Big Country - In A Big Country

What this video is

Released in May 1983 as the third single from Big Country's debut album 'The Crossing' (Mercury Records), 'In A Big Country' arrived at the height of the Second British Invasion facilitated by MTV's insatiable demand for visually compelling music videos. The song's signature bagpipe-mimicking guitar tone — achieved by Stuart Adamson and Bruce Watson — was sonically distinct enough to cut through the prevailing…

Why it matters

A defining artifact of Celtic rock's brief but impactful commercial moment, 'In A Big Country' demonstrated that post-punk guitar innovation with regional cultural identity could achieve mainstream crossover via the MTV video format. The track's production — helmed by Steve Lillywhite — and the…

The director

Lindsey Clennell was among the earliest professional music video directors in the UK, active from the late 1970s through the 1980s. His credits span a range of major acts across rock and post-punk genres, including The Clash ('White Riot,' '1977'), Black…