Kim Wilde - Kids in America | The story behind the song | Top 2000 a gogo

Kim Wilde and her brother Ricky Wilde tell the story behind the song 'Kids In America'. A short documentary by Top 2000 a gogo (Dutch Public TV) from 2015.

[@willkittwk]

What an absolute little angel. And seeing her on the train singing with the reindeer antlers made me love her all the more.

[@joe9182]

She is so gorgeous and humble. Love her

[@Myplop]

Totally agree she’s so down to earth and funny

[@kangarootha]

Just about to say the same : D

[@christiaanjellesma1851]

she reminds me of adele

[@10.11.9]

@@christiaanjellesma1851 Adele was a porker throughout her twenties; Kim was not.

[@trollop_7]

She has a lot to be humble about.

[@DoctorPretorious616]

Kim Wilde was lovely in the 1980s; and she's still a beautiful, sexy woman today. She seems so sweet and modest!

[@aprilapril2]

DoctorPretorious616 I think she’s much better looking now than as a teenager

[@SeverityOne]

She was cute and super-thin (perhaps a bit too thin) in the 1980s. Then she got married and put on a lot of weight, which didn't look too good on her. But somewhere in between, I think in the 1990s at a concert in France, where she had put on a little bit of weight and wore a tight, short dress... oh my goodness. "Hot" doesn't even begin to describe it. Having said all that, if I rode the Tube and there was Kim Wilde singing "Kids in America", I'd be kissing the ground at her feet.

[@antonisatwork]

I would love to kiss those lips. All of them!

[@mattylamb9194]

She seems to have a fantastic personality. And when you still have decent enough looks, (which she does), then that is a really powerful combination. There is still something about her

[@wetdroidedition2549]

She aged so well, she is beautiful and so sweet and humble.

[@brazilonline8154]

She was so beautiful in the 80's that today even she being pretty good i still miss her young beauty from past. Beauty worth nothing, it fades away overnight,Kin is the to prove that.

[@scienz]

She looks better now than she did back then.

[@turrican4d599]

@@scienz Uhhh, no.

[@scienz]

@@turrican4d599 uh......yes. you like what you like and ill like what i like. ok?

[@turrican4d599]

@@scienz Okay, grannylover.

[@adriangroeneveld9341]

Hearing Kim always takes me back to the 80's. A great decade to grow up in.

[@brinhauptmann8133]

She was one of the defining looks of the 80s. So awesome. She now seems very normal and cool.

[@CalumRhysJones]

I think it’s so sweet that Ricky didn’t resent Kim for gaining the limelight instead of him & instead embraced, helped & supported her.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

I'd rather have the money than the fame. He probably still gets songwriting royalties to this day from that song.

[@leesawford]

Two words; Money / father....put them in either order. They are BOTH lucky and in positions to make music because of the name ‘wilde’

[@mjt1517]

@@leesawford Yes, and good for them. Nothing at all wrong with building on existing assets.

[@JJerseyGirl]

But he wrote the iconic song.

[@stevewaller6577]

@@JJerseyGirl I think their dad wrote the song, if you listen to the intro of the video it is an update of his original hit.

[@frederiquemartin223]

I absolutely love her voice even when she talks

[@mgparis]

Me too! her speaking voice is as lovely as her singing voice

[@mv9787]

Kim is a lovely woman! Always been. Her voice is uniquely beatiful!

[@richalderson6069]

This song is unforgettable, it basically sums up the best of the early 80's new wave rock sound perfectly. Iconic.

[@10.11.9]

She still has mesmerizing, piercing eyes - and a lovely face with barely a blemish nearing the age of 60. God bless her.

[@antonisatwork]

She is sexual enticement naturally! Without trying!

[@mattylamb9194]

Her lips are probably her most striking feature

[@hansiesma16]

She is 56 here.

[@RTK171]

She so cool and down to earth. I have heard that people that have meet her says she so sweet

[@mv9787]

Patricia Richardson She radiates sweetness ❤️ She is the kind of woman I could fall in love completely. I guess I’m not the only one 😀

[@oldskoolmusicnostalgia]

💖

[@holgerschink1341]

Outstanding, beautiful, charming and so lovely. Her music still goes on and on in my heart and so today !

