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)
White Hot Day
Simple Minds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time calls, time cries, sweet friend of mine
Time could be a place, a spirit and a face
Teardrops through time
While away below, the whirlwinds will blow
A pretty nation speaks in time
The beauty of it is, to waken up to
In time, only time, we'll speak for time
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Whisper the things that will come our way
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Hold back the years, hold back the years
Time calls, time cries, sounds like a friend of mine
Time will run to meet, the slick and shiny beat
That creeps to me through time
While away below, the whirlwinds will blow
A pretty nation sleeps in time
The beauty of it is
We'll wake up to, shake the hand of time
In time, only time, in time, only time
In time
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Whisper the things that will come our way
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Hold back the tears, hold back the tears
In time, only time, we'll speak for time
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Whisper the things that will come our way
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Hold back the tears, hold back the tears
In time, only time
Quiet night of a white hot day
Whisper the things that will come our way
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Roll back the years, roll back the years
In time, only time, we'll speak for time
On a quiet night
Hold back the tears to another day
Quiet night of a white hot day
Hold back the tears, hold back the tears
Time, only time, speak for time
Quiet night of a white hot day
Whisper the things that will come our way
On a quiet night of a white hot day
Roll back the years, roll back the years
In time, only time, speak for time
Quiet night of a white hot day
Hold back the tears to another day
Quiet night of a white hot day
"White Hot Day" by Simple Minds is a song about time and the fleeting nature of life. The lyrics urge the listener to embrace and appreciate time while they still can. The first lines of the song, "In time, only time, speak for time, in time," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The repetitive use of the phrase 'white hot day' conjures up the image of a scorching day, a time of change or a time of passion.
The chorus, "On a quiet night of a white hot day, whisper the things that will come our way, hold back the years, hold back the tears," expresses the idea of living in the present moment and appreciating everything it has to offer. The song reminds us that time is an ephemeral concept, and we need to cherish every moment we have.
The bridge of the song, "Time calls, time cries, sounds like a friend of mine. Time will run to meet, the slick and shiny beat that creeps to me through time," portrays a personification of time. The song suggests that time is always there, calling and crying, but we need to be aware of its presence and take advantage of it.
Overall, "White Hot Day" is an introspective song, urging people to appreciate every moment they have, no matter how fleeting.
Line by Line Meaning
In time, only time, speak for time, in time
Time is the only one who can truly speak for itself, and this is constantly being reiterated throughout the song.
Time calls, time cries, sweet friend of mine
Time is likened to a friend, always there, always present, but not always entirely understood.
Time could be a place, a spirit and a face
Time can take on different forms and take us to different places. It's not always just the passing of minutes and hours.
Teardrops through time
Even tears are affected by time and how it changes things.
While away below, the whirlwinds will blow
As time passes, things will change and be different, like whirlwinds moving around us.
A pretty nation speaks in time
As people come together to speak, they do so in the context of time and their experiences together over it.
The beauty of it is, to waken up to
There's something beautiful about experiencing life and the changes that come with time.
Shake the hand of time
We should learn to embrace the changes and evolution that come with time, rather than be afraid of it.
On a quiet night of a white hot day
This juxtaposition highlights how time can be surprising and unexpected.
Whisper the things that will come our way
Even in quiet moments, time's impact can still be felt, and the future is both exciting and unknown.
Hold back the years, hold back the years
There's a desire to stop or prevent time from moving forward at times, but ultimately we can't control its passage or impact.
Sounds like a friend of mine
Time's consistent presence and influence make it feel almost like a person or friend in our lives.
Time will run to meet, the slick and shiny beat
Time's rhythm and cadence match the ebb and flow of life, sometimes quick and sometimes slow.
A pretty nation sleeps in time
As people rest and sleep, they are still impacted by time and its effect on their bodies, health, aging, etc.
Roll back the years, roll back the years
Wanting to return to a previous time is a common feeling, but also one that can't be fully achieved.
Hold back the tears, hold back the tears
As time moves forward, we may feel nostalgia or sadness, but it's important to keep looking forward instead of getting stuck in the past.
Quiet night of a white hot day
This phrase continues to highlight the contrast and unexpected nature of time and life.
Time, only time, speak for time
The repetition of this line reinforces that time is the ultimate authority in our lives.
Whisper the things that will come our way
Again, even in moments of quiet reflection, we are still impacted by changes and surprises that time brings.
Hold back the tears to another day
Instead of getting too caught up in sadness or missed opportunities from the past, we should keep moving forward and looking for new experiences and opportunities.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHARLES BURCHILL, DEREK FORBES, MEL GAYNOR, JAMES KERR, MICHAEL MC NEIL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind