The Thin Red Line was a description in the English and Scottish press of this incident where around 200 men of the 93rd, aided by a small force of 100 walking wounded, 40 detached Guardsmen, and supported by a substantial force of Turkish infantrymen, led by Sir Colin Campbell, routed a Russian cavalry charge. There were more Victoria Crosses presented to the Highland soldiers at that time than at any other. The event was lionized in the British press and became an icon of the qualities of the British soldier in a war that was poorly managed and increasingly unpopular. The commander, Colin Campbell, formed the line of men two deep. Convention dictated that the line should be four deep. However, Campbell, felt he had insufficient trained men to form square, and met the charge head on with the 2-deep firing line. As the Russian cavalry approached, the Turks on the flanks broke and fled. The 93rd discharged three volleys: at 600, 350 and 150 yards respectively, however they did not get a chance to discharge one at point blank range as the Russians turned away. The Times correspondent, William H. Russell, wrote about the event in his November 14, 1854, article, Heights Before Sebastopol. He described how he could see nothing between the charging Russians and the British regiment’s base of operations at Balaklava but the “thin red streak tipped with a line of steel” of the 93rd. Popularly condensed into “the thin red line,” the phrase became a symbol of British composure in battle
Cool. Thanks for the history lesson. Back in the day, BEFORE the Internet and Google, I could barely find a scrap of info about this historic event. LL 🙋🏻♀️✝🇨🇦❤
@@WocklessGamingforAnimeMoms If it is pro-war then it is a disappointment indeed. No real artist should ever celebrate violence, colonialism and imperialism.
@@allanmarwood5887 which castle is in the beginning? i recall Alan saying they went to a couple castles,i know this isn't Edinburgh castle or Sterling tho,unless they looked different in 1985
Still love this song and album some 30 years later. I, too, am a metal head, but good, melodic music defies categorization. I was into Tears For Fears, Duran Duran, Glass Tiger, Howard Jones etc before I ever got into hard rock and metal. The 80s were a magical time!
@MisterG I listen to very few “modern” artists. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, and…um. Rock is in dire straits now (and not the great Mark Knopfler band); so much of what’s on the radio, or satellite radio, is soulless tripe. Auto tuned crap. While I don’t like or even love every genre, I was born in 1971, and the music that I was exposed to growing up, really from about the mid 70s to the mid 80s, represents the greatest explosion of creativity in popular music history. That’s not to take away anything from the great bands whose origin came before, many of which I love. But think about it. Progressive rock really exploded in that time. Yes, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Genesis, Marillion, Kansas, Rush, even early Queen was heavily progressive with their thematic approach and complex arrangements (especially on Queen II, Sheer Heart Attack, ANATO and ADATR). There were so many fabulous hard rock acts playing in huge stadiums. Deep Purple, The Who were at their absolute peak, Led Zeppelin, etc. Marillion transitioned to a more progressive band with their lead singers changing, Fish being replaced by Steve Hogarth. I’ve never been a real fan of punk, as I tend to gravitate towards bands with real musicianship-but the Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground, which were more avant-garde-the attitude was a breath of fresh air. The Police began as a punk band, and they evolved, as did the GoGos, who started as punk, and moved more towards pop. That crossed over some into both glam rock/metal (Queen again, David Bowie, Sweet) and pop/disco like Blondie. The Bee Gees were huge. You saw lines blurred between disco and r&b, soul. There was an explosion of Southern rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, The Allman Brothers. Beaches off from Southern Rock was a hybrid of rock and some slight country influences in bands like The Eagles. Then, in the early 80s, you had the advent of synth pop and the second British Invasion. Duran Duran, Tears For Fears, Howard Jones, Erasure, Depeche Mode, Ah ha…Canadian rock bands became virtually their own genre with Rush moving into more mainstream rock and embracing synthesizers, along with Triumph, Glass Tiger, Bryan Adams. Then metal really emerged in the middle of the 80s. Hair metal bands were everywhere. Quiet Riot, Ratt, Whitesnake, Dokken. Iron Maiden, Dio, Rainbow, Judas Priest, etc. These bands all featured virtuoso guitarists. Randy Rhoads with QR before he joined Ozzy’s band. Warren DiMarrini, George Lynch, John Sykes. Ritchie Blackmore, Glenn Tipton and KK Downing, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith. Motley Crue was huge, as were Def Leppard. The instrumentalist guitarist emerged-Steve Vai, Joe Satriani et all. Then really heavy metal with speed metal, Metallica, Testament, Anthrax, Megadeth. You had the birth of my favorite genre, modern progressive metal. Queensryche, Dream Theater, and the godfathers of prof metal, Fates Warning, who switched from being a pure metal band to a progressive metal one with the arrival of drummer Mark Zander and vocalist Ray Alder. Towards the end of the 80s, before grunge ruined everything, bands like Guns and Roses deconstructed metal to their roots. A new collection of bands right at the end of the decade: Saraya, Badlands with Jake E. Lee and Ray Gillen, the supergroup power trio Blue Murder, Enid Z’Nuff…. I could go on and on. But there will never be that kind of artistic freedom and creativity again. I’m pushing 50 now, and while we all wish we were younger again, I loved growing up when I did. The music kicked ass, and I’ll be listening to all of it until they stick me in the ground.
