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 Wish You Were Here
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear footsteps, seems like I've been through this before
Some time has come now, some time has passed
But things still look the same
Is heaven all above, and paradise below
And the questions still remain
Ooh, can we see you?
Ooh, are we near you?
I wish for something, I wish you were here
Footsteps, I can hear footsteps in the hall
I hear footsteps, it seems like I've been through this before
Well we loved you then, I guess we always will
We love you still from here
Birds of a feather always stay together
And never separate, no fear
Ooh, can we see you?
Ooh, are we near you?
How could you disappear out of here?
I wish for something, I wish for something
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
I wish you well
Footsteps, I can hear footsteps in the hall
I hear footsteps, seems like I've been through this before
If all the world was turning blue and gold
Like through your eyes so clear
The time has come to celebrate our past
And crystalize this sphere
Ooh, can we see you?
Ooh, are we near you?
How can you disappear out of here?
I wish for something
Ooh, can we see you?
Ooh, are we near you?
How can you disappear out of here?
I wish for something
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
I wish you well
There will come a day
Oh some day our day will come
Our day will come, our day will come
The lyrics of Simple Minds' "I Wish You Were Here" depict a sense of longing and loss over the departure of a loved one. The song opens with the singer hearing footsteps in the hall, and feeling like they've been through this before - a suggestion of the familiar pain they've felt before at the loss of someone close. The lyrics frequently pose questions to the person who has left, questioning whether they are still present in their lives, whether they can see or feel them in some way. The bridge of the song speaks of a deep love for the person who has gone, and the hope that they are still watching over their loved ones from somewhere. The closing verse speaks of the passage of time, and a renewed appreciation for the memories of the loved one that was once with them.
The song's lyrics are incredibly emotive and moving, offering a sense of catharsis through their poetic imagery. The song speaks to the universal feeling of missing someone and the unique pain of losing someone you love. The song's powerful message has resonated with many listeners, leading it to become a classic in the Simple Minds' repertoire.
Line by Line Meaning
Footsteps, I can hear footsteps in the hall
I sense your presence, your steps echo in this space
I hear footsteps, seems like I've been through this before
This feels familiar, like we've been here before
But things still look the same
Despite time passing, everything remains unchanged
Is heaven all above, and paradise below
Is there an afterlife and if so, what is it like?
And the questions still remain
The same questions continue to linger in my mind
Ooh, can we see you?
Do you still exist in some form that we can perceive?
Ooh, are we near you?
Are we connected to you in some way?
How could you disappear out of here?
Your absence feels impossible to understand
I wish for something, I wish you were here
I yearn for your presence and wish you were here
Well we loved you then, I guess we always will
Our love for you has endured and will continue to exist
We love you still from here
Even though you are not physically present, our love for you remains strong
Birds of a feather always stay together
Close connections like ours never truly go away
And never separate, no fear
We will always be connected, without any fear of separation
If all the world was turning blue and gold
If the world could be seen through your perspective
Like through your eyes so clear
Through your eyes, everything was crystal clear
The time has come to celebrate our past
It's time to reflect on the good times we shared
And crystalize this sphere
To make these memories clear and tangible
There will come a day
Someday in the future
Oh some day our day will come
Our moment to be reunited with you will eventually come
Our day will come, our day will come
We hold onto the hope that we will be together again
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL, MICHAEL JOSEPH MAC NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@halenbud
Footsteps, I can hear footsteps in the hall
I hear footsteps, seems like I've been through this before
Some time has come now, some time has passed
But things still look the same
Is heaven all above, and paradise below
And the questions still remain
Ooh, can we see you?
Ooh, are we near you?
How could you disappear out of here?
I wish for something, I wish you were here
@mattgeary9987
I’m a huge fan of all kinds of music, but have always related to solid 80s with my Aunt-in-law Shelly (I’m 38, she’s mid 50s).. INXS, Echo & The Bunnymen, Squeeze. Anyway, she told me I need to listen to this album.. I bought it at 2nd & Charles and have loved it, these guys were clearly wayyyy more than just the Breakfast Club band. This song resonated with me immediately.. so so good. Will always be grateful for her opening the door to Simple Minds for me.
@MrBobbydj
I'm 55. Would like to meet your aunt Shelly :)
@corbense
One of the best songs of Simple Minds, though not as well known as others. The whole album is one of the masterpieces in pop music history.
@monicalepore4290
Q
@TRI9POD
Completely agree!! Excellent album!!
@robdijkhof204
In my opinion one of the best, and most underestimated, songs of The Simple Minds. Love it!
@pauld2440
Love I Wish You Were Here, a great song amongst an album full of brilliance. Superb from the Minds.
@giovonnipistiola5140
Vocals and drums on this track are next level
@marrio17you
For me Once Upon A Time is Simple Minds at their prime. All songs drive me to another time, another place.
@cdp2017
a very underrated 80's classic