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)
The Kick Inside of Me
Simple Minds Lyrics
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You put the call out
Beside of me, kick up inside of me
And you steal the world and live to survive
And shake out the ghosts and then you turn around
In spite of me, kick up inside of me
One for the first time
Three for the thrill and
Four for the last time
As far as I can see, you're gonna
Move deep deeper deep inside of me
Kick away my life kick away
You put the fear in me, kick away, kick away
As far as I can see you move deep deep inside of me
Take me away, take me away, up to another day
Open up the way, lead me away in the pouring rain
In the pouring rain
You put the storm out, that's up in my head
You put the call out
Beside of me, kick up inside of me
And we steal the world and live to survive
Shake out the ghosts and turn around
In spite of me, shake up the ghosts inside of me
One for the first time, two for the last time
Three for the thrill, and four for the last time
As far as I can see, you're gonna
Move deep deeper deep inside of me
Take me away, ah ah ah until another day
Take me away, kick away
As far as I can see you put the fear inside of me
Kick away
The lyrics of Simple Minds's song The Kick Inside of Me are quite enigmatic, but the singer seems to be addressing someone who has had a profound effect on him. This person has the power to calm the storm that rages inside his head, but also to awaken a powerful force within him that he calls "the kick". The kick seems to be a complex emotional mix of fear, exhilaration, and deep desire. The singer claims that this person has "stolen the world" and that they must "shake out the ghosts" - perhaps referring to the emotional baggage that they both carry. The chorus repeats the idea that this person is going to "move deep inside of me", a line which is both ominous and thrilling.
The first verse hints that this person has the key to the singer's survival, but they also cause him fear. The second verse repeats the pattern of the first, but adds the phrase "take me away" which intensifies the idea of surrender. The final chorus says that this person "puts the fear inside of me / Kick away" which suggests that the singer is trying to break free from their hold, but also implies that they are addicted to the danger and excitement that this person brings. Overall, the song captures the turbulent, thrilling and sometimes terrifying aspect of falling deeply in love or obsession with someone.
Line by Line Meaning
You put the storm out, that's up in my head
You quell my internal turmoil and chaotic thoughts
You put the call out
You make your presence known and reach out to me
Beside of me, kick up inside of me
You stand with me and ignite a powerful feeling within me
And you steal the world and live to survive
You take control of everything and persevere to keep going
And shake out the ghosts and then you turn around
You confront your fears and doubts, then face me again
In spite of me, kick up inside of me
Despite my resistance, you continue to stimulate my emotions
One for the first time
One instance of a new experience
Two for the last time
Two instances of a final goodbye
Three for the thrill and
Three instances of an exciting sensation
Four for the last time
Four instances of the end of something
As far as I can see, you're gonna
From my perspective, you will
Move deep deeper deep inside of me
Become more profound within me
Kick away my life kick away
Take control and eliminate my existence
You put the fear in me, kick away, kick away
You cause me to feel scared and destroy me
As far as I can see you move deep deep inside of me
From my perspective, you become more profound within me
Take me away, take me away, up to another day
Transport me to a new tomorrow
Open up the way, lead me away in the pouring rain
Clear a path for me and guide me through hardships
You put the storm out, that's up in my head
You quell my internal turmoil and chaotic thoughts
And we steal the world and live to survive
Together we take control of everything and persevere to keep going
Shake out the ghosts and turn around
We confront our fears and doubts, then face each other
In spite of me, shake up the ghosts inside of me
Despite my resistance, we both confront our inner demons
Take me away, ah ah ah until another day
Transport me to a new tomorrow
Take me away, kick away
Take control and move me forcefully
As far as I can see you put the fear inside of me
From my perspective, you cause me to feel scared and vulnerable
Kick away
Take control and eliminate something
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES BURCHILL, DEREK FORBES, MEL GAYNOR, JAMES KERR, MICHAEL MC NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind