news
discography
songs
tours
videos
people
family tree
timeline
press releases
reviews
faq
mailing list
fanzines
site map
links
about
contact

in trance as mission


composers
Composers: Kerr / Burchill / MacNeil / Forbes / McGee
Authors: Kerr
(Earlier sleeves simply state:- Lyrics: Kerr: Music: Simple Minds)


publisher
© EMI Music Publishing.
© Bucks Music/Hornall Brothers/EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (Post 2012 credit)


background
"There's one line from In Trance As Mission that always freaks me out when I hear it: 'I hear the holy backbeat.' Y'know, it's like a Godly sort of Catholic thing. Those songs - Seeing Out The Angel, This Earth That You Walk Upon, In Trance As Mission - I don't know if it's a sort of godly feeling, or something. No one in the group practises religion, but most of the band are Catholic. I think you get stamped with that when you're young and it's there forever, you can't really escape it." Jim.


The band always wanted it to open the album but Steve Hillage was worried about its length. In the end he came around to the band's way of thinking. "I thought the song was a bit long, but in retrospect, it's so emphatically strong in putting over the overall vibe on the whole record, it's a really good first track."

The track first the working title of 9/8 (its time signature) before being called Trans-American (after a line in the song) and then finally In Trance As Mission. It is probably no coincidence that the bass line bares a passing similarity to Apocalypse in 9/8 by Genesis.

Charlie simply played one note throughout the whole piece, substained with feedback.

A similarly lengthy live version was released soon after the album, part of a clutch of bonus live material released with the Sweat In Bullet single.




lyrics
For just one moment in time,
I hear the holy back beat,
Events and casual affairs,
Just what is moving on?
And what is going on?
In dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American,
Moving on.

For just one moment in time,
I want to walk where it is,
Sustain a stature in life,
Here comes a new type of light.
Just what is going on?
What is moving on?
Dream a dream a,
Trance as you dream,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American.
Just what is going on?
What is moving on?

For just one moment in time,
Just one moment in time,
Dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American,
Something crashing into my life.

Something crashing against white rocks.
No calm to my hand.
Here comes my hand.
City up on my mind.
What is going on?
You've got to move on.
Dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
Trans-American.
Living lives out of dust,
Dream a dream a,
Living lives.

Walk on in light,
I want to walk.
My hands are grabbing at air,
I want to walk.
Dream a dream a,
Courage of dreams,
In trance as mission,
In trance in trance,
Trans-American.

Stand by the statue in fog,
Events and casual affairs.
I want to walk,
Heat of the day,
Heat of the day....



discography
Album Version (6:50)
Producer: Steve Hillage
Engineer: Hugh Jones

Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call Limited Edition LP Sons And Fascination LP Sons And Fascination MC Sons And Fascination Canadian LP Sons And Fascination Canadian MC Sons And Fascination Australian MC Themes For Great Cities Promo LP Themes For Great Cities LP Themes For Great Cities MC Sons And Fascination CD Sons And Fascination LP (Virgin Budget Reissue) Sons And Fascination MC (Virgin Budget Reissue) Sons And Fascination CD (Virgin Budget Reissue) Sons And Fascination Remaster Promo CD Sons And Fascination Remaster Limited Edition CD Sons And Fascination Remaster CD X5 Sons And Fascination Promo CD X5 Five Album Set The Vinyl Collection (79,84)

Live Version (25th September 1981) (7:17)
Recorded: Hammersmith Odeon, London, UK
Engineer: Chris Porter

Sweat In Bullet 12" single Themes Volume One Theme Four: Sweat In Bullet CD Theme Four: Sweat In Bullet MC Themes 1-4 Promo CDR Themes Volume One - Five X5 Sons And Fascination Promo CD X5

Session (4:27)
Producer: John Owen Williams
Engineer: Mike Robinson
Mastered by: Simon Heyworth
Recorded: 11th Feb 82
Broadcast: 23rd Feb 82

Silver Box Promo CDR #2 Silver Box

Live Version (3rd November 2009) (4:29)
Recorded: Arena, Vienna, Austria
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (5th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (6th November 2009) (4:36)
Recorded: Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (7th November 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (8th November 2009) (4:26)
Recorded: Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (18th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (19th November 2009) (4:31)
Recorded: Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (22nd November 2009) (4:31)
Recorded: Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:29)
Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:30)
Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (26th November 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (27th November 2009) (4:34)
Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (28th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (30th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (2nd December 2009) (4:24)
Recorded: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (3rd December 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (5th December 2009) (4:25)
Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (6th December 2009) (4:30)
Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (7th December 2009) (4:31)
Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (9th December 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (10th December 2009) (4:24)
Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (11th December 2009) (4:59)
Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (12th December 2009) (4:28)
Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player Limited Edition Boxed Gold USB Stick

Live Version (17th December 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands
Mixed By Concert Online

Boxed USB Stick Boxed MP3 Player

Live Version (21st July 2012) (4:14)
Recorded: Theatre Antique, Arles, France
Recorded by: Olivier Gerard
Mixed by: Olivier Gerard
Engineered by: Rudy Coclet
ISRC: GB01A1201419

5X5 Live Promo CD #1-2 5X5 Live Promo CD #2-2 5X5 Live 5X5 Live Irish Promo CD 5X5 Live LP 5X5 Live Export LP

Live Version (30th November 2012) (4:35)
Recorded: Palais Theatre, Melbourne, Australia
Produced by: Zach Bair
Recorded and Mixed by: Matt Dever

Live 2012: Melbourne

Live Version (7th December 2012) (4:37)
Recorded: Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia
Produced by: Zach Bair
Recorded and Mixed by: Matt Dever

Live 2012: Sydney

Live Version (8th December 2012) (4:32)
Recorded: Bimbadgen Winery, Hunter Valley New South Wales, Australia
Produced by: Zach Bair
Recorded and Mixed by: Matt Dever

Live 2012: Hunter Valley




sessions
Kid Jensen, Radio One: 11th February 1982



downloads
Live Version (3rd November 2009) (4:29)
Recorded: Arena, Vienna, Austria
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (5th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (6th November 2009) (4:36)
Recorded: Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (7th November 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (8th November 2009) (4:26)
Recorded: Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Gift; Padova, Italy: 8th November 2009 (4:26) Concert Online Download

Live Version (18th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: La Riviera, Madrid, Spain
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (19th November 2009) (4:31)
Recorded: Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (22nd November 2009) (4:31)
Recorded: Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:29)
Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:30)
Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (26th November 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (27th November 2009) (4:34)
Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (28th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (30th November 2009) (4:32)
Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (2nd December 2009) (4:24)
Recorded: NEC, Birmingham, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (3rd December 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (5th December 2009) (4:25)
Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (6th December 2009) (4:30)
Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (7th December 2009) (4:31)
Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (9th December 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (10th December 2009) (4:24)
Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (11th December 2009) (4:59)
Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (12th December 2009) (4:28)
Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download

Live Version (17th December 2009) (4:27)
Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands
Mixed By Concert Online

Concert Online Download




live history
Sons And Fascination Tour: 1981
New Gold Tour: 1982-1983
Graffiti Soul Tour: 2009
Australian Tour: 2010
Festival Show Tour: 2010
5X5 Tour: 2012
Festival Tour: 2012
Australia: 2012