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 & Fly
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They told me it was there?
But I can see
In that situation
Everything's a cross to bear
I feel
Someone without sight
Could feel the transformation
In their bodies in the night
Gone translucent
Encircled in light
So bring back the lover's chains
No letters need reply
We move over what remains
And let us go kiss and fly
Kiss and fly kiss and fly
Kiss and fly
Only one solution
That was in my head
But I could see
Spiritual confusion
So more than I can stand
I can feel
Like someone in a coma
Someone without sight
Feel it in my body
Feel it every night
Gone translucent
Encircled in light
So bring back the lover's chains
No need letters need reply
Move over what remains
And let us go kiss and fly
Kiss and fly
Bring back the lover's arms
Oh let me go deep inside
Move over what remains
Let us go kiss and fly
Kiss and fly kiss and fly
Kiss and fly
I don't think there's much to tell you
I don't think there's much to say
I don't think there's much to tell you
I know that you know so much more
I don't think there's much to tell you
I don't think there's much to say
I don't think there's much to tell you
I know that you know so much more
Bring back the lover's arms
Oh let me go deep inside
Move over what remains
Let us go kiss and fly
Kiss and fly
Bring back the lover's arms
Oh let me go deep inside
Move over what remains
Let us go kiss and fly
Kiss and fly kiss and fly
Kiss and fly
Bring back the lover's arms
Oh let me go deep inside
Move over what remains
Let us go kiss and fly
Kiss and fly kiss and fly
The lyrics of "Kiss & Fly" by Simple Minds explore the idea of transformation and the limitations of imagination. The opening lines signify the struggle with a sense of imagination that is elusive, "My imagination, they told me it was there? But I can see". The uncertainty that follows this is manifested in the first verse, "In that situation, everything's a cross to bear, I feel". Here, the singer battles with an internal force that they can't seem to get a handle on.
The chorus highlights the idea of transformation, using the metaphor of a coma patient or a blind person feeling the change in their bodies at night. The lines, "Gone translucent, encircled in light" indicate a spiritual or psychological transformation. The phrase "lover's chains" implies love and the feeling of being trapped in it, the chorus offers an escape in the form of kissing and flying.
The second verse takes the listener through the singer's attempt to find a solution to their problem. The line "Only one solution, that was in my head" suggests a desperation to see things from a different perspective. The spiritual confusion mentioned in the song is a struggle with finding clarity and enlightenment. The repetition of "let us go kiss and fly" offers a solution to their problem, a release from the chains that bind them.
Overall the song offers an escape into a world of imagination, transformation, and release. The lyrics are open to interpretation, but the idea that the song deals with the struggle of being confined in a world that one wishes to escape from is a common theme throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
My imagination
I was told that my imagination exists
They told me it was there?
Did they tell me my imagination was there?
But I can see
But I can see it now
In that situation
In that particular situation
Everything's a cross to bear
Everything is burdensome to handle
I feel
I sense it
Someone in a coma
A person in a coma
Someone without sight
A person without vision
Could feel the transformation
Could experience the change
In their bodies in the night
In their physical body during the night
Gone translucent
Became clear and transparent
Encircled in light
Surrounded by light
So bring back the lover's chains
Bring back the restraints of love
No letters need reply
No response to letters required
We move over what remains
We forget what's left behind
And let us go kiss and fly
And let us leave, kissing and flying
Kiss and fly kiss and fly
Kiss and fly, repeatedly
Only one solution
There's only one solution
That was in my head
That I had in mind
But I could see
But then I realized
Spiritual confusion
Anxious state of the spirit
So more than I can stand
More than I can endure
Like someone in a coma
Like a person in a coma
Feel it in my body
I feel it in my physical self
Feel it every night
I feel it every night
Bring back the lover's chains
Bring back the restraints of love
No need letters need reply
No response to letters needed
Move over what remains
Forget what's left behind
And let us go kiss and fly
And let us leave, kissing and flying
Bring back the lover's arms
Bring back the embrace of love
Oh let me go deep inside
Allow me to dive deep into it
I don't think there's much to tell you
I don't believe there's anything else to say
I know that you know so much more
I understand that you know more
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JIM KERR, CHARLIE BURCHILL, ANDY GILLESPIE, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Carlim Santos
Lembranca dessa música em 2014 quando curti bastante esse Cd Graffitti Soul (2009)...Saudades !
Andrew Flood
LOVE THIS SONG !!!
jrsamuel99
They are an excelent band my friends!
goldsaj
I liked it straightaway... Possibly the best track on the album for me anyway. It's well constructed, and he sings it well.
Marcus
On any other album this song would be a highlight but such are the strength of the songs on 'Graffiti Soul' that it may get overlooked a little. Nevertheless it's a sinewy, subtle grower. I like it a lot.
Marcus
the sleeping giant of `Graffiti Soul' - gets better `n better with each listen.
Αθανάσιος I. Καλαμάτας
Epic!!!
CallmeToddy
Unique !
substance1967
great song
Kuzushi44
better and better. Stronger than the others. Ready for War !