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)
Glittering Prize
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In all of my life so that much more I see
In the light of his love
In the light of reflection
What a world this world
Sometimes oh so it seems
Eyes to the sky in the silver gift friendship
Is the price of lost love
They can remember quiet side of midnight
They can remember attraction of fame
Like a glittering prize
I saw you up on a clear day
First taking heart
Then our last breath away
Always came a time
Time was by your side
We were spending time
We were starting out
Catch me in a dream
Captured all in heart
We were spending time
We were starting out
Could there ever be
Ever more than one
Called an act of love
Can you never stop?
Shine on, shine the light on me
In all of my life
So that much more I see
Like a glittering prize
I saw you up on a clear day
First taking hearts
Then our last breath away
Only on a clear day
Coming in on our lives
Only on a clear day
Coming in on our life
We can remember quiet side of midnight
We can remember attraction of fame
Like a glittering prize
I saw you up on a clear day
First taking hearts
Then our last breath away
See it in the eyes
Satellite sky
We were spending time
We were starting out
Take in, take in more
Endless breath away
We were starting out
Now we're staring in
Could there ever be
Ever more than one
Called an act of love
Can you never stop?
Shine on, shine the lights on me
In all of my life, so that much more I see
Like a glittering prize
I saw you up on a clear day
First taking hearts
Then our last breath away
Only on a clear day
Coming in on our life
Always on a clear day
This is the price of love
Like a glittering prize
Only on a clear day
Rushing into our life
Is like the price of love
Like a glittering prize
Only on a clear day
Rushing into our life
Like a glittering prize
The lyrics of Simple Minds’s song “Glittering Prize” evoke feelings of hope, longing, and nostalgia. The song speaks about the nature of love and the fleeting moments of inspiration and beauty that can be found in one’s life. “Shine on, shine the lights on me, in all of my life so that much more I see” speaks to the idea of wanting to be seen and recognized for who you truly are, and the hope that this recognition will bring about greater fulfillment and understanding of one’s own life. The phrase “in the light of reflection” refers to the idea of seeing oneself in the mirrors of other people’s eyes.
The song also addresses the idea of lost love, and the price that must be paid for it. “Glittering prize is the price of lost love” suggests that the memories of past love are beautiful and valuable, but also painful, and often unattainable. The lyrics go on to describe the various memories and experiences that can bring about these feelings, such as “Eyes to the sky in the silver gift friendship” and “attraction of fame.” Ultimately, the song seems to suggest that the price of love is worth it, even when it is lost, because the memories and experiences that come with it are invaluable.
Line by Line Meaning
Shine on, shine the lights on me
Illuminate my path
In all of my life so that much more I see
So that I can gain clarity and insight
In the light of his love
Under the influence of love
In the light of reflection
Through introspection
What a world this world
A remark on the nature of the world
Sometimes oh so it seems
Occasionally it appears that way
Eyes to the sky in the silver gift friendship
Looking upward in appreciation of companionship
Glittering prize
A desirable yet elusive reward
Is the price of lost love
Losing love comes at a cost
They can remember quiet side of midnight
Recalling peaceful times in the late hours
They can remember attraction of fame
The allure of fame is not forgotten
Like a glittering prize
As though it is a valuable reward
I saw you up on a clear day
You were visible and easy to spot
First taking heart
Initially causing strong emotions
Then our last breath away
Arresting our attention until the end of the experience
Always came a time
Opportunities always arise
Time was by your side
Plenty of time was available
We were spending time
We invested time together
We were starting out
We were beginning a journey
Catch me in a dream
I am hard to catch
Captured all in heart
Holding deep affections
Could there ever be
Is it possible?
Ever more than one
Multiple instances
Called an act of love
Referred to as an expression of affection
Can you never stop?
Will it go on endlessly?
Only on a clear day
Only when visibility is high
Coming in on our lives
Affecting our existence
We can remember quiet side of midnight
Memories of peaceful late nights remain
Like a glittering prize
Seen as a valuable reward
See it in the eyes
Notice it through the gaze
Satellite sky
Looking at the sky filled with man-made objects
Take in, take in more
Absorb more deeply
Endless breath away
Continuously taking our breath away
Now we're staring in
We are now closely examining
This is the price of love
The cost of love
Rushing into our life
Entering quickly into our existence
Like a glittering prize
In the manner of a coveted reward
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES BURCHILL, JAMES KERR, MICHAEL JOSEPH MAC NEIL, DEREK FORBES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind