Song written by Ricky, Kim and Marty Wilde. A track included on the album Another Step and released as a single in Europe. It was produced by Ricky Wilde and Reinhold Heil. The sleeve was designed by Wendy Saunders.
Versions
There are two versions of ‘Schoolgirl’: the album version and an extended version called the ‘Head-master mix’, mixed by Ricky Wilde.
Formats
The track was released as a 7″ single and 12″ single in Europe.
See also this page in the discography.
Music video
A music video was filmed to promote the single. It was directed by Peter Cornish.
Go to this page for more information.
Live performances
‘Schoolgirl’ was performed live during the Another Step tour in 1986 only.
Kim about ‘Schoolgirl’
The song is about my six year old sister, Roxanne. I wrote it after the Chernobyl disaster. I was so scared by that. I thought about Roxanne’s future and felt so guilty all of a sudden. I shape this world just as much as anyone else, don’t I? And that’s why I feel just as responsible for the disaster in the nuclear plant as Gorbachev would be. Sometimes you have to look into a mirror. When I finished the lyric of ‘Schoolgirl’ I threw my arms around Roxanne and said sorry. I do think there is still hope, I am a born optimist. (1)
Credits
Guitar: Steve Byrd
Backing vocals: Don Haywoode, Emmah
Fairlight III programming and keyboards: Ricky Wilde, Reinhold Heil
Produced by Ricky Wilde and Reinhold Heil
Engineered by Peter Wade Schwier
Highest chart position
Denmark: 7
Germany: 38 (6 weeks)
Interview source
(1) This is the new Kim Wilde: independent, resolute and looking for adventure, Hitkrant (Netherlands), 19 July 1986
Lyrics
It’s something else to see the way you’re growing
From a sweet little baby to a grown up girl
And I pray though darlin’ I’ve no way to knowing
That you’ll discover a beautiful world
As you skip down the street
And hold your books so tightly
Tell me what are you learning in your ABC
Are you dreaming off all the many things you might be
You know that we’re just waiting to see
Schoolgirl
You’re such an inspiration
Schoolgirl
And you’re as fresh as the breeze
You’ve got the whole world
Just waiting for you
You’re really something, something to see
It’s easy to worry in a world of trouble
When there’s nothing but bad news
Trying to bring you down
But life doesn’t have to be an uphill struggle
There’s still some wonderful things to be found
There is sadness and confusion in our hearts
And the world prepares to fight
As it tears itself apart – it isn’t fair