European Soul

Song written by Ricky and Kim Wilde. Eighth track of the album Close.

Versions

There are two versions of this song: the album version and an acoustic version. The latter appears as an extra track on the CD-single for Perfect Girl, released in 2006.

Live performances

'European soul' was performed live during a German tour in December 1992, the Hits Tour in 1994 and during live concerts in 2015 and 2016.

Kim about 'European soul'

That song is about the painter Marc Chagall, of whom I'm a big fan. I have locked myself into the studio for a few months for the recording of this album. I also read a lot of books about artists, such as Chagall. I knew something of him, since I had art history in art college, but I never studied his work properly. I was more into Degas and Toulouse Lautrec then. When I saw Chagall's work I went to the Tate Gallery to see his paintings. I am touched by his use of colours and his compositions. The feeling of happiness is consistent with the song. (1)

A song which I'm most proud of lyric-wise is about the French painter Marc Chagall. I was in art college and know a lot about painting. Recently I read a book about Marc Chagall's life. When I was flicking through it my mouth fell open, seeing all that beautiful stuff. I went to Tate Gallery (art museum in London -ed.) immediately and stood before one of his beautiful paintings for a while. Then I remembered suddenly that someone once asked me what I felt was closest to perfection. I suddenly knew the answer when I was there in the museum. I'm sad that Marc Chagall doesn't live anymore. I would have loved to play my song to him... (2)

I love painting, that makes my life beautiful. The French painter Chagall (one of the most influential painters of this century) has been an obsession of mine for a while. He inspires me in my songwriting. Unfortunately I will never reach Chagall's level of artistry in my lyrics. But they are straight from my heart. (3)

Hands down one of my all time KW favorite songs. I remember writing the lyrics as I recovered from a broken collarbone acquired at a rather hilarious party in Dorset! Inspired by the exquisite paintings of Chagall, whose work I have always loved, we tried to capture some of the magic of his art that still beguiles me today. (4)

Credits

Keyboards & programming: Ricky Wilde, Tony Swain
Guitars: Steve Byrd, Ricky Wilde
Produced by Ricky Wilde and Tony Swain
Engineered by James Richards.
Mix engineered by Richard Lengyel