Kyrie eleison
Kyrie eleison
Kyrie elei

The wind blows hard against this mountainside
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road

My heart is old, it holds my memories
My body burns a gem-like flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again

Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the night

When I was young, I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be?

Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the night

Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh

Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison where I'm going, will you follow?
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the night

(Kyrie, yay-yay, yay-yay, will you follow?) Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night (yeah)
Kyrie eleison where I'm going, will you follow? (will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the night

(Yeah) Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison where I'm going, will you follow? (will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison on a highway in the light

Kyrie eleison down the road that I must travel (will you follow?)
Kyrie eleison through the darkness of the night
Kyrie eleison where I'm going, will you follow? (will you follow?)
Kyrie

About This Song

"Kyrie" is a deeply spiritual journey disguised as an 80s pop anthem, using the ancient Greek prayer "Kyrie eleison" (Lord, have mercy) as both literal plea and metaphorical framework for personal transformation. The song explores the tension between spiritual longing and earthly existence, with lyrics that depict a soul caught "somewhere between the soul and soft machine"-a profound meditation on the human condition as both spiritual being and physical body. The protagonist faces an internal pilgrimage, with wind and mountains serving as metaphors for life's challenges that strip away pretense and force authentic self-confrontation. Musically, the track exemplifies mid-80s sophistication with its lush synthesizer arrangements, pristine production, and Richard Page's soaring vocals that perfectly capture both vulnerability and determination. The juxtaposition of ancient liturgical text with modern pop sensibilities creates a timeless quality that transcends religious boundaries, speaking to universal experiences of seeking guidance through difficult transitions. The song's emotional power lies in its portrayal of spiritual seeking not as passive resignation but as an active journey down a difficult road, making the ancient prayer feel immediate and personal. This blend of sacred and secular, combined with its polished yet emotionally authentic delivery, helped "Kyrie" resonate with audiences seeking meaning beyond the materialism often associated with 80s culture, ultimately reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Comments (1)

  • Anonymous
    "Kyrie" was a #1 hit song by the 1980s pop/rock band Mr. Mister, from their 1985 album Welcome to the Real World. Released in late 1985, it hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in March of 1986, where it was #1 for two weeks. It also hit the top spot on Billboard's Album Rock Tracks chart, where it stayed at #1 for one week, and was also their only #1 single on this chart. In the UK the song peaked at #11 in April 1986. Kýrie, eléison, which means "Lord, have mercy" in Greek is a part many liturgical rites in Eastern and Western Christianity. Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison is a prayer that asks "Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy". The words to "Kyrie" were written by lyricist 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, and according to Page it is essentially a prayer. "Kýrie, eléison, down the road that I must travel Kýrie, eléison, through the darkness of the night"