Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero

"Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero"
Single by Mark Knopfler
from the album Local Hero
Released4 March 1983
Genre
Length5:00 (album version); 3:58 (single version)
LabelVertigo
Songwriter(s)Mark Knopfler
Music video
"Going Home"

"Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero" is an instrumental rock track by Mark Knopfler, and the closing track from the 1983 film Local Hero soundtrack.[2] It was the debut solo single by Knopfler, and charted at number 56 in the UK,[3][4] at number 26 in the Netherlands and at number 18 in New Zealand.[5] The soundtrack album also features a reprise called "Wild Theme", which consists of Knopfler's acoustic guitar interpretation of the song's melody. Despite its rather modest chart position in Knopfler's native UK, "Going Home" remains one of the artist's most popular songs. The saxophone piece was played by the American jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker. The song is popular among fans of English football, in particular those of Knopfler's home town club, Newcastle United, as it is played as the team runs out before every home game.[6]

The music video features footage of Knopfler playing on the New York City waterfront (with the Twin Towers and Empire State Building visible), intercut with footage from the film.

  1. ^ a b Lesley Duncanson, Mark Knopfler: A Life in Songs
  2. ^ "Local Hero [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] – Mark Knopfler | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  3. ^ "Mark Knopfler | full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  4. ^ "Mark Knopfler Songs ••• Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com.
  5. ^ "Mark Knopfler - Going Home: Theme Of The Local Hero" – via hitparade.ch.
  6. ^ Sexton, Paul (April 16, 2020). "'Local Hero': Mark Knopfler's First Soundtrack Resonates Far And Wide".