The Toy Box: Simple Minds

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Retro Spins: Simple Minds - Street Fighting Years

Honestly, I'm not sad that this is my last Simple Minds album to playthrough. I'm a little fatigued at this point by them. It's been okay listening sessions going from 1980's Empires And Dance, to today's final entry, 1989's Street Fighting Years. While I've heard some good stuff, I won't profess that it's made me a diehard fan by any stretch of the imagination.

Though the success of 1985's Once Upon A Time inflated the band's popularity, and finally provided them a breakthrough in the USA, critics weren't often so nice about it. Simple Minds was often compared to U2 and knocked for being what was considered a lesser version of them. Despite this, the two groups actually got along quite well, with Bono joining them on stage that same year to sing.

During their extensive tour, the band released 1987's, Live In The City of Light, a double live album which captured highlights from their current shows. Much like previous studio releases, it shot up the charts, becoming their third consecutive number one in the UK.

Wrapping up touring, they built and launched Bonnie Wee Studio, where Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill and Mick MacNeil began new writing sessions. Initially, they conceived the instrumental project, Aurora Borealis, but this would be supplanted by their increased involvement in political activism. This would lead to them being the first band signed for the Wembley Stadium show, Mandela Day, an expression of solidarity with the then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela.

Though all bands would be asked to produce a song specifically for the event, Simple Minds would be the only ones to do so, the aptly titled, Mandela Day. The studio version, along with a cover of Peter Gabriel's Biko, and Belfast Child would be compiled on the Ballad of the Streets EP, which would also peak at number one in the UK.

Simple Minds would close out the year with 1989's Street Fighting Years, moving away from the more pop rock-oriented sound which provided them their breakthrough, instead replacing it with acoustic and folk music elements. Led by renowned producer, Trevor Horn, this would become their next number one album in the UK, and their first in many other countries. The three tracks noted from the above EP would also be included on the album, as would the bonus song, When Spirits Rise, which was included on CD pressings.

While Mel Gaynor and John Giblin would contribute to portions of the recording, the two would leave abruptly mid-sessions. Both cited creative differences and tensions within the band, with Giblin also stating it was difficult to work with Horn.

Things open with the album's title track, and right away you can tell this isn't the same Simple Minds from four years ago. The best way I can explain it is like the shift in tone between Madonna's 1986 album, True Blue, and her 1989 released Like A Prayer. The music feels more mature on the latter, like the artist has grown up in that time span between releases. That's what Street Fighting Years feels like.

This growth ultimately results in a less pop oriented sound, but rather more adult contemporary. It's a relatively bland experience as a result. I couldn't even tell you that there were standout tracks. Rather, better than worse, and those included Wall Of Love, and Take A Step Back. I do not see myself wanting to ever hear these again though.

Overall, it was pretty bland, and frankly, so was my entire listening session of Simple Minds. Their music was just okay. Nothing to really get excited about. They have hits, I respect that, but I'm not a fan per se.

By 1990, Mick MacNeil had departed, stating he was exhausted from extensive touring. Gaynor would be lured back for 1991's Real Life, but he would depart again after it's recording. See The Light would become a minor hit from the album.

Jim Kerr, and Charlie Burchill would continue on as a duo, releasing 1995's Good News From The Next World. It would produce their final Billboard Hot 100 hit, She's A River.

Derek Forbes and Mel Gaynor would be brought back into the fold for 1998's Néapolis, but by 2001 it was just Kerr and Burchill again, who released Neon Lights, and 2002's Cry. Gaynor would return again for 2005's Black & White 050505, with Simple Minds remaining a trio for 2009's Graffiti Soul, and 2014's Big Music. But, if you guessed it, Gaynor left again, leaving the duo to release 2018's Acoustic. But like any good reunion, he came back for 2018's Walk Between Worlds only to depart again. Kerr and Burchill released the final Simple Minds album to date, 2022's Direction Of The Heart.

Most interesting in all of this, to me, is that not only did the band, albeit a slimmed down version, survive the 90's and 2000's, they managed to stay on the UK charts with each new album. Perhaps even more impressive, five of them were in the top ten. As of 2026, they've seen a high resurgence in popularity, and are currently committed to extensive touring.

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Retro Spins: Simple Minds - Sparkle In The Rain

After a two-year tour, rather than take some time off, Simple Minds jumped back into the studio to deliver Sparkle In The Rain. It would become their biggest selling album to date, surpassing previous album, New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84), on all the charts (with exception of Australia). However, despite charting better, it actually would sell less copies overall.

