Changeling

Album: Real To Real Cacophony (1979)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A changeling is a creature of myth, a human baby that has been swapped out for a fairy. In the UK, it's a word often used to describe someone who doesn't seem quite of this world, perhaps due to their extraordinary creativity.

    In this song, the word is more important for its aural value than it's meaning. Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr wrote the lyric, which is a seemingly random set of phrases that sing well together.
  • "Changeling" was released as a single from Simple Minds' second album, Real To Real Cacophony, but didn't chart - it would be a few more years before they became reliable hit-makers.

    The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales, which is on a farm. Queen (A Night At The Opera) and Dr. Feelgood Down By The Jetty, Sneakin' Suspicion are among the many acts that also recorded there.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")

Phil Hurtt ("I'll Be Around")Songwriter Interviews

Phil was a songwriter, producer and voice behind many Philadelphia soul classics. When disco hit, he got an interesting project: The Village People.

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.