Kelli's first independent album, a collection of dark modern dream folk songs, was "Rocking Horse" (Nov '08, DIY & One Little Indian). It was produced by Max Richter (composer of "The Blue Notebooks" & "Memoryhouse" / producer of Vashti Bunyan's "Memoryhouse") & has received critical acclaim.
In 2009, Kelli recorded and produced her Butterfly album with her partner Metso.
Butterfly is an acoustic album which came about through Kelli's desire to capture the songs from her Rocking Horse album in their metamorphosis as she and her band reworked the songs for the live stage show. This is Kelli's second independent release which is sold through her website and online.
Her earlier solo albums, Tigermouth and Psychic Cat saw Kelli move from the trip-hop influences of her first successful band Sneaker Pimps, to a more dreampop electronic sound.
The Tigermouth album includes songs such as “Sunlight in the Rain” and “Kids,” which featured ex-Doors drummer John Densmore. Kelli toured with Garbage in 2003 and released her follow-up album, Psychic Cat, in mid-2004.
Psychic Cat saw a return to Kelli’s electro/rock and roll roots, and featured musician turned author Tony O’Neill on keyboards and Andrew Innes of Primal Scream on the song 'Ideal'.
Kelli's collaborations include her co-writing The Paul Oakenfold (featuring Brittany Murphy) Hit song 'Faster Kill Pussycat', Satoshi Tomiie's 'Up in Flames' and 'Love in Traffic' and Bootsy Collins' 'Play With Bootsy' lead single track from his album 'Play with Bootsy', on which Kelli wrote and sang lead vocals.
After leaving London in 2005 to go traveling around Mexico and California, Kelli began learning to play the acoustic guitar and writing songs for what would become her Rocking Horse album. Inspired by the beauty of nature and her travels, Kelli wrote songs such as 'One Day at a Time' and 'Urique'. Her new vocal approach and sparse arrangements creating the dream folk sound of Rocking Horse.
Kelli returned to the UK and began recording the Rocking Horse album with Max Richter in Scotland in Spring 2008.
Marc Pilley played the guitars on the record and Max Richter played the B3 organ and piano, with a quartet playing the string parts and Ruth Morley on flute.
In her live set, Kelli and her band combine cello, flute and acoustic guitar with Kelli's ethereal vocals to interpret the songs from her Rocking Horse album and an original cover of Willows Song from the cult classic Wicker Man film soundtrack.
Sites: Discogs, YouTube and Facebook
Kids
Kelli Ali Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turnin' on a record desire
Baby we've been playin' with fire
Baby if you come out tonight
We can make you feel alright
Baby if you come out tonight
I painted it red
I hung up your picture
Right over my bed
I know every world you ever said
Blonde hair, blue eyes and
We're dreaming of you now baby
Don't care
Your wild heart is gonna see us through now baby
Baby we've been playin' with fire
Turnin' on a record desire
Baby we've been playin' with fire
My favourite scene ends
I play it again
I like to freeze frame when you're laughin'
Man I'd kill to be your friend
Blonde hair, blue eyes and
We're dreaming of you now baby
Don't care
Your wild heart is gonna see us through now baby
Blonde hair, blue eyes and
We're dreaming of you now baby
Don't care
Your wild heart is gonna get us through now baby
Blonde hair, blue eyes and
We're dreaming of you now baby
Don't care
Your wild heart is gonna see us through now baby
The lyrics of Kelli Ali's song "Kids" are primarily about infatuation and obsession with a person who is seemingly unattainable. The lyrics allude to a sense of longing and desire to be close to this person, with the chorus declaring "Baby we've been playin' with fire, turnin' on a record desire." The repetition of "blonde hair, blue eyes" emphasizes the subject's striking physical features while adding to the dream-like quality of the lyrics.
The singer describes her bedroom, where she has hung up a picture of this person and knows "every word [they've] ever said." Her favorite scene is replayed, particularly the moment where the person is laughing. The lyrics suggest a sense of detachment from reality, creating a world where this infatuation is kept alive through repeated viewings of an imaginary scenario.
Ultimately, the song is a reflection on the intensity of teenage desire and the power it holds over people. The lyrics suggest that even though this person is unattainable, the obsession and longing will continue to fuel the singer's dreams and fantasies.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby we've been playin' with fire
We've been taking risks and living dangerously.
Turnin' on a record desire
We've been igniting our passions and desires, like spinning a record.
Baby if you come out tonight
If you come out with us tonight, we promise you'll have a good time.
We can make you feel alright
We'll do everything we can to make you feel happy and content.
Look in my bedroom
Come into my private and personal space.
I painted it red
I chose a passionate and bold color for my room.
I hung up your picture
I have a picture of you that I cherish and want to see every day.
Right over my bed
I placed your picture where I can see it the most, above my bed.
I know every world you ever said
I remember every word you've ever spoken and can recite them by heart.
Blonde hair, blue eyes and
Describing your physical attributes, your hair and eye color.
We're dreaming of you now baby
We're daydreaming about you and imagining being with you.
Don't care
We don't mind or care about anything else, only being with you.
Your wild heart is gonna see us through now baby
Your rebellious and adventurous nature will help us overcome any obstacles in our way.
My favourite scene ends
The moment I love the most has passed.
I play it again
I repeat and relive that moment in my head.
I like to freeze frame when you're laughin'
I enjoy capturing the moment when you're happy and laughing and want to remember it forever.
Man I'd kill to be your friend
I really want to be your friend, I value and respect you that much.
Your wild heart is gonna get us through now baby
Your free spirit will help guide us and overcome any challenges we face.
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group
Written by: KELLI ALI, RICK NOWELS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Viktor4506
One of my favorite songs from Kelli Ali. Even without the video, it has a very serene, ethereal feel to it. Really lifts up your spirits. Fantastic song!! Huge thanks to kelvinling87 for posting this!
Viktor4506
Kelli Ali is amazing. Saw her in concert years ago in Washington D.C. when she was still with the Sneaker Pimps. Love this song!! Has a real dream-like feel to it. She's an awesome singer. Thanks for posting this for everyone of her fans to enjoy!
Starry&Bohemian
a perfect single... it's somewhere between pop- psychedelia and grunge... good stuff...it's nearly 2 years since i've heard this the last time... it's good to hear that sound again...
Rated R
Anyone listening in 2019. What a fantastic voice. She was fabulous in the sneakerpimps. Still a pleasure to listen to.
Robert Tiscione
Voice second to none. She is a star
Solo Traveler - Off The Beaten Path
Listening in 2021.
Audacy Spectrum
@Solo Traveler - Off The Beaten Path 2022 ... since it's release and still liking it!
William Haynes
2023
Joshua McDonnell
Really great song. Love her voice.
gbtisdall
Kelli you are the woman of my dreams, your voice, your eyes, mesmerizing.