The band began work on the album while touring for their previous and released their first new single, Waterfront in November 1983. The same day of its release, they began the support tour for Sparkle In The Rain. Waterfront would zoom up multiple charts, taking the number one spot in New Zealand, peak at number five in Ireland, thirteen in the UK, and crack the top twenty in Australia and Sweden.

Upon its release, Sparkle In The Rain would hit number one in the UK, and as noted above, with the exception of Australia, perform better across the board in multiple countries. Though the band would spend most of 1984 touring, taking a break in May for Jim Kerr to marry Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders. Despite having a child together, the two of them fronting their own bands meant they were often apart, making it impossible for them to actually have a relationship. They would divorce in 1990.

But I digress.

Yes, this is the Simple Minds I know. Pop friendly hits, and peppy beats. Not perfect from start to finish, but also not a bad album by any sense of the word. I think I favored what would be considered side "A" of the record. Up On The Catwalk, Speed Your Love To Me, and Waterfront stood out the most, and all from that side of the album.

I will say it's odd how very similar the vocals of Jim Kerr are to Bono. If I didn't know I wasn't listening to U2, I could easily have mistaken it as such. As I continued digging into the history of the band more, this became ironic, since Simple Minds was apparently considered a U2 knockoff by many critics.

Despite their growing success around the world, which included chart topping singles, none of their songs to date would peak on the Billboard Hot 100. It wouldn't be until their 1985 single, Don't You (Forget About Me) from The Breakfast Club that this would happen, and in a massive way. The song would shoot up the charts to number one. Shortly after its release, bassist Derek Forbes would depart, being replaced by John Giblin.

Capitalizing on this momentum, Simple Minds released the album Once Upon A Time that same year. It too would find chart success with Alive And Kicking (peaking at number 3), Sanctify Yourself (14), and All The Things She Said (28). I'll be hopping over that album, as I've already reviewed it in a Retro Spin. Instead, tomorrow I'll be wrapping up my journey through the band with their final release of the decade, Street Fighting Years (1989).

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Retro Spins: Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)

By 1981, Simple Minds had made quite the waves in the UK, having not only successful singles, but full albums. Their previous double album, Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call, would also go gold in the country. Despite this, a global breakthrough had yet to come. That would all change with 1982's New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84).

When they began recording the tracks which would become their next record, Simple Minds wanted to achieve a sound akin to that of their live shows. This desire led to producer, Peter Walsh recording the album in live studio sessions. However, during recording, new drummer, Mike Ogletree's style wouldn't mesh with what the band were going for. Ogletree had recently replaced new drummer, Kenny Hyslop, who also recorded on the album, but find himself too being replaced by Mel Gaynor.

Upon its release, New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) would not only crack the top ten in the UK, but also in New Zealand, Australia, and Switzerland. It would find mild success in Canada, Germany, and the USA, peaking at 57, 47, and 69, respectively. It would further be certified platinum in the UK, Netherlands, and New Zealand, while reaching gold in Canada, France, and Sweden.

The band had already built up a popular following across multiple countries, and by 1983 were beginning to gain traction in the USA. However, despite seeing their albums released abroad by Arista Records, Arista USA had right of first refusal for any US releases, and so far had declined. This would change with their signing to A&M, and this would actually be their first released in the states.

I was definitely down with the more pop oriented sound that the album delivers over previous entries. Mainly, I was happy that I could hear the band I became familiar with in 1985.

Overall, it's a more enjoyable listening session from previous albums, Empires And Dance (1980), which took on a more disco and electronic aspect, and the double album, Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call (1981), which had pop aspects, but just felt bloated. New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) felt focused, and more mainstream appealing. With it came some standout songs, Someone Somewhere In Summertime, Promised You A Miracle, New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84), and Hunter And The Hunted were the standout tracks for me.

Beyond that, I really don't have much more to say about it.

Simple Minds would spend the next two years touring in support of the album, but during this, also work on what would become their next album, 1984's Sparkle In The Rain. It would surpass New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) on the charts, continuing to push the band across the globe. I'll be diving in there tomorrow.

