On this day March 1 1986 Kyrie by Mr. Mister reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, holding the top spot from March 1 to March 14. The song also hit number one in Canada and Norway, becoming one of the band’s biggest international hits.
Following the success of Broken Wings, Kyrie was the second single from their album Welcome to the Real World, which helped define mid-80s pop-rock with its polished production and soaring melodies. The song’s title and chorus include the phrase “Kyrie eleison”, a Greek liturgical phrase meaning “Lord, have mercy”, adding a spiritual depth to the track’s powerful sound.
Written by Richard Page, Steve George, and John Lang, Kyrie combined synth-driven rock and anthemic vocals, making it a standout track of the era. The song’s music video, featuring footage from Mr. Mister’s tour, captured the epic, uplifting feel of the song and was a staple on MTV.
80s insight: Contrary to popular belief, Kyrie is not a religious song. The phrase “Kyrie eleison” was used metaphorically to reflect themes of perseverance and personal struggle.