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)
Chelsea Girl
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's getting late
Don't know if I can take much more
The way you talk I often wondered
If I heard the words somewhere
Someplace before
I got so nervous when I called
And found that lately
But I've got something on my mind
I want you here
I want you now
You better explain
Is it true you're running round
Now is it true they're calling you
The Chelsea Girl
Is it true you're running round
Now is it true they're calling you
The Chelsea Girl
Your best friend never calls you up
But you don't mind
'Cause lately things are all the same
Ain't it strange how people always seem
To know your face
But just don't know your name
Well I don't care there's no one there
That even turn around and say get out of this place
Last night I saw a shooting star
When morning comes
She hides away
A real disgrace
Is it true you're running round
Now is it true they're calling you
The Chelsea Girl
Is it true you're running round
Now is it true they're calling you
The Chelsea Girl
Oh Chelsea Girl
You got me caught up in a whirl
I want you here now Chelsea Girl
The lyrics to Simple Minds' song Chelsea Girl seem to be about a man who is infatuated with a woman named Chelsea, but he is not entirely sure if she's faithful to him. The first verse is full of uncertainty and confusion, as the singer has difficulty recognizing or placing the sound of time. He is nervous about calling Chelsea, and when he finally does, she's changed her name. There's a sense of confusion and anxiety about their relationship, and the lyrics convey the singer's desperation to know the truth about Chelsea. The chorus repeats the question, "Is it true you're running round," questioning Chelsea's fidelity.
The second verse talks about how the people around Chelsea don't seem to know her name but recognize her face. The singer doesn't care about these people or their judgments, as he's only concerned about Chelsea. He's seen a "shooting star" in her and wants her badly, but he's frustrated with her distance and apparent infidelity. There's a sense of urgency and suspense in the lyrics, as the singer tries to get to the bottom of Chelsea's behavior.
Overall, the song is filled with angst and tension, as the singer tries to decipher the truth about Chelsea. The lyrics suggest that he's caught up in her charm, but he's also aware that something is not quite right.
Line by Line Meaning
And now the sound of time is getting fast
Time is moving quickly and things are changing rapidly.
It's getting late
There is not much time left to resolve a situation.
Don't know if I can take much more
The singer is feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the situation.
The way you talk I often wondered
The artist is questioning the authenticity of the other person.
If I heard the words somewhere
The artist has a sense of familiarity with what the other person is saying.
Someplace before
The singer has encountered similar situations in the past.
I got so nervous when I called
The singer is anxious about the conversation they had with the other person.
And found that lately
The artist is surprised to learn that something has changed about the other person.
You had gone and changed your name
The other person has done something unexpected or unusual.
But I've got something on my mind
The artist has something important to say.
I want you here
The singer desires the presence of the other person.
I want you now
The artist desires the immediate presence of the other person.
You better explain
The singer demands an explanation for the unexpected behavior of the other person.
Is it true you're running round
The singer questions the other person's actions.
Now is it true they're calling you
The other person is the subject of rumors or gossip.
The Chelsea Girl
The label given to the other person due to their behavior or actions.
Your best friend never calls you up
The other person's relationships with others may not be genuine.
But you don't mind
The other person may not be bothered by the lack of communication from their friend.
'Cause lately things are all the same
The singer suggests that there is a certain monotony to the other person's life.
Ain't it strange how people always seem
The artist finds it odd that the other person is recognized by many but still remains unknown.
To know your face
The other person's physical appearance is memorable or recognizable.
But just don't know your name
Other people do not know much about the other person beyond their appearance.
Well I don't care there's no one there
The singer does not seem to be bothered by the lack of recognition for the other person.
That even turn around and say get out of this place
Even if the other person were to leave the current location, it would not affect the artist.
Last night I saw a shooting star
The singer had a rare or meaningful experience recently.
When morning comes
But the experience did not last and may not have had a lasting impact.
She hides away
The other person is avoiding attention or scrutiny.
A real disgrace
The artist has a negative association with the other person's behavior.
Oh Chelsea Girl
The artist addresses the other person directly by the label they have been given.
You got me caught up in a whirl
The other person has elicited a range of emotions in the singer.
I want you here now Chelsea Girl
The singer reiterates their desire for the presence of the other person.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Foden
One of the first SM songs I heard (Spring 1980, at a friend's birthday party). I was twelve at the time, and heavily influenced by punk rock, but this certainly turned my head towards another direction . .
My bass guitar playing is influenced by the great Derek Forbes, one of the best (if not THE best) of this era.
bluemonster65
Forbes is a monster player - easily one of the best in my book! Cool that he influenced your playing.
Jerry Gee
My favourite simple minds album is Life in a Day. Had it on vinyl back in the day too. They were so much both ahead of their time and of their age.
Lucas Lima
It's really a great album, very underrated.
MrsHolidaylover
Life in a Day. Loved it. But then they got boring and famous. Saw them twice in small venues.
MonolithicMick
Thanks to my late older brother steve who brought home many fantastic albums way before the artist were known like simple minds and talking heads. Forever greatfull for my musical tastes. It was amazing listening to this stuff before many people . Fantastic tune and hard to believe this wasn't a massive hit . But I guess it would have changed their history and we wouldn't have had the fantastic experimental albums that followed
GW
Such an underrated guitar solo in this classic, ,deceptively difficult to nail,,Charlie Burchill Legend !!
michele macrae
I am a lover of this track, something exceptional in music 🎶
Bellenger1981
One of my favorite Simple Minds tracks. Surprised that this wasn't a hit. The 2016 acoustic version is fantastic as well.
Chilly Willy
I loved this tune . I am surprised it didnt do better.