MacColl began her career in the late 1970s UK punk rock scene, singing backing vocals for Drug Addix. Her UK hits included the 1981 single "There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis", a cover of Billy Bragg's "A New England" in 1985, a duet with Shane MacGowan of The Pogues on "Fairytale of New York" in 1987, and a cover of The Kinks' song "Days" in 1989. She was probably most recognizable in the United States as the writer of "They Don't Know" a hit in 1979.
After a break from the music industry for much of the 1990s, several trips to Cuba and Brazil restored MacColl's creative muse, and the world music-inspired (particularly Cuban and other Latin American forms) Tropical Brainstorm, often described as her finest work, was released in 2000.
On 18 December 2000, while swimming in a restricted diving area with her family on a holiday in Cozumel, she was killed in a collision with a powerboat while managing to drag her son out of its path. The boat was owned by Mexican supermarket millionaire Guillermo González Nova (owner of Comercial Mexicana), who was on board with several members of his family. A boathand, José Cen Yam, claimed to have been driving the boat and was found guilty of culpable homicide and, under Mexican law, allowed to pay a fine of 1034 pesos (about USD 90) in lieu of a prison sentence of that many days. However, eyewitnesses contradict Cen Yam's claim to have been driving and also González Nova's claim that the boat was travelling at a speed of only one knot. MacColl's family are campaigning for a judicial review into the events surrounding her death, including an application to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The BBC has featured on several of its channels a documentary by Olivia Lichtenstein, entitled Who Killed Kirsty MacColl?
In 2001, a bench was placed by the southern entrance to London's Soho Square as a memorial to her, after a lyric from one of her most poignant songs: "One day I'll be waiting there/ No empty bench inSoho Square.
All the Tears That I Cried
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And memory fades as the years pass you by
Sometimes the truth's got up, lay down and died
But I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Sometimes I try to pretend it's alright
The promises I make last nearly all night
Still in the morning I run and I hide
But I'll get fooled like the last time
Oh how these eyes are sore
They'll cry again just like before
Lonely the track I decided to take
Lost from the start all the friendships I make
Single fares only the trails only I ride
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Too much reminiscing is bad for the soul
It screws up your life and it makes you feel old
Don't want to remember what I can't abide
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
But I'll get fooled like the last time
Oh how these eyes are sore
They'll cry again just like before
I find it so hard just to make up my mind
You've all been so patient and all been so kind
But when it comes to emotions my outbursts are tied
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
But I'll get fooled like the last time
Oh how these eyes are sore
They'll cry again just like before
'cause I can't forget all the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I can't forget all the tears
The Pogues' "All The Tears That I Cried" is a melancholic song about trying to move on from the pain of a past relationship but finding it difficult to do so. The chorus "I can't forget all the tears that I cried" is a direct reference to the emotional impact that the relationship had on the singer. The song goes on to describe the struggle with memories fading, pretending that everything is okay, and reminiscing being bad for one's soul.
The lyrics are introspective and show the singer's vulnerability as they try to come to terms with the pain they feel. The line "Too much reminiscing is bad for the soul" reflects the idea that dwelling on the past can lead to negative effects on mental health. The singer acknowledges the support of others, "You've all been so patient and all been so kind", but they still struggle with their emotions, "But when it comes to emotions my outbursts are tied".
Overall, the song is a poignant reflection on the difficulties of moving on from a painful past relationship despite trying to do so.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes it's hard to remember you lied
At times, it becomes tough to recollect that you lied to me
And memory fades as the years pass you by
Memory grows fainter as years roll by
Sometimes the truth's got up, lay down and died
On occasions, the truth has ceased to exist, even if it was once there
But I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Nevertheless, I am not able to put out of my mind all the tears I shed
Sometimes I try to pretend it's alright
I make an effort to act as if everything's okay
The promises I make last nearly all night
The commitments I make are short-lived, lasting just through the night
Still in the morning I run and I hide
Yet I am terrified to face the morning and run away
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Since I am incapable of forgetting the tears that I cried
But I'll get fooled like the last time
Despite that, I'll still be tricked just like the previous times
Oh how these eyes are sore
These eyes are painfully worn out
They'll cry again just like before
They will weep again, much like earlier
Lonely the track I decided to take
The road I chose is a lonely one
Lost from the start all the friendships I make
I missed the opportunity to make any friends right from the start
Single fares only the trails only I ride
Only I travel on this path, paying a solo price, with no companionship or support
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Once again, because I cannot forget the tears that I cried
Too much reminiscing is bad for the soul
Recalling too much from the past can be harmful for the soul
It screws up your life and it makes you feel old
It can take a toll on your life and make you feel old and drained
Don't want to remember what I can't abide
I don't want to recollect things I cannot tolerate
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Once again, because I cannot forget the tears that I cried
But I'll get fooled like the last time
Despite that, I'll still be deceived like before
Oh how these eyes are sore
These eyes are painfully worn out
They'll cry again just like before
They will weep again, much like earlier
I find it so hard just to make up my mind
I struggle to come to a decision
You've all been so patient and all been so kind
You all have been so considerate and tolerant
But when it comes to emotions my outbursts are tied
However, my emotional outbursts remain tied up
'cause I can't forget all the tears that I cried
Once again, because I cannot forget the tears that I cried
But I'll get fooled like the last time
Despite that, I'll still be duped like before
Oh how these eyes are sore
These eyes are painfully worn out
They'll cry again just like before
They will weep again, much like earlier
'cause I can't forget all the tears
Once more, because I cannot forget the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I am unable to forget the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I am unable to forget the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I am unable to forget the tears
I can't forget all the tears
I am unable to forget the tears
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIRSTY ANNA MACCOLL, MARK EDWARD CASCIAN NEVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind