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)
Real Life
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Twenty eight dollars in a fake silk purse and a leather skirt to wear
Shane came from Dublin town from the old world so green
Counterfeit ticket in to JFK in the land of his dreams
Street life's the only life they take a walk in the park
Even tough they only met that day they were lovers by dark
Laid out on the morning skies he puts a ring on her hand
Quit dreaming, this is real life baby
Real life's the only life what's it all about
Quit dreaming, this is real life baby
Way out on the dock that night, the colour is red
23rd victim of a gangland war takes his last breath
Outside the sister cried, she said the whole world's so mean
Heavyweight killer in the ring, turns killing machine
Quit dreaming this is real life baby
Real life's the only life what's it all about
Quit dreaming this is real life baby
All my love, you're my all
They way you move, you're in control
The way you talk, the way you dress
Your hands, your touch, your sweet caress.
All my love, you're the best,
Every little thing that I possess,
It's all emotion when you take control,
I can feel wild horses running in my soul.
Oh my love, all I see
The stars, the sun, the energy,
If this going to kill us then let it go,
Quit dreaming this is real life baby
Up high above a desert sky where the space shuttles scream,
Sixteen men from a dying earth take their last dream.
Quit dreaming this is real life baby
Quit dreaming this is cheap life baby
Real life's the only life what's it all about
Quit dreaming this is cheap life baby
Your eyes, your lips, the shape of your mouth,
It's a sweet life baby
All my love, you're my all
The way you move, the way you go
I'm all emotion when you take control
I can feel wild horses running in my soul.
All my love, you're all I see
The stars, the sun, the energy,
The way you move, you're in control
Quit dreaming this is real life baby
The song "Real Life" by Simple Minds tells the story of two people, Paula from Washington and Shane from Dublin, who come together in a gritty world of street life. Despite just meeting, they become lovers and make plans to take what they want from life. The song shifts to a scene on a dock where a victim of a gangland war takes his last breath, leaving a sister to weep for the cruelty of the world. The song then jumps to a scene of men departing a dying Earth, perhaps in search of a better life in space.
The song can be seen as a commentary on the harsh realities of life, particularly for those on the fringes of society. Despite this, the song offers a glimmer of hope through the relationship between Paula and Shane, who refuse to give up on their dreams. The lyrics "Quit dreaming, this is real life baby" are repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the message that life isn't a dream, but something to be fought for.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released as the lead single for Simple Minds' 1991 album "Real Life". The song was a top 10 hit in several countries including Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. Another interesting fact is that the music video for the song features lead singer Jim Kerr walking through the streets of New York City with the camera following him.
Line by Line Meaning
Paula came from Washington with long golden hair
Paula arrived from Washington with her attractive, long, blond hair.
Twenty eight dollars in a fake silk purse and a leather skirt to wear
Paula has $28 in a fake silk purse and a leather skirt that she's wearing.
Shane came from Dublin town from the old world so green
Shane originates from Dublin, an old place known for its lush greenery.
Counterfeit ticket in to JFK in the land of his dreams
Shane uses a fake ticket to JFK to enter the United States, his dreamland.
Street life's the only life they take a walk in the park
They prefer the street lifestyle and go for a walk in the park.
Even though they only met that day they were lovers by dark
Despite just meeting, they became lovers by nightfall.
Laid out on the morning skies he puts a ring on her hand
The next morning, he proposes and gives her a ring.
He said listen babe we gotta take what's ours do it or die
He declares that they should take whatever they desire, or perish trying.
Quit dreaming, this is real life baby
Stop deluding yourself, this is actual reality.
Real life's the only life what's it all about
Real life is the only existence that matters, what's the point of anything else?
Way out on the dock that night, the colour is red
On the docks at night, red is the color that prevails.
23rd victim of a gangland war takes his last breath
The 23rd fatality of a gang warfare lets out their last breath.
Outside the sister cried, she said the whole world's so mean
The victim's sister weeps outside and laments how cruel the world can be.
Heavyweight killer in the ring, turns killing machine
A heavyweight killer in the ring transforms into a killing machine.
Quit dreaming this is real life baby
Stop daydreaming and accept the reality of life.
All my love, you're my all
You, my love, are everything to me.
The way you move, you're in control
You move with confidence, always in charge.
The way you talk, the way you dress
I admire the way you talk and the way you dress.
Your hands, your touch, your sweet caress.
Your hands, your touch, your sweet embrace, everything about you is perfect.
Every little thing that I possess,
Everything I have belongs to you.
It's all emotion when you take control,
My emotions are extreme when you're in command.
I can feel wild horses running in my soul.
You take me to new heights; my soul is like a stampede of wild horses.
Up high above a desert sky where the space shuttles scream,
In the vast desert sky, where space shuttles roar,
Sixteen men from a dying earth take their last dream.
Sixteen men, knowing that the earth is dying, take one last dream.
Quit dreaming this is cheap life baby
Stop dreaming of frivolous things; this is real life.
Your eyes, your lips, the shape of your mouth,
Your eyes, your lips, the way your mouth is shaped,
The way you move, you're in control
You're in charge of everything, and it's incredibly attractive.
All my love, you're all I see
You're everything I see and think about. My whole world revolves around you.
The stars, the sun, the energy,
You remind me of the stars, sun, and energy.
If this going to kill us then let it go,
If it ends up being fatal, let it be.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MARK A. WILLIAMS, LUKASZ GOTTWALD, DERRYL HOWARD, JERELL JONES, EBONY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adrian Powell
1991 on #mymusicalroadto50
Simple Minds - Real Life
Another band I had been following but they were alway on the perimeter.
A great song and opening track to their next album of the same name.
I would be fortunate to catch them live at Wembley Arena on this tour.
Dana Blake
The golden years for music, everything was great, in all genres/styles.
Yahweh is Elohiym
It's scientifically proven! 😎
Progressive house collection
One of the best songs I've ever heard. The sound of the guitar is magical. Underrated song
Rob Streddar
Totally agree friend.
RealPerx
those synths are fire too
Freddie Mac
Simple Minds Is One Of The Greatest Bands In Music History.
Bumble Beeatz
Agreed!
Powerboost
bro - YEAH - thats right !
Dario Štivić
Masterpiece!
Fred Markus
30 years today! Amazing song and amazing album. Simple Minds forever.