news
discography
songs
tours
videos
people
family tree
timeline
press releases
reviews
faq
mailing list
fanzines
site map
links
about
contact

colours fly and catherine wheel


composers
Composers: Kerr / Burchill / MacNeil / Forbes
Authors: Kerr
(Earlier sleeves simply state:- Written By: Simple Minds)


publisher
© EMI Music Publishing


background
Jim often would introduce the song with "A story of jealousy, this is Colours Fly And Catherine Wheels."

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).

"When I look back I feel incredibly lucky because not only did we have Charlie Burchill to write with but Derek Forbes our bass player. [He was] essentially as good a guitar player - maybe better in the early days than Charlie was. But Derek was coming up with these bass lines which were as melodic as any lead guitar line. And Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel is really Derek at his best." - Jim, Sunday Herald interview, 2008.


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) New Zealand LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Yugoslavian LP New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) German 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) Reissue CD Simple Minds Box Set 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) Remaster Danish Promo CD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) SACD New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) DVD-Audio New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) US DVD-Audio X5 New Gold Dream Promo CD X5 Five Album Set The Vinyl Collection (79,84) New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84) Half Speed Remaster LP

Live Version (29th March 2013) (4:34)
Recorded: Sands Centre, Carlisle, UK
Mixed By Concert Live
Remastered By Derrick Carter

Simple Minds Live Generic CD Simple Minds Live Specific CD




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
Neapolis Tour: 1998
Black And White Tour: 2006
Celebrate 30 Years Live Tour: 2008
Greatest Hits +: 2013
40 Years Of Hits Tour: 2022