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)
Get A Grip
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been around and seen a lot to shake me anyhow
Begged and borrowed sometimes, I admit I even stole
The worse crime that I ever did was playing rock 'n roll.
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
But the money's no good
Suffering convictions on a two-way stretch inside
The air in here is pretty thin, I think I'll go outside
Committed for insanity and crimes against the soul
The worst crime that I ever did was play some rock 'n roll.
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
And you should know
Now I find from week to week the sentence sticking fast
Turn the corner, rub my eyes and hope the world will last
Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole
Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n roll
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
But the money's no good
Just get a grip on yourself
And you should know
The lyrics of Simple Minds' song "Get A Grip" portray the struggles of a musician who has gone through a lot of hardships to get where he is today. The first verse highlights the difficulties he has faced in financing his dream. He admits to begging, borrowing and even stealing to achieve his goals. However, he also acknowledges that the worst crime he has ever committed was playing rock 'n' roll. This suggests that the journey to success as a musician is nothing short of challenging and requires resilience, persistence, and a willingness to make sacrifices.
The second verse of the song implies that fame and success come with their own set of challenges. The singer is feeling suffocated by the expectations that come with being a successful artist. He seems to long for freedom and finds himself convicted in a "two-way stretch inside". He yearns to "go outside" and escape the trappings of his career. However, he realizes that the worst crime he has ever committed was playing rock 'n' roll, which he seems to hint is a sign of his soul's imprisonment.
The chorus of the song reminds the musician that money is not the most important thing. It urges him to "just get a grip on yourself" and find his inner strength in times when the going gets tough. The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer recognizing and accepting his place in the music industry as a "stranger from another planet" and acknowledging that playing rock 'n' roll is his calling.
Line by Line Meaning
Didn't have the money round to buy a Morry Thou
I didn't have enough money to buy a car (Morry Thou in this case)
Been around and seen a lot to shake me anyhow
I have seen a lot of things that have affected me in some way
Begged and borrowed sometimes, I admit I even stole
I did whatever I could, including begging, borrowing, and stealing to get by
The worse crime that I ever did was playing rock 'n roll.
The most significant crime I committed was making music.
But the money's no good
Money isn't as important as we think it is.
Just get a grip on yourself
Stay focused and don't let external factors bring you down.
Suffering convictions on a two-way stretch inside
I am feeling stuck and conflicted with my thoughts and beliefs.
The air in here is pretty thin, I think I'll go outside
The environment around me isn't ideal, so I should step outside and get some fresh air.
Committed for insanity and crimes against the soul
I am being punished for not adhering to society's norms and values.
And you should know
It's important for me to tell you this.
Now I find from week to week the sentence sticking fast
I feel trapped by life's circumstances, and it's getting worse over time.
Turn the corner, rub my eyes and hope the world will last
I'm trying to change my perspective and stay optimistic about the future.
Stranger from another planet welcome to our hole
I feel like an outsider and don't belong here with everyone else.
Just strap on your guitar and we'll play some rock 'n roll
Let's stay true to ourselves and make the music we love, despite the challenges.
Contributed by Carson S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Phil Stevens
First off, great job Mel Gaynor. Solid as a rock as usual. Dave Greenfield, unbelievable keyboard player. The way he just solo'd his way through every line of every song just seemed to fit without seeming to be overplaying. Unbelievable talent and there will never be another.
In the Shadows..
Obviously a Simple Minds dude. As a Strangler dude, one has to confess its a stunning version of Grip
Phil Stevens
@In the Shadows.. I'm a Strangler too. I'm also a drummer and recognize the strenghts of Mel Gaynor as a drummer. I own every Stranglers album since they were released. I was a Strangler first before being a simple mind!
JOE BLOGGS
Finding this gem has made my day. Got a beer in my hand, headphones on at full blast and a stupid grin on my face. LOVE IT!
Robert Christian
Consider this was my driving music in 70's LA. Still sounds worth annoying other drivers stuck in the traffic!
Brian Achterberg
JOE BLOGGS Cheers Mate!! 🍺🍻🍺
Daniel John Staunton
Good on yer, Joe, doin' & feelin' the same. Uplifting song! 😉
Bruce Bengtson
Me too!
Christopher West
Same here brilliant stuff.
Jeff Cummings
Yeah, we all get older...but, it doesn’t mean that whatever inspired us when we were young has to die. Brilliant song! Love the video!