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.
Angel
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
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Love's sleeping
And when it wakes again who knows
The company it's keeping
I am dreaming
I am falling
And just before I hit the ground I hear you calling
Floating round my house
Floating round my house
There's an angel
Floating round this house
Still dreaming
I am flying
And far above my room
I thought I heard you crying
I am calling
Come with me
Come on in and take me by the hand
Come give me what I understand
There's an angel
Floating round my house
Floating round my house
There's an angel
Floating round this house
Love's dreaming
Love's sleeping
And when it wakes again who knows
The company it's keeping
I am dreaming
I am falling
And just before I hit the ground
I hear you calling
There's an angel
Floating round my house
Floating round my house
There's an angel
Floating round this house
There's an angel
Floating round my house
Floating round my heart
There's an angel
Floating round this house
Floating round this heart
Round this head
The lyrics to Kirsty MacColl's song "Angel" are full of dreamlike imagery and a sense of longing. The first stanza sets the scene for the rest of the song by establishing that love is unpredictable and that we can never know who we will end up with. The second stanza shifts to the singer's own dreams, where they are falling and just before they hit the ground, they hear someone calling to them. The third stanza introduces the idea of an angel floating around the house, something that brings the singer comfort and reassurance. The fourth stanza returns to the theme of love, stating again that it is a mysterious force that we cannot fully understand.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of magic and whimsy that takes the listener on a journey. The dreamlike imagery is evocative and conjures up strong emotions, despite the simple and straightforward lyrics. The repeating refrain of "there's an angel floating round my house" is both comforting and eerie, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere of the song.
Overall, "Angel" is a song about dreams, love, and the power of imagination. It captures the feeling of being lost in your thoughts and emotions, and the comfort we can find in the unpredictable forces of the universe.
Line by Line Meaning
Love's dreaming
Love is in a state of dreaming and not fully present in reality.
Love's sleeping
Love is dormant and not active at the moment.
And when it wakes again who knows
It is uncertain what or who will awaken love from its slumber.
The company it's keeping
The people and/or experiences that love encounters will influence its behavior and actions.
I am dreaming
The artist is experiencing a dream-like state, possibly in love or a romantic fantasy.
I am falling
The singer is falling into a vulnerable state, possibly in love or heartbreak.
And just before I hit the ground I hear you calling
Even in a moment of despair, the singer hears the call of the person they love.
There's an angel
The artist believes there is a benevolent and protective force present.
Floating round my house
This force is specifically surrounding and watching over the artist's home or personal space.
Still dreaming
The dream-like state continues or is recurring for the artist.
I am flying
The singer is experiencing a liberating sensation, akin to flying.
And far above my room
The artist's sense of elevation is great enough that they feel above their physical space.
I thought I heard you crying
The singer has a sense of empathy or concern for the person they love, even in their dreams.
Come with me
The singer is inviting the person they love to join them on a journey or in their perspective.
Come on in and take me by the hand
The singer desires the physical and emotional connection of the person they love taking their hand.
Come give me what I understand
The artist wants to receive the type of affection and support they comprehend and can appreciate.
Floating round my heart
The protective force is also present in the artist's emotional center or feelings for the person they love.
Floating round this house
The protective force is present in the physical space the singer occupies.
Floating round this heart
The protective force is present in the singer's emotional center or feelings for the person they love.
Round this head
The protective force is present in the artist's thoughts and mental state.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: K. MACCOLL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind