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)
Wall of Love
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the blind man sings about the peaceful things
You shout that it's not good enough
Ah we wait till daylight hours
Waiting for a sign from you
Golden temples concrete towers
Building mansions on the hillside next to you
Oh pull me up let me see the view
And to the hungry in the gutter
We've deprived them bread and butter
Always not enough
No not enough
Great wall of love, build me a great wall of love
When the blind man sings about the peaceful things
You shout that it's still not enough.
Ah well it's not the sound of ghosts I hear
It's the devil with his chainsaw
And I'll be running through the ghettos
Through the townships of Soweto
Always not enough
No not enough
Brothers missing, babies kissing
And the thing that got to you
Burning never turning next to you
Ooh great wall of love
Build me a great wall of love
When the blind man sings about the peaceful things
You shout that it's still not enough
So listen to me darling
They've got worries they've got troubles on their mind
And when you hear them reaching out
They're reaching out for something they can't find
Oh I believe one great day the rain will come
And wash this mess away
Oh I believe one great day the rain will come
They've got silver and diamonds
They've got paradise around them
They've got blue skies so clear
They've got their prisoner in a wagon
While the children chase the dragon
And the free bird files so clear
It files away
Fly fly fly away
Fly away
Oh you fly away
And may your sweet lips sing to me
Let the bells ring wherever freedom be
One babe is born and another one dies
There's people making love tonight
People making love tonight
Ah people making love tonight
People making love
People making love tonight
People making love
I can hear them reaching out
I can hear them reaching out
I can hear them reaching out
I can hear them reaching out
The lyrics to Simple Minds' "Wall of Love" seems to be a call for the construction of a wall of love, which could possibly signify a barrier or a protective shield from the troubles of the world. The chorus of "Ooh great wall of love, build me a great wall of love," is sung repeatedly throughout the song, emphasizing the need for this wall of love. The first verse, "when the blind man sings about the peaceful things, you shout that it's not good enough," could be interpreted as a desire for a utopian world that some might deem unrealistic. The next verse speaks of waiting for a sign and the construction of mansions on hillsides, which could represent the socioeconomic disparity in society. The lines "And to the hungry in the gutter, we've deprived them bread and butter, always not enough, no not enough," highlight the struggles of poverty and the growing inequality in the world.
The second part of the song takes a darker tone, describing the atrocities of the world. The lines "Ah well it's not the sound of ghosts I hear, It's the devil with his chainsaw, And I'll be running through the ghettos, Through the townships of Soweto, Always not enough," could be interpreted as a commentary on the horrors of war and the destruction of the earth. The song then shifts back to the chorus, repeating the plea for a great wall of love. The final verse speaks of the people who are searching for something they cannot find, possibly alluding to happiness or a sense of fulfillment. Finally, the song ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that one day the rain will come and wash away the problems of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Ooh great wall of love, build me a great wall of love
I need a great barrier of love to protect me and shield me from the evil that surrounds me.
When the blind man sings about the peaceful things
You shout that it's not good enough
Even when someone innocent and pure preaches about peace, you still refuse to acknowledge it.
Ah we wait till daylight hours
Waiting for a sign from you
Golden temples concrete towers
Building mansions on the hillside next to you
We spend the day waiting for you to tell us what to do while we build extravagant structures right next to you.
In the city souls awaken bodies shaking
Oh pull me up let me see the view
And to the hungry in the gutter
We've deprived them bread and butter
Always not enough
No not enough
The city is alive and bustling, but we ignore those less fortunate than us and fail to provide for them.
Ah well it's not the sound of ghosts I hear
It's the devil with his chainsaw
And I'll be running through the ghettos
Through the townships of Soweto
Always not enough
No not enough
I don't hear eerie noises, but instead hear the sound of destruction caused by those in power. Even when I run through impoverished areas, there is still not enough change.
Brothers missing, babies kissing
And the thing that got to you
Burning never turning next to you
We hear about both the good and the bad in the world, and it's the bad that enrages us and consumes us.
So listen to me darling
They've got worries they've got troubles on their mind
And when you hear them reaching out
They're reaching out for something they can't find
We need to listen to those who are struggling and understand that they need help and support, even if they don't know exactly what they need.
Oh I believe one great day the rain will come
And wash this mess away
Oh I believe one great day the rain will come
I have faith that one day, everything will be washed away and we will be able to start anew.
They've got silver and diamonds
They've got paradise around them
They've got blue skies so clear
They've got their prisoner in a wagon
While the children chase the dragon
And the free bird files so clear
It files away
Fly fly fly away
Fly away
Oh you fly away
Some people have so much wealth and luxury, yet they still hold others captive. Meanwhile, children are caught up in their own innocence while the free few soar away.
And may your sweet lips sing to me
Let the bells ring wherever freedom be
One babe is born and another one dies
There's people making love tonight
People making love tonight
Ah people making love tonight
People making love
People making love tonight
People making love
I can hear them reaching out
I can hear them reaching out
I can hear them reaching out
I can hear them reaching out
May you always sing to me with love, and let freedom ring wherever it can be found. Life goes on with births and deaths, but in the midst of it all, there are people still making love. Even though we may be distant from each other, I can still hear those in need reach out.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL, MICHAEL JOSEPH MACNEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Steinbrenner
This song is so great, the bass makes me go into space :)
Antonio Estevez
My favourite band of eighties. Big power, inspiration, sensibility , the Best músic. I adore them. S M Forever !!!!,,
David Lazarus
Not "best music" . . . Big Music! Simple Mind music!
Chris Stacey
One of Simple Minds finest song.....they were at their peak
Rik Wraith
Did not like this album years ago, was surprised this song was on it, great stuff 👍🏻
Jesse Diaz
Every single human on this earth should dedicate their lives to building Great Walls of Love.
Richard Hoyle
Playing this as a tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu who has died aged 90. May he dwell in the house of God forever.
Bert van ekeren
30 years later, we realy need to build this great wall of love
David Stopford
The great John Giblin on bass of Brand X. Minds at their best.
David Stopford
Simple Minds. Depeche Mode
Talking Heads. All ruled the 80s. Oh and U2. All great music.