We are Canadian and grew up with Glass Tiger and this song. I never appreciated the deeper meaning of this song, or the video, until touring Edinburgh Castle in Scotland and seeing firsthand the display of sacrifice by Scottish soldiers. This video is thoughtfully done and gave me chills. The biggest takeaway we had from that tour is that we live in a very messed up world, and that hasn’t changed in hundreds of years. Lord help us all.
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Canadian culture is amazing! Here I am more than thirty years after Glass Tiger was successful in Brazil to introduce them to new generations telling the story of their music. this song is special you feel in the words sung by Alan Frew the mixture of feelings of a soldier on his mission fear, hope, courage and both sides life and death, glory to the winners and tears for those who lost their loved ones . undoubtedly a song to give chills and another one of the many wonders that Glass Tiger brought us!
1986.... Easily the greatest year ever for music..... You'd be hard pressed to find a year with more breakout stars than any year ever....... Mr. Mister, Pet Shop Boys, Steve Winwood, Stacey Q, Berlin, Nu Shooz, Falco, Level 42, Bananarama, Howard Jones, Miami Sound Machine, Bangles, Scritti Politti, INXS, Arcadia.....just to name a few.......
Listening to this I reflect on my youth, joining the US Navy at 18 years of age in 1987. Never went to war, served active duty during peacetime, and was in the reserves during the first Gulf War. But I think of the generation that went to Afghanistan. I cry for my youth that is long gone, and for the youth that did not return home from war or suffer to this day the perils of violent conflict.
I didn't pay any attention to these guys back in the day. I was a metal head and pretty close minded. Now I'm starting to see a lot of good music from then.
Saw them open for Journey when this was new. Easily one of the best opening acts(at the time) I ever saw. Lots of great music from these guys through the years.
Proud of my Scottish Heritage!! i am Cannadian of Partly Scottish Decent and English and Irish. Maybe French. However I love being Scottish and when times get hard I remind myself that I come from a warrior Culture and that the Scots were always Feirce warriors in Battle. I have that in me so it keeps me going I gesuss. Alba Gu Brath!!!!
There's a great backstory to the events depicted in this video and it's a rousing anthem for The SCOTTISH everywhere ! the lead singer ALAN FREW who is Scottish was a motivational speaker and is a stroke survivor so God bless him and make him well🙏 i will take that as inspiration to march onwards as the soldiers do in this video as ALAN has done in real life ! 🙏💯
Omgoodness, they opened for Corey Hart in St. John's and were INCREDIBLE. The singer had a bad accident a couple weeks ago and BROKE HIS NECK in two places and STILL sang his heart out. He was great. Both them and Corey Hart put on a fantastic show. So glad they came to St. John's!! Thank you!
Still one of the best songs, groups and videos to come out of Canada. Glass Tiger. Classy, clever, Creative and Canadian. What more could a person want?!
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Canadian culture is amazing! Here I am more than thirty years after Glass Tiger was successful in Brazil to introduce them to new generations telling the story of their music. this song is special you feel in the words sung by Alan Frew the mixture of feelings of a soldier on his mission fear, hope, courage and both sides life and death, glory to the winners and tears for those who lost their loved ones . undoubtedly a song to give chills and another one of the many wonders that Glass Tiger brought us!
Most definitely. I'm what they call a millennial and the majority of what I listen to is 50s-80s era music. Because it was good and it still is. There is absolutely nothing that compares and fills me with the feelings that this music does. We can't let it go.
After 32 years in search of this....i found it last year 2018... I remember a few words of his song....since first time I heard it When I was 17..back in the 87-88 Demnn long ago Now I learned english and I have family......we are old who listen this song back in those days.....
Ok, interesting. Thanks, Jeff , for the background. I like songs that are based around real historical events but are sung as if the action is taking place in the present. Like Lights Out by UFO. It talks about the London Blitz in WW2. Not happy but still makes for a good song.
Hang on, I think I'm wrong. It isn;t about WW2. I've heard it was about power cuts and strikes in London during the 70's . Either way, makes a good song
I actually didn't know this song was based on actual events until I made that comment. I always thought it was just a song about a fictional battle. The video depicts "Kedikoi" as a goddess of death or souls, so I looked "her" up and Wikipedia describes it as the village near the battle. I agree that historical events can make a song more appealing. Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 is one. You probably know the song, "Hey Man, Nice Shot" by Filter. Most people think it's about Kurt Cobain, but Tit's actually about Pennsylvania State Treasurer, R. Budd Dwyer, who was found guilty of bribery and then committed suicide in front of TV cameras. It was later discovered he was probably innocent. Pretty graphic video!
