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)
Dancing Barefoot
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She is addicted to thee
She is the root connection
She is connecting with he
Here I go and I don't know why
I fell so ceaselessly
could it be he's taking over me
Heading for a spin
Some strange music draws me in
Makes me come on like some heroine
She is sublimation
She is the essence of thee
She is concentrating on
He, who is chosen by she
Here I go and I don't know why
I spin so ceaselessly, Could it be he's taking over me
[Chorus]
She is re-creation
She, intoxicated by thee
She has the slow sensation that
He is levitating with she
Here I go and I don't know why,
I spin so ceaselessly,
'til I lose my sense of gravity
[Chorus]
(oh god I fell for you)
The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face
The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself
Grave visitations
What is it that calls to us?
Why must we pray screaming?
Why must not death be redefined?
We shut our eyes we stretch out our arms
And whirl on a pane of glass
An asphyxiation a fix on anything the line of life the limb of a tree
The hands of he and the promise that s/he is blessed among women.
(Oh God I fell for you)
The lyrics of Simple Minds’ song, “Dancing Barefoot,” are imbued with mysterious and esoteric meanings that evoke intense emotions and memories of love and devotion. The song’s enigmatic lyrics are open to multiple interpretations, but they primarily revolve around a woman who is “the root connection” and “the essence” of the singer’s being. The woman is “benediction,” a blessing, and “addicted” to the singer, who is likewise enchanted by her. The singer feels “ceaselessly” drawn to the woman, and it seems that she is “taking over” his being. The woman is also “re-creation,” intoxicated by the singer, and “levitating” with him.
The chorus speaks of the singer “dancing barefoot” and being “drawn in” by some “strange music” that makes him “come on like some heroine.” He spins “ceaselessly” until he loses his sense of gravity. The lines evoke a sense of transcendence and abandonment to the moment, with the singer being carried away by the music and the woman’s charisma.
The final verse speaks of the “plot of life” that “sweats in the dark,” evoking the mysteries of existence, birth, and death. The lines echo the previous themes of transcendence and surrender, but now they take on the quality of profound existential questioning: “What is it that calls us?” “Why must we pray screaming?” “Why must not death be redefined?” The singer seems to be reaching for answers, for something that may explain and make sense of the strange, sublime experiences he has had.
Line by Line Meaning
She is benediction
She brings a blessing or grace to others
She is addicted to thee
She is deeply attached and committed to him
She is the root connection
She is the source of connection between them
She is connecting with he
She is making a connection with him
Here I go and I don't know why
I am beginning to do something without understanding my motive
I fell so ceaselessly
I am falling continuously without stopping
Could it be he's taking over me
Maybe he is having a strong effect on me
I'm dancing barefoot
I am dancing without shoes or socks
Heading for a spin
I'm about to twirl around
Some strange music draws me in
Unfamiliar music is attracting me
Makes me come on like some heroine
It's having an effect on me like a drug
She is sublimation
She is an expression of his unfulfilled desires
She is the essence of thee
She is the very core of him
She is concentrating on
She is putting her attention on
He, who is chosen by she
He is selected by her
She is re-creation
She is a source of inspiration that brings something new and exciting
She, intoxicated by thee
She is under the influence of him
She has the slow sensation that
She is feeling a pleasant effect that is building up slowly
He is levitating with she
He is rising up and feeling elevated because of her
I spin so ceaselessly
I keep twirling and I can't stop
Til I lose my sense of gravity
Until I am no longer able to balance myself
(oh god I fell for you)
I am confessing that I have fallen in love with you
The plot of our life sweats in the dark like a face
The course of our lives remains unknown and unpredictable
The mystery of childbirth, of childhood itself
The unknown aspects of the beginning of life
Grave visitations
Appearances of something that is usually associated with death
What is it that calls to us?
What makes us feel attracted or drawn to something?
Why must we pray screaming?
Why do we need to shout and plead in our prayers?
Why must not death be redefined?
Why not change the definition of death?
We shut our eyes we stretch out our arms
We close our eyes and reach out to embrace something unknown
And whirl on a pane of glass
Spinning on a fragile surface like glass
An asphyxiation a fix on anything the line of life the limb of a tree
Feeling suffocated while trying to hold onto something for dear life
The hands of he and the promise that s/he is blessed among women.
The blessing and promises of their union
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivan Kral, Patti Lee Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dianne C
Absolutely obsessed with this cover. 💜
rmzidann
Love this cover. Well done Simple Minds!! ❤️
christie hill
I am totally enraptured adoring this incredible video. you are fantastic, and the entire video is exceptional I really really love it!! love seeing the lady driving love seeing the way you sing it. love love love it!!
akis cherokee
One of the best cover's ...
Patti Smith of course !!!
SIMPLE MINDS Latin America
Amazing cover!!! I love it!!!
Riccardo Musiu
Amaziiiiiing!!!! ❤ Simple Minds forever!!! Thank you so much!!! 👍😉🇮🇹🇮🇹
Mariana Zadkiel
Amazing !!!! 💖😍
L❤️VE you Jim Kerr and your wonderful voice !
L❤️VE SM
Wellington Saraiva
Patti Smith ,forever! This músic is a poetry
Kerstin Hünies
Great version 😍🎵🎶🎵🎶🌹
Alison Sarah carroll
One amazing band