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)
Life In Oils
Simple Minds Lyrics
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The price that you pay
For time that you spent
It's such a fatal event
Take a look at your watch
There is no time to wait
Take a look deep inside
There's no escape from this day
Life in a day
Life in a day
Take a look around you
Is it true what they say
Life in a day
Life in a day
Is there no place to hide
Could there be some other way
Can you see how they run
Do you believe what they say
They'll soon be looking for you
For sure they'll get you away
The premonition came true
Look all around and you'll see
Some say it takes two to know
Or could it all just be me
Life in a day
Life in a day
I love to see how they run
They came a running this way
Life in a day
Life in a day
No sense in looking for you
They're going to get you one day
Life in a day
Life in a day
The song "Life in a Day" by Simple Minds talks about the urgency and inevitability of time passing. The lyrics convey a sense of anxiety and dread, urging the listener not to waste any time because there is no escape from the present moment. The chorus repeats the phrase "life in a day" as a sort of mantra or warning, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and how every day counts. The lines "Take a look around you / Is it true what they say" suggest a skepticism towards conventional wisdom and societal expectations, as if to say that one's own experience of life is what truly matters.
The verses describe people running and searching for something, which could symbolize a pursuit of happiness, success, or even just a way to escape the monotony of everyday life. However, the premonition mentioned in the third verse suggests that this pursuit might ultimately be futile. The last lines of the song, "No sense in looking for you / They're going to get you one day," further reinforce the fatalistic tone of the song.
Overall, "Life in a Day" is a powerful song about the human condition and the passage of time. Its lyrics encourage the listener to live in the moment and not take anything for granted, while also acknowledging the inevitability of mortality.
Line by Line Meaning
Life in a day
This song is about the experience of living one day at a time.
The price that you pay
Living life has consequences and sometimes those consequences can be costly.
For time that you spent
The consequences of living life can be a result of the time spent on certain things.
It's such a fatal event
Living life is not without risk and sometimes those risks can have fatal consequences.
Take a look at your watch
Time is fleeting and it's important to be aware of how much time is passing.
There is no time to wait
Living life requires taking action and making the most of the time available.
Take a look deep inside
Life requires introspection to understand oneself and what one wants to achieve.
There's no escape from this day
Once a day has begun, there is no escaping the consequences of living it.
Take a look around you
Being aware of one's surroundings is important for understanding the world and one's place in it.
Is it true what they say
There is often conflicting information and opinions about the world, and it's important to question what is presented as truth.
Is there no place to hide
Sometimes life can be overwhelming and it can feel like there is no escape from its demands.
Could there be some other way
Despite the difficulties of life, there may still be other ways of living and experiencing the world.
Can you see how they run
People often react to life's challenges by running away or chasing after something.
Do you believe what they say
There are often many different perspectives and opinions about how to approach life, and it's important to question what one hears.
They'll soon be looking for you
There are often external pressures and demands in life that can make it difficult to simply live in the moment.
For sure they'll get you away
These pressures and demands can be overwhelming and may force one to leave behind what is familiar.
The premonition came true
Sometimes life can be unpredictable and events can unfold in unexpected ways.
Look all around and you'll see
Taking a moment to observe the people and events around oneself can provide information and insight about the world.
Some say it takes two to know
Understanding other people and their perspectives can be difficult, and often requires communication and shared experiences.
Or could it all just be me
Sometimes, it can feel like understanding oneself and one's experiences is impossible.
I love to see how they run
Despite life's difficulties, there can be moments of joy and amusement.
They came a running this way
These moments of joy and amusement can come unexpectedly and from unexpected sources.
No sense in looking for you
Despite the difficulties, it's important to keep moving forward and not dwell on what cannot be changed.
They're going to get you one day
The consequences of living life cannot be avoided forever and will eventually catch up to someone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHARLES BURCHILL, JAMES KERR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind