"Kids in America" by Kim Wilde

Song#:  1033
Date:  05/22/1982
Debut:  88
Peak:  25
Weeks:  18
Genre:  New Wave



Pop Bits:  Famed UK producer Mickie Most (The Animals, Herman's Hermits) signed Wilde to his RAK label after walking into a studio and hearing her sing backing vocals on a song that was being recorded by her brother Ricky. With her father, Marty (see below), and brother writing all the songs and Ricky producing, Wilde recorded her self-titled debut album. It was an instant smash in the UK going to #3 with this lead single hitting #2. This style of Europop/New Wave was still not fully catching on yet in the US and the single only made the Top 30. However, it has lived on far past its chart life. The song has been covered by many artists and has been used in several films and commercials.

ReduxReview:  I didn't hop on this single when it came out and I don't really know why. I think it hit a bit before I really started to fall for 80s New Wave/synthpop, particularly the UK variety. I've certainly jumped on board since. I'd consider this an essential early 80s single. It should have been a major hit but perhaps pop radio was still not ready to board the 80s train just yet.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Wilde's father is Marty Wilde who was a UK rock and roll star in the late 50s/early 60s. Marty had several chart hits in the UK but like his fellow rock n' roller Cliff Richard, he didn't catch on the US where he only had two pop chart entries. "Bad Boy" reached #45 in 1960 and under the pseudonym Shannon, he hit #47 in 1969 with "Abergavenny." Although not a major hit, "Abergavenny" became popular with many children because it was used in a little stop-action film that was featured on the US TV show "Captain Kangaroo."

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