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)
Ghostrider
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like a ghost you never see
Look in to the one you love if you're afraid of me
Ghettos in his eyes
He plays a torch song melody
Listen to the one you love if you're afraid of me
E S P
Paperback rider
You can't fool me
When all is said and done
Babylon was meant to be
Shitting on the one you love if you're afraid of me
He's got the wild dog in his eyes
He's got a speedball in his brain
Running through the roads of love like a marathon man
Ghost rider
E S P
The devil inside her
Don't want it to be
Yeah the ghost rider
E S P
A paperback rider
Deep down in his soul
Every little boy knows
The he can't stop running so go
Look out
There's been a shoot out for love
I've got the shivers of love
Ghost rider
E S P
The devil inside her
I don't want it to be
Ghost rider
E S P
She's got the devil inside her
Oh no you can't
You can't fool me
Oh no you can't
You can't fool me
Oh no you can't
Yeah the ghost rider
E S P
Oh paperback rider
Oh no you can't fool
Oh no you can't fool
The lyrics to Simple Minds's song "Ghostrider," although quite cryptic, seem to be describing a person who is seen as a ghostly figure, someone who might not be easily seen or understood. The "shadows in your room" and "ghettos in his eyes" suggests that this person is not entirely present or grounded. The song advises the listener to "look in to the one you love if you're afraid of me," perhaps indicating that the ghostly figure is someone to be feared or avoided.
The chorus then repeats the phrase "ghost rider, E S P" and "paperback rider," which could be interpreted in a number of ways. The words "ghost rider" could refer to a supernatural being, a motorcycle, or someone with an unattainable or mysterious quality. "E S P" could refer to extrasensory perception, perhaps suggesting that the ghost rider is someone with an intuitive nature.
The rest of the verses continue to describe the ghost rider, suggesting that he has a wild and unpredictable nature, with a "speedball in his brain," running through the "roads of love like a marathon man." The repetition of "you can't fool me" at the end could suggest that despite the enigmatic and cryptic nature of the ghost rider, the listener is not taken in by his tricks or illusions.
Line by Line Meaning
Shadows in your room
The darkness and fear residing within you
Like a ghost you never see
It's a hidden fear that you can't see clearly
Look in to the one you love if you're afraid of me
If fear takes control, seek comfort from someone you trust
Ghettos in his eyes
An inner poverty, a sense of loss and despair
He plays a torch song melody
A deeply emotional song, full of longing and melancholy
Listen to the one you love if you're afraid of me
Let love and comfort ease your fear
Ghost rider
An unknown spirit lurking in the shadows
E S P
Extra Sensory Perception, sensing something beyond what's visible
Paperback rider
A fictional character, but also a representation of the fleeting nature of life
You can't fool me
You can't hide from the truth or deceive me
When all is said and done
After everything has happened
Babylon was meant to be
The inevitability and power of destruction and chaos
Shitting on the one you love if you're afraid of me
When fear sets in, you may unintentionally hurt those closest to you
He's got the wild dog in his eyes
A fierce and untamed spirit within
He's got a speedball in his brain
A sense of urgency and adrenaline-fueled action
Running through the roads of love like a marathon man
Navigating the challenges and obstacles of love with endurance and perseverance
The devil inside her
The darkness, uncertainty or temptation within a person
Don't want it to be
Trying to avoid or resist the temptation or negativity
Deep down in his soul
At the core of his being
Every little boy knows
A universal truth known from childhood
The he can't stop running so go
The urge to keep moving forward, and not stop
Look out
Watch out, danger is approaching
There's been a shoot out for love
The fight to protect and defend love against all odds
I've got the shivers of love
The feeling of love, both comforting and chilling
She's got the devil inside her
She's struggling with her own inner demons
Oh no you can't
You can't escape or deny what's happening
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind