Song written by Ricky and Marty Wilde. Released as Kim’s sixth single for RAK Records in the UK, originally it did not appear on any of Kim’s albums. As such, it was expected to have considerable success, but despite its rarity value at the time it did not make many charts around Europe. The haunting tale of a girl with a mark on the side of her face, found at the beach at night, was too unusual for many people’s taste.
After its release as a single in 1982, the track later appeared on The Very Best of Kim Wilde, as well as a lot of compilation albums released over 10 years after its original release.
Formats
In the UK, the single was only released on 7″ format. However, in Germany a 12″ single was also made and distributed around Europe. This 12″ single contained no special versions, it contained the same tracks as the 7″ single. The sleeve of the single was designed by Simon Halfon with a photograph by Anton Corbijn.
See also this page in the discography.
Versions
Three versions of ‘Child come away’ exist: the original version, and two remixes, released by Cherry Pop in 2020: Matt pop remix and Matt Pop Instrumental.
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was directed by Tony van den Ende.
Go to this page for more information.
Live performances
‘Child come away’ was performed live during the Debut Tour in 1982 only.
Cover versions
‘Child come away’ has been covered by Lynn Sweet.
Kim about ‘Child come away’
After my second album Select, we put out ‘Child come away’ as an interim single and it didn’t do anything. I think that made us realise that there’s no point putting out something if you’re not 100 percent behind it. (1)
Highest chart positions
Australia: 76
Belgium: 21
Denmark: 3
Germany: 36 (13 weeks)
Sweden: 10 (8 weeks)
Switzerland: 6 (5 weeks)
United Kingdom: 43 (4 weeks)
Interview source
(1) Return of the love blonde, No. 1 (UK), 16 July 1983
Lyrics
Child come away
It’s the girl with the deputy walking by
Child go and play
No I won’t give you reasons so don’t ask why
I read the story about a week ago
They found her on the beach that night
They thought the light had gone out of her eyes
and no-one thinks she’ll ever be right
She was so full of her life
Happy with the people she knew
But then no-one can tell
Child come away
It’s the girl with the deputy walking by
Child go and play
No I won’t give you reasons so don’t ask why
‘Cos all they found were some marks in the sand
A message saying ‘She is mine’
Nobody touched her as she got in the car
And nobody dares to anytime
She was so full of her life
The girl that everybody once knew
But now no-one can tell
Child come away
It’s the girl with the deputy walking by
Child go and play
No I won’t give you reasons so don’t ask why
And when they read a story out to the judge
I heard they had to turn away
It’s all over town
I saw her face in the back of a car
As they were speeding out of town
She’s got a mark on the side of her face
that no-one’s ever seen around
And what she is or what she’s become
I guess the town will never know
Child come away
It’s the girl with the deputy walking by
Child go and play
No I won’t give you reasons so don’t ask why