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)
Twist
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We can think it's dawn
Oh push along
Push along
Play a long song
I'm laughing at marine
Marine laughs back
Don't like those boys
I'm lying in bed
You can play me fear
You can play me fear
Only rhythm I hear
You cut me up
With joys of life
I'm going somewhere
I'm going someplace
If caution is life
Then caution is sin
Contort contort contort
I'll win
These walls that close
Close in on me
Seductress shout
Seductress scream
Switch the light on
We can think it's dawn
Oh push along
Push along
Pray along
Play a long song
The song "Twist/Run/Repulsion" by Simple Minds, appears to be a stream of consciousness or a sequence of disjointed thoughts, with no clear narrative. However, upon closer examination, the lyrics reveal a sense of fear, anxiety, and unease. The opening lines "Switch the light on, We can think it's dawn" suggest a longing for light, possibly to fill darkness or shadows that have enveloped the individual, thereby causing confusion or misunderstandings regarding the time of day.
The fear and anxiety are further highlighted in the lyrics "You can play me fear, Only rhythm I hear," which depict a situation where an individual is dominated or controlled by fear, which interferes with their ability to perceive and interpret their surroundings. The lyrics also suggest the presence of an external force or an enemy, represented by the "Toy soldier boys" or the "walls that close in on me." The urge to "Contort, contort, contort" reveals the desire for transformation or escape, but ultimately "I'll win."
Overall, the lyrics to "Twist/Run/Repulsion" are challenging to interpret, as they appear to be fragmented and disconnected. However, a sense of underlying fear, anxiety, and the desire to overcome the oppressive forces lurking within the individual is prevalent.
Line by Line Meaning
Switch the light on
Let's illuminate what's hidden in the dark
We can think it's dawn
We can pretend the night is over
Oh push along
Keep moving forward despite the obstacles
Push along
Don't stop, keep going
Play a long song
Enjoy and savor the moment
I'm laughing at marine
I'm mocking the senseless repetition of war
Marine laughs back
The cycle of violence and destruction never ends
Don't like those boys
I dislike those who blindly follow orders
Toy soldier boys
They are mere pawns in a game they don't understand
I'm lying in bed
I'm paralyzed by fear and doubt
You can play me fear
You can manipulate me with your threats
Only rhythm I hear
All I can feel is the beat of my own heart
You cut me up
You hurt me with your words and actions
With joys of life
Despite the pain, life still has its moments of beauty
I'm going somewhere
I have a destination, a purpose
I'm going someplace
I'm leaving behind the familiar and venturing into the unknown
If caution is life
If living means always being careful and fearful
Then caution is sin
Then it's better to take risks and live fully
Contort contort contort
Twist and turn to escape the narrow path
I'll win
I'll find a way out, a way to freedom
These walls that close
These walls that suffocate and confine me
Close in on me
Are getting closer and closer, suffocating me
Seductress shout
The tempting voice that lures me into danger
Seductress scream
The fierce and irresistible force that controls me
Pray along
Find comfort and guidance in faith
Play a long song
Compose a meaningful and enduring legacy
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN MCGEE, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL, DEREK FORBES, JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind