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)
African Skies
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I'd write today
Pieces of my life
That time can't fade away
Land lies dry, Africa
And the clouds roll by, Africa
I held you every night
Now the dust blows in my eyes
But those dreams won't fade away
The sky burns red, Africa
Don't you cry, Africa
Africa
When you cry it rains ? Africa
Still the children smile, Africa
When you cry it rains, Africa
When the wild dogs howl, Africa
Still the clouds roll by, Africa
The song 'African Skies' by Simple Minds is a poetic reflection on memories and experiences of the past. The opening lines of the song present a letter addressed to someone special, who is surprised to receive it. The writer then shares that the letter includes fragments of their life, which have been etched deep into their memory and cannot be eroded by time. The following lines draw the listener's attention to the vast expanse of Africa and its sky, which is characterized by dry terrain and rolling clouds. The lyrics then take a personal turn, as the singer reminisces about a person who was once their world. They describe holding this person close every night and putting faith in their words. However, the dust blowing in their eyes is symbolic of the struggles they faced to keep the relationship alive. Yet, the writer still has hope that their dreams won't fade away.
As the chorus kicks in, the focus shifts back to Africa, which is personified as a living entity capable of crying and shedding tears that bring rainfall. The song emphasizes that despite the harsh and dusty reality of Africa, the children still find reasons to be happy and that the clouds keep rolling by. The imagery evokes the ebbs and flows of life and how people must continue to persevere through challenges, much like the landscape of Africa.
Overall, the song is an ode to the African continent and how its people and landscapes have impacted the singer's personal journey. The lyrics are an emotive representation of the experiences that have left an indelible mark on their soul.
Line by Line Meaning
You say you're surprised
The singer is addressing someone who seems surprised to receive a letter from them.
I thought I'd write today
The singer is explaining why they decided to write this letter.
Pieces of my life
The singer is going to share parts of their life in this letter.
That time can't fade away
The artist believes that no matter how much time passes, these memories will always be important.
Land lies dry, Africa
The artist is describing the physical landscape of Africa.
And the clouds roll by, Africa
Despite the dry land, the clouds keep moving across the sky in Africa.
I held you every night
The singer is recalling a time when they were close to someone in Africa.
I believed in all you'd say
The artist trusted this person's words and opinions when they were together.
Now the dust blows in my eyes
The artist is experiencing a physical reminder of Africa.
But those dreams won't fade away
Despite being far away, the artist's dreams and memories of Africa are still vivid and important to them.
The sky burns red, Africa
The singer is describing a moment when the sky turned a bright red color.
Don't you cry, Africa
The artist is speaking to Africa directly, encouraging it not to cry despite any hardships it may be facing.
When you cry it rains ? Africa
The singer believes that when Africa cries, it rains as if to wash away its tears.
Still the children smile, Africa
Even in difficult times, the children of Africa find a reason to smile.
When you cry it rains, Africa
The singer repeats this line, perhaps emphasizing the notion that rain comes to Africa's aid in times of need.
When the wild dogs howl, Africa
The artist is describing a moment when they heard wild dogs howling in Africa.
Still the clouds roll by, Africa
Despite the howling dogs, life goes on and the clouds keep moving in Africa.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind