Kyrie (song)

"Kyrie"
Single by Mr. Mister
from the album Welcome to the Real World
B-side
  • "Run to Her"
  • "Hunters of the Night"
ReleasedDecember 1985
Recorded1985
StudioOcean Way Recording, Hollywood
GenrePop rock[1][2]
Length
  • 4:25 (album version)
  • 4:10 (single/video version)
LabelRCA
Songwriters
Producers
Mr. Mister singles chronology
"Broken Wings"
(1985)		 "Kyrie"
(1985)		 "Is It Love"
(1986)
Music video
"Kyrie" on YouTube

"Kyrie" is a song by American pop rock band Mr. Mister, from their album Welcome to the Real World. Released around Christmas in 1985, it hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1986, where it was number 1 for two weeks. It also hit the top spot on the Billboard Top Rock Tracks chart for one week. In Australia and the UK, the song peaked at number 11 in 1986.

Background and writing

The lyrics to "Kyrie" were written by John Lang, who co-wrote the songs on all of Mr. Mister's albums. The music was composed by Richard Page and Steve George while on tour with Adam Ant.

In Greek, Kýrie, eléison means "Lord, have mercy" and is a part of many liturgical rites in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison is a prayer that asks "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy."[3][4] According to Page's statements, he was initially skeptical about singing the Christian text Lang had written because he didn't want to make a "religious statement".[5]

"Kyrie" was recorded in Studios A and B of Ocean Way Recording in Hollywood with Paul De Villiers serving as producer. Upon hearing a demo of "Kyrie", De Villers was satisfied, but felt that it could be improved, so the band attempted to recut the song entirely live. This was deemed unsatisfactory, so Mr. Mister instead assembled the song in a piecemeal manner by recording each instrument individually into an API mixing console, with the intent of retaining a live feel.[6]

The vocals were recorded using multitracking techniques by Page and George into an AKG-12 microphone. With the intention of recreating the sound of a choir, Page and George sang their parts on x marks that were placed around the studio by De Villers, who explained:

I didn’t have to pan things. It took a lot of tracks and a lot of bouncing. Steve and Rich would do a track and I would say, 'Great, move to the next X.' 'Great, next one.' 'Great, next X.' The last one was about 20 feet away from the mic. The mic stayed in the same [place], so it was as if each individual person in the choir came out and stood in their place and sang, and then we put it all together.[6]

Release

The single edit of "Kyrie" features an a cappella ending, differing from the fadeout on the version found on Welcome to the Real World. This decision was made to shorten the song's run-time for the purpose of making it more suitable for radio airplay.[6]

In the United States, "Kyrie" debuted at No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, having received airplay from around half of all contemporary hit radio stations reporting to the publication within one week of its release.[7] The following week, "Kyrie" ascended eleven spots on the chart and had amassed airplay on 80 percent of all Hot 100 reporting stations.[8] During the week ending 25 January 1986, "Kyrie" had appeared on 213 out of 219 Hot 100 radio stations, more than any other song at the time.[9] "Kyrie" ultimately topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Album Rock Tracks chart and peaked at No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart.[6]

The video, which was directed by Nick Morris and produced by Fiona O'Mahoney,[10] shows the band in performance mixed with footage taken at the tail end of their Autumn 1985 tour with Tina Turner.[11]

"Kyrie" was used in the hit U.S. TV series Miami Vice during season two, episode fourteen "One-Way Ticket". It was also used in the Netflix series GLOW as well as the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs. The U.S. 7" single can be found pressed on transparent purple vinyl or polystyrene, depending on where it was manufactured.

Reception

Cashbox called "Kyrie" a "booming track" with "top musicianship and a soaring chorus hook."[12] Billboard described the single as "seasonally appropriate, loosely spiritual and grandly performed".[13]

Personnel

Credits sourced from Mix[6]

Track listings

Non-UK 7-inch single[14]

A. "Kyrie" – 4:10
B. "Run to Her" – 3:36

UK 7-inch single[15]

A. "Kyrie" (edited version) – 3:38
B. "Kyrie" – 4:10

UK 12-inch single[16]

A1. "Kyrie" – 4:10
B1. "Kyrie" (edited version) – 3:38
B2. "Hunters of the Night" – 4:07

European and Japanese 12-inch single[17][18]

A1. "Kyrie" – 4:24
B1. "Run to Her" – 3:36
B2. "Hunters of the Night" – 5:07

The single edit (which was also used for the video version) ends with the a cappella phrase "Kýrie, eléison, down the road that I must travel", while the album version simply fades out.

