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)
Stranger
Simple Minds Lyrics
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Do you know what were looking for?
Any truth in the rumors I ignore?
Tell me why, I still deny?
Anytime secrets, in every sound.
I can keep my feet up off the ground.
I'm in the air, reeling everywhere.
There's something new and I must say.
We are drifting through space and time.
Stranger, beautiful stranger,
Come tell me if you are, the silent star, explain!
Stranger, beautiful stranger,
I wonder if you are the silent star,
Explain.
Tell me why, do you know what we're looking for?
Any truth in the rumor I ignore?
Then tell me why I still deny?
Summertime, winter, moonlight, and the sun.
I get the feeling this has just begun,
And still it feels so super real.
Look and you'll find,
We are moving through space and time.
Stranger, beautiful stranger,
Come tell me if you are, the silent star, explain!
Stranger, beautiful stranger,
I wonder if you are the silent star,
Explain.
Tell me who you are.
Tell me who you are, beautiful stranger.
Beautiful stranger.
The lyrics of Simple Minds' song "Stranger" are enigmatic and metaphorical, making it open to interpretation. The singer begins by asking the stranger a series of questions, wondering if there is any truth in the rumors he ignores. He then repeats the question, and in the following verse, contemplates the changing of seasons and passes of time.
However, these ponderings are used to reflect the singer's feelings towards the stranger, whom they're addressing. Perhaps the stranger is someone they met fleetingly, and they're trying to understand the attraction that seems to be coming from either side. They ask the stranger to "explain" if they are the "silent star". This could imply that the stranger is a person who doesn't say much or is difficult to read, but their presence has an incandescent effect, just like a star in the sky that is both beautiful to look at and silent.
Through the lyrics, the singer is trying to find out who this "beautiful stranger" is and what is so remarkable about them. They want to know why they can't ignore them and are attracted to them, despite their reticence. It's a song that captures the universal experience of meeting someone new and being intrigued by them, trying to understand their effect on us.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me why.
Asking for an explanation or reason behind something.
Do you know what we're looking for?
Questioning if someone else knows the answer or purpose for their search.
Any truth in the rumors I ignore?
Wondering if there is validity in any disregarded gossips or speculations.
Tell me why I still deny?
Questioning the reason behind denying something despite evidence, intuition or realization.
Anytime secrets, in every sound.
Suggesting that secrets can be found or hidden in every noise, music or tune.
I can keep my feet up off the ground.
Expressing the feeling of weightlessness, freedom or detachment from reality.
I'm in the air, reeling everywhere.
Feeling disoriented or dizzy without a sense of direction or guidance in life.
There's something new and I must say.
Acknowledging the existence of a novelty or innovation in one's life or environment.
It makes me feel so super real. Just look and you'll find.
Feeling alive, awakened or inspired by a newfound experience or discovery.
We are drifting through space and time.
Reflecting on the constant motion and uncertainty of life's journey.
Stranger, beautiful stranger, Come tell me if you are, the silent star, explain!
Addressing an enigmatic, mysterious person and inviting them to reveal their identity or purpose.
I wonder if you are the silent star, Explain.
Expressing curiosity and interest in discovering more about the stranger's significance or story.
Summertime, winter, moonlight, and the sun.
Listing the different seasons and natural phenomena as a representation of life's cyclical nature.
I get the feeling this has just begun, And still it feels so super real.
Believing that there is more to come in life's journey and feeling excited or empowered by it.
Tell me who you are.
Continuing to seek understanding or insight into the stranger's true identity.
Tell me who you are, beautiful stranger. Beautiful stranger.
Repeating the request for the stranger to reveal themselves and acknowledging their mysterious beauty or allure.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JIM KERR, CHARLIE BURCHILL, PAT LEGO, DANIELE TIGNINO, EMILIANO PATRIK LEGATO, JIM (GB 1) KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind