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.
The US Of Ache
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She was a theme in my serious heart
We had sex in Detroit, rave reviews in Boston on the road to Pittsburgh closing
night in Dallas
Then we said goodbye
I send echoes cross state lines
Chocolates by wire
Meet me in the middle of the U.S. of ache
There must be a town in the middle of America
Where we can meet and start again
I guess she wants to keep me her secret
And I just want to give my secret away
I send echoes cross state lines
Chocolates by wire
Telegrams by the hour
Meet me in the middle of the U.S. of ache
I can't get to Florida
Without driving through Kansas
Cigarettes and motor oil
I know she's never been to heaven
And I sure as hell can't fine her here on earth
I send echoes cross state lines
Chocolates by wire
Telegrams by the hour
Meet me in the middle of the U.S. of ache
In "The US of Ache," Kim Mitchell laments his long distance love affair with a woman who remains unnamed. He describes her as a theme in his serious heart, suggesting that she holds great emotional significance to him. The couple had sex in Detroit and received rave reviews in Boston before ending their tour of passion on the closing night in Dallas. Mitchell sends echoes, chocolates, and telegrams to his lover, but ultimately recognizes that they cannot be reunited unless they meet in the middle of the "U.S. of ache."
The song speaks to the pain of love and physical distance, as well as the idea of finding a middle ground, both geographically and emotionally. The lyrics suggest that the couple's relationship is both passionate and complicated, with Mitchell wanting to be open about his love while his partner desires to keep their connection a secret.
Line by Line Meaning
I was one line in a diary in Kansas
I was just a small part of her life, hardly significant
She was a theme in my serious heart
She was the focus of my emotions and feelings
We had sex in Detroit, rave reviews in Boston on the road to Pittsburgh closing night in Dallas
We had an intimate relationship that was enjoyable, but it came to an end
Then we said goodbye
Our relationship ended and we parted ways
I send echoes cross state lines
I try to reach her even though we are far apart geographically
Chocolates by wire
I try to show my affection and care for her despite the distance
Telegrams by the hour
I try to communicate with her as frequently as possible
Meet me in the middle of the U.S. of ache
Let us meet halfway to try and work things out, despite the pain and sadness we feel
There must be a town in the middle of America
Surely there is a place where we can meet and start afresh
Where we can meet and start again
We can try to rekindle our relationship in a neutral location
I guess she wants to keep me her secret
Perhaps she wants to keep our relationship hidden from others
And I just want to give my secret away
I want to share our relationship with others, to have it known
I can't get to Florida without driving through Kansas
Our past will always be a part of us, no matter where we go
Cigarettes and motor oil
The things that connect us, our shared experiences
I know she's never been to heaven
She has never experienced true happiness, perhaps she never will
And I sure as hell can't find her here on earth
I am having trouble finding her, despite my efforts
Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.