Burning The Ground Exclusive
Released around Christmas 1985, “Kyrie” became the second single from Mr. Mister’s second studio album, Welcome to the Real World. By March 1986, the soaring track had reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two weeks, cementing the band’s place in mid-80s pop-rock history.
Following the chart-topping success of their previous single, “Broken Wings,” “Kyrie” further established Mr. Mister’s distinctive blend of thoughtful lyricism and anthemic, radio-ready production. The song is built on a driving synth-rock arrangement, with shimmering guitars and Richard Page’s earnest, urgent vocal delivery pushing the melody skyward.
The title, “Kyrie,” comes from the Greek phrase Kyrie eleison, which translates to “Lord, have mercy.” While the song isn’t overtly religious, its lyrics reflect a deeper, spiritual plea set against the backdrop of personal and universal searching. It’s a reflective anthem disguised as a massive pop hit.
Interestingly, lyricist John Lang (a frequent Mr. Mister collaborator and Richard Page’s friend since high school) wrote the words after surviving a near-fatal accident. That brush with mortality infused the song with its sense of reverence and vulnerability.
The music video, a staple on MTV, featured tour footage mixed with scenes of the band traveling across the American heartland, perfectly capturing the song’s sense of journey—both literal and spiritual.
“Kyrie” resonated with a wide audience, not just because of its polished 80s production, but also because of its universal message of hope, redemption, and perseverance. Even decades later, its soaring chorus—“Kyrie eleison, down the road that I must travel…”—still feels like an anthem for anyone navigating life’s uncertain paths.
*This 12″ promo was pressed on 100% virgin vinyl, dynamically enhanced for radio.
SIDE A:
Kyrie (Fade End) 4:33
SIDE B:
Kyrie (Acapella End) 4:12
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
U.S. CHART HISTORY:
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Kyrie | U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | #1 |
| 1985 | Kyrie | U.S. Billboard Adult Contemporary | #11 |
| 1985 | Kyrie | U.S. Billboard Mainstream Rock | #1 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: RCA – JD-14248
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock
CREDITS:
- Drums – Pat Mastelotto
- Guitar – Steve Farris (2)
- Keyboards, Vocals – Steve George
- Lead Vocals, Bass – Richard Page
- Producer – Mr. Mister, Paul De Villiers
- Written-By – Lang*, Page*, George*
NOTES:
From the “Welcome To The Real World” album.
Made in U.S.A.
Not for sale.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
You can help show your support for this blog by donating using PayPal. I appreciate your help.
This rip sounds soooo good Paul!! Amazing! Blasted this on my speakers dancing around! Ha ha. Great to have this Fade End mix – thanks @DavidLG1971 for the background!
Thanks for this one – Kyrie is my favorite song from 1985. In fact I have the same 12″ record:) (I actually uploaded my humble rip of it to Youtube last year.) For those that didn’t know, the Fade End version *is* a remix, albeit a subtle one. The supposition amongst DJs was that RCA wanted to gloss the song up a bit and create a single mix, and this was the first attempt. It has a lot of the added bits also heard in the ‘Acapella End’ version, but actually runs slightly longer than the LP version. So the… Read more »
Thanks for such a detailed explanation of this. I knew the 7-inch acapella version has additional percussive elements mixed in, but I didn’t know the faded version on this promo was also remixed. Cheers!
I remember that Rolling Stone gave Welcome to the Real World a dismissive review, saying that the problem with the album was that there weren’t any real songs on it. I didn’t understand that position at the time, since I purchased the cassette because of the popular hits, and discovered that I liked the rest of the album, too… and still do. However, recently I had the opportunity to really listen to the entire record all the way through on an extended road trip, and I understand the RS review now. There are no real songs on the album; it’s… Read more »
Wow just wow Paul!! What a perfect way to finish off the week. I think you’ve outdone yourself this week from the comments I’ve seen, Lol. I’ve gotta credit Grant below, this song is just like Proust’s Madeleine. It instantly takes me back to 1985/1986. The song hit #1, the video was in heavy rotation on MTV and it was just such a BIG hook. That chorus! Just like you said, “because of its polished 80’s production, but also because of its universal message of hope, redemption, and perseverance.” Broken Wings had that too. No coincidence they were both #1… Read more »
Wow, Retro Hound—thank you for such an amazing comment! You nailed it: Welcome to the Real World really does stand shoulder to shoulder with Songs From the Big Chair and Once Upon a Time as a perfect snapshot of the mid-80s. That sweet spot of big hooks, polished production, and uplifting messages is exactly what made those records timeless. And yes, that chorus on “Kyrie” is unstoppable! I agree, it’s a shame Mr. Mister couldn’t quite capture that magic again, but their moment in the spotlight was truly special. Thanks for sharing the memories and insights—it makes posting these songs… Read more »
Thanks for the great rip, Paul! Classic 80s rock-ish song with pop crossover and a favorite among me and my friends back in the day. It seemed like this song got a fair amount of airplay for well over a year. By the way, these 2 versions are on their Welcome To The Real World remastered cd set if anyone’s looking or cares. 🙂 Thanks again, Paul!
