Concrete Sea

Album: Terry Jacks Greatest Hits (1972)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The year before he released "Seasons in the Sun," Terry Jacks issued this single in Canada. He was also recording at the time with his then-wife Susan as The Poppy Family; the duo had a #1 Canadian hit in 1969 with "Which Way You Goin' Billy?"

    Jacks did some solo recordings at this time because he didn't want to adapt some of his more heartfelt songs for Susan's voice.
  • The song deals with human ecology and the wonders of nature. The "concrete sea" is the urban landscape that seemed unnatural and stifling to Jacks.

    When he got his payday from "Seasons in the Sun," Jacks bought a boat and spent a lot of time sailing around Vancouver and Alaska. He felt a commitment to the environment, and set out to preserve it, taking on Canadian companies who were polluting the waters. For 12 years, he left music behind to protest these companies, which he did through legal actions and media outreach. His love of nature never wavered - Terry eventually settled in Madeira Park, British Columbia, a remote territory in northern Canada. In the digital age, he chose outdoor pursuits over the Internet. He refers to computers as "Hell Machines." (learn more in our Terry Jacks interview)

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Black Sabbath

Black SabbathFact or Fiction

Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.