[@himinah]

I remember " kids in America" I was 17 , and I loved that song. It's an ageless beat that you could still move to 💃🕺

[@rabit818]

You can sing in the subway as much as you like, hell you are Kim Wilde!

[@Gandoflini]

She is a very good looking lady & so down-to-earth.

[@drtino8261]

Such a beautiful character, demonstrates the importance of how close to her family she was and what it took to make the decision to get out of the spotlight in order to raise a family. Congrats! I grew up listening to her music and I think she did such a great job with her decisions.

[@wvFrequenzkontrolle]

When this song first came out and hit America, I was 16yrs of age and in Pittsburgh PA.. I can remember hearing it in the Night Clubs there, yes, back then, a person of 16 yrs of age could get into the Night Clubs... This Song became a bit of OUR SONG back then... It followed me in the 80s.. When I was 17yrs of age, I joined the US Air Force and off to Athens Greece I was sent. When this song would come on in the clubs in Greece, we were all over the dance floor, Singing, Dancing and enjoying LIFE!!

[@TheWildeOne81]

Did you use to see her music videos on mtv?

[@thanksfernuthin]

Hold on. I was stationed in Greece during the 80's (USAF Arab Linguist). 86-88ish. Was the club area called Glyfada? Something like that? It's been so long I can't remember the name of the base. Hellinikon. Something like that. I know it closed down soon after I left.

[@paxvobiscum1792]

@@thanksfernuthin Were you also in BLD 510 at Hellenikon? :) :) I expect if YES, we both crossed paths many MANY MANY Times... I was there, DUO Positions, ESC and AFCC.. Yes, the clubs were in Glyfada... the one that I enjoyed the best was off to your RIGHT, away from the Main group of Clubs and moreso a Greek Nightclub... it was very very Nice..

[@thanksfernuthin]

@@paxvobiscum1792 Bottom of the base! (I don't remember the number.) Other people on the base would say "Don't go down there. They're really touchy. M16's and all." I had an absolute blast. Too young to realize how lucky I was. We'd bar hop. I became chummy with a band called Magneto. Woke up on a picnic table on the beach one morning. Walked to the nearest bar and got English breakfast. Wouldn't trade that experience for anything!

[@paxvobiscum1792]

@@thanksfernuthin :) It was BLD 510... :) You went down the road (hill) to the bottom, to your right was a square windowless building with security (BLD 510), if front of you would be the MAC Terminal and just off to the left a bit, would had been the base Fire Dept... during the 1980's... When you entered BLD 510, there was a double security door, where you walked into and the door shut behind you, locking you inside a cubicle like. To your Right, behind the glass were SP's awaiting for you to IDENTIFY. Once that was done, your badge was given to you, then the door inner door would be buzzed open so you could enter the building... :) I "LIVED" in BLD 510 it seemed like, especially when an operation was taking place...

[@loulouedmo]

Kim is a legend - she makes people happy! Love her

[@twinturbo3461]

You Keep Me Hanging On was her best hit and it's the one I keep listening to over and over again.

[@carlosdandrea447]

She still has that special tone in her voice

[@petegarza2025]

I absolutely adore Kim...She is so sweet and humble and God bless her and keep her safe🙏❤️

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

Love the sound of the bass guitar in this song.

[@robertemory3620]

Wow she is absolutely delightful.. Much respect to her. And still very gorgeous

[@andrewd7586]

I was 20 years old in 1981 & yes I fell in love with Kim too!😍 And now in February 2020, after watching just how beautiful she still is, I am in love again! Thanks Kim for being a part of my life! Cheers from Down Under🤗😘

[@dbddhkp840]

I really rare comment musicans, but politics. But this I must say...Never thought that quite cool girl would turn in such a lovely warm person. I wish you all the best, Kim Wilde ! A Chinese Saying - If you want to be happy for an hour, get drunk - if you want to be happy for a day, get married - if you want to be happy for life, plant a garden

[@markfryer9880]

So very appropriate for this video. The trifecta in fact.

[@oldskoolmusicnostalgia]

👏

[@daveygivens735]

But if you really want to be happy, get drunk and bury your spouse in that garden.

