Kyrie (song)
| "Kyrie" | |
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"Kyrie" was a #1 hit song by the 1980s pop/rock band Mr. Mister, from their 1985 album Welcome to the Real World. Released in late 1985, it hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in March of 1986, where it was #1 for two weeks. It also hit the top spot on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, where it was #1 for a single week, and also their only #1 single on this chart.
Kýrie, eléison, which means "Lord, have mercy" is a part many liturgical rites in Eastern and Western Christianity. Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison is a prayer that asks for, "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy". The words "Kýrie, eléison" translate from the Greek as "Lord, have mercy" (or "O Lord, have mercy").[1]
Background and writing
The words to "Kyrie" were written by lyricist John Lang who co-wrote the songs on all of Mr. Mister's albums. The music was composed by Richard Page and Steve George while on tour with Adam Ant, and according to Page it is essentially a prayer.[2]
The song's lyrics cleverly uses the phrase "Kýrie, eléison":
- "Kýrie, eléison, down the road that I must travel
- Kýrie, eléison, through the darkness of the night"
The video for this song was directed by Nick Morris, and features the band in performance mixed with footage taken at the tail end of their Fall 1985 tour with Tina Turner.[3]
There is an urban legend that singer Richard Page wrote this song while lying in a hospital bed following an unprovoked attack. John Lang has stated that he was the one who was attacked, three years before "Kyrie" was written, and that the incident has nothing to do with the song.[4]
Track listing
7" single
- "Kyrie" (single edit) - 4:10
- "Run to Her" - 3:36
12" single
- "Kyrie" (album length) - 4:24
- "Run to Her" - 3:36
- "Hunters of the Night" - 5:07
The single edit of the song ends with the a cappella phrase "Kýrie, eléison, down the road that I must travel", while the album version simply fades out. There is a common mishearance among listeners who do not know the actual title of the song, as many perceive the lyrics to be Carry a laser down the road that I must travel
Notes
- ^ Kýrie, eléison - Translation from the StraightDope
- ^ Richard Page discusses Kyrie - RetroRewind interview
- ^ Kyrie details - from Mr. Mister fansite
- ^ Lang letter to "Mr. Music" - dated June, 2004