La-la-la… la-la-la, I just can’t get you out of my
head, I just can’t get Kylie out of my head… Who would have thought that when “I should be so
lucky” hit the globe Kylie would still be the princess of pop some 25 years
later?! She should be so lucky, indeed.
Back in the late 80’s it was not really Kylie’s
intention being a singer and performer. Instead, she was a TV actress having
started out already in her childhood and making herself a household name -
especially in her home country Australia. With her role as Charlene Mitchell in
“Neighbours” she also reached stardom in the United Kingdom, where this TV
series broke all records. It was even aired twice a day so the kids wouldn’t
miss school.
But in 1987 Kylie was shocked by the power of music when performing Little-Eva’s hit “The Loco-Motion” at a football beneficial game, where all the “Neighbours” cast participated. Australian label Mushroom Records offered her a record deal, and Kylie accepted. “The Loco-Motion” became the century’s best selling song in Australia ruling the No.1 spot for seven weeks. It was like a drug, and Australia was hooked with its addiction hitting the UK as well. Producer trio Stock, Aitken and Waterman heard the sounds of these winds blow and grabbed an opportunity. Kylie was signed to their label PWL.
With this hit factory Kylie released her first
international single, “I should be so lucky”, which was a major success worldwide, and
with the following releases Kylie became the most successful act signed to PWL.
And then Kylie met Michael Hutchence, lead singer of INXS. Two hearts are beating together, I’m
in love. Is this forever and ever? I’m in love. Don’t let go… But
eventually Kylie loosened the chains becoming an independent artist more and
more. Michael inspired Kylie to express her individuality.
Kylie took more steps towards losing the “Girl next door” – image. She showed a more grown up and mature side even wanting to leave this so-called “Bubblegum Pop” behind. She even insisted on being involved in the writing process. With Kylie becoming more herself the younger audience was not too much impressed. On the other hand, Kylie of a sudden advanced becoming an icon for a growing gay audience. Dance, it’s all I wanna do. So won’t you dance? … I’m on fire.
Despite good critics for her fourth album, “Let’s
get to it”, and two successful singles, the record itself flopped. After a
“Greatest Hits” compilation, which followed, Kylie and the hit factory parted
ways. Losing her way in this night, walking away from the light, surrender
was her escape. Breaking the walls of her mind she was one step ahead of the
truth.
It seemed the star, which had risen, had now set and the journey was over. It seemed, but that story’s ending was written without La Minogue herself. Kylie wrote a complete different story. She signed a contract with an independent label, and she marked the first step of her return with “Confide in me”. She proved she won’t be pushed out of the spotlight that easily, no matter what label people put on her. Stick or twist? The choice is yours.
With her next album, her most personal one without a shadow of a doubt, she was back in the shadows. But instead of running away and calling things off, Kylie stood in the distance and viewed from afar. The second album after her old PWL days, “Kylie Minogue II” (“Impossible Princess”) flopped worldwide and was only a success on home territory being her most successful album since her debut. Australia appreciated the musically advanced creativity.
Kylie started breathing a different rhythm and experimented musically. For Kylie dueting Nick Cave on "Where the wild roses grow" marked a turning point for her personally. At the same time she also walked down different creative parts, e.g. going back to acting but also designing her own lingerie, “Love Kylie”.
Still Kylie’s focus remained on music: No second guesses. Trackin’ on this feeling. Pull focus close up you and me. Nobody’s leaving. Got me affected, spun me 180 degrees. So electric. Slow down and dance with me – yeah, slow. Skip a beat and move with my body – yeah, slow. Don’t want to rush it. Let the rhythm pull you in. This will touch it. You know what I’m saying, and I haven’t said a thing. Keep the record playin’…
And yes, all of sudden, Kylie’s record was spinning around. Having signed with Parlophone/EMI, Kylie’s light started shining brighter again, much brighter. Kylie was still standing. “Light Years” brought her back into international hit lists. But Kylie also surprised audiences by landing a hit even bigger than her debut, when “Can’t get you out of my head” hit the airwaves. With that song even the US remembered Kylie and applauded her by giving her a Top 10. Furthermore, she was awarded with a Grammy for her “Come into my world”. This song lets you in… Kylie was gone and now she was back, yeah.
The re-born Kylie-fever spread across the globe. Kylie proved she is fierce, and she is feeling mighty, she is a golden girl, she’s an Aphrodite, all right. After a less successful “Body Language” Kylie toured with her “Greatest Hits”. After the conclusion of the European leg of the tour, Kylie had to cancel the rest of the tour as she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had to undergo chemotherapy.
But Kylie, the red blooded woman, fought and won because she is a strong woman. Everything went from wrong to right, and the stars came out and filled up the sky. And Kylie kept a promise. She re-concepted her “Showgirl” tour, and with “Showgirl Homecoming” she toured Australia. Once again, Kylie was back. Kylie still is back.
After two more albums, “X” and “Aphrodite”, Kylie was introduced into the “Hall of Fame” in 2011, and this year Kylie celebrates her 25th anniversary. K25! Feel the fever…
To have
every man but to love only one
To wake with the moon and sleep with the sun
To be a sinner, a saint, a lover, a friend
To know a beginning but never an end
To fly in the ocean and swim in the skies
Believer in truth, defendant of lies
To know the purest love, the deepest pain
To be lost and found again, and again, and again
These are the dreams of an Impossible Princess
To know the power of wealth and poverty
To taste every moment and try everything
To be hailed a hero, branded a fool
Believe in the sacred and break every rule
To give into pleasure with no boundaries
Living in chaos and harmony
To feel the touch of a man, a woman's caress
To know the limit of torture and tenderness
These are the dreams of an Impossible Princess
It's a way of dealing with all the feeling
Keep
believing in dreamsTo wake with the moon and sleep with the sun
To be a sinner, a saint, a lover, a friend
To know a beginning but never an end
To fly in the ocean and swim in the skies
Believer in truth, defendant of lies
To know the purest love, the deepest pain
To be lost and found again, and again, and again
These are the dreams of an Impossible Princess
To know the power of wealth and poverty
To taste every moment and try everything
To be hailed a hero, branded a fool
Believe in the sacred and break every rule
To give into pleasure with no boundaries
Living in chaos and harmony
To feel the touch of a man, a woman's caress
To know the limit of torture and tenderness
These are the dreams of an Impossible Princess
It's a way of dealing with all the feeling
discography - albums:
1988 Kylie
1989 Enjoy Yourself
1990 Rhythm of Love
1991 Let's get to it
1992 Greatest Hits
1994 Kylie Minogue
1998 Impossible Princess (Kylie Minogue II)
1998 Intimate & Live
2000 Light Years
2001 Fever
2003 Body Language
2004 Ultimate Kylie
2007 Showgirl Homecoming Live
2007 X
2009 Boombox
2009 Kylie live in New York
2010 Aphrodite
2011 Aphrodite Les Folies - live in London
