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)
IMAGINATION
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Said you wouldn't buy my innocence
Said this is not the season
These are the days that make no sense
Money can't light this lantern
Power belongs to another place
Hope never lies abandoned
When the moment arrives, you'll hear me say
Imagination
With me tonight
Imagination callin'
Said you once took an adventure
To somewhere now that seems so lost
They said I was down with no way back
All the straight lines beneath me were cross
Money can't buy
No, money can't buy
Imagination
With me tonight
Imagination callin'
Whole other insight
With me tonight
Imagination
Whole other insight
Said you wouldn't buy my reason
Said you wouldn't buy my innocence
Said this is not the season
These are the days that make no sense
But money can't buy
No, money can't buy
No, money can't buy
No, money can't buy
Imagination
With me tonight
Imagination callin'
Whole other insight
Imagination
With me tonight
All those days there was love
And all that space made us high
And all our hearts feel was innocence
Nothing seemed it could die
And all those days there was love
And all that space made us high
And all our hearts feel was innocence
Nothing seemed it would die
The lyrics of the song "Imagination" by Simple Minds are both cryptic and profound, exploring themes of hope, power, and the importance of imagination. The lyrics suggest that the singer is trying to persuade someone to embrace their imagination, despite the doubts of others. The opening lines suggest that people were skeptical of the singer's reason and innocence, indicating that perhaps the singer has been dismissed or underestimated in some way. However, the singer insists that hope is never abandoned and that imagination can overcome doubts and obstacles. Money and power are shown to be inconsequential compared to the power of the singer's imagination, which can "light the lantern" and give them the strength to face any challenge.
The mood of the song is somewhat mysterious, with the lyrics hinting at a deeper meaning that is just beyond our grasp. The chorus repeats the phrase "Imagination with me tonight" and "Imagination calling" multiple times, suggesting that the singer is trying to conjure up a sense of imagination and inspiration within themselves and whoever is listening to the song. The verses describe an adventure to a place that has been lost and the feeling of being lost oneself, but the overall message is overwhelmingly positive. The song suggests that with enough imagination and determination, anything is possible.
Line by Line Meaning
They said you wouldn't buy my reason
Others thought you wouldn't believe my logic or explanation
Said you wouldn't buy my innocence
They also believed you wouldn't accept my lack of guilt or wrongdoing
Said this is not the season
They declared it was not the right time for something to happen
These are the days that make no sense
These are confusing times where things may not add up
Money can't light this lantern
Having money cannot bring clarity or inspiration
Power belongs to another place
Control or influence is in the hands of someone else
Hope never lies abandoned
One should never lose faith or optimism
When the moment arrives, you'll hear me say
I will speak up when the right opportunity arises
Imagination
The capacity to create or envision with creativity and originality
With me tonight
It is currently present and accessible
Calling
Asking for something or someone to come to you
Said you once took an adventure
It was claimed that you had previously embarked on a journey or experience
To somewhere now that seems so lost
To a place or state of mind that currently seems unattainable or forgotten
They said I was down with no way back
Others believed I was defeated and could not recover
All the straight lines beneath me were cross
The path that initially seemed clear and easy became complicated and confusing
Imagination
The power to create and design something that does not exist yet
No, money can't buy
It is impossible to purchase
Whole other insight
A completely different, distinct perception or understanding
All those days there was love
During that particular period, there was a feeling of affection and warmth
And all that space made us high
Having a significant amount of room or distance between things or people made us feel euphoric
And all our hearts feel was innocence
Our emotions were pure and uncorrupted
Nothing seemed it could die
It felt like everything was eternal or would last forever
Contributed by Nora N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stephen Eccles
'Imagination' is a superb cut and reminds me once again just what a great band Simple Minds is. It's too bad that since about 1985, Americans have not given Simple Minds the kind of support they have deserved. These guys are easily one of the most under-rated bands of the past 30 years. How many bands during the rock n roll era have had the ability to write and perform rock anthems that had a strong moral or political message? You can count 'em on the fingers of one hand.
Clem7
I love "Imagination " a grand Simple Minds , beautiful guitar and Jim's UNIQUE voice !
DCS soul
BRILLIANT!!!
Kuzushi44
envoutant. bewitching. powerful.
Mavarla
EXCELLENT...!
xjames118
There's a real nineties, New Order / The Beloved feel to this new output*
*(this is a good thing).
CaptainOatwright
Stunning. "Said you wouldn't buy my Innocence..." ~ nice dig at old rivals U2's new album I wonder?!
JLTVchannel
Awesomwe!!
edgardo gregorini
Voyage