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.
N'Awlin Nights
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
gonna land at sunset in new orleans ...
gonna hire me a long black limousine ...
tonight i'm a southern boy born and bred ...
polite at the table and i'm rude in bed ...
louisiana moon ... and a paddle boat ride ...
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
drop me down into that sweet swamp smell ...
it's a home game here for both heaven and hell ...
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
gonna scream at the sky on huey long bridge ...
salt lick lay that sauce on thick ...
double mint julep and a medicine stick ...
dip my lips in a velvet mist ...
bake my head like i've never been kissed ...
fiddle in the streets with a kershaw sway ...
dr john growls from the alleyway ...
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
drop me down into that sweet swamp smell ...
it's a home game here for both heaven and hell ...
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
gonna scream at the sky on huey long bridge ...
it's the velvet madness in this place that i love ...
when the moonlight comes ... it's the magic ...
that takes me ... and i'm ready to run ...
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
drop me down into that sweet swamp smell ...
it's a home game here for both heaven and hell ...
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
gonna scream at the sky ...
there's a skin buffet up on billy goat hill ...
carry me ... to those n'awlin's nights ...
carry me ... carry me ...
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
to those n'awlin's nights ...
©copyright mitchell/baxter 2004
The song N'Awlin Nights by Kim Mitchell is an ode to New Orleans and its unique and captivating atmosphere. The song tells the story of the singer heading to the city for a night of adventure and indulgence. He hires a long black limousine and sets out to explore the city, taking in the Louisiana moon and a paddleboat ride. The lyrics are full of references to the city's culture and cuisine, including a mention of a double mint julep and a reference to the famous Salt Lick restaurant.
Throughout the song, the singer is carried away by the magic and madness of New Orleans. He describes the feeling of being taken over by the city's energy and being ready to run. The chorus repeats the line 'carry me back to those n'awlin's nights', emphasizing the idea of the city as a place of escape and adventure. The song ends with a mention of a 'skin buffet up on billy goat hill', which adds to the sense of the city as a place of excess and temptation.
The song is notable for its vivid and evocative descriptions of New Orleans, and its celebration of the city's unique atmosphere and culture. It captures the sense of excitement and abandon that the city is famous for, and pays tribute to the many pleasures and indulgences that can be found there. Overall, N'Awlin Nights is an energetic and vivid musical journey through one of America's most iconic cities.
Line by Line Meaning
gonna land at sunset in new orleans ...
I am going to arrive in New Orleans at sunset.
gonna hire me a long black limousine ...
I will rent a long and expensive limousine.
tonight i'm a southern boy born and bred ...
I am embracing my southern heritage tonight.
polite at the table and i'm rude in bed ...
I have good manners at dinner, but I can be wild in bed.
louisiana moon ... and a paddle boat ride ...
The moon in Louisiana and a ride on a paddle boat.
gonna slide the big easy ... feel the rise of the tide ...
I am going to experience New Orleans and feel the tide.
big silver bird with the wing tip lights ...
I am flying in a big silver airplane with wing tip lights.
carry me back to those n'awlin's nights ...
The airplane will take me back to my previous New Orleans experience.
drop me down into that sweet swamp smell ...
I want to be immersed in the lovely scent of the swamp.
it's a home game here for both heaven and hell ...
Here, everybody feels comfortable because they have all sinned at some point or another.
gonna scream at the sky on huey long bridge ...
I am going to scream while standing on the Huey Long Bridge.
salt lick lay that sauce on thick ...
I am adding a lot of sauce on my food.
double mint julep and a medicine stick ...
I am enjoying a drink as well as a medicinal stick.
dip my lips in a velvet mist ...
I am feeling the softness and the sensation of the velvet mist on my lips.
bake my head like i've never been kissed ...
I am exposing my head to the sun and experiencing something new.
fiddle in the streets with a kershaw sway...
I am enjoying a fiddle performance in the street with a particular style of dancing.
dr john growls from the alleyway ...
I hear Dr. John growling from the alleyway.
it's the velvet madness in this place that i love...
I appreciate and love the craziness and the vivacity of this environment.
when the moonlight comes ... it's the magic ...
The moonlight adds a special touch of magic to this place.
that takes me ... and i'm ready to run ...
It inspires me to want to explore and take off running.
there's a skin buffet up on billy goat hill ...
On Billy Goat Hill, there is a buffet containing the crudest things ever.
carry me ... to those n'awlin's nights...
Take me back to those New Orleans nights of magic and wonder.
carry me ... carry me ...
Reiterating my desire to be taken back to those nights.
to those n'awlin's nights ...
The nights in New Orleans that left such an impact on me.
Contributed by Lily G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
steadysteve54
Thanks Craig.Coming from you it means a lot, since you wrote the lyrics to the song.
DarkEliteEric
Jawsome! What a kick-ass solo, to boot!
Eddie
KICK ASS TONE MAN!! kim is come out with AWESOME new songs. GREAT video!!
diegoriquelme
ohhh man excellent!!! this video is so cool
Tim Weaver
right on dude. i swear some of these amateur-home-made vids are as good if not downright better than the"pro's"..heres a thought ..let the artists tell the record companies to take a hike..the money they save makin videos,pass along to us concert-goers, be cool to get back to teh days when for $20 u could grab a concert TEE and album (or cd obviously today)
liquidarkness
yeah it is a cool video