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Retro Spins: Simple Minds - Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call

It's often interesting to go back into the history of bands which I knew of, enjoyed massive hits from, but stayed relatively away from their discographies. Such has been the case with Simple Minds. While I'm only one album in so far, two after today, it's been unique. Playing through their 1980 released Empires And Dance, their third album overall, I was introduced to a disco and electronica infused record. It definitely doesn't echo their 1985 powerhouse, Once Upon A Time, which prior to starting was my only exposure to the band, with exception of their Breakfast Club contribution. It was different, for sure.

As noted yesterday, while the band started on Zoom Records with owner / manager Bruce Findlay, he'd decide to shut the label down, and focus strictly on managing Simple Minds. This would lead them to a deal with Virgin, who would release their 1981 double album, Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call.

While the first 10,000 pressings would release both together, the two would soon be split up. This resulted in some shifts on the charts. The original double album would peak at number eleven in the UK, but only the first half, Sons And Fascination, would chart elsewhere. It would, however, become their first gold certified album.

For me, it was interesting to find that the original pressing of the CD was not the ideal version to own. The reason being that when it was released in 1985, limitations in length were still a factor. Much like Prince's 1999, decisions had to be made on what tracks to cut if it were to be pressed onto disc. Sure, Virgin could have released it as a two-disc set. However, the label would not commit to the increased cost to do so. This resulted in tracks League of Nations, and Sound in 70 Cities, both from Sister Feelings Call, being cut. It wouldn't be until 2003 that a remastered version would contain all fifteen tracks.

The American would become their first single to peak on the UK charts, at number fifty-nine. Love Song would follow, and peak at forty-seven. Additionally, the song would reach the top twenty in Australia, and thirty-eight in Canada.

The album does shift to a more post-punk / new wave sound, and the vocals of Jim Kerr resonate more with the more popularly known era of Simple Minds. Though it still sporadically hits and misses the mainstream sound that would make many, if not most of the tracks radio friendly.

It does have some standout tracks, Sweat In Bullet, Love Song, and Seeing out the Angel from Sons And Fascination, and Theme For Great Cities, and Sound In 70 Cities from Sister Feelings Call. However, as a whole, it's a rather bland and bloated pair of albums. At least for me.

I've yet to hear that one track that makes me say, "Yes, this is what I want from Simple Minds." Or perhaps better stated, I already have, and that's from their 1985 released Once Upon A Time. There are still two more albums to go before getting to that point, so maybe something will pop. At least that's what I'm hoping. As for Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call, it's not really for me. It's not bad, just bloated. Too long for its own good.

Shortly after the recording sessions, Brian McGee would quit, citing the grueling touring schedule had exhausted him, that he didn't feel he was getting the credit he deserved for his contributions, and ultimately wanted to spend more time with his family. The latter is a bit odd of a statement considering he would go on to join the band Endgames, and later Propaganda.

Kenny Hyslop would initially be brought in to replace McGee for the first leg of the tour which followed, and he would also contribute to the studio track, Promised You A Miracle, for the forthcoming album. It would be deemed that Hyslop was not clicking with the other members, and be replaced by Mike Ogletree, who would not only fill in for the second half of the tour, but also record a few tracks for the next album. However, he too would be replaced by Mel Gaynor who finished the album when the band didn't like Ogletree's drumming style.

1982's New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) would serve as the breakthrough album Simple Minds needed. But before I get too far ahead of myself, I first need to get to tomorrow where I'll play through it.

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Retro Spins: Simple Minds - Empires and Dance

Simple Minds is a band that everyone knew in the 80's for their 1985 album, Once Upon A Time, and / or their single for the film The Breakfast Club, Don't You (Forget About Me). However, what people may have missed, me included, is the rich history of albums which came prior to that, and the monumental amount which came after.

The band originated in 1977 as a cover band called Biba-Rom! with friends, Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Tony Donald and Brian McGee filling the lineup. They'd go on to join Johnny & The Self-Abusers with Alan Cairnduff, John Milarky, and Allan McNeill. Following their live debut, they were given the opportunity to open for Generation X, the prior Billy Idol led punk band.

Despite releasing the single, Saints and Sinners, a split had formed within the group with Milarky and McNeill forming one faction and the other consisting of Kerr, Donald, Burchill and McGee. Johnny & The Self-Abusers would subsequently break up the day of the single's release. Milarky and McNeill would form The Cuban Heels, with the others going on to form Simple Minds.

Duncan Barnwell, and Mick MacNeil would join in 1978, and with this lineup in place, garner a residency at the Mars Bar in Glasgow. However, by April, Donald would quit, being replaced by Derek Forbes. No information has been given as to why he left.