On a 80s nostalgia kick and heard this today for the first time in years. Awesome song. There is a power in the lyrics I never noticed before back in the 80s. Beautiful imagery and symbolism.
Just bought the Japanese pressing reissue for The Thin Red line album. Having grown up in the 80s, I don’t know how this wasn’t a huge hit. Wasn’t it released as a single? This song is one of those hidden gems that rewards the listener for buying the album, and not just some greatest hits compilation, or a single mp3. This is easily one of my favorite songs of the entire decade, and that’s saying a hell of a lot.
If I recall correctly, it was in heavy rotation on Much Music, where I first saw this video. Listen to a rock radio station so didn’t here it that way, but it was played fairly frequently on the less heavy stations in Toronto where I lived at the time. Bought their music and still listen to them. Got to support our Canadian talent! Great to know there are still GT fans out there! 🇨🇦🖖🏻🇨🇦
I think the Witch Queen and her troop of little children represent The Morrigan, a Scottish and Irish mythological character who incited soldiers into a fighting frenzy in battle then brought them into death. The shadow over the dead men was the this queen essentially finishing what she started. 🇨🇦🖖🏻🇨🇦
Best song Glass Tiger ever did. Was nice to see a band come out with a song that wasn't all about the rock and roll lifestyle or another love song at the time when everyone else was doing it.
Just watched Glass Tiger perform last night July 21st at Kitchener City Hall and I must say they are one Canada's Best bands!!! Alan Frew still has a great voice and persona on stage!!! Great time for everyone there!!! Check out some of the postings for the concert on RU-vid!!
A primeira vez que escutei essa música foi lá por 2012, só estou comentando aqui pra documentar, pra la na frente quando voltar aqui, ler meu coment e saber que estive aqui em 2012 e que deixei minha marca aqui, Glass Tiger 🐅 banda sensacional
saw Glass Tiger playing in Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta, last night, Canada Day. Absolutely fantastic!!!! they still have it. Best birthday present, and fireworks too.
I notice someone else has post the long backstory behind this , so before Braveheart there was this proud anthem for the Scottish everywhere ! 😃🏴 Is there any Scottish blood in me ...hmmm ? well I feel Scottish when I hear this. Lol ! Stand tall and walk proudly out there CHEERS . 🙏
I was 7 in 1986 and living in the UK (still do). Glass Tiger are an unheard of band here...maybe because they sound too similar to a lot of British bands (this song reminds me of anything by Big Country lol). they are one of the bands that I had to seek out myself...such a hidden gem!
+Bloop the lead singer is actually from SCOTLAND and now works as a motivational speaker ; yes I agree with the analogy they also did a song that's a tribute to their Irish roots called MY SONG the vid was filmed in IRELAND and features the CHIEFTAINS as guests !! ENJOY!!
The first cassette I ever purchased was Glass Tiger's 'Thin Red Line' at age 9, earned with my strawberry picking money. Popped it into the car stereo on the way home and this song started, and I lOVED it. Still do.
Alan Frew was born in Scotland....also the term "Thin red line" comes from the 93rd Highlanders(Scots) stand in the Crimean war against a Russian cavalry charge.
A lot of the lyrics were actual writings from some guy that reported on the event (can't think of his name), like "remember no retreat, you die where you stand" and "a thin red streak tipped with a line of steel". Brave people they were....
I've always liked this band since I was a kid. They performed to the Calgary Stampede in 2001 and I was disappointed at their luke warm reception by the crowd. But most of the crowd was younger and they had a kick ass lineup all week, so they were probably expecting more of the edgy new stuff. But the band played with spirit and did plenty well. I still have the audio on my minidisc 😁
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Canadian culture is amazing! Here I am more than thirty years after Glass Tiger was successful in Brazil to introduce them to new generations telling the story of their music. this song is special you feel in the words sung by Alan Frew the mixture of feelings of a soldier on his mission fear, hope, courage and both sides life and death, glory to the winners and tears for those who lost their loved ones . undoubtedly a song to give chills and another one of the many wonders that Glass Tiger brought us!
I remember this song so well at a time in my life back when I still had dreams and aspirations. Man I'm in a dark place in my life right now. I shed a tear for yesteryear.
In 2015 I lost my wife of thirty years and my mom within a few months of each other. You're going through hell. Sounds trite, but as someone else said, just keep going.
13 juin 1986,forum de Montreal,première partie de Julian Lennon,le premier show d'une liste qui n'a fait que s'allonger au fil des années !La belle époque ,quand les billets de shows étaient abordables.....
Dam good song! At the 80's Glass Tiger have been very popular-had many songs I like still today-Real good music from🇨🇦.The Video in my Eyes a Tribute to all who have fallen to keep Freedom and Justice alive. Madame "Death" very well played in the Video. Great Performance of the band!! And of cause the soilders💂
Title Track off their Debut Album... INCREDIBLE collection worth adding to your #Libraries! Fastest Selling Album in Canadian History to reach PLATINUM in Canada!
