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)
I Travel
Simple Minds Lyrics
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Ideal homes falling down
These pictures I see on the wall
Timeless leaders stand so tall
Assassin in a hit and run
Asia steals a new born son
Evacuees and refugees
Presidents and monarchies
Travel round
I travel round
Decadence and pleasure towns
Tragedies, luxuries, statues, parks and galleries
Europe has a language problem
Talk, talk, talk, talk, talking on
In central Europe
Men are marching
Marching on and marching on
Love songs playing in the restaurants
Airport playing "Bi Some Lo"
Travel round
I travel round
Decadence and pleasure towns
Tragedies, luxuries, statues, parks and galleries
Europe has a language problem
Europe has a language problem
America has a language problem
I Travel
Euro-Bureau-Interpol
Making love to the criminals
Asia has a language problem
I Travel
And on and on and on and on and on and on and on
The lyrics of "I Travel" by Simple Minds are a testament to the band's talent for songwriting. The song discusses the challenges of communication and the difficulties experienced by travelers in foreign countries. The verse Cities, buildings falling down/ Ideal homes falling down may be a reflection on the urban decay witnessed by the band members while on tour, especially in the post-industrial areas of the UK in the 70s and 80s. The lyrics also mention the idealized images of leaders represented in photographs and paintings, suggesting that these figures may not be representative of real life.
The verse Assassin in a hit and run/ Asia steals a new born son/ Evacuees and refugees/ Presidents and monarchies suggests the turmoil and conflicts happening in different parts of the world during the time the song was written. These subjects are visited more in the chorus which has the lyrics, "Travel round/ I travel round/ Decadence and pleasure towns/ Tragedies, luxuries, statues, parks and galleries." The chorus highlights the beauty and contradictions that travel and seeing the world can offer. The song ends with the repetition of "Europe has a language problem/ America has a language problem/ I Travel/ Euro-Bureau-Interpol/ Making love to the criminals/ Asia has a language problem/ I Travel/ And on and on and on and on and on and on and on." This repetition serves to emphasize that communication struggles are not limited to just one area or culture.
An interesting fact about the song is that it was released as a single before being included in the album Celebrate. The band was known for their desire to evolve their sound and received criticism from some fans for changing their approach to music. Another interesting fact is that the song was not a commercial hit in the UK, but it reached number one on the dance chart in the USA. The group was praised for their use of synthesizers and electronic percussion and their investment in new technology. The song has been covered by several bands, including Rex the Dog's remix of "I Travel" in 2006.
Line by Line Meaning
Cities, buildings falling down
The urban landscape is in disarray with city centers and architectural structures collapsing or crumbling.
Ideal homes falling down
Even the societal vision of a perfect home is collapsing along with the actual buildings.
These pictures I see on the wall
The images on the walls seem to depict a moment in time, but they could be distorted or from long ago.
Timeless leaders stand so tall
In contrast to the previous lines, leaders remain a constant presence though they may appear superhumanly tall and unchanging.
Assassin in a hit and run
Violence is enacted unpredictably or surreptitiously, with perpetrators striking and fleeing the scene.
Asia steals a new born son
Asian culture is taking away or influencing a new generation in a powerful way.
Evacuees and refugees
People are displaced and seeking safety from conflict or other disasters.
Presidents and monarchies
The powers that be, whether in elected or inherited positions, remain in place during these times of transition and turmoil.
Travel round
The artist travels constantly, never staying in one place for too long.
I travel round
The artist emphasizes their own mobility in this constantly changing world.
Decadence and pleasure towns
Not all destinations are in ruins; some include luxurious locales for pleasure-seeking travelers.
Tragedies, luxuries, statues, parks and galleries
The locations encountered during these travels range from poignant to opulent, with many opportunities for cultural or artistic appreciation.
Europe has a language problem
Communication among countries in Europe is challenging, highlighting the diversity and fragmentation of cultures there.
Talk, talk, talk, talk, talking on
Despite this linguistic diversity, everybody seems to be engaged in endless discussions.
In central Europe
These language issues may be particularly acute in the central regions of Europe.
Men are marching
There is a sense of forward motion in the region, with men leading the way.
Marching on and marching on
The idea of progress and further development is emphasized through this repetition.
Love songs playing in the restaurants
Even in the midst of upheaval, people are still experiencing the joys of love and companionship.
Airport playing 'Bi Some Lo'
Despite the cultural and linguistic barriers, this popular song is played at the airport - perhaps a sign of global connectivity and commonality.
America has a language problem
The language barriers experienced in Europe are also present in America.
Euro-Bureau-Interpol
This organization is involved in law enforcement across borders in Europe, pointing to the complexities of international relations.
Making love to the criminals
The artist seems to be using hyperbole to describe the shady dealings happening across borders.
Asia has a language problem
This issue of linguistic barriers appears to be widespread, affecting not just Europe or America, but also Asia.
And on and on and on and on and on and on and on
The repetition here underlines the persistent and endless nature of these cultural and societal challenges.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MCGEE, JAMES KERR, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL, CHARLES BURCHILL, DEREK FORBES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind