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)
War Babies
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spirits lying next to me
Catch the wildflower falling
It's the wound that never bleeds
Hear the Sirens calling
Spinning out their show
Hold, the moment close to me
Take it down too slow
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Can you still keep going?
Shattered pieces left inside
To face the final, knowing
That there's somethings you can't hide
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
So will the force let go?
Or will the phantoms stay?
Let the foreteller be your sight
It feels like something's happening today
Some shame's like no other
And nothing feels the same
Nothing feels the same
War Babies
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Nothing feels the same
War Babies
War Babies
Nothing feels the same
Be mine
Be mine
War Babie
The lyrics to Simple Minds' "War Babies" convey a powerful message about the aftermath of war and the lingering effect it can have on individuals and society as a whole. The opening line, "See the white clouds roll in," could symbolize the destruction caused by war, as it is often accompanied by smoke and debris. The line, "Spirits lying next to me," suggests the presence of the spirits of those lost in the conflict.
The chorus, "Be mine, be mine, War Babies," could be interpreted as a plea from those left behind to remember the sacrifices made during war or possibly a call to those who have fought to return home safely. The lyrics continue to explore the idea that a part of one's soul remains shattered after experiencing the trauma of war.
The song concludes with the lines, "Some shame's like no other, and nothing feels the same. War Babies, be mine, be mine," which could be a reference to the guilt experienced by soldiers who have survived while others did not. This is a poignant reminder that even when a conflict ends, its impact continues to reverberate for years to come.
Line by Line Meaning
See the white clouds roll in
The arrival of white clouds in the sky is noticed
Spirits lying next to me
I am sharing my physical and emotional space with spirits
Catch the wildflower falling
I am trying to capture the beauty in the fleeting moments of life
It's the wound that never bleeds
Sometimes emotional scars aren't visible, but they still hurt just as much
Hear the Sirens calling
Emergency vehicles are making loud, attention-grabbing noises
Spinning out their show
The emergency vehicles are putting on a display while responding to a call
Hold, the moment close to me
I am trying to be present in the moment and appreciate it fully
Take it down too slow
I am trying to savor and prolong the moment, rather than rush through it
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
I want to claim and possess these intense, complex emotions
Can you still keep going?
I am questioning my ability and willingness to continue forward
Shattered pieces left inside
I am broken and fragmented internally
To face the final, knowing
I am aware that I must confront a significant event or ending
That there's somethings you can't hide
There are certain things about me or my situation that cannot be concealed
So will the force let go?
I am questioning whether external or internal struggles will subside
Or will the phantoms stay?
I am wondering if my fears, doubts, or regrets will continue to haunt me
Let the foreteller be your sight
I am relying on my intuition or instincts to guide me
It feels like something's happening today
I sense that there is a significant shift or event occurring
Some shame's like no other
There are certain experiences or emotions that are uniquely painful or embarrassing
And nothing feels the same
After undergoing a significant change, everything seems different or unfamiliar
War Babies
I am grappling with intense, complicated emotions related to conflict, trauma, or difficulty
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hibsboy 19
See the white clouds roll in
Spirits lying next to me
Catch the wildflower falling
It's the wound that never bleeds
Hear the Sirens calling
Spinning out their show
Hold, the moment close to me
Take it down too slow
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Can you still keep going?
Shattered pieces left inside
To face the final, knowing
That there's somethings you can't hide
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
So will the force let go?
Or will the phantoms stay?
Let the foreteller be your sight
It feels like something's happening today
Some shame's like no other
And nothing feels the same
Nothing feels the same
War Babies
Be mine, be mine, War Babies
Nothing feels the same
War Babies
War Babies
Nothing feels the same
Be mine
Be mine
War Babie
Diego Aguirre
Ok people, I have to bow down to these guys, overwhelming song. Don't understand why a song like this do no have 1 million views. Seriously, SM are one of the best bands in music history
WhyChromosomesmusic
I had almost all of their older lps by about 1984 or 1985 (in the military including Greece where I bought a lot of them). My strong opinion is they were ahead of their time. I can't believe there aren't a number of EDM artists who were influenced by them. They were doing that stuff in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Excellent imagery in the lyrics too.
Bila Martins
I love the increasing harmony from 2:49 to 2:55!!! "It feels like something's happening today.. some shame's like no other.. and nothing feels the same" CHILLS! And what can i say about Jim´s voice? PERFECTION!
Lucas Lima
My favorite part of the song too!!!
Mickey Rourke
why this song is so underated??? it's AMAZING song
No Ta
I've got this song playing on repeat in my brain. A totally brilliant tune that passed me by at the time.
tieme4
Feels like something's gonna happen today... something positive! I love the song! Makes me feel good every day!
james murray
this is SIMPLE MINDS at there best superb
Gotha
This song and the album that came with was truly amazing.
Renzokuken Leneyoyo
Neapolis is a great reponse to U2's Pop... I read somewhere that they made this album with that in mind. Regardless if true or not. Glitterball is an amazing counter song to Discotheque. War babies to if god will send his angels, song for the tribes to staring at the sun? Maybe? Well all comparisons aside to me their best cut is lightning.