THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

984-The Mission-Amelia.

1990-It has never been released as a single in the UK.

Best Bit-At 0.35. The songs subject is about one of the worst things that one human being can do to another.

The Mission (see also best songs 1051) are a Gothic/Rock, and Alternative/Rock band who were formed in Leeds, England, in 1986, by Wayne Hussey, (vocals, guitar, and keyboards) Craig Adams, (bass) Simon Hinkler, (guitars) and Mick Brown, (drums) they were active until 1996, and then again from 1999-2008, and then again from 2011 until the present. Both Hussey, and Adams had previously been members of the Gothic/Rock band ‘The Sisters of Mercy,’ (see also best songs 593) but due to ‘musical differences’ with Andrew Eldritch of that band they went their separate ways. Simon Hinkler had previously been a member of the Post/Punk outfit ‘Artery,’ and also of the pre-fame ‘Pulp,’ (see also best songs 605 and 285) while Mick Brown had previously been the drummer for the Leeds Rock band ‘Red Lorry Yellow Lorry.’

The Mission have released 11 studio Albums between 1986-2016, and 30 singles have been issued in the same time period, they have also released 11 official live Albums, and 13 compilation Albums. In the UK, 12 of their singles have made the top 40 chart, with ‘Wasteland’ from 1987 peaking the highest at Number 11, while in America they have never charted on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, but have had success on the ‘Alternative Airplay,’ and ‘Mainstream Rock’ charts. In America they are known as ‘The Mission UK,’ in order to avoid confusion with a Philadelphia R&B group who had already claimed that name. There are two differing stories as to how the band arrived at the name ‘The Mission.’ It is said that ‘The Mission’ was chosen, referring to the ‘proselytising mission’ that was part of Wayne Hussey’s Mormon upbringing, but Mick Brown has a different account, saying the name came from his favourite brand of speakers, ‘Mission.’

Jerry Wayne Hussey was born on May 26th, 1958, in Bristol, England, and is the one constant member of ‘The Mission.’ He was brought up by his parents in the ‘Mormon’ religion, but rebelled against their wishes for him to serve as a ‘missionary,’ so he moved away to Liverpool, England, in the late 1970’s. Hussey first recorded with the English Pop band ‘Dead or Alive’ in 1982, before joining ‘The Sisters of Mercy’ in 1984, he has also released two solo studio Albums in 2009, and 2014, and recorded sporadically with others as well. With ‘The Mission’ Hussey has also recorded many cover versions of 1970’s ‘Pop,’ and ‘Glam Rock’ songs, using the name the ‘Metal Gurus,’ in tribute to his boyhood idol Marc Bolan (1947-1977) (see also best songs 790-386 and 67.)

‘Amelia’ is the opening track on ‘The Mission’s’ third studio Album ‘Carved in Sand,’ from February 1990, with Wayne Hussey writing the lyrics, and the other three band members at that time also receiving the song writing credits as well. The track, and it’s parent Album were produced by Tim Palmer, who was a long term collaborator with ‘The Mission.’ Other notable works from Palmer include producing both of the ‘Tin Machine’ Albums in 1989, and 1991, and mixing Pearl Jam’s debut studio Album ‘Ten,’ (1991) amongst his four decades in the music business to date.

‘Amelia’ is a song about child sexual abuse, which at the time of writing remains a taboo subject, although there are other ‘Pop’ songs written on the subject (see also best songs 458.) Lead singer Wayne Hussey makes his point without having to go into graphic detail. His vocal delivery is full of panic, and horror, and there can’t be many other songs that are so shocking to the listener. It is rumoured that Hussey wrote the song after receiving a letter from a fan, who disclosed details of abuse she had suffered at the hands of her father. Some years later the same woman got back in touch to let him know how much she appreciated the song, and that she was doing well.

‘Daddy says ‘Don’t tell Mama what I do to you.’Daddy says ‘If you do, I’ll beat you black and blue.’ ‘Cause Amelia, you make Daddy feel like a man, Amelia, Daddy loves you more than Mummy can.’