Renaissance - Northern Lights (2nd TOTP appearance, 1978) HD

"Northern Lights," a song by the English progressive rock band Renaissance, captures the essence of longing and reflection. Released in 1978 from their album "A Song for All Seasons," it became the band's only hit single, reaching No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

The song is a poignant homage to Roy Wood, a founding member of The Move, ELO, and Wizzard. Annie Haslam, the lead singer of Renaissance, and Wood shared a four-year relationship, and the song's lyrics, penned by Michael Dunford and Betty Thatcher-Newsinger, reflect Haslam's feelings of loneliness and separation while touring in the U.S., away from Wood and the 'Northern Lights' of England.

This was the second of three Top of the Pops appearances for Renaissance with Northern Lights. This performance aired on July 27, 1978.

Desination outward bound
I turn to see the northern lights behind the wing
Horizons seem to beckon me
Learned how to cry too young
So now I live to sing

The northern lights are in my mind
They guide me back to you
Horizons seem to beckon me
Learned how to cry too young
So now I live to sing

Though it's hard away from you
Travelling roads and just passing through
It's not for money and it's not for fame
I just can't explain, sometimes it's lonely

Marking the space between the days
Early hours pass away
I sing to you of northern lights
I sing for you of northern nights

Past or future, here or there
Shelter comes in words from you, so talk to me
I hear your voice, it comforts me
In morning dreams I take your hand
You walk with me

The northern lights are in my mind
They guide me back to you
Peace enfolds the still night air
Home again I look for you and find you there

Desintation homeward now
Take the easy way, bring me down
Making the hard way now I see
Hard to be really free, I'm missing you near me

Marking the space between the days
Early hours pass away
I sing to you of northern lights
I sing for you of northern nights

The northern lights are in my mind
They guide me back to you
The northern nights are in my eyes
They guide me back to you

*Written by Michael Dunford and Betty Thatcher-Newsinger

#renaissance #roywood #elo

[rw]

I was 13. It was a great time to be young. I'd go back in a heartbeat if I could. One more hug from my mum 😢

[garybridge-kubf]

A beautiful song, great arrangement, how can you not like this, at times i can hear yes's wonderous stories.

[caryheuchert]

Why wasn’t this song a huge international hit back in 1978? It was just as good as anything on the airwaves at the time.

[yes_head]

Wow -- I didn't realize they made so many appearances on TOTP for this song. But yeah, she was gorgeous.

[AlfUckhamHall]

A criminally underrated band and the voice of an angel.

[psturtivant]

I love this song. Annie's voice is one of the loveliest I've ever heard. I was 23 when the was released, and it stops me in my tracks to this day (I'll be 70 in 28 days time).

[SuperKevin]

Love the way she looks so relaxed with hands on hips while singing so beautifully 😊.

[adriansymcox]

one of the best records ever made i have got it still sounds great in june 2024

[TheEnglishLoungeLizard]

Annie Haslam. Ah, well…. Love at first sight. And second. And now, almost fifty years later. Perfection.

[davidsnowdon]

Annie has the voice of an Angel takes me back to my youth

[anthonymeyer]

I can't believe Anne is now 77...how time flies.

[alanprior]

I was 8 when I first heard this. When I wanted to top myself it was a memory that saved me.

[RosalinaRamos-qi]

Super-sweet, super-lovely Renaissance tune! I still can not believe it is 46 years old you know? RIP John Tout, Michael Dunford. ♥

[dockaos]

Pure magic to hear again after so many years

[GeoffSims-dj]

Northen Lights is one of the best songs I know, briliant singer

[ArchieandDugbhall]

School days were so good with music like this

[andrewjsmith]

Another lovely song for a winter's evening.
The band aren't served well here by the TOTP mood lighting. Turn up the dimmer for Christsakes! And Annie.... what have they got her wearing? She looks like a giant sweet waiting to be unwrapped. I volunteer!
Putting all that aside....it's simply wonderful.

[jackreacher]

This and the paper lads theme music, 60s, 70, 80, the best music.

[Maggiolone]

Very beautiful song with high talent across the board. It's reminiscent of late 60's singer-songwriter melodies; nice to see it such sounds still could be appreciated a decade later

[smithpm]

takes me back to that moment in your youth that was perfect