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.
You Still Believe In Me
Kirsty MacColl Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not where I should be
I've been very aware
You've been patient with me
Every time we break up
You bring back your love to me
And after all I've done to you
You still believe in me
I try hard to be more
What you want me to be
But I can't help how I act
When you're not here with me
I try hard to be strong
But sometimes I fail myself
And after all I've promised you
So faithfully
You still believe in me
I wanna cry…
The Kirsty MacColl song "You Still Believe in Me" is a tender and insightful portrayal of a relationship that endures despite the flaws of one of its participants. The singer of the song acknowledges that they have not always been where they should be in their relationship, and that their partner has been undeniably patient with them. The singer recognizes that their partner has always been there to catch them when they fall, even when they have been at fault in the past.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the central theme of the love that persists between the two people, despite the singer's flaws and past mistakes. The singer marvels at the fact that their partner still believes in them, still has faith that they can be the person they want to be. The verses of the song highlight the efforts that the singer makes to live up to this faith, even as they struggle with their own weaknesses and insecurities.
Overall, "You Still Believe in Me" is a powerful evocation of the enduring nature of love, and the ways in which it can sustain and uplift us through the challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I know perfectly well
I am fully aware
I'm not where I should be
I'm not in the right place
I've been very aware
I have been cognizant
You've been patient with me
You have been tolerant of me
Every time we break up
Whenever we end things
You bring back your love to me
You restore the love that you have for me
And after all I've done to you
Despite everything I have done to you
How can it be
How is it possible
You still believe in me
You still have faith in me
I try hard to be more
I exert myself to become better
What you want me to be
The kind of person you want me to be
But I can't help how I act
Nevertheless, I cannot control my behavior
When you're not here with me
When you're not by my side
I try hard to be strong
I make an effort to be strong
But sometimes I fail myself
But sometimes I disappoint myself
And after all I've promised you
Even after I make all these promises to you
So faithfully
So steadfastly
You still believe in me
You still have faith in me
I wanna cry…
I feel like crying
Contributed by Micah E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michael Daly
This is possibly the finest cover of a Beach Boys song that I’ve ever heard. Simply beautiful.
Macariotron
Always so good with the harmonies...she even resolves Brian Wilson's melody at :58 in a way I bet he wishes he'd done. Hard to believe she'd be 50 this year, isn't it?
Philip Halpenny
One woman choir. Impeccable harmonies...
Luke
Kirsty had perfect pitch. It shows.
Des Roberts
I can't believe I've missed this song as an avid Kirsty and Beach Boys fan. For some reasons it reminds me of my late wife, so sorely missed as she believed in me when so many others didn't. Together, we proved our critics wrong and enjoyed 29 years together. Sorely missed Margaret Roberts.
countrypaul
There was so much more to her work than we heard in the US. Thank you for posting this.
FuturoPasado
nice cover from one of the most genius songs ever. My favorite from pet sounds.
Ben Cummings
Funny I saw your comment on the original song and here you are right now
C. Miles
Kirsty was a one-off , loved her.
Harry Frezza
This woman WAS a hero.