During the 70s, while still in his teens, Mitchell began playing with local bands in the city of Sarnia. After evolving through a few name changes with essentially the same band, Mitchell and a group titled "Zooom" headed off for Toronto, Ontario. The band eventually dissolved, with Mitchell travelling over to the Greek islands.
Upon his return to Canada, he formed the band Max Webster, which managed to finally break through commercially. Besides playing the group, Mitchell and wrote most of the band's songs with fellow Sarnia native and lyricist, Pye Dubois (Paul Woods). Max Webster toured extensively and built a string of hits. Mitchell's solo career began after his departure from Max Webster, with session work and a succession of solo albums.
In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and perhaps remains his best known song outside of his native Canada.
In 2004, Mitchell entered the radio broadcasting industry, becoming afternoon drive time host on Toronto classic rock radio station Q107.
As of 2005, Mitchell, still does the afternoon drive time on Q107, and is working on a new double CD set for a Spring 2006 release.
In December of 2005, Mitchell had proposed to the Q107 listeners that they write a Christmas song together. The resulting song is entitled "A Christmas Smile". At the end of the song, Mitchell advises his fans not to drink and drive, but to "go for a soda" instead.
Cellophane
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got the trailer park blues and I'm alone
Every now and then I start to twitch
I want to call her on the phone
My bid bad selfish mind
Been saving it for a rainy day
So will you be all mine all the time...cellophane
Drink that cigarette
I'll pay my castsnet's
Will you be all mine all the time...
Wrap my dreams up in cellophane
Roll on over here yea
Spraed yourself out on the cellophane
When you got nothing you don't feel no pain
So come on over and wrap my dreams up...cellophane
And I just feel you wasted
Wasted every precious night
Nobody's out,no...no
Nobody's coming to play
So when the moon smiles a smile
You're lying in bed
Laughing as she dances alone
Will you be all mine all the time...
The lyrics of Kim Mitchell's song Cellophane seem to be addressing a sense of loneliness and longing for a female companion. Mitchell describes a desire to call an unnamed woman, but is hesitant due to his own selfish tendencies. He imagines this woman as the life of the party, and likens her to being wrapped up in cellophane, possibly indicating that she is viewed as fragile or delicate. Mitchell continues to describe his desire to have this woman as his own, "all the time."
The lyrics suggest a sense of desperation, as Mitchell implores the woman to "wrap his dreams up" in cellophane and "come over" to ease his loneliness. In contrast to the previous imagery of the woman as fragile, Mitchell then encourages her to "spread herself out on the cellophane" indicating a more sexualized desire for her. The lyrics continue to highlight a sense of isolation, with Mitchell lamenting the waste of "precious nights" alone, and realizing that "nobody's coming to play," emphasizing his lack of companionship. However, the song ends on a somewhat hopeful note as Mitchell looks to the dancing moon and asks the woman if she will be "all (his) all the time."
Line by Line Meaning
This dog smells like a friend of mine
A random thought popped into my head about a familiar scent
Got the trailer park blues and I'm alone
Feeling down and lonely in a place that's less than ideal
Every now and then I start to twitch
Occasionally feeling restless and agitated
I want to call her on the phone
Thinking about reaching out to someone for comfort
My big bad selfish mind
Acknowledging one's own thoughts and motives may not always be selfless
Been saving it for a rainy day
Holding back a desire or plan for a more opportune moment
So will you be all mine all the time...cellophane
Asking someone to commit to a relationship that is transparent and easily broken
Drink that cigarette
Finishing a smoke before it's gone to avoid waste
You'll be the girl in the party dress
Imagining a desired outcome or scenario
I'll pay my castanets
Being willing to make sacrifices or put in effort for a chance at a relationship
Will you be all mine all the time...
Repeating the same question for emphasis
Wrap my dreams up in cellophane
Protecting one's aspirations and desires from damage or disappointment
Roll on over here yea
Inviting someone to come closer
Spread yourself out on the cellophane
Encouraging someone to be comfortable and open with their feelings
When you got nothing you don't feel no pain
Finding comfort in the absence of something negative
So come on over and wrap my dreams up...cellophane
Urging someone to take an active role in supporting a shared goal or dream
And I just feel you wasted
Feeling disappointed in someone's actions or choices
Wasted every precious night
Believing someone has not appreciated or made the most of their time
Nobody's out,no...no
Noticing a lack of activity or energy in one's surroundings
Nobody's coming to play
Feeling isolated and disconnected from others
So when the moon smiles a smile
Finding appreciation or joy in life's small pleasures
You're lying in bed
Imagining a quiet moment of reflection or introspection
Laughing as she dances alone
Imagining a beautiful and carefree moment
Will you be all mine all the time...
Repeating the same question for emphasis
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jimwynne8644
My favorite Kim Mitchell recording! I love the playing, songwriting, and production! Great band on this one!
@trenthogan4212
I agree it's top-shelf Kim along with Aural Fixations.