[@portcullis5622]

@@daveygivens735 I spent three hours by my spouse's grave the other day. She/he still thinks it is going to be a pond.

[@glennoc8585]

Chinese saying,......Yeah I know one "man with hand in pocket not necessarily on ball"

[@jonnuanez2843]

I bought the 45 when I was 9. Wore it out on my little record player. I will always treasure this song.

[@alhollywood6486]

As a freshman at Northwestern in 1987, t remember standing on the house's radiators screaming this song!!

[@austfox2170]

Kim Wilde... remebered her fondly, saw her garden and my appreciation for her grew tremendously.

[@neffofrog]

Kim Wilde & Nena. Anyplace anywhere was the absolute sexiest video ever made. Thank you for that Kim Wilde. We still love you!

[@ruudvanderuit4427]

Kim and Nena absolutely the best together. Waaauuw

[@FriendofDorothy]

As a "kid in America" who was a music freak what I remember is that the whole album that included "Kids in America" (on EMI Records) was great, and there were at least 3-4 singles that were big hits overseas. My impression was that "Kids in America" and her remake of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" were her biggest radio hits here, but that "Chequered Love" track was every bit as good. "Kids in America" still gets played sometimes here in L.A on "retro night". at a dance bar I go to; sounds just as hot as ever.

[@willkittwk]

Kids in America is one of the top hits of the 80s. Kim is an icon here in LA. We sit around the tennis courts in North Hollywood and reminiscing about movie stars and pop divas and Kim's name always comes up. Her and Belinda from Go Go's and Susana Hoff from Bangles still bring a smile.

[@darrenhirst9900]

I loved her music too and I think it was the American culture that made me like the music. I'm English so have lots of great music so its nice to have music from all over the world too.

[@gunner4126]

I remember walking into house parties in Los Angeles during the 90s with this song playing. I knew it was going to be a good night

[@willswalkingwest7267]

I was in England in the USAF in 1981 when she'd be on Top Of The Pops singing this song. I had a HUGE crush on her. It's nice to know she never got out of control, achieved enough success to make her happy, she stayed grounded and has had a good life. Good on her. Hey Kim.....I'm still here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@piml8677]

Kim Wilde , ze is echt , no fake ! Eerste cassettebandje wat ik ooit kocht voor mijn Philips cassetterecorder. Kocht het bij de V&D in Delft . Daarvoor had ik al mijn muziek zelf opgenomen van de radio 😂. Allemaal vergane glorie . Behalve Kim 😁, Lekker doorgaan 💪 Is nog steeds goed , wordt je toch vrolijk van zo’n meid !

[@israeltrujillo8183]

Kids of America 🇺🇸 are honored by you Ms Wild...thank you very much

[@Ystadcop]

I grew up in theatrical digs. When I was about 10, Marty and some of the Wildecats stayed in our house. Marty was fab, embarrassingly modest, super man. He used to give me 5 bob (look that up, kids) to go and fetch his suits from Martins the Cleaners near Leicester railway station. Fans would follow his taxi from Leicester Palace theatre and almost picket our house. I used to sell his (or any) cigarette ends to the girl fans....... We had swords.......... They were theatrical props but I well remember the band going out in the road and having mock fights. Never any drunkeness (and plenty of our luvvy and muso guests drank like fishes), always polite. His children seem to retain that down-to-earthness. Well done, Kim and Ricky.

[@armandocardona4478]

Kim Wilde not only had a great voice she was also absolutely BEAUTIFUL to behold back in 1981 (BTW she still looks pretty good).

[@grakkerful]

Kim was my biggest celebrity crush back in the '80s. Still is.

[@spartan7199]

My favorite songs from her is "Cambodia" and "You Came". Her cover song "You Keep Hanging On" is sweet and I listen to it a lot on radio stations.

[@george2009town]

Loved her then, love her now.

[@plutomoon8106]

Still sends 👍 chills all over my body. 1981 - " Kids in America. "

[@jamesgretsch4894]

First heard “Kids in America” at 13 in 1981. Amazing song and singer.

[@FranklySpeaking.]

Same here...same year! Was a great time to start the teen years!

