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.
My Affair
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
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My folks would drive me wild
They'd spy upon my every move
Until it drove me to despair
They told me what to wear
They told me not to cut my hair
But that's all over now
I had to tell them anyhow
It's my affair
Where I go and what I do
It's my affair oh yeah
It's my affair
It's up to me and not to you
It's my affair
That's the way I want to keep it
I kissed the boy in secret
Thrilled me to the very core
I couldn't stop I wanted more and
I didn't hear the door and
They caught me on the floor
With my affair
And when we first got wed
We used to stay in bed
All day and night all night and day
We bedded half our lives away
But that's all over now
We move in higher circles
Chomping through the upper crust
I couldn't see you for the dust
And then you met that girl
Who left you with your money spent
And now it's no concern of yours
If I sleep with the President
It's my affair
And if I don't come home tonight
It's my affair alright
It's my affair
Who I see is up to me
It's my affair
That's how I want to keep it
I kiss the boys in secret
Hiding in the parking lot
Is just as far as I have got but
If the phone should ring and
There's no one there
Then it's my affair
Eso es asunto de ella
Donde va why lo que hare
Well it's all over now
You've seen the last of me
And I don't have to put up with you
Giving me the third degree
So you go on your way
And don't come sneaking round the back door
Trying to get yourself
back in
I don't want you anymore
The lyrics to Kirsty MacColl's song "My Affair" are a powerful statement of independence and a rejection of societal norms and expectations. In the first verse, the singer describes growing up with overbearing parents who controlled every aspect of their life, from what they wore to how they styled their hair. The singer eventually breaks free from their control and declares that it's their affair what they do and where they go.
The second verse tells the story of a secret love affair that the singer can't resist, even though it risks being discovered. The affair is a symbol of the singer's desire for personal autonomy and the ability to make their own choices about who they love and how they live their life. The final verse shifts to talk about a failed marriage, with the singer describing how they've moved on and found a new sense of freedom. The repeated refrain of "it's my affair" reinforces the message of personal autonomy and the rejection of anyone else's judgments or control.
Overall, "My Affair" is a powerful statement of independence and a rejection of societal norms and expectations. It's a celebration of personal freedom and the right to live one's life on one's own terms, regardless of anyone else's judgments or expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
When I was just a child
As a child, I had overbearing parents who spied on me and controlled every aspect of my life, even down to how I looked.
My folks would drive me wild
My parents' actions frustrated me to the point of exasperation.
They'd spy upon my every move
My parents would track and scrutinize everything I did, invading any semblance of privacy.
Until it drove me to despair
Their constant monitoring and control left me feeling hopeless and utterly worn down.
They told me what to wear
In addition to spying on me, my parents would dictate my clothing choices.
They told me not to cut my hair
My parents even controlled my hairstyle choices and forbade me from cutting my hair.
But that's all over now
I have since broken away from their control and am not bound by their rules anymore.
I had to tell them anyhow
I had to break the news to my parents that I would make my own choices and lead my own life.
It's my affair
The decisions I make about my life are ultimately up to me, whether it's where I go or what I do.
Where I go and what I do
I am free to choose my own path and lifestyle, independent of anyone's guidance or direction.
It's up to me and not to you
I am not beholden to anyone else's wishes or opinions, and am responsible for my own choices.
That's the way I want to keep it
I value my independence and autonomy, and wish to maintain it in my life choices.
I kissed the boy in secret
I have had secretive romantic relationships that I have kept hidden from others.
Thrilled me to the very core
These secret relationships have been immensely exhilarating and satisfying to me personally.
I couldn't stop I wanted more
Despite any perceived risks or consequences, my desire for these secretive romantic relationships compelled me to continue pursuing them.
And I didn't hear the door
The excitement and intensity of these romantic relationships led me to miss or ignore warning signs or potential exposure to others.
They caught me on the floor
Due to my own carelessness or outside interference, these secret romantic relationships were eventually discovered and made public.
And when we first got wed
In my marriage, my partner and I had an active and passionate sexual relationship, spending much time in bed.
We used to stay in bed
Our intimate life was a central focus of our relationship, and we spent much time together in physical intimacy.
All day and night all night and day
Our relationship was fueled by passion and desire, and we indulged in physical intimacy constantly.
We bedded half our lives away
Our relationship was defined by sensual pleasure and physical connection, and we spent significant time in bed together.
We move in higher circles
Later in life, my partner and I have become part of a more exclusive and elite social group.
Chomping through the upper crust
We now enjoy a luxurious and privileged lifestyle, and are part of the upper echelon of society.
I couldn't see you for the dust
My partner's lifestyle and pursuits have left me behind, and we are no longer as close as we once were.
And then you met that girl
My partner has become involved with another woman.
Who left you with your money spent
This other woman has taken advantage of my partner, leaving them financially drained and damaged.
And now it's no concern of yours
My partner's romantic relationships are no longer my concern, and I am free to pursue my own desires.
If I sleep with the President
I am free to engage in any kind of secret, risky or morally questionable relationship I choose, without any regard for societal expectations or pressures.
And if I don't come home tonight
I am not obligated to anyone else and can do as I please, including not returning home if I don't want to.
Who I see is up to me
Nobody else has a say in my personal relationships and romantic choices.
Hiding in the parking lot
I continue to keep my secret romantic interests hidden away from others.
Then it's my affair
Whatever secrets or activities I may be involved in, whether illicit or not, are my responsibility and my own affair.
Well it's all over now
My relationship with my partner is over, and I am moving on.
You've seen the last of me
I am leaving my partner and our relationship in the past, and will not be returning.
And I don't have to put up with you
I am finally free from the control and influence of my partner, and can make my own choices without their input or guidance.
Giving me the third degree
My partner was constantly questioning and scrutinizing me, asking for details and explanations about everything in my life.
So you go on your way
My partner is free to pursue their own life and relationships, without any obligation or influence from me.
And don't come sneaking round the back door
I am not interested in any kind of reconciliation or rekindling of our relationship, and do not want my partner to try and contact me.
Trying to get yourself into my affair
I am closing the door on my previous relationship and moving on, and my partner is not welcome to interfere in my life or personal affairs anymore.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIRSTY ANNA MACCOLL, MARK EDWARD CASCIAN NEVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind