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.
Turn My Motor
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
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Any way you want it baby I don't mind
Anything you do you know I can't complain
Come and kiss me honey, here I go again
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
Ooee babe you turn my motor on
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
When we have fun you it feels alright
Wanna see you morning, afternoon and night
I don't care where, you know I don't mind when
Just arouse my interest, here I go again
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
Ooee babe you turn my motor on
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
Ooee babe you turn my motor on
We're all alone now now baby please don't hide
Come on over here, I'm gonna swallow your pride
Don't act cool now baby, try romance
It ain't every day that you get a chance like this baby
You don't have to catch me, I ain't on the run
Who wants your brain, your body's too much fun
Just keep on smiling, you ain't in no pain
Move a little closer, here I go again
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
Ooee babe you turn my motor on
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
Ooee babe you turn my motor on
Oohoo you turn my motor on
Oohoohoo you turn my motor on
The lyrics to Kirsty MacColl's "Turn My Motor" revolve around the intense feelings of passion and lust between two individuals. The lyrics portray the exhilarating feeling of sexual attraction and shared intimacy with a lover. The main character in the song is enthralled with their lover and the physical sensations they experience when they are together. The singer admits to not caring about the details of their sexual encounters, but simply enjoying the intense and all-consuming feelings they create.
The lyrics describe the physical sensation of feeling a power that the character does not fully understand, yet seems to be drawn to this force by their lover. The line "Ooee babe you turn my motor on" expresses how the singer is completely consumed by their lust for their partner, as if they cannot function without them. The song seems to be urging the listener to give in to their passions and seek out the connections that make them feel most alive.
Overall, "Turn My Motor" is a sexy and empowering song that celebrates the intimate and powerful connection two people can share.
Line by Line Meaning
When we make love you know it feels so fine
Sex with you feels amazing
Any way you want it baby I don't mind
Willing to do anything to please you
Anything you do you know I can't complain
Willing to accept and enjoy anything you do
Come and kiss me honey, here I go again
Can't resist your kisses and affection
I get a kind of power, don't know where it's from
Feel empowered by the sexual attraction
Ooee babe you turn my motor on
You arouse me sexually
When we have fun you it feels alright
Spending time with you is enjoyable
Wanna see you morning, afternoon and night
Desperately want to be with you all the time
I don't care where, you know I don't mind when
Willing to be with you anywhere, anytime
Just arouse my interest, here I go again
Easily captivated by your actions and ready for more
We're all alone now now baby please don't hide
In a private setting and want you to be open
Come on over here, I'm gonna swallow your pride
Willing to take charge and show you my affection
Don't act cool now baby, try romance
Stop being distant and show me affection back
It ain't every day that you get a chance like this baby
This is a rare opportunity, don't waste it
You don't have to catch me, I ain't on the run
Willing and not afraid to be caught and with you
Who wants your brain, your body's too much fun
Not interested in intellectual conversation, only physical pleasure
Just keep on smiling, you ain't in no pain
Making me happy, no complaints
Move a little closer, here I go again
Can't resist getting closer and continuing the physical interactions
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
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