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)
Ghostdancing
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Satellites come crashing down
I see them falling out the skies like eagles
All mirrored glass and shattered egos
But in a corner of the world we'd meet to laugh and drink and plan our sequels
'Cause in the alleyways and bars downtown
They're singing up from here to there can we go
This city comes alive at night, see these city walls are heaving
Come say what you see in me
'Cause boy, I believe in you
Come say what you're seeing
All gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
You talk about the Lebanon
You tell me 'bout the Dawn in Eden
You talk about South Africa
I tell you about the Irish children
You say one more Polish Knight could come and blow away the doors to Freedom
And if Mother Ethiopia could blow away the tears that we see run
O blow them away,
Blow, blow away
We Will blow them away
O blow, blow away
Blow, blow away
Blow, blow away
Come say what you see in me
'Cause boy, I believe in you
Come say what you're seeing
They're all gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
You know I believe in you
Oh yes I believe, you know I believe in you
You say you believe
I believe, I believe, going all the way through, yeah
Come take me back home, come on and take me away
Ghost Dancing
The car pulled up, the girl she jumped in
The boy he wore a medal that was shining from his skin
With the windows pulled up, their radio tuned in
She's hitting from the stars, he's hitting for the moon
She said, one last kiss while you look across the Land
Move it into overdrive and take me by my hand
When the car broke, the rebels saw smoke
And they all went to heaven in a stupid fantasy, go
Take me away
The lyrics of "Ghostdancing" by Simple Minds describe a world in chaos, with cities and buildings falling down and satellites crashing from the skies. However, a group of people in a corner of the world continue to laugh, drink and plan their sequels despite this upheaval. The song suggests that even amid destruction, life goes on and people can still find joy and meaning. The lyrics also include references to different parts of the world, including the Lebanon, South Africa, and Ireland, and suggest a desire for freedom and an end to suffering.
The chorus of the song repeatedly asks for someone to "come say what you see in me" and emphasizes that the singer believes in the person they are addressing. This could suggest a desire for connection and understanding in a chaotic world. The final part of the song features a couple driving away together, as if seeking escape from the turmoil around them. The song ends with the repeated phrase "Take me away," suggesting a longing for a better reality or a more peaceful future.
Line by Line Meaning
Cities, buildings falling down
Structures of civilization are collapsing
Satellites come crashing down
Even technology is beginning to fail us
I see them falling out the skies like eagles
The destruction is happening on a massive scale
All mirrored glass and shattered egos
The destruction is exposing humanity's vanity and arrogance
But in a corner of the world we'd meet to laugh and drink and plan our sequels
Despite the chaos of the world, some still find ways to enjoy life and plan for the future
'Cause in the alleyways and bars downtown
Even in the darkest places, people are still finding reasons to sing and celebrate
They're singing up from here to there can we go
The people are expressing a desire for change and a better future
This city comes alive at night, see these city walls are heaving
The energy of the city is palpable, especially at night
And if these old city walls should crash, amid the rubble you'd find us breathing
No matter what happens, the people will still survive and rebuild
Come say what you see in me
Tell me what you think of me, be honest
'Cause boy, I believe in you
I have faith in you and what you have to say
All gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
Everything is disappearing, but we are still dancing, persevering
You talk about the Lebanon
You speak of conflict and violence in the Middle East
You tell me 'bout the Dawn in Eden
You speak of paradise lost
You talk about South Africa
You speak of apartheid and racial inequality
I tell you about the Irish children
I share stories of another group of oppressed people
You say one more Polish Knight could come and blow away the doors to Freedom
You express hope for a champion to lead Poland to freedom
And if Mother Ethiopia could blow away the tears that we see run
You express hope for Ethiopia to overcome its troubles
O blow them away
Let us overcome these problems and tears
