reaching number 11 in the UK Singles Chart, making it one of the band’s most commercially successful songs.
Music Video
The music video for the song was directed by Pete Fowler, who is known for crafting the band’s distinctive album covers.
Instruments
The track features unusual instruments for a pop song, such as a grancassa drum and a cutlery drawer.
Producer
It was produced by the band's frequent collaborator, Gorwel Owen.
Lyrical Theme
The song is considered by many as a charming, upbeat pop song despite its melancholic lyric content that speaks of global warming.
Critical Reception
The song was received favorably by the music critics, with some of them praising its distinctive sound and cheerful vibe.
Nomination
The track earned the band a nomination for Best British Video at the 2000 Brit Awards but ultimately did not win.
Live Performance
"Northern Lites" was frequently performed live during the band's concert tours in 1999 and 2000.
BBC Radio Favourite
This song was adopted by iconic British DJ John Peel and frequently played on his BBC Radio 1 show.
Song Length
The length of the song is relatively short, and lasts for 3 minutes and 31 seconds.
Multi-lingual
Despite the song being primarily in English, some phrases are also sung in Welsh, reflecting the band's Welsh roots.

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