"Kids" In London...

Kim Wilde stunned passengers on the London Underground this week by singing her hit single 'Kids In America' in an impromptu singalong.

The moment was recorded and uploaded to YouTube by passenger Katherine Eames.

Kim Wilde and Ricky Wilde serenade passengers on the train home after the MagicFM Christmas Party," Eames wrote.

"After a truly rubbish day, I got on the train home and couldn't get a seat, a man pulled out his guitar 'Oh here we go! I thought."

She added: "Then a drunken woman starts singing. Hang on a minute, I know that voice?! It really was KIM WILDE!

"This totally made my day. Thank you. She is an absolute legend! Merry Christmas everyone. Features 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree' and 'Kids in America'."

Kim commented afterwards on Twitter: "Trending?You'll all think i've pegged it : 0"

Christmas Party...

Iconic pop singer Kim Wilde is announcing her first solo UK dates since 1986. Kim brings her Christmas Party, with special guest Nik Kershaw, to three dates this December, including London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday 21st December. The dates will co-inside with the release of her debut Christmas album that will be a mix of original and classic yuletide tunes.

"I can't wait!! Sorry it's been so long for you guys in the UK - let's make up for that this Christmas….and I’m so looking forward to sharing the stage with Nik Kershaw, one of my favourite artists. It’s going to be such fun!" -- KIM WILDE MAY 2013

The dates are as follows:

Wednesday, December 18

Bristol - O2 Academy

Thursday, December 19

Birmingham - O2 Academy

Saturday, December 21

London - O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

Telephone: 0844 477 2000

Price: £25.00

Kim Wilde was born in Chiswick, West London to legendary 1950’s British Rock’n’Roll singer, Marty Wilde, and his wife Joyce - a member of the singing group, The Vernons Girls. Her first single release, ‘Kids In America’ in 1981, was a worldwide hit paving the way for a recording career which yielded ten albums and in excess of thirty singles, bringing success in every major record market and sales of 10 million and 20 million respectively.

Single successes included ‘Chequered Love’, ‘Water On Glass’, ‘Cambodia’, ‘View From A Bridge’, ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’ - a worldwide success and a number one in the USA - ‘Another Step (Closer To You)’ (a duet with Junior Giscombe), ‘You Came’, ‘Never Trust A Stranger’ and ‘Four Letter Word’.

In 1983 Kim was voted Best British Female Singer at the BPI Awards, while “live” highlights include performing to over 2 million people on a five month European stadium tour with Michael Jackson in 1988, and supporting David Bowie across Europe on his 1990 Greatest Hits Tour.

After a huge hit duet single with the German vocalist, Nena, in 2003 Kim was persuaded to make a new solo album and, having signed to EMI Germany in 2005 she enjoyed a Top 20 Album (‘Never Say Never’) and single (‘You Came 2006’) in the summer of 2006. In 2007 she took this project “on the road”, performing over 50 live concerts - including two solo tours - with dates in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark and numerous Festival appearances across Europe. In December 2008 Kim appeared alongside Robin Gibb, Tears For Fears and 10cc – with a 40 piece orchestra and the Angels of Harlem Gospel Choir - in 20 arena shows for the annual ‘Night Of The Proms’ tour in Germany, and she completed another solo European Tour in April 2009.

In September 2008 Kim was signed up by the UK’s number one London commercial radio station, Magic 105.4; over four years later she still presents a weekly show, “Secret Songs” every Sunday from 10am-2pm. This year will see a number of new recording projects take centre stage, along with the re- packaging and re-release of a collector’s bonus edition of Kim’s album “Close”, which celebrates it's 25th Birthday. It will be a 2 CD set, released in July.

Get Close Again...

The wonderful Close album by Kim Wilde is finally getting a re-release!

Kim herself mentioned on Twitter yesterday that a re-release is in the works, 25 years after it originally came out.

Great to hear various Close re-mixes for HeyMr Heartache,You Came,Never Trust a Stranger,Four Letter Word,Love in a Natural Way today

— Kim Wilde (@kimwilde) January 31, 2013

When asked by fans if she was doing this for a re-release of the album, Kim replied:

@aintetienne OH yes : )

— Kim Wilde (@kimwilde) January 31, 2013

The new reissue will most likely be released by Universal, who own the rights to Kim's recordings from this era. Record company Cherry Red, who released Kim's previous albums in expanded editions put in a request almost two years ago for the next three albums in the series ( Close, Love Moves and Love Is) but were denied.

