Much like other Canadian musicians of the era, Kim Mitchell really was not about the flash. It was substance over style.
Although he may have cut his teeth with the band Max Webster, and had his first solo success with the song “Go for Soda”, my first encounters with Kim Mitchell were on his epic album “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” in 1986.
It yielded a bunch of songs, that all came to mind when I read it is Kim Mitchell’s birthday today.
In the beginning
Kim Mitchell formed Max Webster in 1972 in Toronto, and yielded hit singles in Canada such as “Let Go the Line”, which reached number 39. They were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023.
Kim Mitchell formed Max Webster in 1972 in Toronto, and yielded hit singles in Canada such as “Let Go the Line”, which reached number 39. They were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2023.
Kim Mitchell went solo in 1982, and released his first solo album, “Akimbo Alogo” in 1984. It yielded his first hit single, “Go For Soda”, which peaked at number 22 in Canada and number one on the Cancon chart. It was the only single Mitchell charted in the States, going all the way to number 86 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and number 12 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. It appeared in a Season 2 episode of “Miami Vice” as well. “Akimbo Alogo” also had the song “All We Are”, which went to number 79 in Canada and number 10 on the Cancon chart.
For his efforts he won the Juno for Most Promising Male Vocalist of the Year in 1983.
Kim Mitchell came to Lethbridge in 1985 or the first part of 1986, when I was in Grade 11 anyway, and played at the Sportsplex. I remember the commercials for the concert focusing on “Go For Soda” and “All We Are”.
The success of “Akimbo Alogo” set the stage for his breakout album.
Not a leaf
When Kim Mitchell was asked about the title of the album “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” he released in 1986, he referred to the saying “shaking like a leaf”, and said “shaking like a human being” was more serious.
When Kim Mitchell was asked about the title of the album “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” he released in 1986, he referred to the saying “shaking like a leaf”, and said “shaking like a human being” was more serious.
I recalled hearing the phrase in a song from one of his next albums, and thought that odd. Wikipedia reveals the title “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” does come from the song “I Am a Wild Party”, which came out on his live album “I Am a Wild Party” in 1990.
“Shakin’ Like a Human Being” would go on to win the Juno for Album of the Year in 1987.
The singles
“Shakin’ Like a Human Being” yielded songs that stayed on the radio for more than a year, obviously due in part to Canadian content regulations.
“Shakin’ Like a Human Being” yielded songs that stayed on the radio for more than a year, obviously due in part to Canadian content regulations.
He led off with “Patio Lanterns”, a song that paints vivid pictures with imagery. It is an iconic Canadian song now, that peaked at number 12 in Canada and number one on the Cancon charts.
The second single was “Alana Loves Me”, a song I just could not get out of my head in the summer of 1986. I just love the chorus, and distinctly remember where I was when first hearing it. I was taking driver’s ed the summer of 1986 in Lethbridge and staying at my sister’s place. Back then, one of the channels on the cable TV package played a local radio station, and that’s where I heard “Alana Loves Me”. I did not get the name of the song for awhile, because deejays didn’t always announce the names of songs.
“Alana Loves Me”, peaked at number 31 in Canada, and number four on the Cancon charts.
Next up was “Easy to Tame”, another song me and my best friend Chris Vining used to sing at class change in Grade 12 down the halls of Kate Andrews High School in Coaldale. We especially harped on the opening line, “What am I doing to make you so sad…”
“Easy to Tame” peaked at number 32 in Canada and number two on the Cancon charts.
Mitchell slowed things down with “In Your Arms”, the fourth and final single from “Shakin’ Like a Human Being”. It went to 97 in Canada and did not place on the Cancon chart.
Rockland
As the decade closed, Kim Mitchell released the album “Rockland” in 1989, yielding two more radio hits.
As the decade closed, Kim Mitchell released the album “Rockland” in 1989, yielding two more radio hits.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll Duty” peaked at number seven in Canada and number one on the Cancon chart, while “Rockland Wonderland” peaked at number 10 in Canada, but did not chart anywhere else.
The years after
Kim Mitchell keeps on writing, recording and performing to this day. A friend of mine I grew up with actually just saw him play in Taber a few weeks ago, and he even had a chance to meet him.
Kim Mitchell keeps on writing, recording and performing to this day. A friend of mine I grew up with actually just saw him play in Taber a few weeks ago, and he even had a chance to meet him.
Mitchell released songs such as “Expedition Sailor”, which peaked at number 20 in Canada; live versions of “All We Are”, reaching number 73 and “I am a Wild Party”, hitting number 43; “Find the Will”, peaking at number 28; “America”, reaching number three; “Some Folks”, hitting number 16; and much more.
He won the Juno for Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990, and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.
Parting thoughts
The 1980s had a definite Canadian music scene. Some of the artists experienced international success while others such as Blue Rodeo, the Tragically Hip, Luba and Kim Mitchell were very popular at home, but just never caught on the States.
The 1980s had a definite Canadian music scene. Some of the artists experienced international success while others such as Blue Rodeo, the Tragically Hip, Luba and Kim Mitchell were very popular at home, but just never caught on the States.
It really is their loss.
Kim Mitchell, especially with the hits from his second album “Shakin’ Like a Human Being” were special. They told great stories, often about Canadian themes, and really resonated with me.
Perhaps what I will always remember about Kim Mitchell was that every time I saw him, he always just seemed to be having a good time.
That just made us all listening to him have a good time too.
We need more of that today.
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