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)
Killing Andy Warhol
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above this blackened hole
Did you ever feel that what you want's
Not under your control
Ever think that how you feel
Is not quite what you are
Some of us are satellites
Some are superstars
He's a saint and he's a thief
We'll all die a million times
That's what I believe
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy Warhol
They say the rain in Europe
Cools you down and helps you think
Water, water everywhere
Nothing you can drink
Kissing Andy Warhol
His skin feels like a shark
White hair sits so beautiful
Eyelids are so dark
And I'm trying to get ahead
Like any boy or girl
There'd be no dictators anywhere
If I could rule the world
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy warhol
That's impossible, he got all that money
Adorable, having all that money
feasible, that it's all black money
It's so criminal, making all that money
All I want, is what I'd want
But I don't want that now
They're dressing Andy Warhol up
If only thay knew how
Jesus on the neon sign
Turns and starts to laugh
And I'm thinking about this oxygen
And how I'll make it last
Killing Andy Warhol
He's a saint, yeah he's a thief
Motorways are everywhere
With no clean air to breathe
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy Warhol
Till the end of time
Till the end of time
Having all that money
Killing Andy Warhol
He's got all that money
And it's real black money
Making all that money
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy Warhol
The lyrics to Simple Minds' "Killing Andy Warhol" contain the themes of control, power, and the limits of fame. The song opens with a question about the sun rising above a "blackened hole," setting the tone for the dark and ominous atmosphere of the rest of the song. The lyrics then suggest that what we want may not always be under our control, and that our feelings about ourselves may not align with reality.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "Killing Andy Warhol" several times, suggesting that even famous and influential people like Warhol are not immune to being brought down. The lyrics describe Warhol as both a saint and a thief, highlighting his complexity and the difficulty in assigning a label to a famous figure. The line "We'll all die a million times / That's what I believe" adds a sense of finality and inevitability to the proceedings.
The second verse of the song describes the rain in Europe as a way to cool down and think, but also notes that there is nothing to drink. The imagery of kissing Warhol and describing his skin as feeling like a shark is unsettling, and the line "And I'm trying to get ahead / Like any boy or girl" highlights the universal desire for power and success. The lyrics ultimately suggest that no dictator would exist if the singer was in charge, but the repetition of "Killing Andy Warhol" hints at the idea that humans are inherently flawed and seek power and control over others.
Line by Line Meaning
Did you ever see the sun rise up
Above this blackened hole
Have you ever witnessed the beauty of the sunrise despite being in a negative situation?
Did you ever feel that what you want's
Not under your control
Have you ever felt like your desires are not within your grasp?
Ever think that how you feel
Is not quite what you are
Have you ever considered that your emotions may not accurately reflect your true self?
Some of us are satellites
Some are superstars
We are all different and unique in our own ways.
They're killing Andy Warhol
He's a saint and he's a thief
We'll all die a million times
That's what I believe
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy Warhol
Life is filled with complexities, and even famous figures like Andy Warhol aren't immune to danger or death.
They say the rain in Europe
Cools you down and helps you think
Water, water everywhere
Nothing you can drink
Despite the abundance of water, it may not always be helpful or drinkable.
Kissing Andy Warhol
His skin feels like a shark
White hair sits so beautiful
Eyelids are so dark
Providing a description of Andy Warhol with peculiar details.
And I'm trying to get ahead
Like any boy or girl
There'd be no dictators anywhere
If I could rule the world
Striving to achieve success and leadership to make the world a better place.
That's impossible, he got all that money
Adorable, having all that money
Feasible, that it's all black money
It's so criminal, making all that money
Discussions about the potential sources of Andy Warhol's fortune, highlighting the artist's uncertainty and concerns.
All I want, is what I'd want
But I don't want that now
They're dressing Andy Warhol up
If only they knew how
Desires and priorities change over time, and despite efforts to change Andy Warhol's appearance, there are limitations to what can be accomplished.
Jesus on the neon sign
Turns and starts to laugh
And I'm thinking about this oxygen
And how I'll make it last
Killing Andy Warhol
Making observations about peculiar events and thoughts while acknowledging the repeated reference to the death of Andy Warhol.
He's a saint, yeah he's a thief
Motorways are everywhere
With no clean air to breathe
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy Warhol
Describing the complex character of Andy Warhol while also recognizing environmental issues and repeating the chorus of wanting to kill him.
Till the end of time
Till the end of time
Having all that money
Killing Andy Warhol
He's got all that money
And it's real black money
Making all that money
Killing Andy Warhol
Killing Andy Warhol
Repetition of the song's central themes of wealth, corruption, and death.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind