Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have … Read Full Bio ↴Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983) and "Alive and Kicking" (1985), as well as the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).

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)

Slave Nation
Simple Minds Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My allegation
It's alright
Slave nation
Alright
Want to tell ya
All is gone
You're a slave nation
Right or wrong

Tell
Oh
Take a moment to tell
Oh
Slave nation
It's alright
You're a slave nation
Oh my
It's cool
It's fine
Slave nation
Alright
Tell
Tell
Tell me not to tell
Wanna tell
Slave nation
Slave nation
Slave nation
Slave nation

It's alright
Isolation
Right
Oh?

It's alright
It's alright

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to the song "Slave Nation" by Simple Minds seem to be commenting on the state of society as a whole, with the concept of a slave nation referring to the idea of people being enslaved to their own desires and impulses. The opening line of "My allegation, it's alright" suggests that the singer is making an accusation, but that it doesn't really matter because it's all "alright" in the end. This idea of complacency in the face of injustice is further emphasized by the repetition of "alright" and "it's cool, it's fine."

The chorus of "You're a slave nation, right or wrong" seems to be calling out the audience, and perhaps even the whole country, for being complicit in their own enslavement. The phrase "right or wrong" suggests that people are willing to go along with things even if they know they are wrong, simply because it's easier than standing up for what's right. The lines "Tell me not to tell, wanna tell" could be seen as the singer struggling with the desire to speak out against these injustices, but also feeling that it's pointless because no one will listen.

Overall, the lyrics to "Slave Nation" paint a picture of a society that is content with being controlled and enslaved, even if they know it's wrong. The repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the idea of complacency and the difficulty of breaking free from the chains that bind us.

Line by Line Meaning

My allegation
I have a claim to make

It's alright
Everything is fine and there is no need to worry

Slave nation
A group of people who feel trapped and oppressed

Alright
Acceptable or satisfactory

Want to tell ya
I have something to say to you

All is gone
Everything has disappeared or been lost

You're a slave nation
You are a group of people who have lost their freedom and are being controlled by someone else

Right or wrong
Regardless of whether it is right or wrong

Tell
Please listen to what I have to say

Oh
An expression of surprise, disappointment or realization

Take a moment to tell
Please listen to me for a moment