Kids in America

Kim Wilde

About Kids in America

"Kids in America" is a song recorded by British singer Kim Wilde. It was released in the United Kingdom as her debut single in January 1981, and in the United States in spring 1982, later appearing on her self-titled debut album. The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, number one in Finland and South Africa, and charted in the top 10 of many European charts as well as Australia and New Zealand. In North America, the song reached top 40 in Canada and the United States. It has sold 679,000 copies in France, was certified gold in the United Kingdom, and has sold over three million copies worldwide. The song has been covered by many artists from different genres.  


Year:
2013
3:12
41 
#1

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Looking out a dirty old window
Down below the cars in the city go rushing by
I sit here alone and I wonder why

Friday night and everyone's moving
I can feel the heat but it's soothing, heading down
I search for the beat in this dirty town (downtown)

The young ones are going
(Downtown) the young ones are growing
We're the kids in America (whoa)
We're the kids in America (whoa)
Everybody live for the music-go-round

Bright lights, the music gets faster
Look, boy, don't check on your watch, not another glance
I'm not leaving now, honey, not a chance

Hot-shot, give me no problems
Much later, baby, you'll be saying nevermind
You know life is cruel, life is never kind (kind hearts)

Don't make a new story
(Kind hearts) don't grab any glory
We're the kids in America (whoa)
We're the kids in America (whoa)
Everybody live for the music-go-round

La la la la-la la-a
La la la la-la la, sing!
La la la la-la la-a
La la la la-la la

Come closer, honey, that's better
Got to get a brand-new experience, feeling right
Oh, don't try to stop, baby, hold me tight

Outside a new day is dawning
Outside suburbia's sprawling everywhere
I don't want to go, baby

New York to east California
There's a new wave coming, I warn ya
We're the kids in America (whoa)
We're the kids in America (whoa)
Everybody lives for the music-go-round

La la la la-la la-a
La la la la-la la, sing!
La la la la-la la-a
La la la la-la la

We're the kids
We're the kids
We're the kids in America
We're the kids
We're the kids
We're the kids in America
We're the kids
We're the kids
We're the kids in America

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Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde (born Kim Smith, 18 November 1960) is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart New Wave classic "Kids in America". In 1983, Wilde received the Brit Award for Best British Female. In 1987 she had a major hit in the US when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On" topped the charts. Starting in 1998, while still active in music, she has branched into an alternative career as a landscape gardener. more »

2 fans

Written by: Marty Wilde, Ricky Wilde

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


14 facts about this song

Creation
"Kids in America" is a song by British singer Kim Wilde and was released in January 1981 as her debut single.
Writing
This popular song was written by Kim Wilde's father, Marty Wilde, and her brother, Ricky Wilde.
International Success
"Kids in America" was a huge success worldwide, reaching number two in the UK Singles Chart. It also achieved high rankings in various European countries and hit number one in Australia.
U.S. Chart Performance
Despite the title, the song was moderately successful in the U.S. It peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Genre
The song falls under the genre of new wave and synth-pop.
Music Video
The music video for "Kids in America" made Kim Wilde an MTV staple in the early 1980s.
Cover Versions
The song has been covered by numerous musicians and groups since its initial release, including The Muffs, Cascada, and Lawson featuring B.o.B, and has appeared on soundtracks for films such as Clueless and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.
Transformative Quality
While some see it as a fun and energetic pop track, others interpret "Kids in America" as a critique of youth culture in the Western world.
Album
The song is included in Kim Wilde's self-titled debut album, which was released later in 1981.
Sales
The song has sold over three million copies worldwide since its initial release, further securing its status as a pop classic.
Legacy
"Kids in America" established Kim Wilde as a leading artist in the New Wave movement and remains her most recognized song to this day.
Awards
Although it did not win any major awards at the time of release, "Kids in America" has since been acknowledged as a crucial song of the 1980s by various music publications and platforms.
In Popular Culture
Apart from various film soundtracks, the song was also used in different TV series including "Doctor Who", "Grey's Anatomy", and "Gossip Girl".
Live Performances
Kim Wilde continues to perform "Kids in America" as a staple in her live performances, much to the delight of fans worldwide.

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    "Kids in America Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 28 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/29340047/Kim+Wilde/Kids+in+America>.

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    Kids in America

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1982

    Billboard #25


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