MARILLION – Kayleigh (1985)

Marillion were a British rock band formed in 1979. They emerged from the post-punk music scene in Britain and existed as a bridge between the styles of punk rock and classic progressive rock, becoming the most commercially successful neo-progressive rock band of the 1980s.

Marillion’s recorded studio output since 1982 is composed of twenty albums and generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original lead singer Fish in late 1988 and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve Hogarth in early 1989. The band achieved eight Top Ten UK albums between 1983 and 1994, including a number one album in 1985 with Misplaced Childhood, and during the period the band were fronted by Fish they had eleven Top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart. They are best known for the 1985 singles “Kayleigh” and “Lavender”, which reached number two and number five respectively, with “Kayleigh” also entering the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Despite unpopularity in the mainstream media and a consistently unfashionable status within the British music industry, Marillion have maintained a very loyal international fanbase, becoming widely acknowledged as playing a pioneering role in the development of crowdfunding and fan-funded music. They have sold over 15 million albums worldwide.

Do you remember? Chalk hearts melting on a playground wall Do you remember? Dawn escapes from moon washed college halls Do you remember? The cherry blossom in the market square Do you remember? I thought it was confetti in our hair

By the way, didn’t I break your heart? Please excuse me, I never meant to break your heart So sorry, I never meant to break your heart But you broke mine

Kayleigh, is it too late to say I’m sorry? And, Kayleigh, could we get it together again? I just can’t go on pretending That it came to a natural end Kayleigh, oh I never thought I’d miss you And, Kayleigh, I thought that we’d always be friends We said our love would last forever So how did it come to this bitter end?

Do you remember? Barefoot on the lawn with shooting stars Do you remember? The loving on the floor in Belsize Park Do you remember? Dancing in stilettoes in the snow Do you remember? You never understood I had to go

By the way, didn’t I break your heart? Please excuse me, I never meant to break your heart So sorry, I never meant to break your heart But you broke mine

Kayleigh, I just want to say I’m sorry But, Kayleigh, I’m too scared to pick up the phone To hear you’ve found another lover To patch up our broken home Kayleigh, I’m still trying to write that love song Kayleigh, it’s more important to me, now you’re gone Maybe it will prove that we were right Or it’ll prove that I was wrong