Innocence

Kirsty MacColl

About Innocence

"Innocence" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, released in 1989 as the third single from her second studio album Kite. It was written by MacColl and Pete Glenister, and produced by Steve Lillywhite. "Innocence" reached No. 80 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks. The song's music video was filmed in the back garden of MacColl's home in Ealing. It was directed by Sarah Tuft and features a cameo appearance from Edward Tudor-Pole.


4:09

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It wouldn't take a long time to explain what lies between us
And it wouldn't take a genius to work out what the scene is
It might just take a pilot to give you a natural high
But you're sending off those bottle tops for your free piece of mind

And are you just waving or drowning?
It's so hard to tell when you're so far away

Oh, innocence has passed you by a long, long time ago
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
Your pornographic priestess left you for another guy
You frighten little children and you always wonder why
Always wonder why

The mercury is rising and it's not all that surprising
In the land of milk and honey where you make big money
And it always keeps the rain off and it always keeps you dry
But back home the people hate you and you never did know why

But I think I'm going to tell you
Just give me fifty thousand lire for my thoughts

Oh, innocence has passed you by a long, long time ago
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
The supermarket checkout girl once smacked you in the eye
When you eat no one else does but you always wonder why
Always wonder why

It would take a gunshot just to clear your head awhile
And after all this time how can you stand there
Look at me and smile?

Now are you just waving or drowning?
It's so hard to tell when you're so far away

Oh, innocence has passed you by a long, long time ago
I was the fly upon your wall and I saw what you know
Degeneration suits you, now I'm going home to cry
You won't be seeing me again but you'll always wonder why
Always wonder why

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Kirsty MacColl

Kirsty Anna MacColl (10 October 1959 – 18 December 2000) was an English singer-songwriter. more »

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Written by: KIRSTY ANNA MAC COLL, PETER WILFRED GLENISTER

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


20 facts about this song

Song Analysis
"Innocence" is a song by Kirsty MacColl that displays her songwriting skills. Coming from her 1989 album "Kite," the song speaks metaphorically about adulthood and the loss of innocence.
Mainstream Success
The song was one of Kirsty MacColl's popular tunes, reaching number 80 on the UK Singles Chart. It may not have cracked the top 40, but it demonstrated Kirsty's capability to produce hits and further established her presence in the music industry.
Peak Position in the Chart
Despite its engaging lyrical content and catchy beat, "Innocence" reached a peak position of number 80 on the UK singles chart. It stayed on the chart for four weeks, from July to August 1989.
Album Contribution
"Innocence" contributed significantly to the success of Kirsty's second album, 'Kite.' After her first album, which was not a commercial success, 'Kite' obtained widespread praise and spotlighted hits like "Innocence" that are still enjoyed today.
Kirsty's Circumstances
MacColl recorded "Innocence" during a transformative period in her life. After the end of a seven-year contract that had tied her down, she was finally free to explore different musical styles and lyrics which is reflected in the track.
Reviews and Reception
Kirsty's gripping performance in "Innocence" gathered numerous positive reviews from music critics. Its interpretation and graceful, profound lyrics about the loss of innocence was praised by critics, as was MacColl's emotional delivery.
Music Styles and Influences
Kirsty MacColl experimented with various music styles throughout her career, and "Innocence" is no exception. The song infuses elements of pop and folk-rock, showcasing her versatile approach to music-making.
Tragic Death
Interestingly, and sadly, MacColl's life ended prematurely at 41 in a tragic accident in 2000, about 11 years after "Innocence" was released. Even after her death, the song remains one of her memorable contributions to music.
Video of the Song
The music video for "Innocence" also gained attention. Featuring a young MacColl in a colorful setting, the video captured the essence of the song's theme of maturity and the inevitable loss of innocence, which resonated with fans.
Lyric Writing
The lyrics of 'Innocence' arguably illustrate MacColl's writing philosophy. Her style often included pointed commentary and observations packed inside mainstream pop songs, and this track exemplifies her approach.
Song Background
"Innocence" is a song by British singer-song, Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1989. - It was one of the tracks in her second studio album "Kite."
Chart Performance
This song reached number 80 in the UK Singles Chart.
Songwriting
The song was written by Kirsty MacColl herself and Mark E. Nevin.
Music Video
Featuring MacColl in a variety of settings, a music video was produced for the song. - The video carries a simple and minimalistic concept, highlighting MacColl's performance.
Lyrics
The song's lyrics reflect on the theme of lost innocence, reflecting Kirsty MacColl's personal experiences and thoughts.
Critical Reception
"Innocence" enjoyed positive critical reception for its honest lyrics and MacColl's emotive delivery.
Musical Style
The track is classified under the genre of pop and folk.
Contributions
The track features contributions from notable musicians such as Johnny Marr of The Smiths and David Gilmour of Pink Floyd on guitar.
Posthumous Popularity
Although MacColl passed away in 2000, her song 'Innocence' continues to receive airplay and recognition, contributing significantly to her legacy in music.
Live Performance
MacColl has played "Innocence" live on numerous occasions, and it remains one of her most widely identified songs.

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