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)
Street fighting years
Simple Minds Lyrics
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I turned around and suddenly you where gone
Like some bird from paradise, the fire and ice
We turned around and suddenly you where gone, gone, gone
And now summer burns a hole inside and years are golden once again
My thoughts return to you my dear young friend
Oh come this way
I go down on the street
Where the wild wind's blowing
Here comes a hurricane
I say come down this way
Will you look down this way
I need you tonight
I need you around me
I'm looking through the windows
And my mind goes in a whirl
Well there's a multitude of candles
Burning in the windows of this world
I'm looking at the colours
Checking out the straights
I'm counting out the numbers
Will tomorrow never change?
Still I hear you and I love you
And I'll follow you elsewhere
And I'll remember this occasion
I'll remember being aware
'Cause we've got panic in the evening
We've got fall-out in the streets
And I hear you and I follow you
And I'll call out and I'll say
That I can hear your sister call out
And I hear her call your name
They're calling sweet surrender
And things won't be the same
And don't you think that I don't care
And don't you think that I don't know
And don't you hear them calling out
In a place not far from here
And I hear big wheels are turning
Some things are not to fear
They say this is the time and place
They call street fighting years
And I hear great wheels are turning
And I tell you not to fear
They say this is the time and place
They call street fighting years
And I love you, I look for you
And I walk to you, I walk to you
And I hear big wheels are turning
Is there no way out of here?
They'll be calling out tomorrow
The lyrics to Simple Minds' song Street Fighting Years are about loss and grief, but also about the search for something more. The first verse describes the sudden departure of someone close to the singer, taken away like a bird from paradise. Despite the passing of time, memories of this person remain alive and bright for the singer, making them feel like the golden years of youth once again. In the chorus, the singer calls out to their departed loved one, hoping to feel their presence and be guided down a path that is both dangerous and exhilarating. The second verse mentions the myriad of lives being lived in the world around them, with people burning their candles brightly and searching for meaning in a place that seems chaotic and unforgiving. The singer hears the voices of their loved ones calling to them, urging them to take part in something bigger than themselves.
The song touches on themes of loss, grief, and the search for something more. The first verse describes the sudden departure of someone close to the singer who has gone too soon. Despite the passing of time, memories of this person remain alive and bright for the singer, making them feel like the golden years of youth once again. In the chorus, the singer calls out to their departed loved one, hoping to feel their presence and be guided down a path that is both dangerous and exhilarating. The second verse mentions the myriad of lives being lived in the world around them, with people burning their candles brightly and searching for meaning in a place that seems chaotic and unforgiving. The singer hears the voices of their loved ones calling to them, urging them to take part in something bigger than themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Chased you out of this world, didn't mean to stop
I did not mean to chase you away forever, but my actions have caused you to leave this world.
I turned around and suddenly you where gone
I did not expect you to disappear so suddenly when I looked back.
Like some bird from paradise, the fire and ice
Your presence was like that of a beautiful and rare bird, full of passion and contradictions.
We turned around and suddenly you where gone, gone, gone
Your departure was so unexpected and complete, it felt like you had vanished into thin air.
And now summer burns a hole inside and years are golden once again
As time has passed, I feel a strong longing for you and I am reminded of happier times we shared in the past.
My thoughts return to you my dear young friend
Even though you are no longer with me, I often think about you fondly and remember our time together.
Oh come this way
I want you to come to me.
Will you look down this way
I want you to notice me and pay attention to my emotions.
I go down on the street
I am walking through the streets.
Where the wild wind's blowing
I am in a place where chaos and change are prevalent.
Here comes a hurricane
The future is uncertain and fraught with danger.
I say come down this way
I am pleading with you to come to me.
I need you tonight
I am feeling lonely and wish you were here with me now.
I need you around me
I long for your physical presence and emotional support.
I'm looking through the windows
I am observing the world around me.
And my mind goes in a whirl
I feel overwhelmed by the many emotions and thoughts in my head.
Well there's a multitude of candles
There are many people who are experiencing pain and loss at this time.
Burning in the windows of this world
Their sorrow and pain is visible for all to see.
I'm looking at the colours
I am taking in all the different aspects of the world that I can see.
Checking out the straights
I am observing the normal, everyday occurrences of life.
I'm counting out the numbers
I am taking stock of the situation and trying to make sense of it.
Will tomorrow never change?
I am feeling hopeless and wondering if things will ever get better.
Still I hear you and I love you
Even though you are gone, I feel your memory and love for you still lingers.
And I'll follow you elsewhere
I am willing to go to great lengths to be with you again, even if it means leaving this place.
And I'll remember this occasion
I will never forget the moment you left and how it has affected me.
I'll remember being aware
I will always remember the feeling of being fully present and aware in that moment.
'Cause we've got panic in the evening
At night, when things are quiet, I am filled with anxiety and fear.
We've got fall-out in the streets
The world is experiencing chaos and unrest.
And I hear you and I follow you
I feel like I can sense your presence and I am continually drawn to it.
And I'll call out and I'll say
I am not afraid to speak my mind and express my emotions.
That I can hear your sister call out
I can sense the presence of your family and those who knew you well.
And I hear her call your name
I am reminded of you and your memory every time I hear your name.
They're calling sweet surrender
People are embracing the idea of giving up and accepting their fate.
And things won't be the same
The future is uncertain and things are changing rapidly.
And don't you think that I don't care
Despite the distance between us, I still care deeply for you and your memory.
And don't you think that I don't know
I am aware of the circumstances and the impact they have had on me.
And don't you hear them calling out
There are many voices crying out for help and understanding.
In a place not far from here
This pain and unrest is not limited to my immediate surroundings, but is happening everywhere.
And I hear big wheels are turning
There are large-scale changes happening that I can sense but do not fully understand.
Some things are not to fear
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, there are some things that I can take comfort in and not be afraid of.
They say this is the time and place
This moment in history is significant and will be remembered for years to come.
They call street fighting years
These are tumultuous times, filled with conflict and unrest, that require strength and determination to overcome.
And I love you, I look for you
My love for you has not diminished and I still search for signs of your presence or memory wherever I go.
And I walk to you, I walk to you
I feel a strong pull towards you and am willing to go to great lengths to be with you again.
Is there no way out of here?
I am feeling trapped and hopeless, wondering if there is any way to escape this pain and uncertainty.
They'll be calling out tomorrow
Despite the darkness and uncertainty of today, there is still hope for a better tomorrow.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JesperHellvik
Could we take a moment and recognise the amazing talent of Charlie Burchill. He is up there with the best!
@sonialeone8097
The power of this title is exceptional, from 6 minutes the magic of the melody is limitless, thank you for what it allows you to feel.
@DavidGilmour75
Charlie ... too much!! most underated guitarist of all time!!
@lauriebrebner2204
Without doubt SM are the greatest live band I’ve seen. Their lyrics, the musicality and despite the band members who’ve come & gone throughout the years , it never gets in the way of the way the songs come across. Proper music !
@thegrinch6574
Mick please come back to simple minds
@littlejimmyboro
23rd July 1989, Leeds Roundhay Park. My first proper gig. Stood near the front near Charlie. Blew me away and a memory I will cherish for my whole life.
@keithrooks9120
I was there too......great days to be young!!!
@adamearl4008
I was there too, brilliant gig, just disappointed they didn't play New Gold Dream, my all time favourite song and it always will be.
@andythomas2403
i was there too red hot day support bands were awesome too
@tommycosgrove4769
Saw them at Wembley Stadium & Birmingham NEC on this tour - absolutely fantastic live band