What is the song ‘Life In A Northern Town’ about? You may be very surprised!

This reached number 7 on the US charts and peaked at number 15 in the UK. A song with a very winter touch to match the title.

Great harmonies. Their record company thought this needed more drums, but the band said no. I think the lack of a strong drum beat is what makes this song timeless. This seems to be pretty cut and dry. The title describes exactly what the song is about… or does it? The lyrics definitely describe life in a northern town. The Beatles and John F. Kennedy are mentioned, so it must be life in a northern town in the early 1960s. In fact, they even mention 1963. If you listen carefully, you’ll hear them sing about someone telling them All this. “He took out a cigarette”… and… “He said in the winter of 1963.” Believe it or not, this song isn’t about life in a northern town, it’s about Nick Drake, with references to where he grew up in England.

Drake was 26 years old when he died in November 1974 of an antidepressant overdose that may have been a suicide. His work was highly influential to many British musicians and composers, and the legend of him grew after his death. He was best known for somber pieces composed on his favorite instrument, the guitar, and The Dream Academy intended the song to be a tribute to Drake. It’s certainly strange that his name is never mentioned in this song or any of his works. The last verse about going to the train station, watching him leave and never saying goodbye represents his death and how he won’t be forgotten.