I am VERY much looking forward to this - hopefully we will get a double disc, there were some excellent remixes made for the singles from this album. And I can not wait to hear this album re-mastered!!!

I will obviously post any more news on this release in the future...

SOTD...

The song of the day is one of the most perfect pop songs ever written, IMO. 

"You Came" by Kim Wilde was released in July 1988. It was the second single taken from the equally fabulous album Close (which became the biggest selling album of her career). The song became an instant favourite of mine back when it was released and it remains one of those songs that I can listen to again and again without ever getting tired of.

It became of one of Kim's biggest hits, reaching the Top 10 all over Europe and peaking at #3 in the UK. In 2006 a brand new version was released as a single to launch her album Never Say Never, which was a collection of new songs and reworked old hits. It became a hit again in Europe, but was sadly never released in the UK.



Here are both versions. I love the 2006 version, but nothing compares to the original...

But what will Kim be up to in 2013?

After teasing her fans last year with the idea of writing and recording a new album in 2013, Kim Wilde talked about a possible Christmas album a few days ago on Twitter.

Ok twitter,any ideas for my Xmas album.I'm thinking intimate and romantic,how about you?

Kim has also confirmed that along with working on the christmas album, she will be spending the year writing and recording material for a brand new studio album, which will be released in 2014!

Many Many...

A look at the artwork for the upcoming Kim Wilde album, Snapshots.

















Here is a look at the promo cover for the upcoming Kim Wilde album, Snapshots.

The sleeve of the album consists of photographs from Kim's life: from her childhood until very recently. Fans will recognise photographs from throughout her career, with promotional photographs, live photographs and even some personal snapshots. There are even some photos there that were submitted by her fans.

Snapshots does not have a release date in the UK (at least not yet), but you can already pre-order the album via Amazon Germany. It will be released on August 26th - I will post the tracklist when it has been revealed.

We do know three songs however - because Kim has already recorded videos for them:
 "Sleeping satellite" (originally by Tasmin Archer - Kim has been performing it during her recent live shows), "To France" (Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly) and "It's alright" (East 17).

I quite like the selections - especially "Sleeping Satellite". It will be fun to see the complete tracklist.

Wilde Winter...

Kim Wilde will release Wilde Winter Songbook on November 4th in the UK and 22nd in Germany. Kim recently released a rather fantastic 25 year anniversary edition of her timeless Close album and she will be releasing a new album next year.

Here is what Kimmy said on Twitter today:

OK Rockers, you heard it from me last ; ) WildeWinterSongbook is coming your way with 12 festive tunes, half original including duets with Nik Kershaw, Rick Astley, Marty Wilde and my husband Hal Fowler. Get your antlers at the ready!!!! : )

Tracklist:

01 Winter Wonderland – feat. Rick Astley

02 Hope

03 One

04 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

05 Winter Song

06 New Life

07 White Winter Hymnal – feat. Marty+Ricky Wilde

08 Burn Gold (Silent Night) – feat. Hal Fowler

09 Song for Beryl

10 Let it Snow

11 Hey Mister Snowman

12 Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – feat. Nik Kershaw

Electric Songbooks Of 2013...

2013 is almost over, and it's time to take a look back at the Galaxy's favorite albums of the year.



Kim Wilde released what I consider to be her best album in more than 20 years. Wilde Winter Songbook really deserves several listens. Her covers of tracks like "White Winter Hymnal" and "Winter Song" are fabulous - but the new songs (written or co-written by Kimmy herself) are the ones that steal the show. An album that deserves much more widespread appreciation.
Favorite tracks: "Song For Beryl", "Burn Gold (Silent Night)", "Hope", "White Winter Hymnal", "One".



Pet Shop Boys released Electric in July and the album is ending up on several year-end lists by music magazines. Like always, the boys delivered an excellent album, although I personally prefer most of their previous albums over this one. That said, it's still a fantastic record that especially pleased the fans of "Dance-Pet Shop Boys".
Favorite tracks: "Love Is a Bourgeois Construct", "Vocal", "Fluorescent", "The Last To Die".



Alison Moyet made a spectacular comeback in 2013 with her hit album The Minutes, which became her highest charting album since 1987 in the UK.

