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.
Kim Mitchell
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I better go I need some time and space
How did I belly flop over
Fly me out of this red-eyed place
Don't go there, kimosabe
G.I. Joe's in a skirt again
Walk slowly, kimosabe
Don't look down say Auf Wiedersehen
There's a dog hangin on to my leg
Don't go there, kimosabe
And now your a deep sea diver
Close your eyes and count backwards to ten
And now when I snap my fingers
You'll wake up and I'll be gone again
Just a thing, but I love that thing
The way you do that thing, it's a really bad thing
Gonna find that thing that El Dorado brings
Gonna hold on tight, take a big big big bite
Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiedersehen...
Well now that I have found my t-shirt
I'd better go, it's getting late
Yes I'm finished with this joy ride
Get my butt back into the race
Kim Mitchell's self-titled song is a wild ride of nonsensical lyrics that seem to be linked together by the theme of escape. The first verse finds him in a state of confusion, looking for his t-shirt and feeling the need for some alone time. He then asks for help to escape the situation he is in, comparing himself to a belly flopping swimmer trying to escape the water. He warns himself not to go back to his previous mindset, embodied by a cross-dressing G.I. Joe, and advises himself to take his time and not rush into things. He likens his current situation to a wild party with a dog clinging to his leg, and instead of giving in to the temptation to stay, he makes a conscious effort to leave and avoid the same mistakes again. The final verse shows him ready to move on, returning to his life's race after a brief detour.
The song's lyrics are cryptic and difficult to interpret, but they seem to be about the desire to break free from the mundane routine of everyday life and explore new and exciting experiences. Mitchell uses a variety of metaphors and nonsensical phrases to convey this message, and the song overall has an energetic and upbeat feel that matches the theme of escape. The final verse seems to suggest that while Mitchell has enjoyed his wild ride, he knows that he must return to reality and continue to pursue his goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Somebody help me find my t-shirt
I'm feeling lost and need someone to help me find a piece of clothing that provides me with comfort and familiarity.
I better go I need some time and space
I feel overwhelmed and need to take a break from my current situation in order to clear my head and figure out my next steps.
How did I belly flop over
I'm surprised and confused by how badly I messed up or failed in a particular situation.
Fly me out of this red-eyed place
I want to escape from this exhausting and draining environment as soon as possible.
Don't go there, kimosabe
I'm warning myself or someone else not to engage with a particular situation or person because it could lead to trouble or negativity.
G.I. Joe's in a skirt again
I'm making a sarcastic comment about the odd or unexpected things that happen in life.
Walk slowly, kimosabe
I'm reminding myself or someone else to take their time and be cautious in a particular situation.
Don't look down say Auf Wiedersehen
I'm urging myself or someone else to be confident and unafraid, even in the face of danger or uncertainty.
Don't go there, she's a party
I'm warning myself or someone else not to get involved with a particular person or group because they're wild or reckless.
There's a dog hangin on to my leg
I feel weighed down or held back by something or someone that won't let me move forward.
And now your a deep sea diver
I'm making a lighthearted observation about how someone has changed or transformed in a surprising way.
Close your eyes and count backwards to ten
I'm instructing myself or someone else to take a moment to breathe, relax, and let go of stress or anxiety.
And now when I snap my fingers
I'm indicating that something has changed or ended suddenly and unexpectedly.
You'll wake up and I'll be gone again
I'm suggesting that I'm a fleeting or unpredictable presence in someone's life, and that they shouldn't get too attached or expect too much from me.
Just a thing, but I love that thing
I'm acknowledging something small or seemingly insignificant that brings me a lot of joy or pleasure.
The way you do that thing, it's a really bad thing
I'm playfully teasing someone about a quirk or habit they have that's endearing but maybe not the best thing for them.
Gonna find that thing that El Dorado brings
I'm expressing my determination to find something rare or valuable, even if it takes a lot of time and effort to do so.
Gonna hold on tight, take a big big big bite
I'm saying that I'm going to grab hold of life and make the most of it, even if it's scary or risky.
Auf Wiedersehen, Auf Wiedersehen...
I'm saying goodbye, but also expressing my confidence and optimism about what's to come.
Well now that I have found my t-shirt
I'm feeling a sense of relief that I've regained something that's important to me and makes me feel comfortable or secure.
I'd better go, it's getting late
I'm acknowledging that there's a sense of urgency or pressure to move on from my current situation or task.
Yes I'm finished with this joy ride
I'm saying that I've had my fill of a particular experience or phase in my life, and it's time to move on to something new.
Get my butt back into the race
I'm expressing my determination to keep pushing forward and not give up, even when things get tough or challenging.
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ToxicCityOfficial
My mom passed away last thursday. I have waited almost a week to listen to "all we are" because I didn't want to hear it until I was ready. I identified her for the cremation today, and on the way home I finally had the courage to put it on, the live version with the incredible solo and the soft keyboard outtro. That was finally when I let mom go. I remember coming home from school when I was young, maybe 8-12, and hearing this song from around the corner, many times. Mom would vacuum and crank it over the vacuum with the front door open. I'll miss her, and this song will always be the strongest link we shared.
@lillymarchand4970
I am so very sorry to hear about your the loss of your mother. My deepest condolences to you and your family. It sounds like both your mom and you have great taste in music. Music can be so healing. I hope that this song will always bring back fond memories of you and your mom. May she be dancing happily and always be with you and watching over you and your family.
@edreid7872
😥
@TheRicresch
Sorry for your loss. She's in a better place.
@parkersandahl3949
I am sorry for your loss I had lost my aunt months ago
@brucebrant1709
I am so sorry for your loss. This is a beautiful song. Me and my mom would ride around Florida when I was 12 listening to a cassettes of Fleetwood Mac and now every time I hear them I'm transported back to when I was 12 riding around with my mom I love and miss her so much🤎🤎🤎 💔💔💔
@richardkimble8126
One of the best songs I've ever heard. Pete's vocals are amazing. Everything is perfect, even the video. I'm a French Canadian guy from Gatineau and I was born in 81. This brings me back but most of all makes me want to live in the 80's FOREVER. God bless you Kim Mitchell band and thank you for this.
@mistysheehan3245
My fav too
@elizabethfleming8818
Ah, Gatineau. Camp Fortune and Pink Lake memories!
@nigelcampbell5449
Wow, listening to the dude on the keys belting out those notes gives me goosebumps. What a vocal range!