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kaleidoscope


composers
Composers: Kerr / Burchill / MacNeil / Forbes / McGee
Authors: Kerr
(Earlier sleeves simply state:- Lyrics: Kerr: Music: Simple Minds)


publisher
Copyright Control


background
Kaleidoscope was written during the Life In A Day tour, the first known performance captured at the Fforde Green Hotel, Leeds in July 1979. Described by Jim as 'a new song', its slow melodic swirls suggested an alliance with Take Me To The Angels - another paced, slow number from their early concerts.

The recording history of Real To Real Cacophony is complex and confused - many of the titles on tape boxes are crossed out or over-annotated. But it appears that Kaleidoscope was recorded at Rockfield on the 29th August 1979 as the album's bonus track or potential B-side. Its relegation to B-side status explains why Simple Minds never returned to the song again, and the live performances during the Life In A Day tour were the last.

The delay of the Changeling single meant that live material became available as its B-side, so Kaleidoscope remained in the vaults for the Real To Real Cacophony period.

It was finally released the next year, where it appeared as a bonus track for the I Travel single.

If not regarded highly by the band, it was obviously liked by Arista who felt the song had more potential, so it was the only non-album song to grace the compilation album Celebration in 1982.


lyrics
See.
What so you see?
Tell us the things,
That circulate round you.
Scars,
Deep as an ocean.
I've got some things,
I'd like to show you.
Friends of mine,
Who ask to stay,
Well you can turn around,
And walk.

All things lie in hope,
Focusing through,
Your human kaleidoscope.
One man has a dream,
Tells it to me,
And I call it fiction.
Friends of mine,
Who ask to stay,
Well they can turn around,
And walk,
Walk, walk,
Walk away.

Chimes,
Rhythms to me.
Someone else waits,
Behind the curtain.
Image,
Leave them to me.
Destructive virgin,
Behind the curtain.
Friends of mine,
Who ask to stay,
You can turn around and,
Walk, walk walk,
Walk, walk walk away.
Walk, walk,
Walk, away.
Walk, walk,
Walk, away.
Walk.
Walk, away.
Walk, walk, away.
Away, away, away.



discography
Single Version (4:15)
Producer: Leckie
Engineer: Jones


I Travel 7" limited edition flexi-disc I Travel 12" single Celebration Promo LP Celebration LP Celebration MC Celebration LP (Virgin Reissue) Celebration MC (Virgin Reissue) Celebration CD Celebration LP (Virgin Budget Reissue) Celebration MC (Virgin Budget Reissue) Celebration CD (Virgin Budget Reissue) Celebration Disky CD X5 Real To Real Cacophony Promo CD X5



live history
Life In A Day Tour: 1979