Released in May, the album was met with spectacular reviews. Rightly so, since this album is pretty perfect! Produced and co-written by Guy Sigsworth, this is probably the album fans of the singer had been waiting for - it certainly delivers!
Favorite tracks: "Changeling", "Horizon Flame", "When I Was Your Girl", "Filigree", "Love Reign Surpreme".



Abba legend Agnetha Faltskog made a surprise comeback with A, her first album since 2004 and the first of original material since 1987. Even more surprising is how good it is!

Her voice still sounds beautiful, the songs are well crafted and overall it is a beautifully produced album. A most welcomed comeback.
Favorite tracks: "When You Really loved Someone", "Bubble", "Perfume In The Breeze", "Dance Your Pain Away", "I Was A Flower", "I Should've Followed You Home".



Erasure released their first holiday-themed album this year. Much like the Kim Wilde album, Snow Globe is not strictly a Christmas album, though it does feature some standards. And like Kimmy's album, the songs that really shine here are the new ones, along with a couple of traditional works. The overall tone is dark and moody, yet bright and uplifting. Another excellent album from the boys.
Favorite tracks: "Gaudete", "Sleep Quietly", "Bells Of Love", "Make It Wonderful","Loving Man".



The album of the year, hands down, was for me the long awaited comeback album from Cher!

Filled with both high energy dance songs and beautiful ballads, Closer To The Truth is one of the best albums of the diva's long career. It became a hit for her, charting in the Top 10 in the UK, Canada, Germany, Russia and of course the US where it became her highest charting solo album to date! The comeback of the year!
Favorite tracks: "I Hope You Find It", "My Love", "Dressed To Kill", "Woman's World", "I Walk Alone", "Take It Like A Man", "Sirens", "Red", "Favorite Scars" - OK, the whole album ;)





There are a few albums that came out this year that I still haven't had the change to listen to. I can't say I expect much from the Lady Gaga and Britney Spears albums, but I am really looking forward to hearing the ones from Goldfrapp, The Neighbourhood, OMD and Celine Dion (yes, I have heard a few tracks from the Celine album and I like them surprisingly much...).

EDIT:

OK, heard the Lady Gaga album - it's even worse than Born This Way! I really enjoyed her first two albums, but the last two have left a lot to be desired! The Celine album however is much better with some outstanding tracks!

Next year should bring us new albums from Kylie Minogue (!), Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Bruce Springsteen, Blondie, Toni Braxton (with Babyface), Tori Amos, Frank Ocean, Garbage, Ladytron and of course princess Lana Del Rey. Time will tell if Madonna will join the list...

SOTD...

Here is another track from the absolutely wonderful Kim Wilde album Wilde Winter Songs, which came out a few weeks ago.

Kimmy has been making videos for every song on the album - a fun treat for fans. Here is "Hope":

SOTD...

A test from hell that I have been studying for like a madman is now over. Time will tell if I passed. But for now, only one more test to go and then I am finished for a while! And to celebrate, here is a brand new track from the Kim Wilde Christmas album that came out last month.



Kimmy pokes fun of her surprise performance from last year in an excellent video with Nik Kershaw. The song itself is a cover of her 1987 hit with Mel Smith, which peaked at #3 in the UK and has become a holiday classic since. So let's go on a little train trip with Kim and the gang!

WTF?...

Grrrrrr!!! License requests for Kim Wilde's "Close", "Love Moves" and "Love Is" deluxe album re-issues via Cherry Pop have been rejected this week by Universal! Cherry Pop had been waiting for a year for an answer. I cant understand the thinking behind this - Cherry Pop have previously released excellent editions of Kim´s four previous albums, and one would think that it wouldnt be a problem to continue the series. But oh no - lets just have these album sit in the vaults, along with all the extra material that could be released along with them.

I have been waiting for these re-releases for years! "Close" and "Love Moves" are my favorite Kim albums, and they are in desperate need for a remastered deluxe editions... Those bloody record companies can be annoying beyond belief!

Wild Wilde...

Here is Kim Wilde like you have never seen her before!

Born To Be Wilde...

Like I have mentioned before, Kim Wilde is releasing a new album called Snapshots next month. And while we wait for the tracklist (and the release itself), lets take a look at the career so far of one of the biggest female acts ever to come out of the UK.

ALBUMS:








SINGLES:

























COMPILATIONS: