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)
Blood Diamonds
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I hear you, from so far away
There's a town, that's beyond this place
And there's a space, 'cause you're not here
Or could I be wrong?
Imagination strikes
I hear those uneven songs
Returning like ghosts in flight
Once we were lovers
Once we were pure as friends
Once we were blood
Diamonds to the end
Do you hear when the world descends
Let's make truth once again
Or could I be wrong?
Could there be other ways?
Or could I be wrong?
You can't untrain the heart
Once we were lovers
Once we were pure as friends
Once we were blood
Diamonds to the end
Yeah - once we were lovers
Once we were true as friends
Once we were blood
Diamonds to the end
Diamonds to the end
Or could I be wrong?
Could there be other ways?
Or could I be wrong?
You can't untrain the heart
Once we were lovers
Once we were pure as friends
Once we were blood
Diamonds to the end
Yeah - once we were lovers
Once we were true as friends
Once we were blood
Diamonds to the end
Diamonds to the end
The lyrics of Simple Minds's song "Blood Diamonds" seem to explore the theme of separation and the search for connection. The singer confesses to feeling the absence of someone who is not physically present but is still able to communicate with them from afar. They mention a place beyond where they are but wonder if they may be mistaken about it. The singer then imagines hearing the songs of the past, like ghosts coming back to life.
The chorus of the song reveals a past relationship that was significant and enduring. The pair was once in love and close friends, unbreakable to the end. The singer longs for a reconnection, a return of the truth that they once shared together. There is a sense of urgency as the possibility of other ways creeps in, however, the singer feels that the heart cannot be untrained. The bridge repeats the chorus with slight variation, emphasizing the purity of their past relationship and the longevity of their bond.
Overall, "Blood Diamonds" illustrates the complexities of human relationships and the importance of connection. The song seems to suggest that love and friendship can be everlasting, and that one should cherish and appreciate those relationships when one has them.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel you, there's no need to search
I am connected to you and do not need to look for you.
And I hear you, from so far away
I can sense you even though you are distant from me.
There's a town, that's beyond this place
There is a distant town that is not nearby.
And there's a space, 'cause you're not here
There is a void because you are not present.
Or could I be wrong?
Is it possible that I am mistaken?
Imagination strikes
My creative mind is active.
I hear those uneven songs
I hear music that is not quite right.
Returning like ghosts in flight
Memories resurface and linger like spirits.
Once we were lovers
We used to be in love.
Once we were pure as friends
We had a pure and strong friendship.
Once we were blood
We were very close, like family.
Diamonds to the end
Our connection was precious and enduring.
Do you hear when the world descends
Can you hear when the world falls apart?
Let's make truth once again
Let's be honest with each other like we used to be.
Could there be other ways?
Is it possible to resolve things differently?
You can't untrain the heart
Once the heart is trained, it cannot be changed.
Yeah - once we were lovers
Yes, we used to be in love.
Once we were true as friends
We had a genuine and loyal friendship.
Diamonds to the end
Our connection was precious and enduring.
Contributed by Claire C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jonasc.5910
Gorgeous song. These guys have never stopped writing the most incredible music.
@thomasgert6182
Simple minds. One of the best bands ever.
@daleparfitt7243
Best💋
@davidfairbairn8
Agreed by the way! Open your mind too for fucks sake. Best dance track ever and it just happens to be a mob fae glesga!
@alejandrotorojofre9677
I don't belive... Simple Minds... one of the greatest bands in the world!!! I love this song!!!
@Eirene30
One of the Greatest Bands ever walked the earth🙏🙏
@daleparfitt7243
👍👍👍👍👍👍
@coletteduke6294
seen the band live in concert in my home region .i was at the very front . the big music tour 2015 i took my mum she .was 64 at the time . this night .will always .be in my heart .and mind .one word .amazing .i hadgoose bumps all over. we .never stopped clapping .and our arms ached .with being in the air all night
@danielmarquis5258
Simple Minds isn't only my favorite 1980's Band, but my favorite band overall (of all time). Somebody posted a recent SM Concert HERE on You Tube from Hamburg, Germany. That concert was the BEST two and a half hours ever viewed in my life. All of the songs in their Set list were spot on; they are a MAGNIFICENT Live Band!!! If I were Matt Pinfield (A Legendary VJ/DJ in the Music Industry), I would conduct a RETROSPECTIVE INTERVIEW with Simple Minds for sure.
@erndog64
Kerr's Vocals are clean and clear like in the 80's.....Nice.