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)
When Two Worlds Collide
Simple Minds Lyrics
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Your photo's in the paper, boy you're getting old
Footsteps in the carpark he's the governor of the night
The omens say crime don't pay but each dog has its price
When two worlds collide
The tears well inside
When two worlds collide
A boy is found in Naples, his body's in a ditch
His young life counts for nothing when somebody's getting rich
There's flowers on the table, he sips water, she drinks wine
And I don't think that mercy is the language of our time
When two worlds collide
The teardrops inside
When two worlds collide
You break me up inside
Backstreet of Chicago, a black man plays the gold
There's a man on every corner says he'd like to buy your soul
Bhuddists in the temple, bullets in the night
Steeping out of their world, into your world, into mine
In the jet black night
The tears well inside
When two worlds collide
You break me up inside
Two worlds collide
The lyrics of Simple Minds’ song “When Two Worlds Collide” are a social commentary on the contradictions and clashes present in society. The song details different scenarios in which two contrasting worlds clash together, creating tension and conflict. The opening lines “Shots ring out in Paris, the bells ring out in Rome, your photo's in the paper, boy you're getting old” set the tone for the song, portraying the contrasts between violence and peace, youth and age, and the media’s fascination with sensational news.
The song highlights the hierarchy present in society, as seen in the lines “Footsteps in the car park, he's the governor of the night, the omens say crime don't pay but each dog has its price.” This portrays the power dynamics at play, where those in control govern the night, and even though society may disapprove of their ways, they still thrive. The message of the song is driven home in the chorus, with the line “When two worlds collide, the tears well inside,” speaking to the emotional turmoil caused by the continued clash.
The song further delves into social issues, such as poverty and crime, with the lyrics “A boy is found in Naples, his body's in a ditch, his young life counts for nothing when somebody's getting rich.” This highlights the disconnection between those in power and those who suffer as a result. The final lines of the song, “Stepping out of their world, into your world, into mine, in the jet black night” bring together all the different worlds previously mentioned, portraying the idea that even though we may inhabit different worlds, they all collide in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Shots ring out in Paris, the bells ring out in Rome
Gunshots can be heard in Paris, indicating violence and chaos, while bells are ringing in Rome, signaling peace and stability.
Your photo's in the paper, boy you're getting old
Your picture is published in the newspaper, indicating that you are becoming well-known, perhaps for your age or accomplishments.
Footsteps in the carpark he's the governor of the night
Someone is walking in the parking lot, potentially a powerful figure who controls the night and its activities.
The omens say crime don't pay but each dog has its price
While superstitions may suggest that crime does not lead to wealth or success, everyone has their own motivations and desires that may push them towards illegal activities.
When two worlds collide
The tears well inside
When two worlds collide
When two contrasting or conflicting worlds come together, it can be emotionally overwhelming and evoke feelings of sadness or despair.
A boy is found in Naples, his body's in a ditch
The discovery of a dead boy in Naples implies murder or violence, and suggests that human life is not always valued or respected.
His young life counts for nothing when somebody's getting rich
The fact that the boy's life is disregarded when others are profiting from his death highlights the greed and selfishness of some individuals.
There's flowers on the table, he sips water, she drinks wine
The presence of flowers suggests a romantic setting, while the difference in beverages consumed by the couple highlights a discrepancy in social status or wealth.
And I don't think that mercy is the language of our time
The lack of compassion or empathy in society is noted, indicating that people are more focused on their own needs and desires than on helping others.
You break me up inside
Backstreet of Chicago, a black man plays the gold
The sense of emotional turmoil is conveyed, followed by a scene of a black man playing music in Chicago and potentially finding success amidst the challenges and struggles faced in life.
There's a man on every corner says he'd like to buy your soul
The prevalence of individuals who are looking to profit from others' misfortunes or weaknesses is highlighted, with some being willing to go as far as wanting to purchase one's soul.
Bhuddists in the temple, bullets in the night
Steeping out of their world, into your world, into mine
In the jet black night
The contrast between peaceful religious figures in a temple and the sound of gunshots at night is jarring, while the idea of different worlds colliding is revisited, suggesting that these clashes and conflicts are pervasive.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES KERR, CHARLES BURCHILL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind