Local Boy in the Photograph

"Local Boy in the Photograph"
Single by Stereophonics
from the album Word Gets Around
Released	1997 1998 (Re-release)
Format	7" Vinyl CD single Music download
Recorded	1997
Genre	Rock
Length	3:22
Label	V2 Records
Writer(s)	Kelly Jones Richard Jones Stuart Cable
Producer	Bird & Bush
Stereophonics singles chronology
- "Local Boy in the Photograph" (1997) "More Life in a Tramps Vest" (1997)

"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.

The song is based on a true story of a boy reportedly from the small town of Flint in North Wales although there does not seem to be any information to corroborate this nor has the boy ever been named. It is more likely this is in fact a tribute to Rob Green who died January 1997 aged 22, in the seaside town of Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Rob was hit by a train just outside Colwyn Bay railway station and although suicide was suspected, a verdict of death by misadventure was reached at the inquest. Rob's picture was on the frontpage of the local newspaper, the North Wales Weekly News in the days following. A similar incident was reported in the North Wales Weekly News a few weeks prior to Rob's death. A young girl named Caroline Burke had died at the same spot and of the same cause. The railway track where Rob died was next to the Colwyn Bay pier, the entrance of which had recently been painted red. The song includes the lyrics:

Due to Rob's interest in music journalism it is more than possible that he was acquainted with band member Kelly Jones, and thus the lead singer felt a tribute to him was necessary.

The song was given a Q Classic Song Award at the Q Awards in 2007.

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".

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