{{short description|1984 song performed by Big Country}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use British English|date=February 2017}} {{Infobox song | name = Just a Shadow | cover = | alt = | type = single | artist = Big Country | album = Steeltown | released = 11 January 1985<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bigcountryinfo.com/releases/s_jas.htm|title=Just A Shadow|website=Bigcountryinfo.com|access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref> | format = | recorded = | studio = | venue = | genre = | length = | label = | writer = Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, and Bruce Watson | producer = | prev_title = Where the Rose Is Sown | prev_year = 1984 | next_title = Look Away | next_year = 1986 }}
"'''Just a Shadow'''" is a song by Scottish rock band Big Country on their 1984 album ''Steeltown''.<ref name="The Pittsburgh Press - 2 December 1984 - Records">{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19841202&id=lfQdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7GEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928,621131&hl=en|title=Records - Pat Benatar takes a walk on the mild side|last=Bishop|first=Pete|date=2 December 1984|work=The Pittsburgh Press|publisher=E. W. Scripps Company|access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref> It was released as a single on 19 January 1985 and peaked at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="Official Charts Company - Big Country - Just a Shadow">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/just%20a%20shadow/|title=Official Charts Company - Big Country - Just a Shadow|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=12 April 2016}}</ref>
==Critical reception== On its release, Malcolm Dome of ''Kerrang!'' called it "sheer bliss on a social treadmill" and added, "Now this brings a beam to my cat's eyes. Big Country are inspirational as far as I'm concerned. They could record a version of 'Metal Thrashing Mad' and make it sound awesome."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Dome |first=Malcolm |title=Singles |magazine=Kerrang! |date=24 January 1985 |issue=86 |page=21 |issn=0262-6624}}</ref> Mike Gardiner of ''Record Mirror'' was critical of the song, describing it as a "mediocre album track". He wrote, "The soaring guitars sound like their wings have been clipped and the chest the chorus is trying to swell probably has punctured lungs."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gardiner |first=Mike |date=12 January 1985 |title=Singles |magazine=Record Mirror |page=6 |issn=0144-5804}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.discogs.com/Big-Country-Just-A-Shadow/master/92446 "Just a Shadow"] at discogs.com * [http://www.allmusic.com/song/just-a-shadow-mt0008449984 "Just a Shadow"] at allmusic.com
{{Big Country}} {{authority control}}
Category:1984 songs Category:Big Country songs Category:Songs written by Stuart Adamson Category:Songs written by Mark Brzezicki Category:Songs written by Tony Butler (musician) Category:Songs written by Bruce Watson (guitarist)