We Will blow them away
We will come together to overcome these issues
Come take me back home, come on and take me away
Take me to a place of safety and comfort
The car pulled up, the girl she jumped in
A story of two people escaping together
The boy he wore a medal that was shining from his skin
The boy is a hero, recognized for his bravery with a medal
With the windows pulled up, their radio tuned in
They are trying to block out the outside world and focus on each other
She's hitting from the stars, he's hitting for the moon
Both have big aspirations and dreams
She said, one last kiss while you look across the Land
She wants to cherish this moment before they depart
Move it into overdrive and take me by my hand
Speed up and take me away
When the car broke, the rebels saw smoke
Their escape is hindered by a breakdown, and their pursuers find them
And they all went to heaven in a stupid fantasy, go
They die in a futile attempt to escape, chasing a dream of freedom
You say you believe
You have faith in yourself and your dreams
I believe, I believe, going all the way through, yeah
I also believe, and will keep going despite the hardships
Ghost Dancing
A dance of perseverance and survival
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL, JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BOBLFC1
Cities, buildings falling down
Satellites come crashing down
I see them falling out the skies like eagles
All mirrored glass and shattered egos
But in a corner of the world we'd meet to laugh and drink and plan our sequels
'Cause in the alleyways and bars downtown
They're singing up from here to there can we go
This city comes alive at night, see these city walls are heaving
And if these old city walls should crash, amid the rubble you'd find us
breathing
Come say what you see in me
'Cause boy, I believe in you
Come say what you're seeing
All gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
You talk about the Lebanon
You tell me 'bout the Dawn in Eden
You talk about South Africa
I tell you about the Irish children
You say one more Polish Knight could come and blow away the doors to Freedom
And if Mother Ethiopia could blow away the tears that we see run
O blow them away,
Blow, blow away
We will blow them away
O blow, blow away
Blow, blow away
Blow, blow away
Come say what you see in me
'Cause boy, I believe in you
Come say what you're seeing
They're all gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
You know I believe in you
Oh yes I believe, you know I believe in you
You say you believe
I believe, I believe, going all the way through, yeah
Come take me back home, come on and take me away
Ghost Dancing
The car pulled up, the girl she jumped in
The boy he wore a medal that was shining from his skin
With the windows pulled up, their radio tuned in
She's hitting from the stars, he's hitting for the moon
She said, one last kiss while you look across the Land
Move it into overdrive and take me by my hand
When the car broke, the rebels saw smoke
And they all went to heaven in a stupid fantasy, go
Take me away
@anthonytesta2864
Mel Gaynor..........i cannot begin to describe how good you're drumming is in this song!!! absolutely perfect!!
@paolodugini4690
Oustanding masterpiece from by this musical group that I adore
@dwtime
What kills me is that all 'corporate radio' will play from these guys is 'Don't You Forget About Me' a good Simple Minds song but songs like 'Ghost Dancing' 'Oh Jungleland' 'Sanctify Yourself', 'Book Of Brilliant Things' and 'Waterfront' which all blow that one song away never get played. Simple Minds has amazing and huge catalog and all we ever hear on the radio is one song.....
@astridhersbach2971
Steve O i agree
@allisonshepherd4551
Hi2 dead right ...on my husband’s behalf!
@AngryBulldogg
Funny, just heard that on radio at work few hours ago and this was playing in ma head
@oshanna5145
thats the way it goes. the stations play the same stuff over and over. What a collection of masterpieces this band has had and theyre still going strong!
@MrsBlaileen1
Quite right. You can count “Come a Long Way” as well.
@eightiesboy
I can't begin to tell you how many times I played this in my bedroom as a young man, on vinyl of course! Absolutely the best track in this album and I haven't forgotten any of the words. My kids always crack up when I sing along to this. Hopefully when they're 50, they will do the same with their kids. Thanks for the upload!
@drey8
I wrote down the lyrics in my little notebook, stopping it every few seconds to jot them down. Did my best: "the car went broke, we're rattling so slow, giddyup and you hit me with a stupid banner seagull". Something like that anyway.