Leaps and Bounds

Paul Kelly & The Messengers, Paul Kelly

About Leaps and Bounds

"Leaps and Bounds" / "Bradman" is a double A-sided single by Australian rock group Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls released in January 1987. "Leaps and Bounds" is from their debut double album, Gossip (1986). "Bradman" did not appear on a studio album until the international version of Under the Sun (1988). The single reached top 100 in the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart. Due to possible racist connotations the band changed its name, for international releases, to Paul Kelly and the Messengers. In 1997, Kelly was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, at the ceremony Crowded House paid tribute to Kelly and performed "Leaps and Bounds". In October 2003, Xanthe Littlemore covered "Leaps and Bounds" for the tribute album, Stories of Me – A Songwriter's Tribute to Paul Kelly. In 2005, rock music writer, Toby Creswell described two of Kelly's songs: "Leaps and Bounds" and "From Little Things Big Things Grow" in his book, 1001 Songs. For the former, Creswell observed "The grand themes of [his] work are all there – Melbourne, football, transcendence and memory... [he] is a detail man – the temperature, the location , foliage". On 26 March 2006 Kelly performed at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Melbourne, singing "Leaps and Bounds" and "Rally Around the Drum". In February 2009 Patience Hodgson (of The Grates), Glenn Richards and Kelly performed "Leaps and Bounds" at the Myer Music Bowl for SBS-TV's concert RocKwiz Salutes the Bowl. On 29 September 2012 Kelly performed "How to Make Gravy" and "Leaps and Bounds" at the 2012 AFL Grand Final although most of the performance was not broadcast on Seven Network's pre-game segment. 


Year:
1987
196 
#1

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com

I'm high on the hill
Looking over the bridge
To the M.C.G.
And way up on high
The clock on the silo
Says eleven degrees 

I remember I remember
I'm breathing today
The month of May
All the burning leaves
I'm not hearing a sound
My feet don't even
Touch the ground 

I remember I remember
I go leaps and bounds
Down past the river
And across the playing fields
The fields all empty
Only for the burning leaves 

I remember I remember
I go leaps and bounds
I remember everything

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Paul Kelly

Paul Maurice Kelly (born 13 January 1955) is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonica player. He has performed solo, and has led numerous groups, including the Dots, the Coloured Girls, and the Messengers. He has worked with other artists and groups, including associated projects Professor Ratbaggy and Stardust Five. Kelly's music style has ranged from bluegrass to studio-oriented dub reggae, but his core output straddles folk, rock, and country. His lyrics capture the vastness of the culture and landscape of Australia by chronicling life about him for over 30 years. David Fricke from Rolling Stone calls Kelly "one of the finest songwriters I have ever heard, Australian or otherwise." Kelly has said, "Song writing is mysterious to … more »

0 fans

Written by: Paul Maurice Kelly, Christopher Robert Langman

Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Artist Background
Paul Kelly is an acclaimed Australian musician, recognized as one of Australia's finest singer-songwriters. He has had an extensive career in music that spans over four decades.
Album Details
"Leaps and Bounds" is a song from his 1987 album "Under the Sun." Though not the most commercially successful album of his career, it is still widely revered among critics and fans.
Song Genesis
The song is believed to have been written by Kelly as a love letter to the city of Melbourne, where he spent the majority of his early years as an artist.
Lyrics Inspiration
The lyrics of "Leaps and Bounds" reference Melbourne landmarks, such as the Nylex clock, a silo clock that's become an unofficial symbol of the city.
Collaboration
This song was co-written by Kelly and his then-bandmate, Chris Langman.
Music Video
The video for "Leaps and Bounds" was filmed on the roof of the Nylex clock, reinforcing the song's connection to Melbourne.
Cover Versions
The song has become a classic in Australian music and has been covered by numerous artists, including James Reyne and Lisa Mitchell.
Concert Staple
"Leaps and Bounds" remains a staple at Paul Kelly's live performances and is often met with a great reception from audiences.
Critical Recognition
It is frequently highlighted in lists and collections of memorable Australian songs – in 2001 it was named by Australasian Performing Right Association as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time.
Cultural Impact
The song is played regularly at Australian rules football matches, particularly ones held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, giving it a strong cultural significance in the city.

Discuss the Leaps and Bounds Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Leaps and Bounds Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/425276/Paul+Kelly/Leaps+and+Bounds>.

    Missing lyrics by Paul Kelly?

    Know any other songs by Paul Kelly? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Leaps and Bounds

    134.6K
    523     30

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    "Some nights I stay up, cashing in my bad luck, Some nights, I call it a ______."
    A win
    B draw
    C loss
    D flaw

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Don't miss Paul Kelly's

    Upcoming Events

    »
    • Sat • May 04 • 11:00 AM
      Las Vegas Festival Grounds, Las Vegas, NV
    Paul Kelly tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!