Song Stories: Stereophonics: Dakota

The first single from the band's fifth studio album “Language, Sex, Violence Other.” and their only UK Number One single. 

How did it come to be? 

Kelly Jones the bands frontman and chief songwriter began to work on writing this song in January 2004. As the band were on tour in support of their fourth album “You Gotta Go There to Come Back”. 

When writing Kelly wanted to try and come up with a new sound, moving away from the more atmospheric and slow pace of the record they were currently touring. 

After he had finished writing the song, he would text the head of the band's record label (V2) telling them that he had written something big. Something he had never done before or has done since.

Although he had the basic framework, he wanted to improve the lyrics and this was done later on. Whilst the band were in America. More specifically in Vermillion, South Dakota. Originally naming the song after the place he'd finished the lyrics. Vermillion. 

However, Slikpnott would release a song called Vermillion from an upcoming album. Leading to the name change. “Dakota” was born.

The song was released in February 2005 and received praise from fans and critics alike. Many saw it as the second coming of the band who had been successful in the late nineties and early noughties but for some had fell away a little bit.

The band were in the middle of a transition period, they'd lost their original drummer ‘Stuart Cable’ and had made quite an autobiographical soulful record with “You Gotta Go There To Come Back.”

“Dakota” acted as the band starting again, a new sound, a new look. It was the start of a new era. 

It marked the start of the band cementing their status of a staple UK live band. Filling out arenas and being a main stay on festival line ups. 

Fans love of the song, saw it reach top spot of the UK Singles Chart, being the only song by the band to reach this milestone. On a more negative note, it would also be the last song by the band to get into the top 10. 

The song had some famous fans to. In an interview with The Guardian, about the song. Kelly Jones recounted a message that he received from Noel Gallagher. 

“Eh so you've had your first number one. But you used a fucking synthesizer.” 

Noeis always one to rub it in. 

The song was and still is a huge song for the band. It ends every single live show. Without fail. From academy venues to festival fields. It's the song that brings the show to its end. The final card played in a deck of great songs. 

Everyone knows it's coming, and yet it still brings the house down every time.  

Thank you for reading