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)
Song From Under The Floorboards
Simple Minds Lyrics
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My irritability keeps me alive and kicking
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
By force of habit, I am an insect
I know the highest and the best
I accord them all due respect
But the brightest jewel inside of me
Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
By force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
I used to make phantoms I could later chase
Images of all that could be desired
Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings
And then I just got tired
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
By force of habit, I am an insect
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
The lyrics of "Song From Under The Floorboards" by Simple Minds talks about the singer's frustration and existential crisis, as well as his acceptance of his own flaws and imperfections. The opening line, "I am angry I am I'll and I'm as ugly as sin" sets the tone for the rest of the song, depicting the singer's negative self-image. He is aware of the meaning of life but finds it useless, and interestingly, he takes pride in his irritability, which keeps him "alive and kicking."
The chorus "This is a song from under the floorboards, this is a song from where the wall is cracked, by force of habit, I am an insect, I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact" invokes the idea of being hidden or stuck in a small, unimportant space, such as under the floorboards, while observing the world from a distance. The metaphor of being an insect, following routine and living in an unremarkable existence, reinforces the idea of the singer having little control over his life.
The second verse talks about the singer's former pleasure in creating perfect illusions, but he has since grown tired of striving for something impossible. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment and acceptance, making the best of the less-than-perfect circumstances of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I am angry I am I'll and I'm as ugly as sin
Despite my flaws and sickness, my anger keeps me going.
My irritability keeps me alive and kicking
My anger keeps me motivated and alive.
I know the meaning of life, it doesn't help me a bit
I have an understanding of life, but it doesn't bring me any solace or happiness.
I know beauty and I know a good thing when I see it
I understand what is beautiful and valuable in life when I come across it.
This is a song from under the floorboards
This is a song expressing the hidden and overlooked parts of myself.
This is a song from where the wall is cracked
This is a song coming from a place of vulnerability and brokenness.
By force of habit, I am an insect
I am stuck in a pattern of behavior and feel small and insignificant.
I have to confess I'm proud as hell of that fact
Even though I feel small and insignificant, I find pride in my consistency and reliability.
I know the highest and the best
I am knowledgeable and aware of the most ideal aspects of life.
I accord them all due respect
I give proper recognition and honor to those ideal aspects of life.
But the brightest jewel inside of me
The most valuable thing within me is
Glows with pleasure at my own stupidity
Is satisfied by my own foolishness and ignorance.
I used to make phantoms I could later chase
I used to have dreams and aspirations that I would pursue later on.
Images of all that could be desired
I had ideas about everything I could possibly want.
Then I got tired of counting all of these blessings
Eventually, I became weary of keeping track of all these potential blessings and aspirations.
And then I just got tired
And eventually, I grew tired of it all and lost my motivation.
Contributed by Nolan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.