You’re welcome, Fred. The single version listed on the remastered CD is actually not the 7″ version; there is a 3:38 edit on the 7″ which omits the beginning synth and acapella vocals. It does still have the acapella ending, though. Mr. Mister – Kyrie – Vinyl (Purple Translucent, 7″, Single, Promo), 1985 [r4142407] | Discogs
Thank you for another fantastic, rare PROMO! I’ve always loved this song, and I could never understand why there weren’t any remixes for it! I’m so excited that you are sharing a different version of it!
You’re very welcome! I’ve always wondered the same thing—such a big hit and yet no official remixes. At least we have the promo version to give us something a little different. Glad you’re as excited about it as I am!
I guess there’s always an argument to be made that a song is so perfect that nothing should be changed…but personally, I always appreciate any good remix. And the opening sequence to this song practically lends itself to a remix!
Yessss! This was such a key song for me and my first girlfriend … takes me back like Proust’s madeleine, like a memory rocket, right to that time !!
Love that, Grant! Music really is the ultimate time machine—it can take you back in an instant. I’m glad “Kyrie” still carries that kind of power and memory for you. Thanks for sharing that special connection!
This is the very definition of a classic record! Gosh, I love this song so much!! I’m also very grateful to have both versions by you, Paul! What a wonderful week of posts, Paul!! I don’t think I couldn’t possibly get happier if it wasn’t for you Paul and the awesome music you generously share!!! Have a wonderful and well-deserved weekend! It was so great having five posts this week!! You do spoil us!! And to my awesome peeps here, like Retro Hound, Song_and_Dance, Martika, DJ Xrey, ING, Grant, Raymond, and the rest, you guys have a massively pleasurable weekend,… Read more »
Jeff, you always know how to make me smile—thank you so much for the kind words! I’m really happy you enjoyed the posts this week, and it means a lot that the music hits home for you. Five posts was a fun little push, and I’m glad it felt like a treat. 🙂
And yes, big cheers to all the awesome regulars here—it’s such a great little community. Wishing you a fantastic and well-deserved weekend, too!
40 years later, and the wonderful version on the B-side is still not released digitally by the label. Grrr. I didn’t even know about it!
Ss usual, thanks so much for continuing to make all this fantastic music available for us. Keep it up!
Actually, both of these versions are on their Welcome To The Real World remastered cd set. They are just named differently. 🙂
Oh – thanks for the info!
You’re very welcome! I really appreciate the kind words—it’s always a joy to share this music. Thanks for the encouragement, and I’ll definitely keep it up!
Hey Paul I listened To This Jam Back In The 80’s On The NC Beach While The Waves Were Crashing With My Toshiba Boom Box! Thanks For This Jam!!
That’s such an awesome memory, Mark—nothing like 80s music blasting from a boombox with the ocean as the backdrop! Glad this one could take you right back there. Thanks for sharing that vibe!
It’s been quite a while since i last heard this tune.
Broken Wings is the tune that readily comes to mind whenever Mr Mister is mentioned, and remains a fave to this day.
But your rip reminds me that Kyrie was a worthy follow up!
So thanks for highlighting yet another song from my youth in the heady ’80s that had receded in memory, Paul 😉
Hope you have a great weekend.
peace,
dj
Don, I know exactly what you mean—“Broken Wings” is usually the first one people think of, but “Kyrie” really was such a strong follow-up. I’m glad this rip helped bring it back into focus for you and stirred up some 80s memories. Thanks for the kind words, and I hope you have a great weekend too. Peace!
So, no disco Friday then 😉 Just kidding. A brilliant song from a brilliant album. A must-have lp (or cd) in every collection. Great to have both Kyrie versions in the best quality possible. Thank you so much, Paul, and have a great weekend. You too, Jeff, and Retro Hound, Martika and all you lovely people.
Haha, yes, no disco Friday this time 🙂 but I couldn’t resist dusting off this classic. Totally agree—Welcome to the Real World is one of those essential albums where every track holds up. Glad you enjoyed having both versions of “Kyrie” in top quality. Thanks as always for stopping by, and I hope you have a fantastic weekend too!
Another 80s classic although Broken Wings is probably still my favorite from them. As usual I would definitely recommend the entire Welcome to the Real World album to people, it is solid start to finish. Sadly, I was never able to get into any of their later albums.
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Unfortunately the other albums are nowhere as good, so you havent missed much! That album though is a classic and Kyrie and Broken Wings are as good as anything from 1985. Thanks Paul.
I hear you, Mikey—“Broken Wings” is a tough one to beat, and definitely a career-defining track. I agree though, Welcome to the Real World is solid from start to finish, one of those albums you can play straight through without skipping. The later albums never quite clicked with me either, but this one really captured lightning in a bottle. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and wishing you a great weekend as well!
My FAVORITE MM track. Thanks for the rip, Paul!
You’re welcome, Goodguy 🙂