Auld Wives

Album: Red Earth & Pouring Rain (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song was inspired by a rock formation near Glasgow called the Auld Wives Lifts. Drummer Kevin Jones explained to The Sun: "There are myths surrounding the stories and we wanted to create our own stories around them."
  • The song is a good example of the new style showcased by Bear's Den on Red Earth & Pouring Rain, which was influenced by '70s and '80s rock. Guitarist Andrew Davie told The Line Of Best Fit:

    "Pretty much since we started working on it ("Auld Wives") we were felt it captured that 'mood' of driving through the night – that image we wanted to create. It's a bit new for us, but when I first wrote it a couple of years ago, it was on the guitar – it was quite folky. But then we spent a lot of time messing around and pulling it into a different headspace, and thinking about people like Stevie Nicks and songs like 'Edge Of Seventeen.'"

Comments: 1

  • Stephanie Brown from CanadaIt’s such a beautiful, rich song. Not many these days will make your stop to listen on first hear, but this one does. Gives me vibes of old Spoons’ “Waterline” vibes. Stunning.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?