home > songs > released > in trance as mission

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

in trance as mission


composers
Lyrics: Kerr
Music: Simple Minds


publisher
© EMI Music Publishing


background
"There's one line from In Trance As Mission that always freaks me out when I hear it: 'I hear the holy backbeat.' Y'know, it's like a Godly sort of Catholic thing. Those songs - Seeing Out The Angel, This Earth That You Walk Upon, In Trance As Mission - I don't know if it's a sort of godly feeling, or something. No one in the group practises religion, but most of the band are Catholic. I think you get stamped with that when you're young and it's there forever, you can't really escape it." Jim.

The band always wanted it to open the album but Steve Hillage was worried about its length. In the end he came around to the band's way of thinking. "I thought the song was a bit long, but in retrospect, it's so emphatically strong in putting over the overall vibe on the whole record, it's a really good first track."

Charlie simply played one note throughout the whole piece, substained with feedback.

A similarly lengthy live version was released soon after the album, part of a clutch of bonus live material released with the Sweat In Bullet single.




lyrics
For just one moment in time,
I hear the holy back beat,
Events and casual affairs,
Just what is moving on?
And what is going on?
In dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American,
Moving on.

For just one moment in time,
I want to walk where it is,
Sustain a stature in life,
Here comes a new type of light.
Just what is going on?
What is moving on?
Dream a dream a,
Trance as you dream,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American.
Just what is going on?
What is moving on?

For just one moment in time,
Just one moment in time,
Dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American,
Something crashing into my life.

Something crashing against white rocks.
No calm to my hand.
Here comes my hand.
City up on my mind.
What is going on?
You've got to move on.
Dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American.
Living lives out of dust,
Dream a dream a,
Living lives.

Walk on in light,
I want to walk.
My hands are grabbing at air,
I want to walk.
Dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
In trance in trance,
Trans-American.

Stand by the statue in fog,
Events and casual affairs.
I want to walk,
Heat of the day,
Heat of the day....


discography
Album Version (6:50)
Producer: Steve Hillage
Engineer: Hugh Jones

 Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call Limited Edition LP Sons And Fascination LP Sons And Fascination MC Sons And Fascination Canadian LP Themes For Great Cities LP Sons And Fascination CD Sons And Fascination LP (Virgin Budget Reissue) Sons And Fascination MC (Virgin Budget Reissue) Sons And Fascination Remaster Promo CD Sons And Fascination Remaster Limited Edition CD Sons And Fascination Remaster CD
Live Version (25th Sep 81) (7:17)
Recorded: Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK
Engineer: Chris Porter

 Sweat In Bullet 12" single Themes Volume One Theme Four: Sweat In Bullet CD Theme Four: Sweat In Bullet MC Themes Volume One - Five

Session (4:27)
Producer: John Owen Williams
Engineer: Mike Robinson
Mastered by: Simon Heyworth
Recorded: 11th Feb 82
Broadcast: 23rd Feb 82

 Silver Box Promo CDR #2 Silver Box



live history
Sons And Fascination Tour: 1981
New Gold Tour: 1982-1983