People Of The Smoke

Album: The Circus And The Nightwhale (2023)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "People Of The Smoke" is a look at London in 1950, the time and place where Steve Hackett was born. It was a few years after World War II; the city was bustling as it furiously rebuilt, but was choked in smog from industrial pollution and exhaust from trains and vehicles.

    "It's very dark," Hackett told Songfacts. "In London you rarely saw the sun in those days, it was so polluted. It seems almost impossible to believe now."
  • This is the first track on The Circus And The Nightwhale, a concept album based on Hackett's life. As the album moves forward, it gets more fanciful and surreal, but "People Of The Smoke" is more literal, reflecting what Hackett calls a "gritty reality."
  • Hackett wrote the song with his wife Jo and with his keyboard player Roger King. He and Jo started writing songs together for Steve's 2015 album Wolflight. Many of the songs they collaborate on are based on travels and experiences they shared together.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Jon Anderson of Yes

Jon Anderson of YesSongwriter Interviews

From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"

Chris Frantz - "Genius of Love"They're Playing My Song

Chris and his wife Tina were the rhythm section for Talking Heads when they formed The Tom Tom Club. "Genius of Love" was their blockbuster, but David Byrne only mentioned it once.

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler of The Psychedelic FursSongwriter Interviews

Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler talks about their first album since 1991 and explains what's really going on in "Pretty In Pink."