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)
Kiss
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Move back home, all of those mysteries
Think of me now that you're far
Blessings wherever you are
Sing to me lullabies, ancient times
Take me to somewhere else
Oh you remember this?
Oh the silent kiss
Moments that martyr still resonate
Sweet time, I need them now, fascinate
Think please now that you're far
Blessings wherever you are
When we were kissing, the fears were missing
And it all felt natural, yeah
No hesitation, when those vibrations
Starting to feel incredible, yeah
I've been waiting, anticipating
'Cause it all seemed magical
The silent kiss
Moments that martyr still resonate
Sweet time, I need them now, fascinate
Think please now that you're far
Blessings wherever you are
Think of me, will you please think of me?
Move back home, all of those mysteries
Think of me now that you're far
Blessings wherever you are
When we were kissing, the fears were missing
And it all felt natural, yeah
No hesitation, when those vibrations
Starting to feel incredible, yeah
I've been waiting, anticipating
'Cause it all seemed magical
Think of me, will you please think of me?
Move back home, all of those mysteries
Think of me now that you're far
Blessings wherever you are
Now that you're far
Silent kiss
Do you remember this?
When we were kissing, the fears were missing
And it all seemed possible, yeah
That's when missing
All seemed magical
All seemed magical
All seemed magical
The lyrics of Simple Minds' song "Kiss the Ground" paint a vivid picture of a world torn apart by conflict and war. The imagery of a "golden temple" in a "bombed out street" reflects the idea of beauty amid destruction, while "the rough and tumble" suggests a harsh and oppressive environment. The singer is caught up in this turmoil, unable to escape the violence and devastation around them. The reference to a sandstorm falling where "tears have dried" conveys a sense of desolation and hopelessness.
The lines "There is no hidden karma / There is no sacred plight / There is no special amour / To take me through the night" further underscore the bleakness of the situation. The singer is stating that there is no divine justice or higher power to help them through the difficulties they face. The repeated refrain of "I kiss the ground" suggests a kind of resignation or acceptance of their circumstances, as though the only solace they can find is in the simple act of touching the earth beneath them.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of despair and disillusionment with the world. The imagery is powerful and evocative, capturing the sense of chaos and destruction that pervades the narrative. The repeated refrain of "Nothing around" emphasizes the sense of isolation and abandonment that the singer feels in this environment.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in a golden temple
I find myself in a place of beauty and wealth
In a bombed out street
Despite this, I'm surrounded by the destruction of war
Feel the rough and tumble
There's a sense of chaos and unpredictability in the air
Down where the borders meet
This is happening at the edges of societal boundaries
I hear the sandstorm's fallin'
I'm aware of the difficulties and challenges around me
Down where the tears have dried
This is a place where heartbreak and suffering are commonplace
And there's a west wind callin'
Despite it all, there's a sense of hope and opportunity
But I get no reply
Despite reaching out, there's no response or help coming
And I kiss the ground
In the midst of struggle, I find gratitude for what little I have
Nothin' around
There's a sense of emptiness and isolation
There is no hidden karma
There's no mystical force at work influencing events
There is no sacred plight
No one is being singled out for suffering
There is no special amour
No one is exempt from the struggles of life
To take me through the night
There's no one to rely on to make things better
Into the space between us
The distance between people and their perspectives is enormous
Into the words that say
Despite communication, understanding is still lacking
That every law demeans us
The rules we live by often limit our potential and cause harm
Then every price you pay
The cost of existing in this world is high and ongoing
There is no manna-mania
There are no instant solutions or easy answers
There is no banquet here
There's no abundance or excess available
There is only ghettos
People are trapped in poverty and struggle
I kiss the ground
Despite all this, I still find something to be thankful for
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Kerr, Charles Burchill
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@VespertiliKildem
Dear Simple Minds and dear Jim Kerr.
I have no idea why you chose Taormina to write your new album, but it's clear that you became very attached to that city and to that particular concert, that 40th anniversary.
I was there that evening, with my girlfriend.
It's been 11 months, almost a year, and it feels like yesterday.
You somehow stopped time with that concert.
I'm not gonna lie, I rewatch the videos of Vision Thing and First You Jump, weekly.
That Taormina concert was beautiful, and I will never thank you enough for that incredible event.
Hoping for more concerts in the future!
@tomazznidarko8700
Unbelievable, 40+ years on the scene and still "Alive and kicking" 🤟. The memory of buying my first album from them (New Gold Dream) in the 1982 are still fresh.
@Alpha_7227
This song just reminds me of Belfast child, New Gold dream and Someone, Somewhere in the summertime. I love it when the back up vocals kick in, takes it to another level. Love the pulsating rhythm of bass and drums, then the guitar riff. Whoa!! Sensational track. Perfect for a road trip.
@AModulationJourney
Yeah amazing that they are still going strong! My first ever gig was Simple Minds at Murrayfield stadium and this has that same vibe 🤟
@anetteth
Totally agree! <3
@labdian
I've been listening to this song for the last couple of months and it's absolutely my favourite song of this year. I doubt the "Simple Minds" guys would read this comment, but guys, you are beautiful and amazing, and you provide the soundtrack to my life, and I'm forever grateful for that.
@union3109
Last 40cyears and they just get better
@terrykruger1710
I’m hooked on this song
@ricardoavecilla6284
Hola i write to they in instagram and actually they give me thumbs and one of them follow me, take a chance and write to them, we´ll never be so close to our music stars like now. saludos cordiales.
@moniulkam9283
There is no better band on this planet! They make me happier whenever I listen to them, especially this particular line-up. Thank you to all of you Simple Minds for creating such a great sophisticated music!
@robbkinnin1988
The body may grow old but the music sung by Jim Kerr and Simple Minds is young and vibrant!