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.
King Kong
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You've a wife and family all alone in the jungle
Are you receiving OK?
King Kong you done what you shouldn't a did
You got a woman back home and a couple of kids
And they get so tired of waiting
I'd be a boy and you'd be a girl
If we lived in another world
Who knows ...
I will repair all the pavements you've cracked if you come back and say you'll be mine
Yes, I will fix all the mortars and bricks
But a tree house will do us just fine
King Kong, you gotta come home
You've a wife and family all alone in the jungle
Do you remember OK?
King Kong, hanging out in LA
It's a change from New York
Won't you have a nice day
You may even get a movie come your way
And if we lived in another world
You'd be a boy and I'd be a girl
If we lived in another world
Who knows ... who knows ...
I will give back all the love you can give
If you're gentle and you will be kind
You stomping off to the US of A wasn't quite what I had in my mind
And if we lived in another world
I'd be a boy and you'd be a girl
If we lived in another world
Who knows ... who knows ...
I will repair all the pavements you've cracked if you come back and say you'll be mine
Yes, I will fix all the mortars and bricks
But a tree house will do us just fine
I will give back all the love you can give
If you're gentle and you will be kind
Yes, I will fix all the mortars and bricks
But a tree house will do us just fine
The Kirsty MacColl song "King Kong" is a comedic ballad about the famous movie monster King Kong. The song is addressed to King Kong himself, pleading with him to come home because he has a wife and family all alone in the jungle. The lyrics suggest that King Kong has run away to Los Angeles, leaving his family behind. The singer promises to repair all the damage that King Kong has caused and to give him love if he returns home.
The song employs a playful tone, with the chorus repeatedly urging King Kong to come home. The song has a 1950s pop feel and is driven by a rockabilly guitar riff. The lyrics reference the classic King Kong movie, as well as Kong's Hollywood influence. There is a sense of humor to the lyrics that underscores the ridiculousness of the whole situation.
Overall, the song is a tongue-in-cheek take on the King Kong story, turning a monster movie into a domestic comedy. It also pokes fun at Hollywood and celebrity culture, as the song suggests that King Kong has become a star in LA but has forgotten his responsibilities as a partner and parent.
Line by Line Meaning
King Kong, you gotta come home
The singer is urging King Kong to return to his family, who are alone in the jungle.
You've a wife and family all alone in the jungle
King Kong has left behind his family in the jungle and they are waiting for him to come back.
Are you receiving OK?
The singer is checking if King Kong is able to understand the message and if he is doing fine.
King Kong you done what you shouldn't a did
King Kong has made a mistake by leaving his family behind and not fulfilling his responsibilities.
You got a woman back home and a couple of kids
King Kong has a wife and children who are waiting for him to come back home.
And they get so tired of waiting
King Kong's family is getting impatient and tired of waiting for him to come back.
And if we lived in another world
The singer is imagining a different reality or situation.
I'd be a boy and you'd be a girl
The artist is suggesting a different gender for themselves and for King Kong in this imagined world.
Who knows ...
The artist acknowledges the uncertainty of what could happen in this hypothetical scenario.
I will repair all the pavements you've cracked if you come back and say you'll be mine
The artist is willing to forgive King Kong's mistakes and repair the damage he has caused if he comes back to them and promises to be with them.
Yes, I will fix all the mortars and bricks
The singer is emphasizing their willingness to mend the relationship with King Kong.
But a tree house will do us just fine
The artist is suggesting that they don't need a fancy home or material possessions to be content, a simple tree house will suffice.
King Kong, hanging out in LA
King Kong is spending time in Los Angeles.
It's a change from New York
Los Angeles is different from New York, where King Kong is traditionally associated with.
Won't you have a nice day
The singer is expressing a polite sentiment and wishing King Kong a good day.
You may even get a movie come your way
King Kong is being offered the possibility of appearing in a movie.
I will give back all the love you can give
The artist is reciprocating the love King Kong has shown towards them.
If you're gentle and you will be kind
The singer is asking King Kong to be gentle and kind towards them.
You stomping off to the US of A wasn't quite what I had in my mind
The singer didn't expect King Kong to leave them and go to the US.
I'd be a boy and you'd be a girl
The artist is repeating their alternative reality scenario.
Yes, I will fix all the mortars and bricks
The artist is again emphasizing their willingness to repair the relationship with King Kong.
But a tree house will do us just fine
The artist is reiterating that they don't need anything fancy to be happy, just a simple tree house will suffice.
Contributed by Jasmine T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@oliverama3302
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