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.
Titanic Days
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Though I can't see
But I can feel his hands all over me
His hot breath on me
I can't resist
His rope, my wrists
I never knew there might be days like this
Dream on he says
Will I be saved
From these Titanic days
A violent frenzy
In a none too cheap hotel
He says it's hazy
But I remember it so well
His arms, his face
The way my words got twisted out of place
Dream on he says
Dream on he always says
It's sink or swim
In these Titanic days
So hot so hungry
So faretheewell goodbye
I got so angry
Now I sit here and sigh
My love, always
We should rejoice in these Titanic days
Dream on he says
Dream on he says
Will I be saved
Will I be saved
Dream on he says
Dream on he says
Do you ever get that sinking feeling?
The lyrics to Kirsty MacColl's "Titanic Days" are full of imagery and emotions surrounding a tumultuous, perhaps dangerous relationship. The singer describes a man whose touch and breath she can feel, but cannot see, and their encounters involve being bound by rope. Despite her resistance, she seems unable to resist him, and there is a sense of danger and adventure that runs through the song. The chorus is repeated multiple times, with the man telling her to dream on, and asking whether she will be saved from these "Titanic days."
The lyrics suggest that these days are full of excitement and passion, but also danger and perhaps instability. There is a sense that the singer is both drawn to and repelled by this man, and that their connection is both physical and psychological. The reference to the Titanic adds a layer of metaphor to the song, suggesting that the relationship is in some ways doomed or fated to end badly. Despite this, the singer seems torn between wanting to resist and wanting to give in to the passion of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I just know
I have a strong intuition about something, even though I cannot fully perceive it with my senses.
Though I can't see
Despite the fact that I cannot directly observe the situation,
But I can feel his hands all over me
I can sense his touch and influence on me.
His hot breath on me
I can feel his fervent, passionate presence near me.
I can't resist
I am powerless to resist his advances.
His rope, my wrists
I am either physically or metaphorically bound to him.
I never knew there might be days like this
This is a new and surprising experience for me, one that I never anticipated.
Dream on he says
He encourages me to conjure up my most imaginative and unattainable fantasies.
Dream on he says
He repeatedly tells me to keep dreaming.
Will I be saved
I am worried about the outcome of this situation.
From these Titanic days
I desire to escape from these intense and tumultuous experiences.
A violent frenzy
This situation is characterized by chaos, aggression, and/or passion.
In a none too cheap hotel
This situation is taking place in a seedy and possibly suspicious location.
He says it's hazy
He claims that his memory of this event is unclear and uncertain.
But I remember it so well
On the contrary, I have a vivid and lasting memory of what occurred.
His arms, his face
I remember specific details about his physical appearance.
The way my words got twisted out of place
I recall being manipulated, deceived, or coerced in some way.
So hot so hungry
This experience has a powerful and insatiable quality.
So faretheewell goodbye
This experience has come to an end, and I must bid farewell to it.
I got so angry
I experienced a strong negative emotional reaction to this situation.
Now I sit here and sigh
I reflect on this experience with a mix of emotions, including regret and nostalgia.
My love, always
Regardless of any negative aspects of this situation, I still feel a deep sense of affection.
We should rejoice in these Titanic days
Despite any hardships or difficulties, we should find happiness and fulfillment in these intense experiences.
Do you ever get that sinking feeling?
A rhetorical question that references the Titanic sinking, implying a sense of impending doom or despair.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KIRSTY ANNA MACCOLL, MARK EDWARD CASCIAN NEVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Seagreentangerine
This has to be played on high volume, in the car, hood down - shouting "Titanic Days"!
Tubebrerry
Has to be the single most mysterious and cryptic song she ever wrote. I've never gotten a handle on it but can't stop listening.
Secret Emerald
So good but so sad... I wish she was still alive today. I was actually born while my mum was listening to this so this is an iconic tune for me. Birth date : 24th December 2003 while this poignant track was playing: still one of my favourites today. Kirsty: RIP.
daren wright
His rope,my wrists, I never knew there would be days like this. Brilliant.
Chris Lyons
So smart, so funny.
Kev L
My favourite line.
JLH
My favourite track on the album and it still sounds as incredible now as it did in 1993. Happy 60th Birthday Kirsty. Miss you so much. x
Neil Hopkins
Always, always the most beautiful, immersive and moving music - a real pins and needles rush
Benjamin Lawrence
Yes, poignant, like pins...
michael nixson
There's some pathos to this song, but it gets past that, it's got powerful undertones. She won't break. I really miss her beautiful voice, but she's left a great legacy in her songs. More than most achieve in a whole lifetime.