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

In 1993, Acappella Vocal Band, a traditional Southern gospel group, included a version of the song on their album U and Me and God Make 5 (Word). The group later recorded a Spanish version of the song as well. Also in 1993, the song, retitled as "Kyrie Eleison", was covered by Contemporary Christian music duo East to West on their self-titled debut album.

Contemporary Christian artist Mark Schultz recorded it for his 2001 album Song Cinema.[51]

References

  1. ↑ Breihan, Tom (March 5, 2021). "The Number Ones: U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"". Stereogum. Retrieved October 10, 2022. But "Kyrie" sounded very much like a circa-1986 pop-rock song.
  2. ↑ Smith, Troy L. (13 May 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  3. ↑ Kýrie, eléison – Translation from the StraightDope
  4. ↑ Grein, Paul (15 February 1986). "Chart Beat" (PDF). Billboard]]. p. 6. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-11-19. Retrieved 2017-12-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) – RetroRewind interview
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Flans, Robyn (15 February 2017). "Classic Tracks: Mr. Mister's "Kyrie"". Mixonline. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Ellis, Michael (21 December 1985). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. p. 61. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Ellis, Michael (28 December 1985). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. p. 83. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Ellis, Michael (25 January 1986). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. p. 63. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "New Video Clips" (PDF). Billboard. 25 January 1986. p. 34. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  11. ↑ Kyrie details Archived 2017-07-20 at the Wayback Machine – from Mr. Mister fansite
  12. ↑ "Single Releases" (PDF). Cashbox. December 21, 1985. p. 8. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  13. ↑ "Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. 28 December 1985. p. 81. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  14. ↑ Mr. Mister (1985). Kyrie (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). RCA Records. PB-14258.
  15. ↑ Mr. Mister (1986). Kyrie (UK 7-inch single vinyl disc). RCA Records. PB 49927.
  16. ↑ Mr. Mister (1985). Kyrie (UK 12-inch single vinyl disc). RCA Records. PT49928.
  17. ↑ Mr. Mister (1985). Kyrie (European 12-inch single vinyl disc). RCA Records. PT49928.
  18. ↑ Mr. Mister (1986). Kyrie (Japanese 12-inch single vinyl disc). RCA Records. RPS-1021.
  19. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 210. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  20. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  21. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  22. ↑ Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  23. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Image 0646". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Image 9445". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  25. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles". Eurotipsheet. Vol. 3, no. 12. March 29, 1986. p. 14. OCLC 29800226.
  26. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Mr. Mister". Sisältää hitin – Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish) (2nd ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 177. ISBN 978-952-7460-01-6.
  27. ↑ "Kyrie | IRMA". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Mr Mister" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie". Top 40 Singles.
  31. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie". VG-lista.
  32. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie". Singles Top 100.
  33. ↑ "Mr. Mister – Kyrie". Swiss Singles Chart.
  34. ↑ "Mr Mister Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Mr. Mister Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Mr. Mister Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Mr. Mister Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending March 8, 1986". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts (West Germany)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
  40. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1986". Kent Music Report. No. 650. December 29, 1986 – via Imgur.
  41. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1986 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Vol. 45, no. 14. December 27, 1986. p. 5. ISSN 0033-7064 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  43. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles – Hot 100 of the Year 1986". Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 51/52. December 27, 1986. p. 28. OCLC 29800226.
  44. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Mainstream Rock Songs – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  48. ↑ "The Cash Box Year-End Charts: 1986 – Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 27, 1986. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  49. ↑ "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts – 1986" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  50. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Mr Mister – Kyrie". Radioscope. Retrieved July 11, 2026. Type Kyrie in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  51. ↑ "Song Cinema - Mark Schultz - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
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