🎶 The Kelly Family – Growin’ Up (1997)
The Matured Sound of Europe’s 90s Pop-Folk Sensation
Released in September 1997, Growin’ Up marked another major milestone in the career of The Kelly Family. Following the enormous success of Over The Hump (1994) and Almost Heaven (1996), this album showcased a more polished, mature pop-rock direction while keeping the group’s signature family harmonies intact.
At the height of their popularity across Germany, Austria, Switzerland and beyond, Growin’ Up proved that the Kelly Family were not just a passing 90s trend — they were evolving artists.
📀 Album Overview
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Artist: The Kelly Family
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Album Title: Growin’ Up
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Release Date: September 1997
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Label: Kel-Life Records
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Genre: Pop / Folk / Pop-Rock
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Length: Approx. 55 minutes
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Recorded: Cologne & other European studios
The album blends upbeat pop anthems with emotional ballads and introspective lyrics. Compared to earlier releases, Growin’ Up features a more contemporary 90s production style, including stronger rock elements and radio-friendly arrangements.
📋 Official Tracklist
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I’ll Be There
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Don’t Always Be So Happy
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No Lies
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He’s Got The Power
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Red Shoes
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Fell In Love With An Alien (Remix/Version)*
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Key To My Heart (Live Version)*
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I’m So Happy
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I’ll Be Your Bride
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I Feel Love
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Because It’s Love
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Mama
(*Track variations may exist depending on edition and country.)
Note: Different European pressings included slight tracklist variations and bonus live recordings.
🎤 Album Credits
Songwriting:
✔ The Kelly Family (group writing contributions)
Producers:
• Kathy Kelly
• Paddy Kelly
• Dan Kelly (executive production)
• Mike Ungefehr
Engineering & Mixing:
• Günther Kasper
• Additional European studio engineers
Like previous albums, Growin’ Up was largely produced within the family, reflecting their independent and self-managed approach to music production.
📈 Commercial Success & Sales
Growin’ Up was another strong seller during the peak of Kelly Family mania in Europe.
📊 Estimated Sales & Certifications:
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Germany: Multi-Platinum (over 500,000 copies)
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Austria: Platinum
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Switzerland: Platinum
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Charted Top 3 in multiple European countries
While not surpassing Over The Hump, the album maintained the band’s dominant presence in late-90s European pop charts.
🌟 Most Popular Tracks from Growin’ Up
⭐ I’ll Be There
One of the album’s standout singles — an emotional pop ballad that became a fan favorite during live tours.
⭐ Because It’s Love
A heartfelt track showcasing the group’s layered harmonies.
⭐ Don’t Always Be So Happy
A slightly darker, more introspective pop-rock track showing the band’s lyrical growth.
⭐ Mama
A touching tribute song emphasizing family values — a recurring theme in the Kelly Family’s catalog.
💡 Fun Facts & Trivia
🎸 A More Mature Sound
By 1997, many Kelly Family members were entering adulthood, and the themes on Growin’ Up reflect that transition — focusing more on love, responsibility, and personal growth.
🎤 Massive Arena Tours
The album supported large arena tours across Germany and Central Europe, with thousands of fans attending each show during their commercial peak.
📺 Peak Popularity Era
1997 marked the height of “Kellymania” — the band regularly appeared on European TV shows, award ceremonies, and sold-out concerts.
💿 Strong Physical Sales
During the CD boom of the late 1990s, Growin’ Up benefited from high physical album sales before the digital music era began.
❓ Did You Know?
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The Kelly Family were one of the best-selling international acts in Germany during the 1990s.
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The band’s independent label, Kel-Life Records, allowed them to retain creative control over their music.
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By 1997, the group had already sold millions of albums across Europe, building one of the largest fan bases in German pop history.
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Several songs from Growin’ Up became long-term staples in reunion tours decades later.
🎶 Musical Style & Themes
Unlike the folk-heavy beginnings of the 1980s, Growin’ Up leans strongly into:
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90s pop production
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Emotional ballads
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Soft rock elements
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Personal and relationship-focused lyrics
The album represents a transitional moment — balancing youthful energy with adulthood reflection.
📌 Final Thoughts
Growin’ Up (1997) captures The Kelly Family at a turning point: no longer just the traveling folk family, but established European pop stars refining their sound. With strong chart performance, emotional songwriting, and arena-level popularity, this album solidified their late-90s dominance.
For fans of 90s European pop, family harmonies, and nostalgic radio hits, Growin’ Up remains a key chapter in The Kelly Family story.
The Kelly Family Full Discography
Download The Kelly Familly Albums from Amazon Music
More Albums:
The Kelly Family - Over The Hump (1994)
The Kelly Family - Christmas For All (1994)
The Kelly Family - Almost Heaven (1996)
The Kelly Family - Growin' Up (1997)
The Kelly Family - From Their Hearts (1998)
