Honest Town

Album: Big Music (2014)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Co-written by Jim Kerr with Iain Cook of Chvrches in late May 2012, this song was penned for the second album by Kerr's side project Lostboy! AKA. When that album was aborted, the song was used for the Simple Minds album Big Music.
  • The lyrics are a dreamlike travelogue through Glasgow's South Side where Kerr grew up. They were inspired by a conversation the frontman had with his mother, Irene, a few days before she passed away of cancer in 2010.

    In our interview with Kerr, he said: "She came up with the words, 'Honest Town.' She said it was an honest town, people were great. And it became the song. So that was a song that was based on quite a sad, but in some ways happy event. She was in a great, great mood, and I'm happy that I got the chance to do it with her."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Kerry Livgren of Kansas

Kerry Livgren of KansasSongwriter Interviews

In this talk from the '80s, the Kansas frontman talks turning to God and writing "Dust In The Wind."

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"

Jonathan Edwards - "Sunshine"They're Playing My Song

"How much does it cost? I'll buy it?" Another songwriter told Jonathan to change these lyrics. Good thing he ignored this advice.

Ramones

RamonesFact or Fiction

A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.