[@BadgerBotherer1]

Same here: same age at same time! I had a copy of Smash Hits with Kim on the cover.

[@annother3350]

I've still got a cassette I taped off the telly by putting the recorder next to the speaker and being as quiet as possible!!

[@kevinsbott]

Just something wonderful about her. You could see it 30+ years ago and you can see it now.

[@jamesb.9155]

She's fantastic and I only heard of her yesterday!

[@mandapoole3190]

Just seen Kim at the Lets Rock Norwich 80s festival..She was absolutely Awesome and most definitely star of the festival for me..Totally wicked

[@maryknight4823]

Grew up with Kim thought she had a great voice!!,, and still looks good today... Only wish l had had a lovely family like hers growing up,, Thanks for all the good times girl 👍.....

[@VanielDeeform]

Ricky and Kim are likeable and inspirational ✨ This song is real magic and they did so many others as well

[@ricoringnalda5514]

after manny years still beautiful woman ,still love the music.

[@burner1833]

Wow, Kim is such a gorgeous woman and all this time I thought she was an American! Timeless song!

[@RonWylie-gk5lc]

She is so down to earth in every interview I have ever seen, she is still beautiful too

[@marccarter1350]

My first crush in the early 1980's.

[@61Benster]

Kim and Joanne Catherall from The Human League.

[@allyp-lu2mc]

Me too 💁🏼‍♀️

[@Ride_on54]

Same same yumo

[@robertemory3620]

Same..dark, mysterious, drop dead sexy gorgeous , for sure a fun time.

[@peteandurnot]

Mine originally was Susannah Hoff's from the Bangles lol. Both she and Kim Wilde are still gorgeous today.

[@solarflare1008]

15 years back in 1981. Great memories from the 80s. Nice gardens Kim.

[@clash5j]

Definitely one of my crushes as a 13 year old. She still looks good!

[@smmyers5956]

Great voice great songs. Thanks Rickie and Kim

[@HellasGD88]

YES it was a 'life changing song' My ALL TIME fave ever since 1981!!!

[@monkeypawism]

I loved and still love this song. What a great story!

[@BayushiGemma]

Love the song even more now knowing this history.

[@clivesilk3501]

the people on the train didnt look like they even knew her !!!! id be jumping in excitement and disbelief i was in the presence of a huge 80's icon pop star !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dennysmith7862]

Great talent... genetic for sure...Marty Wild was popular and girls' hearts fluttered wonderfully...😄😄

[@sargetheshelterdog8291]

I still love her like I did when I was 19. Thanks KIM!

[@ludochem]

Brillant series. I love how you managed to get very honest and human testimonies from artists and setting in very personal places. Also these songs didnt only change their lives but also changes ours.Viva la Dutch TV. Congrats !

[@smd1671]

Kids in America - the first record I ever bought. Still got it at home. Great song.

[@anglomik]

Amazing tune that sort of epitomizes the 80's for me (along w/"I Ran") Glad to see she's still kicking! Cool lady! 🎵🎶🎼

[@cheril8891]

Kids In America is SUCH a great song.

[@dawnkeyser4802]

Good times, great memories. Lovely garden, Kim!!

[@kevinm3428]

When it comes on the radio, I crank it up, and it's 1981 again. I love this song. KROQ LA played the greatest music back then.

[@stevenhatch7893]

Kim is a lovely woman! Always been. Her voice is uniquely beatiful! You can sing in the subway as much as you like, hell you are Kim Wilde!

[@madcowusa4277]

I played this song continuously back then as I was about to move from England to America as a young lad. For almost 40 years I thought Kim was American, lol. Little did I know she lived an hour away from my English childhood home. Sincere thanks for this insightful interview! Wow. But "East California"? Never heard of that except for this song, ever.

[@johnathanmphoto]

Wow! She's absolutely pleasant and not pompous or affected. And it's SO refreshing to see someone who escapes a certain world like the music or Hollyweird scene and actually goes on to a beautiful life. There's a reason why people who cherish their privacy often make for successful relationships and more as a result. Kudos to you and many blessings!

[@Sickofsociety1]

One of the greatest songs of the 80s!

