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.
Rock That Rhyme
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's got a real itch about it
Heaven knows it's a border line life
Bright lights like a jungle's pretty
You can rock out anytime
And you can roll in the big sin time city
Larger than life size
Foster grant tan
Rock that rhyme
To a state of roll
Shiver and shake
'Til I lose control
Righteous feels wrong but wrong feels the same
Hide your mind inside and watch the good times rage
Rock that rhyme
Touch down
Possibility bathes my face
Old and new at the same time
You want to believe it
You gotta believe it
A brand new day has started
No time for reasons and rhymes
Never long in a city
Then we're away
Out ahead a distant cage is waiting
A molten stage in a blacked out place
Expectant shining sea of faces
Rock that rhyme
To a state of roll
Shiver and shake
Make me lose control
Running 'til dawn
Nerves get frayed
No vital signs on the bus all day
You gotta rock that rhyme
To a state of roll
And do a disapearance with a motown moan
Don't care about the right friends baby
I'm gonna run my world away
All I want is that temperature rising
Just lock me down with that long tall doll all day
Rock that rhyme
To a state of roll
Shiver and shake
Make me lose control
We leave another town and I'm still sane
You can get burned if you stay in the flame
You gotta rock that rhyme
Rock that rhyme
Rock that rhyme
To a state of roll
The lyrics of Kim Mitchell's song "Rock That Rhyme" seem to convey the feeling of being on the road, touring and living the rock and roll lifestyle. The opening lines suggest that the experience can be thrilling, but also has an edgy or risky aspect to it. The city, with its bright lights, is described as a jungle, and the song speaks of rolling in the "big sin time city." There's a sense of larger than life excitement, with references to a "molten stage in a blacked out place" and a "shining sea of faces." The lyrics seem to encourage listeners to let loose and "rock that rhyme" until they're "shivering and shaking" and "losing control."
There's a sense of urgency to the lyrics, as well. The song speaks of a "brand new day" starting and urges listeners to believe in the possibilities that lie ahead. The lyrics suggest a frenetic pace, with references to running until dawn, nerves getting frayed, and the need to disappear with a "Motown moan." Throughout the song, there's a strong emphasis on living in the moment and seizing the opportunities that come your way. The lyrics encourage listeners to take risks, to embrace the unknown, and to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Line by Line Meaning
It can thrill ya
It has the potential to excite you.
It's got a real itch about it
It has an intense and irresistible quality.
Heaven knows it's a border line life
Living on the edge, with a touch of uncertainty and danger.
Bright lights like a jungle's pretty
Vibrant colors and flashing lights, resembling a wild and exotic place.
You can rock out anytime
You have the freedom to let loose and enjoy yourself whenever you want.
And you can roll in the big sin time city
You can indulge in the pleasures of a big city with a reputation for vice.
Larger than life size
Something that is grandiose, exceeding the normal scale.
Foster grant tan
A sunglasses brand known for its tan-colored lenses.
Perfect for an inside man
Ideal for someone who works secretly behind the scenes.
Rock that rhyme
Take charge and make your mark.
To a state of roll
To a state of excitement and movement.
Shiver and shake
Feel a rush of adrenaline and energy.
'Til I lose control
Until I am completely immersed and free of inhibitions.
Righteous feels wrong but wrong feels the same
Opposites can have a similar effect on us.
Hide your mind inside and watch the good times rage
Lose yourself in the moment and forget your worries.
Touch down
Arriving at a new place or new experience.
Possibility bathes my face
A sense of unlimited potential and opportunity.
Old and new at the same time
A mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar.
You want to believe it
You are hopeful and open to new things.
You gotta believe it
You have to trust and have faith.
A brand new day has started
A fresh start and a new beginning.
No time for reasons and rhymes
No time to analyze or overthink things.
Never long in a city
Never spending too much time in one place, always on the move.
Then we're away
Leaving one place to go to another.
Out ahead a distant cage is waiting
A sense of being trapped or confined in the near future.
A molten stage in a blacked out place
An intense and fiery performance in a dark and shadowy location.
Expectant shining sea of faces
An audience eagerly anticipating and ready to be entertained.
Running 'til dawn
Staying active and engaged until daybreak.
Nerves get frayed
Feeling anxious and on edge.
No vital signs on the bus all day
No real activity or progress being made.
You gotta rock that rhyme
You have to take charge and make your own way.
And do a disapearance with a motown moan
Leave with a soulful and memorable farewell.
Don't care about the right friends baby
Not concerned with having the right connections or social circles.
I'm gonna run my world away
I'm going to pursue my own goals and life.
All I want is that temperature rising
All I want is passionate and intense experiences.
Just lock me down with that long tall doll all day
Spending time with a beautiful and captivating woman.
We leave another town and I'm still sane
Despite the chaos and constant movement, I remain in control of myself.
You can get burned if you stay in the flame
If you stay in an intense situation for too long, you can risk getting hurt emotionally.
Contributed by Maya A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.