Innocence (Kirsty MacColl song)

Last updated
"Innocence"
Kirsty MacColl Innocence 1989 single cover.jpg
Single by Kirsty MacColl
from the album Kite
B-side "Clubland"
Released18 September 1989 [1]
Length3:59
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s) Kirsty MacColl, Pete Glenister
Producer(s) Steve Lillywhite
Kirsty MacColl singles chronology
"Days"
(1989)		"Innocence"
(1989)		"Don't Come the Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim!"
(1990)

"Innocence" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was 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. [2] "Innocence" reached No. 80 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks. [3] 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] [5]

Contents

Critical reception

On its release, Curiosity Killed the Cat, as guest reviewers for Number One , rated the single three out of five stars. Julian Brookhouse considered the song to be "very Beatley" and added, "I think this'll be a hit". Migi Drummond felt it was "a good song to play in all Irish pubs". [6] In a review of the 'Guilt Mix', Tim Southwell of Record Mirror wrote, "This song finds Kirsty and her sidekicks in playful, nay, frivolous mood. While retaining its original catchy nature, 'Innocence' has also acquired a mocking quirkiness which suggests that everyone had a wonderful time in the recording studio." [7] Dave Jennings of Melody Maker described the song as "engaging, entertaining viciousness" and commented, "Here's another neat bit of juxtaposition. Jaunty Beatleish guitars and skipping rhythms dance rings around Kirsty, who stands still in the midst of it all impassively delivering her mordant lines. 'Innocence' is undeniably a sharp-witted verbal laceration of some loathsome business bod." [8]

In a review of Kite, Robin Denselow of The Guardian noted the song's "burst of good-time country". [9] Steve Pick of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch commented, "Of her own songs, I'm particularly fond of 'Innocence,' with its bouncy vocal melody and interlocking guitar lines. The lyrics concern a bitter end to a relationship, although she delivers them with considerable humor." [10] Eric McClary of the Reno Gazette-Journal wrote, "The intensely personal attacks of 'Innocence' and 'The End of a Perfect Day' are more cleverly couched in falsely lighthearted music, and therefore they pack a more devastating punch." [11]

In a retrospective review of the song, Stewart Mason of AllMusic wrote, "The deceptively savage 'Innocence' kicks off Kite in a breezily subversive manner, setting a lyric of immense emotional violence to an upbeat and bouncy tune with an icily ironic singalong chorus. The lyrics are so plainly mean-spirited that even Elvis Costello circa 1978 would feel sorry for her victim." [12]

Track listing

7" single
  1. "Innocence" (Remix) - 3:59
  2. "Clubland" - 4:03
10" single (UK limited edition release)
  1. "Innocence" (Remix) - 3:59
  2. "Don't Run Away From Me Now" - 2:58
  3. "Innocence" (The Guilt Mix) - 5:54
  4. "Clubland" - 4:03
12" single
  1. "Innocence" (The Guilt Mix) - 5:54
  2. "No Victims" (Guitar Heroes Mix) - 4:23
  3. "Clubland" - 4:03
CD single
  1. "Innocence" (Remix) - 3:59
  2. "No Victims" (Guitar Heroes Mix) - 4:23
  3. "Innocence" (The Guilt Mix) - 5:54
  4. "Clubland" - 4:03

Personnel

Production

Other

Charts

Chart (1989)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart [3] 80

Related Research Articles

<i>Kite</i> (Kirsty MacColl album) 1989 studio album by Kirsty MacColl

Kite is the breakthrough second album by Kirsty MacColl, released in 1989. Produced by her then-husband Steve Lillywhite, it was her first album for Virgin Records. The album included MacColl's hit cover of the Kinks' "Days", as well as two tracks written with Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. On 6 October 1989 it was certified silver by the BPI.

<i>Shine</i> (Frida album) 1984 studio album by Frida

Shine is the fourth studio album by Swedish singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and her second international solo album as Frida. It was first released in September 1984 and has since been re-released several times, mainly in the digitally remastered form in 2005 with bonus tracks. Shine, alongside the accompanying promotional videos and clips, is included in Frida – 4xCD 1xDVD. This album has never been officially released in the United States, but was issued in Canada by WEA. This is Lyngstad's last solo English language studio album to date.

<i>Hoodoo</i> (Alison Moyet album) 1991 studio album by Alison Moyet

Hoodoo is the third solo studio album by English singer Alison Moyet, released by Columbia Records on 22 April 1991 in the United Kingdom and on 27 August 1991 in the United States. It reached No. 11 on the UK Albums Chart and features the singles "It Won't Be Long", "Wishing You Were Here", "Hoodoo" and "This House".

<i>Galore</i> (Kirsty MacColl album) 1995 compilation album by Kirsty MacColl

Galore is a compilation album released by Kirsty MacColl in 1995. It features material previously released on the albums Desperate Character, Kite, Electric Landlady and Titanic Days, among other tracks by MacColl, totalling eighteen songs. Some of the tracks differ from their original releases; a couple of songs, such as "Innocence", are alternate takes, while "Miss Otis Regrets" is a different edit that omits the second half, "Just One of Those Things", performed by The Pogues. On release the album peaked at No. 6, MacColl's highest ever charting album.

<i>Titanic Days</i> Album by Kirsty MacColl

Titanic Days is Kirsty MacColl's fourth studio album, released in 1993. Containing eleven tracks, Titanic Days was sometimes hard to get in years after its release, but it was remastered and re-released in 2005 by ZTT with a second CD of non-album tracks and some live recordings, including a version of "Miss Otis Regrets". In 2012, another remastered re-issue of the album was released by Salvo/ZTT, which again featured a second disc of bonus tracks.