[@erwinstada1811]

She used to be one of the most amazing and attractive women of the 80s. When I was a young boy during that time, I loved watching kim perform!!!

[@SoniaJbrt]

This song came out the year I was born! I love this song!

[@v8trauma]

Good lord, it's Bridget Jones... I went to tech with a bloke who's mate drove the motorhome for the Radio One Roadshow. She'd sit in the cab and chat for hours, most other stars wouldn't even say thanx. Let's not forget how big that single was back then, she kept her feet on the ground despite all the media attention. He reckoned she's a really nice and genuine person (and I've always thought of her as such). Well, that's the story I was told, true by the looks of it.

[@elicasey3967]

You both sounded GREAT THEN, YOU STILL DO. I am 74, and you still resonate. THANK YOU.

[@jonathanbristow3208]

I think she's really cool and very much like wine. Best to her....

[@towtiw9049]

Kim has been my favorite all my life

[@eahannan]

4:08 "...and all that passion I put into song writing I put into the garden... and I really discovered who I really was in the garden ." Reminds of John Lennon finding much more happiness in raising Sean than he did in the Beatles. We humans are complex, and it could be the simplest of things that bring us contentment:))) Good luck to everybody 😀😀😀

[@johnrambo6302]

Kim I loved your music since the intstant I heard this song back in 1981... your husband is the luckiest man in the planet!

[@redblade43]

rambo. Kim Wilde would not look twice at a horrid little weasel like you. So don't kid yourself, just stay your ugly self and be satisfied.

[@phizzelout]

still beautiful. believe it or not she looks just like my sons mother when we were together 30 years ago

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

I don't believe it.

[@collectorguy4379]

This was the first song and album I ever bought as an early teenager - loved her a lot lol

[@ylilycam]

Always always always lovely

[@johnmortensen2779]

Happy beautiful brother and sister. Such a terrific story.

[@Norrbottning]

After all these years, she's still beautiful

[@leoalex2344]

Love from America to Kim & Ricky.

[@11C1P]

I was a kid, in America when that song came out.

[@bradhedgehog12]

11C1P Same WHOO oh

[@VinceScaglione]

11C1P................So was I and probably 50,000,000 others!

[@hansiesma16]

I was a teenager in Zimbabwe.

[@erikakathleen509]

Wonderful. Loved and still do love the song, it was lifechanging and still I am empowered by this song today! November 2020. God Bless America, God Bless you both. Beautiful, cool Kim. I emulated you as a young girl and I grew to become a powerhouse and a beauty as well.

[@KnightRider46]

Best song of the eighties hands down 😍

[@ericgeorge5483]

Great song and fabulously produced. Ricky did a superb job.

[@Jgeneraledger23]

Had no idear her pops was a famous singer. How interesting, and Kim has aged quite beautifully !

[@sweettoothmarie7304]

I could sit and listen to her 80s stories all day..

[@planetrift]

It makes me happy when people let loose like that in the subway... famous or not.

[@enlacdmx4379]

I love the series. So much histories wanting to be shared.

[@Donegal62]

"Hahaha, oh dear, oh dear." Great little segment here...from both Kim and Rickie.

[@emijta]

She is so likeable, I'm glad I found this video. I love her garden too.

[@Skin-ve2tt]

Loved Kim Wilde. Named my youngest daughter after her.

[@ketchup5344]

Aaaaaaaaah ❤👌

[@clausm2203]

Man i swear it was the first song i ever just wanted to hear again and again on the radio when i was a kid i was 7 in 1981...:) still have a crush on kim wilde great singer

[@musixpression]

Yep, Kim, i am glad that i finally now completed a related perspective of my personal musicrevolution, because today, it seems like we are all lost in space. Thanks Ricky for being one of my most important inspiration-sources of essential electro-pop. Meanwhile thanks for reading.

[@dean7045]

ONE OF THE COOLEST SONGS FROM THE 80S. HI KIM, LOVE FROM DEAN HARROP IN AUSTRALIA

[@darrenkrivit6854]

Wonderful interview, love the behind the scenes take on a great song as well. Defines an era😎

[@slamboy66]

Thank you for being apart of my youth .