Perhaps one of the strangest things about it is how Kim Wilde disappears mid-song.

The singalong chorus symbolises a triumph, an escape, if only briefly. The ominous, pulsating drone of the synth gives way to a harsh electronic snare sound, lifting the mood somewhat as we head into town where the action is. I can see the cars in the city go rushing by The opening lines hint at the less-than-cheerful situation the protagonist finds herself in: Like a lot of electro-pop that came out at that time, Kids In America was free of the slick refinements that made much of the music that followed over the next few years so excruciating. The song was written for Kim by her dad and brother and describes the paradox of being young and confused at a time when the youth felt they had few prospects of emerging from the seemingly eternal urban decay that surrounded them, while at the same time spearheading a new cultural movement such as punk or the burgeoning new wave scene. “ Everybody live for the music-go-round.” As you went round and round and round, the sound of Kim Wilde’s finest moment would be blaring at you from the speakers, with flashes of extra volume as you passed by on each circuit. For a few years, year after year, it would play on practically every fairground ride – dodgems, jungle, waltzers. Kids In America is a song I most associate with Torrington Mayfair. Our parents would spend the day in town watching the events then drinking excessively, while us kids would merrily trot off to the funfair in the car park at the top of the town.

While the Primary School kids took part in most of the events and therefore got the Thursday off school, the secondary school kids often bunked off. Outside of these times would require a special licence, which was always given to all pubs in the town on Mayfair Day. The latter of these was a real exception back when I was a kid as UK licensing laws required pubs to open only between 11am and 3pm, and 7pm to 11pm. It takes place over three days beginning on the first Thursday of May and comprises numerous events including the May Queen procession, a carnival and all-day pub opening. The town I grew up in has an annual festival known as Torrington Mayfair. I will not accept any argument to the contrary. Kids In America is one of the greatest pop songs of all time. Right, no nonsense here, and not a shade of irony either.

Gorky park stare rar