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)
Sleeping
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In this location, the forces conspire
Vigilant fire, expectation
Sleeping girl, I wish you could tell
This violation
Sleeping girl, I want you you to smile
Confirmation
Know what she says
I can't take it
I wanted the truth
But I know I can play, this location
Sleeping girl, you know her so well
In?
Sleeping girl, I want to you tell me
Conversation
Sleeping girl, you know that you will
Communication
Sleeping girl, I want you to smile
Confirmation
Sleeping girl, you know her so well
In?
Sleeping girl, I want you tell me
Communication
Sleeping girl, you know that you will
Vindication
Sleeping girl, I want you smile
Confirmation
I, I, i..
The lyrics of Sleeping Girl by Simple Minds are cryptic and open to interpretation as they seem to describe a conversation or an internal dialogue with someone who is sleeping. The song appears to be an introspective reflection of the singer, who may be struggling with issues of trust and betrayal. The opening lines "From without, from a child, in this location, the forces conspire" suggest that the singer is experiencing some sort of external pressure or manipulation, possibly from his childhood or from his surroundings. The lines "Vigilant fire expectation, sleeping girl, I wish you could tell, this violation" may represent the singer's frustration with his inability to confront the issue or his desire to seek truth from the sleeping girl.
The lyrics "Sleeping girl, you know her so well, in? Sleeping girl, I want to you tell me, conversation" may suggest that the singer has a deep connection with the sleeping girl, but he is unable to communicate with her. The repeated lines "Sleeping girl, I want you to smile, confirmation" seems to signify the singer's need for reassurance, which the girl's smile could provide. The repeated use of the phrase "Sleeping girl" throughout the song adds to the overall sense of mystery and introspection of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
From without, from a child
The forces acting on the sleeping girl have been present since her childhood, and they originate from outside of her.
In this location, the forces conspire
The location the sleeping girl is in is the setting where the forces that affect her come together and work in harmony.
Vigilant fire, expectation
The forces come together with an intense and watchful energy, with an anticipation of something to happen.
Sleeping girl, I wish you could tell
The singer desires that the sleeping girl could communicate and express herself about what is happening to her.
This violation
The forces acting on the sleeping girl are causing harm or infringing on her rights and well-being.
Sleeping girl, I want you to smile
The singer hopes that the sleeping girl can find happiness and positivity despite the difficult situation she is in.
Confirmation
The singer seeks reassurance or validation that what he perceives or suspects is true.
Moment of truth
A crucial point where the truth will be revealed or confirmed.
Know what she says
The singer is aware of the sleeping girl's perspective or message, which he has understood or accepted.
I can't take it
The situation is difficult or painful for the singer to deal with emotionally.
I wanted the truth
The singer was seeking honesty and clarity about the situation from the sleeping girl.
But I know I can play, this location
The singer is aware of his role and power in the situation, and how he can influence it to his advantage.
Sleeping girl, you know her so well
The singer knows the sleeping girl intimately, and is aware of her personality and character.
In?
The singer wants to know what is inside the sleeping girl's mind, and what she is thinking or feeling.
Conversation
The singer wants to engage in a dialogue with the sleeping girl to understand her better.
Sleeping girl, you know that you will
The singer believes that the sleeping girl is aware of what is happening to her and can foresee the outcome.
Vindication
The situation will be resolved in a way that will prove the singer's beliefs or actions to be right or justified.
I, I, i..
Repeated use of the first-person pronoun implies a personal involvement and emotional investment in the situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM KERR, NELLO NICITA, SEBASTIANO MAGGIORANA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind