17 Hills

Album: A Map of the Floating City (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Dolby included this track on his Amerikana EP, which was released to members of his fan club in June 2010. The EP has a bluegrass feel, and Dolby told us that it's "pretty much a love letter back to America. I really enjoyed the time that I spent living there. And during the time I was there I got very fond of American roots music. And so if you listen to the songs in that section, you'll hear elements of folk and country and even bluegrass music in there. But sung definitely in an English accent and with an English twist, sort of an ex-patriot British twist to it." (Read our full Thomas Dolby interview.)
  • Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits played guitar on this track, which Dolby says is "a song about a pair of hapless lovers and a jailbreak."

Comments: 1

  • Jim from Pleasant Hill, CaDecent sounding track with good atmosphere, though he repeats "17 hills" about 17 times too often.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Maxi Priest

Maxi PriestSongwriter Interviews

The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.

Country Song Titles

Country Song TitlesFact or Fiction

Country songs with titles so bizarre they can't possibly be real... or can they?

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.