THE new single from Niall Quinn of The Hitchers is called ‘Sand’. It is perhaps one of his finest moments in a catalogue of songs that spans across almost four decades including 1997’s ‘Big Mug’ and ‘Strachan’ a song dedicated to the Scottish footballer that is really about a disintegrating relationship and a favourite of BBC Radio 1’s John Peel.
The new song ‘Sand’ is inspired by the true story of an American airman – Staff Sergeant Vernon L. Moore bailed out of the Lady Be Good, an American Liberator bomber that was lost and running out of fuel over North Africa in 1943.
Niall Quinn has given some interesting background to the story on his bandcamp site – niallquinn.bandcamp.com – concluding that, for his protagonist – “fate sometimes just wants you dead and isn’t amenable to negotiation, bribery or any other outcome.” The song resonates and hits hard in 2026 in a world of rising far-right hate and ideological war mongering. ‘Sand’ is written, performed and produced by Niall Quinn and mastered by Richard Dowling at Wav Mastering and available on Bandcamp and Spotify.
