Local Boy in the Photograph

"Local Boy in the Photograph" is the first single from the rock band Stereophonics. The song is taken from their debut album, Word Gets Around and was initially released in March 1997. The song reached #51 on the UK Singles chart however upon its re-release February 1998, it reached #14.

Title and lyrics

During an interview with Sky Arts HD after his performance at the Hay festival in June 2010, Kelly Jones explained the meaning of a few of his songs and said that "Local Boy in the photograph" was based on the true story of local boy Paul Boggis, who was killed by a train travelling between Cwmbach and Aberdare. All the songs on the album are about people and events in the Aberdare area.^[1]

Stuart Cable

Following the death of former Stereophonics drummer Stuart Cable, a campaign was launched on Facebook to get the song to Number 1 in the UK charts. On June 13, 2010 it re-entered the UK charts at #60.

Track listing

Initial release

1. "Local Boy in the Photograph"
2. "Too Many Sandwiches"
3. "Buy Myself a Small Plane"

Re-release

CD1

1. "Local Boy in the Photograph"
2. "Who'll Stop the Rain?"
3. "Check My Eyelids for Holes"
4. "Local Boy in the Photograph"(video)

CD2

1. "Local Boy in the Photograph"
2. "Not Up to You (Live at XFM)"
3. "The Last Resort"
4. "Traffic" (video)

Other versions of the song

• A live version was included on the "Traffic" single, live from Belfort Festival.
• A semi-acoustic version recorded for Radio One was released on the "Just Looking" single.
• A live version was included on the "Moviestar" single, recorded at SECC Glasgow.
• A live version was included on the band's first Live album, "Live from Dakota".

References