While the band was proving to be a popular local act, record labels weren't impressed, with several turning them down. Bruce Findlay, owner of the Bruce's Records chain of record shops and the Zoom Records label would eventually sign on as manager for the band. After being convinced by his friend, Brian Hogg, signed them to his own label, which subsequently had a licensing deal with Arista.

Just before the end of the year, Duncan Barnwell would be asked to leave the band. Though he was well liked, the remaining members felt they didn't need two guitarists. Barnwell was admittedly angered by this, and felt Derek Forbes would step down in sympathy, but didn't.

From November 1978 through September 1981, Simple Minds would be a tight-knit quintet of Kerr, Burchill, MacNeil, Forbes and McGee. Though others would come and go, only the core members would be considered part of the creative and compositional team.

Zoom released their debut, Life In A Day in April 1979, and before the year was done, their follow-up, Real To Real Cacophony. While their debut would peak at number thirty in the UK, it would fail everywhere else. Their second album wouldn't chart anywhere.

Empires And Dance would be released in 1980 but would be their last on Zoom. The reason being that seeing their long-term potential, Bruce would close the label down to focus strictly on managing the band.

Songs would take inspiration from disco and electronica music, which is quite obvious with the opening track, I Travel. As it played, I actually made the comment to myself, "This sounds like a disco album."

The album would put them back on the charts in the UK, peaking at number forty-one, as well as giving them chart success in New Zealand, charting at number forty-seven. Its overall poor performance was blamed on Arista, who would only release the album in small batches.

Playing through it, it's a weird album. Nothing pop or radio friendly. It almost has a Kraftwerk or Devo sound to it. I think the perfect example of this quirkiness can be heard in Twist/Run/Repulsion, which features a chanting drumbeat, a female talking in French, and lead singer echoing his own chanting vocal style. The overall album as a whole caught me off guard. This wasn't at all what I was expecting from Simple Minds. While I wouldn't call it bad, I probably won't ever listen to it again.

As noted above, Findlay closed Zoom Records down with the intensions of focusing on managing the band. This led them to sign with Virgin Records, where they'd experience a boost in popularity with the 1981 double album, Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call. We'll pick up there tomorrow.

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Retro Spins: Simple Minds - Once Upon A Time

I thought Simple Minds were an 80's product. I had no clue they were around in the 70's, releasing their first studio album Life In A Day in 1979. In fact, the band released seven albums before finally hitting my radar in 1985 with songs, Alive And Kicking and Don't You (Forget About Me). I may have to go through their albums to see if there are songs I know from them, but didn't know it was Simple Minds.

That's a project for another time though. For today, I want to actually fire up their 1985 album, Once Upon A Time for a little Alive And Kicking.

The title song is the leading track of the album, and it's not terrible. It sets a pretty solid pop tempo. However, it was track two which took me by surprise. I had forgotten about the song, All The Things She Said.

It was because of this, decided I would head over to the Top Forty pages and see what else I should expect from the album. Both Alive And Kicking and All The Things She Said were present and accounted for on the charts, which was expected. As was Don't You (Forget About Me). However, for that particular song, you'd need to turn to the soundtrack for The Breakfast Club.

Also on the charts was Sanctify Yourself, which admittedly in title, sounded familiar. However, being track seven of eight on the album, I wasn't quite too that one just yet as I typed this sentence. So far though, this was setting itself up to be a solid album.

As for non-hits, Ghost Dancing definitely grabbed my attention. It featured a solid drum beat to it that really sucked me in. I'm such a sucker for percussion. It can make even the worst songs awesome. Oh Jungleland, was good track. I added both to my shuffle list for another listen at a later date.

Looking further into the history of the album, I came across a fun little fact. Apparently when Once Upon A Time was originally released, it featured two versions of covers. Okay, so that's nothing special. However, when you take said covers, you can put four of them together, two of each, to create the full images of the cover. Check it out!

While I couldn't see myself buying four different copies of the album to display it in this manner, I have to admit it's a pretty cool concept. Apparently, this is also how several stores displayed the record on their shelves when it was first released.

Overall, Once Upon A Time was a fantastic album. I can definitely see myself wanting to dig a little further into the band to see what else I may have missed over the years. Fortunately, I have a greatest hits from them too, so I can check out the singles and decide from there.

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