Meet Kim Wilde [PHOTOS/VIDEOS]

One of Kim Wilde's big hits in the "Big 80's" was a song with the chorus: "We Are The Kids In America."

I've always wondered...who is she kidding? Kim grew up in and around London!

Her birth certificate says "Kim Smith."  She was born in the West London suburb of Chiswick, England on November 18, 1960.

She is the oldest child of 1950's British rock & roller Marty Wilde (Reginald Smith). Kim's mother, Joyce Baker, was a member of the singing and dancing group the "Vernons Girls."

As a child, Kim attended Prep schools. At age 20, she completed a course in Art & Design at St. Alban's College...

...and she signed a recording deal with RAK Records!

"Kids in America" was this British singer's debut song...it went to #25 on the Hot 100 charts in the summer of 1982.

The song fared better in England, where it was a #2 hit on the UK Singles Chart (1981). It landed in the top 5 in Germany, France and Australia.

Although it wasn't her biggest hit, "Kids In America" is now considered by many to be Kim Wilde's "signature song."

Kim's self-titled debut album did well around the world, spawning two additional worldwide hits (but not in the U.S.). "Select," the second album (1982) also spawned two worldwide hits, that were ignored by the kids in America. Kim's third album, "Catch As Catch Can" (1983) was considered a failure.

At this time (1984), Kim signed with MCA Records.

"Go For It"...didn't. It stalled out at #65 in 1985.

"You Keep Me Hanging On," however, soared to #1 (for one week) in 1987.

What you hear is Kim's "take" on the classic by Diana Ross & the Supremes...and, according to her official fan website:

"Not knowing the song terribly well...basically we just went into the studio with a lot of energy and not a lot of reverence. We changed quite a lot of the song and I think that's why it was so successful. It was a very spontaneous idea."

As the song hit #1 in the U.S., it made Kim Wilde the fifth British female solo artist to top the Hot 100 charts, along with Petula Clark, Lulu, Sheena Easton and Bonnie Tyler.

Although Kim Wilde is only known for two charting songs stateside, she continued to put out albums, and would have worldwide hits (except here) through the rest of the 1980's, and well into the 1990's!

She was the opening act for Michael Jackson's "Bad World Tour" in 1988. Likewise, she toured Europe with David Bowie in 1990, along with helming her own tours over the years. This summer, Kim Wilde is on tour in England, Germany, Holland, Belgium and Italy.

In 1983, she won the "Brit Award" for the Best British Female....notable among her many awards...

Kim Wilde holds the record as being the most-charted British solo female act of the 1980's (in Britain), with 17 UK Top-40 singles throughout the decade!

To date, she has sold 10 million albums, and 20 million singles worldwide!

Kim Wilde released her 13th studio album, "Wilde Winter Songbook," last November.

In her bio, Kim Wilde is listed as a singer/songwriter, author, TV presenter, and DJ! She has a local (London) weekend radio show, and a syndicated 80's radio show that airs in Germany.

Additionally, she has on-stage credits, having appeared in a London production of the musical "Tommy" (1997).

Starting in 1998, while still active in music, this worldwide chart-topper branched out into an alternate career as a........landscape gardener!

In her personal life, Kim married her "Tommy" co-star Hal Fowler in 1996. They have a son, Harry, and a daughter, Rose.

To see what else Kim Wilde is up to, check out her official website here!

One could say that Kim Smith has had a "Wilde" life!