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colours fly and catherine wheel


composers
Words And Music: Simple Minds


publisher
© EMI Music Publishing


background
Originally called Arpeggio Song after Mick's distinctive arpeggio synths, it was fused with Charlie's Skyscraper Guitar Riff and the basis of Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel was born.

A "Catherine Wheel" is a flat, spiral firework. When nailed to a tree and lit, the firework spins on its axis, giving off a circular stream of coloured sparks and light. (Well, that's the theory anyway).




lyrics
Belle.
Never turn your back,
Great times attack,
Inexpensive thrills.

And I said Belle,
Of all the friends who care,
Some should be seen,
But never heard.

Colours fly and catherine wheels,
Poor girls cry,
In the beauty of both worlds.

Catch a boy fell falling,
Fall in love fell falling,
Catch a boy fell falling,
Fall in love fell falling,
Catch a boy fell falling,
Out of the sky.

Belle.
When the pulses rise,
Love will tranquilize,
Just before it kills.

And I said Belle,
You turn them on,
With your reflection,
I know so well.

Colours fly and catherine wheels,
Poor girls cry,
In the beauty of both worlds.

Catch a boy fell falling,
Fall in love fell falling,
Catch a boy fell falling,
Fall in love fell falling,
Catch a boy fell falling,
Out of the sky.

Catch a boy fell falling,
Fall in love fell falling,
Catch a boy fell falling,
Fall in love fell falling,
Catch a boy fell falling,
Out of the sky.
Out of the sky.

Colours fly and catherine wheels,
Some girl cry,
Over her boyfriend,
When colours fly and catherine wheels.

So when the colours fly,
And when the catherine wheels...



discography
Album Version (3:49)
Producer: Pete Walsh
Arrangement: Pete Walsh
Engineer: Pete Walsh

New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) MC New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) US Promo LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) US Limited Edition LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) US CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) US Longbox CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Canadian Limited Edition LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Yugoslavian LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) LP (Virgin Budget Reissue) New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) MC (Virgin Budget Reissue) New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Remaster Promo CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Remaster Limited Edition CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Remaster CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) SACD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) DVD-Audio




downloads
Live Version (16th Feb 2006) (5:05)
Recorded: Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
Recording Engineer: Patrick Demoustier
Mixed By Jez Coad, Charlie Burchill and Andy Gillespie

Black And White Live Bundle #2




live history
New Gold Tour: 1982-1983
Black And White Tour: 2006