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)
Glitterball
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always said they couldn't find their place
Among some real dark stuff, they got to thinking enough
Remember halcyon days
We'll spend our time with a bottle of wine
And a love that knows no human state
Never got to wake up early
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
Lifts me up, then leaves me to fall
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
One step, two step, three step, four
Drag me to the middle, then you pulled me to the floor
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
And I've been captured by imagination
I feel the faint vibration in the air
Been taken hostage by the one creation
Anticipate the night that's in your hair
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
Lifts me up, then leaves me to fall
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
Lifts me up, then leaves me to fall
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
One step, two step, three step, four
Drag me to the middle, then you pulled me to the floor
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
One final day
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Don't make me wait
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Don't make me wait
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
In Simple Minds' Glitterball, the lyrics tell the story of an individual who always took the easy way out and struggled with feeling like they never fit in. However, they reminisce about the "halcyon days" and the carefree feeling of not having to wake up early or deal with feelings of sickness. The glitterball, which is a disco ball, is used as a metaphor for the escape and liberation from these negative thoughts and feelings. The singer is lifted up by the glitterball but is then left to fall again, knowing that their problems won't disappear entirely. The repetition of the line "as the great unloved go dancing all the way" emphasizes the idea that even someone who may feel unloved or left out can still enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like dancing.
The chorus of Glitterball is catchy and emphasizes the power and beauty of the glitterball. The lyrics describe the way the disco ball radiates around the hall and lifts the singer up before leaving them to fall again. The repetition of the line "as the great unloved go dancing all the way" at the end of each chorus further emphasizes the idea that even those who may feel unloved or left out can still find beauty and joy in dancing and music.
Overall, Glitterball is a song about the power of music and the escape it can provide from negative thoughts and emotions. The glitterball serves as a metaphor for the joy and liberation that music and dancing can provide.
Line by Line Meaning
Full of doubt, took the easy way out
Despite doubts, they chose the easier path in life
Always said they couldn't find their place
They lacked a sense of belonging or purpose
Among some real dark stuff, they got to thinking enough
After struggling with some difficult situations, they had a moment of introspection
Remember halcyon days
Reflecting on happy memories
We'll spend our time with a bottle of wine
They will enjoy drinking alcohol
And a love that knows no human state
They will experience a profound, otherworldly love
Never got to wake up early
They didn't have to get up early in the morning
Never got to feel so poorly
They didn't experience much physical or emotional pain
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Even those who feel unloved can dance and enjoy life
Glitterball, radiate round the hall
The disco ball shines brightly and fills the room with light
Lifts me up, then leaves me to fall
The music and dancing can be both exhilarating and exhausting
One step, two step, three step, four
The dance involves a series of simple steps
Drag me to the middle, then you pulled me to the floor
The dance partner leads them and brings them to the center of the dance floor
And I've been captured by imagination
Their imagination has been captivated by the experience
I feel the faint vibration in the air
They can sense the energy and excitement of the music and dancing
Been taken hostage by the one creation
They feel like they are being held captive by the power of the music and dance
Anticipate the night that's in your hair
Looking forward to a fun night ahead
One final day
Acknowledging that life is short
Don't make me wait
Impatiently waiting to start the party
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PATRICK RICHARD MASCALL, MARK PHILIP TAYLOR, THOMAS DAVID WILLIAM PRIOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SevenHillsPictures
Full of doubt, took the easy way out
Always said they couldn't find their place
Among some real dark stuff, they got to thinking enough
Remember Halcyon Days
We'll spend our time with a bottle of wine
And a love that knows no human state
Never got to wake up early
Never got to feel so poorly
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
Lifts me up - Then leaves me to fall
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
One step, Two step, Three step, Four
Drag me to the middle, then you pulled me to the floor
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
And I've been captured by imagination
I feel the faint vibration in the air
Been taken hostage by the one creation
Anticipate the night that's in your hair
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
Lifts me up - Then leaves me to fall
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
Lifts me up - Then leaves me to fall
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
One step, Two step, Three step, Four
Drag me to the middle, then you pulled me to the floor
Glitterball - Radiate round the hall
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
One final day
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Don't make me wait
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Don't make me wait
As the great unloved go dancing all the way
Alexandre Patriota
Simple Minds é bom demais! Banda da minha infância e juventude!
Marko Schönbrunn
One of the Best 'Electronic' Albums in the whole World for sure(!) - Great Timeless Songs from a much and completly underrated Fantastic Band Forever !!!
Simple Minds
i am fan since 1982, in my eyes, the worst album they have ever made. But i could be wrong
gwyn griffiths
this track is also on their greatest hits cd called the best of simple minds,and the whole cd is full of excellent tracks,and i like every one of those tracks that are on both cds,and their are still one of my favourite bands of all time.
Paulo Melo
Muito boa esta música !!
Clip espetacular.. Cenário magnifico!!
Maurizio Glazar
SM music of my youth and old days.
Great band.
José Antonio T
Simply magnificent band!
Grzegorz Supruniuk
It's very good...and for me it's very Simple Minds. I love this song!
ANGELA FRANZONI
Stunning and amazing song.,great band.
ANGELA FRANZONI
He look like Bruce Willis