Simple Minds have achieved 24 top 40 singles on the UK Singles Chart, including eight top 10 and one number one, and 26 albums on the UK Albums Chart, including 22 top 40 albums, 12 top 10 albums and five number one albums: Sparkle in the Rain (1984), Once Upon a Time (1985), Live in the City of Light (1987), Street Fighting Years (1989), and Glittering Prize 81/92 (1992). They have sold more than 60 million albums worldwide, and were the most commercially successful Scottish band of the 1980s. Simple Minds have also achieved considerable chart success in the United States, Australia, Germany, Spain, Italy and New Zealand. Despite various personnel changes, they continue to record and tour.
In 2014, Simple Minds were awarded the Q Inspiration Award for their contribution to the music industry and an Ivor Novello Award in 2016 for Outstanding Song Collection from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors (BASCA). Other notable recognitions include nominations for both the MTV Video Music Award for Best Direction and MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" in 1985, nomination for the Brit Award for British Group in 1986 and for the American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Band/Duo/Group in 1987. "Belfast Child" was nominated for the Song of the Year at the Brit Awards 1990.
The nucleus of Simple Minds consists of the two remaining original members, Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (electric and acoustic guitars, occasional keyboards after 1990, saxophone and violin). The other current band members are Ged Grimes (bass guitar), Cherisse Osei (drums), Sarah Brown (backing vocals), Gordy Goudie (additional guitar and keyboards) and Berenice Scott (keyboards). Notable former members include Mick MacNeil (keyboards), Derek Forbes (bass guitar), Brian McGee and Mel Gaynor (drums).
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Minds
Discography
Life in a Day (1979)
Real to Real Cacophony (1979)
Empires and Dance (1980)
Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call (1981)
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) (1982)
Sparkle in the Rain (1984)
Once Upon a Time (1985)
Street Fighting Years (1989)
Real Life (1991)
Good News from the Next World (1995)
Néapolis (1998)
Our Secrets Are the Same (1999/2004)
Neon Lights (2001)
Cry (2002)
Black & White 050505 (2005)
Graffiti Soul (2009)
Big Music (2014)
Acoustic (2016)
Walk Between Worlds (2018)
Direction of the Heart (2022)
20th Century Promised Land
Simple Minds Lyrics
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Joining every bridge in the wind
Ringing out footsteps
Calling out stell-heels
I give voice
I give breath
Count out evenings and stars
How fast can these things move on
And the reason for fear was moving on
And on
Some time
Great times
Troubled time
Fire for the times
Ringing out footsteps
Calling out steel-heels
Promised land
Great times in commotion
Here come every day
It only lasts an hour
Unhappy the land that has no heroes
No! Unhappy the land that needs heroes
And the reason for fear was moving on
The speed of light was moving on
Don't cry
Tears are only wasted waters
Some say God her only loves the proud
Be damned on luck
But not dishearted
Nothing to prove
And nothing to present
I give voice
I give breath
Catching winds in my hand
My hand
Some times
Great times
Catching wind in my hand
My hand
Some times
Great times
Troubled times
Fire for the times
Ringing out footsteps
Calling out steel-heels
Promised land
Great times in commotion
Here comes every dat
It only lasts an hour
Unhappy the land that has no heroes
No! Unhappy the land that needs heroes
I'll call you out
I'll scream you out
And I don't care if you're afraid
When city sounds invade the air
Catch the wind in their hands
Promised land
Catch the wind in their hands
Promised lands
Promised lands
Promised lands
Great times in commotion
The lyrics of Simple Mind's "20th Century Promised Land" convey the message of a world where life is fleeting, and everything moves on quickly. It highlights the importance of cherishing every moment and giving voice and breath to your thoughts and feelings. The singer's voice is a call for resilience in times of trouble, encouraging the listener not to be disheartened by situations that may seem bleak.
The song opens up with the metaphorical image of "Stories" that come like the wind, joining bridges in the wind. The urgency to keep moving on and not let fear hold one back is emphasised throughout the song. The singer catches the winds in their hands, reminding the listener to hold onto the things that matter to them. The line, "Unhappy the land that has no heroes. No! Unhappy the land that needs heroes," talks about how society depends on individuals to lead and guide them out of times of trouble, for which they are both celebrated and criticised. The song concludes with the chorus, emphasising that the promised land only lasts an hour, but one should still strive towards it.
Line by Line Meaning
Stories came like the wind
The tales spread quickly and uncontrollably
Joining every bridge in the wind
Connecting people through words
Ringing out footsteps
Making a sound as feet hit the pavement
Calling out stell-heels
Shouting out for women in power
I give voice
Standing up for what I believe in
I give breath
Breathing life and energy into my words
Count out evenings and stars
Measuring time by the beauty of the universe
How fast can these things move on
Wondering how quickly moments and memories pass
Taking roots back to yourself
Reconnecting with your true self
And the reason for fear was moving on
Fear of change and uncertainty
And on
Continuously moving forward
Some time
At some point in life
Great times
Moments of joy and happiness
Troubled time
Difficult and challenging periods
Fire for the times
Passion and energy to get through tough times
Ringing out footsteps
Making a sound as feet hit the pavement
Calling out steel-heels
Shouting out for women in power
Promised land
A future with hope and prosperity
Great times in commotion
Exciting and chaotic times
Here come every day
The future is approaching quickly
It only lasts an hour
Time flies quickly and moments are fleeting
Unhappy the land that has no heroes
A society with no positive role models and leaders
No! Unhappy the land that needs heroes
A society in crisis that desperately needs heroes
Don't cry
Don't waste tears over things out of your control
Tears are only wasted waters
Crying doesn't solve anything
Some say God her only loves the proud
Some believe that only the successful are loved by God
Be damned on luck
Don't rely on luck to succeed
But not dishearted
Don't give up hope
Nothing to prove
No need to impress others
And nothing to present
No need to put on a façade
Catching winds in my hand
Taking control of my own destiny
I'll call you out
I will challenge you
I'll scream you out
I will speak out against you
And I don't care if you're afraid
I won't be silenced by fear
When city sounds invade the air
When distractions threaten to overpower us
Catch the wind in their hands
Seizing opportunities as they arise
Promised lands
A better tomorrow
Great times in commotion
Exciting and chaotic times
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MCGEE, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL, DEREK FORBES, JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KEITH-LEE CASTLE
This and Sons and Fascination are probably in my top 5 albums of all time.
ILoveRods
They had a sound no-one else has ever been able to touch - the lyrics on this album are scarily prophetic and yet their wall of sound penetrates through to the Tartaria I dream of every night. I'm in two places at once when I hear them.
Randall Peaslee
Always liked this song and this album.
preving
so does Jim Kerr. It's his favorite album he and Charlie have admitted
Liam Doyle
Its their best by a long shot
magruseR
This bassline is completely fucking epic
Dave Elzinga
Derek Forbes....one of the greatest bass-players imo :-)
Nick von Behr
Best lyrics, drums, keyboards and guitars in my view
Dave Elzinga
Imo the best album(s) Simple Minds brought to the world...
glasgow john
life in a day and sparkle in the rain beats it IMO