"Last Days of the Century" is an album by British folk-rock singer-songwriter Al Stewart. Released in 1988, it is Stewart's twelfth studio album. Infused with a mix of rock, pop, and folk, the album is representative of the late 1980s folk-pop scene.
The album's title track is a reflection on the changes and events that occurred over the 20th century. "Last Days of the Century/Constantinople/Last Days" and "Josephine Baker" are two highly regarded tracks on the album. Other tracks on the album include "Red Toupee", "License to Steal", and "Fields of France". The album also includes "Antarctica", a song that deals with the theme of isolation and solitude.
Notably, "Last Days of the Century" saw the beginning of Al Stewart's collaboration with former Wings guitarist Laurence Juber, who contributed to the production and arrangement of the album.
Reception to the album was generally positive, with fans and critics lauding Stewart's thought-provoking lyrics and the album's atmospheric feel. Its explorations of history and human experiences, hallmarks of Stewart's work, underline "Last Days of the Century" as a unique and compelling entry in his discography.