My Affair 1991 single by Kirsty MacColl

"My Affair" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1991 as the second single from her third studio album Electric Landlady. It was written by MacColl and Mark E. Nevin, and produced by Steve Lillywhite. "My Affair" reached No. 56 in the UK and remained in the charts for two weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single.

Days (The Kinks song) 1968 single by The Kinks

"Days" is a song by the Kinks, written by lead singer Ray Davies, released as a single in 1968. It also appeared on an early version of the album The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society. It now appears as a bonus track of the remastered CD. On the original Pye 7N 17573 label, the name of the song is "Day's" due to a grammatical error.

Dont Come the Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim! 1990 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Don't Come the Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim!" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1990 as the fourth and final single from her second studio album Kite. It was written by MacColl and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The song reached No. 82 in the UK and remained in the charts for four weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single, directed by Sarah Tuft.

Kirsty MacColl English singer and songwriter (1959–2000)

Kirsty Anna MacColl was a British singer and songwriter, daughter of folk singer Ewan MacColl. She recorded several pop hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" and cover versions of Billy Bragg's "A New England" and The Kinks' "Days." Her song "They Don't Know" was covered with great success by Tracey Ullman. MacColl also sang on recordings produced by her then-husband Steve Lillywhite, most notably "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues. Her death in 2000 has led to the Justice for Kirsty campaign.

Wishing You Were Here (Alison Moyet song) 1991 single by Alison Moyet

"Wishing You Were Here" is a song by British singer-songwriter Alison Moyet, released in 1991 as the second single from her third studio album Hoodoo. It was written by Moyet and Pete Glenister, and produced by Glenister. Kirsty MacColl provided backing vocals on the song.

Free World (song) 1989 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Free World" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1989 as the lead single from her second studio album Kite. It was written by MacColl and produced by Steve Lillywhite. "Free World" reached number 43 in the UK Singles Chart and remained in the top 100 for seven weeks.

Pete Glenister English musician, songwriter

Pete Glenister is an English guitarist, songwriter and producer, known for his work with Alison Moyet and Kirsty MacColl. He has also worked with a number of other artists including Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Bruce Foxton, Terence Trent D'Arby, Bros, E. G. Daily, Mary Coughlan, Geoffrey Williams, Five Thirty, Bryan Ferry and Raphael Gualazzi.

Caroline (Kirsty MacColl song) 1995 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Caroline" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1995 as a single from her compilation album Galore. It was written by MacColl, and produced by Victor Van Vugt and MacColl. "Caroline" reached No. 58 in the UK and remained in the charts for two weeks.

Angel (Kirsty MacColl song) 1993 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Angel" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, released in 1993 as the lead single from her fourth studio album Titanic Days. It was written by MacColl and produced by Steve Lillywhite. For its release as a single, "Angel" was remixed with additional production by Gregg Jackman. In early 1994, the song reached No. 26 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and remained on the chart for three weeks.

Cant Stop Killing You 1993 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Can't Stop Killing You" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth studio album Titanic Days. It was written by MacColl and Johnny Marr, and produced by Victor Van Vugt and Baboon Farm. The song reached No. 20 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and remained on the chart for seven weeks.

Dear John (Eddi Reader song) 1994 single by Eddi Reader

"Dear John" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader, which was released in 1994 as the third and final single from her second studio album Eddi Reader. It was written by Kirsty MacColl and Mark E. Nevin, and produced by Greg Penny. "Dear John" reached No. 48 in the UK and remained in the charts for two weeks. In 1995, the song was nominated for "Best song musically and lyrically" at the Ivor Novello Awards.

In These Shoes? 2000 single by Kirsty MacColl

"In These Shoes?" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 2000 as the second single from her fifth studio album Tropical Brainstorm. It was written by MacColl and Pete Glenister, and produced by MacColl, Glenister and Dave Ruffy.

Mambo de la Luna 1999 single by Kirsty MacColl

"Mambo de la Luna" is a song by British singer and songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1999 as the lead single from her fifth studio album Tropical Brainstorm. It was written and produced by MacColl, Pete Glenister and Dave Ruffy.

Hes on the Beach 1985 single by Kirsty MacColl

"He's on the Beach" is a song by British singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1985 as a non-album single by Stiff Records. It was written by MacColl and Gavin Povey, and produced by Steve Lillywhite.

All I Ever Wanted (Kirsty MacColl song) 1991 single by Kirsty MacColl

"All I Ever Wanted" is a song by British singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1991 as the third and final single from her third studio album Electric Landlady. It was written by MacColl and Marshall Crenshaw, and produced by Steve Lillywhite.

References

  1. ↑ "This Week - Releases". Record Mirror . 16 September 1989. p. 32.
  2. ↑ Stewart Mason. "Kite - Kirsty MacColl | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  3. 1 2 "KIRSTY MACCOLL | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  4. ↑ "Kirsty MacColl - Innocence". YouTube. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
  5. ↑ "Clients — Sarah Tuft". Sarahtuft.com. Retrieved 2019-08-27.
  6. ↑ "Singles". Number One. 20 September 1989.
  7. ↑ Southwell, Tim (23 September 1989). "Singles". Record Mirror . p. 22.
  8. ↑ Jennings, Dave (7 October 1989). "Singles". Melody Maker . p. 35.
  9. ↑ Denselow, Robin (12 May 1989). "Champion of the world". The Guardian.
  10. ↑ Pick, Steve (9 June 1989). "Kirsty MacColl lives up to familiar name". St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  11. ↑ McClary, Eric (5 August 1990). "Record reviews". Reno Gazette-Journal.
  12. ↑ Stewart Mason. "Innocence - Kirsty MacColl | Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-07-07.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.