Minnesota - Northern Light
Back in the day, before the world got so small, regional hits sometimes appeared on the pop charts. One that was big where I grew up never made the national Top 40 - though it did crack the Top 100 - but is fondly remembered by many from Albert Lea to Zumbrota and all points in between: "Minnesota" by Northern Light.
Songs about places appeal to our natural hometown pride. Shoot, name a city in Texas and odds are I can name a song about it. Next to love songs, place songs may be the most durable genre. That's because at heart they are love songs, too, directed not at a who but at a where.
NY - Frank Sinatra. Georgia - Ray Charles. Los Angeles - Randy Newman. San Francisco - Tony Bennett. Minnesota? Northern Lights.
After the jump - what the Beach Boys would have sounded like if the beach was Lake Minnetonka instead of Malibu - and answers from Northern Light's David Sandler.
Songs about places appeal to our natural hometown pride. Shoot, name a city in Texas and odds are I can name a song about it. Next to love songs, place songs may be the most durable genre. That's because at heart they are love songs, too, directed not at a who but at a where.
NY - Frank Sinatra. Georgia - Ray Charles. Los Angeles - Randy Newman. San Francisco - Tony Bennett. Minnesota? Northern Lights.
After the jump - what the Beach Boys would have sounded like if the beach was Lake Minnetonka instead of Malibu - and answers from Northern Light's David Sandler.
1 - The b-side of "Minnesota" was an instrumental version of the song - how about releasing a vocals-only version, such as the Beatles did with "Because" on their anthology? The blend of lead and backing vocals is perfect.
David Sandler: I can mention your idea of a vocals-only version to the group.
2 - It was my belief that you co-wrote the song with Spence Peterson but the label on the 45 says "Stuart-Peterson." Is that a stage name, a mistake, or was I wrong (and if so, who is "Stuart"?)
DS: "Stuart" is my middle name.
3 - Are you Minnesota born and raised?
DS: No. My parents were separated and I grew up in Iowa until I was 15 with my mother, then completed high school in Minnesota where I also attended the University of Minnesota. I have a lot of family here in Minnesota so I spent time here as a kid.
4 - Had you or Spence Peterson ever left Minnesota for Californ-i-ay or were the lyrics a bit of poetic license?
DS: My wife and I lived in California for almost three years where I worked with Brian Wilson on American Spring. "Minnesota" is somewhat biographical about my wanting to get back to the upper midwest.
5 - Did you ever hear what Brian Wilson thought of "Minnesota"?
DS: I don't know if Brian ever heard "Minnesota."
6 - Who thought of adding the loon and how hard was it to find a recording to use?
DS: That was Spence's idea. Our engineer took care of finding the loon.
7 - What's the most memorable live performance Northern Light ever did of "Minnesota"?
DS: We played an open air concert in 104 degree heat with the group Kansas. I took my shirt off on stage it was so hot.
Years ago I was out on a lake canoeing and in the twilight I heard the haunting call of a loon. I said to my brother, "That sounds like the start of "Minnesota." As I finished that sentence, the loon call was followed by the opening strains of the song. Turns out I had not heard a bird - someone at a cabin on the lake was blasting their stereo.
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