KAYLEIGH

"Kayleigh" is a single release by UK progressive rock act Marillion. The single was released through EMI Records in May 1985 and was the first single released to promote the band´s third full-length studio album "Misplaced Childhood" from June 1985. "Kayleigh" became Marillion´s greatest hit single and helped them achieve the commercial success they had been working for since their inception.

The "Kayleigh" exists in several different versions, but the international 7" single version features "Kayleigh" (in a slightly different version than the album version from "Misplaced Childhood" (1985)) and the non-album track "Lady Nina" as the B-side. The latter would become available on the 1988 "B'Sides Themselves" compilation album only a few years later. "Kayleigh" is one of the ultimate break-up love songs, with lead vocalist/lyricists Fish telling the listener about several romantic episodes, but also his longing for his lost loves. In this case presented as one woman, but in reality a collage of different love interests and moments from those relationships. It´s a deeply personal song and that´s what makes it such a compelling listen (plus the signature opening guitar riff). Fish is a master of relationship poetry, that both feels romantic, melancholic, and relatable.

"Lady Nina" is a great Marillion song too. Instrumentally it´s maybe not the most interesting track, but Fish lyrics and vocals are quite brilliant, telling a story about a middle aged woman (maybe a prostitute) who has lived her life on the merits of her beauty, but age has caught up with her, and what has she got now? Upon conclusion "Kayleigh" is an excellent single release and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.