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.
Perfect Day
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
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Drink Sangria in the park
And then later
When it gets dark, we go home
Just a perfect day
Feed animals in the zoo
Then later
Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on
Just a perfect day
Problems all left alone
Weekenders on our own
It's such fun
Just a perfect day
You made me forget myself
I thought I was
Someone else, someone good
Oh, it's such a perfect day
I'm glad I spent it with you
Oh, such a perfect day
You just keep me hanging on
You just keep me hanging on
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
You're going to reap just what you sow
The song 'Days' by Kirsty MacColl is a beautiful expression of enjoying the simple moments of life with someone special. The song begins by painting a picture of a perfect day where the singer and their companion are drinking Sangria in the park, and as the night falls, they head back home. The second verse creates yet another perfect moment, where they feed animals at the zoo, watch a movie, and eventually return home. The chorus emphasises the idea of how wonderful the day was, spent with someone special who somehow makes everything seem better. The singer feels grateful and entranced, owing to the company of their partner, who just keeps them hanging on.
The bridge furthers this thought, suggesting that one will reap what they sow. The line may be interpreted in various ways, but in the context of the song, it could mean that the singer is reaping the benefits of happiness because they have someone special in their life. It is a significant moment in the song that brings depth to the otherwise straightforward lyrics. The final verse is about being lost in the moment and forgetting oneself, transformed into someone good, thanks to the love and companionship shared with another person.
In conclusion, 'Days' by Kirsty MacColl is an ode to the simple pleasures of life, and how the presence of someone special can transform ordinary moments into perfect ones. It speaks volumes about the importance of love and companionship in shaping our lives, and how being with someone who brings out the best in us can make everything seem idyllic.
Line by Line Meaning
Just a perfect day
A day that is ideal and free from any problems or stress
Drink Sangria in the park
Enjoying a refreshing drink with friends or loved ones in a beautiful setting
And then later
Afterwards, at a later time
When it gets dark, we go home
Heading back to the comfort and safety of one's own home before nightfall
Feed animals in the zoo
Spending time with and caring for animals at a zoo or sanctuary
A movie, too, and then home
Watching a film and then returning home
Oh, it's such a perfect day
Expressing joy and happiness about the wonderful day that has been experienced
I'm glad I spent it with you
Feeling grateful for the company and presence of the person being sung to
You just keep me hanging on
The person being sung to is the source of the singer's happiness and contentment
Problems all left alone
Being able to forget about any issues or hardships and just enjoy the day
Weekenders on our own
Having the freedom to do what one wants with a partner in leisure time
It's such fun
Expressing enjoyment and delight during an activity
You made me forget myself
Being completely absorbed in the moment and forgetting about one's own worries or sense of self
I thought I was
For a brief moment, the singer believed themselves to be someone else
Someone else, someone good
Thinking that they were a better version of themselves
You're going to reap just what you sow
A warning that one's actions will have consequences and that they will ultimately receive what they deserve
You're going to reap just what you sow
Reiterating the previous line and emphasizing the message
You're going to reap just what you sow
A final warning to reflect on one's actions and make changes before they have negative consequences
You're going to reap just what you sow
Repeating the message to ensure that it is understood and remembered
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Lou Reed
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind