"Wherever you are that night, this is the only night on Earth." - Jim
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Join us in wishing a happy birthday to the wonderful Sarah Brown!
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Real Life, the ninth studio album by Simple Minds, was released 35 years ago this week.
"Something that often gets overlooked and should always be celebrated is the amount of enjoyment that song has given people all over the world for forty years. That’s a gift, too, and one I increasingly appreciate." - Jim
This week in '85: ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ was released as a single in the UK.
This month in 2002, Simple Minds began The Floating World Tour, marking their return to worldwide touring. Were you there?
📸 A poster for the UK leg of the tour.
In April 1982, Simple Minds released ‘Promised You a Miracle’ while still touring Sons and Fascination, issuing it ahead of their next album, New Gold Dream. The single became the band’s first UK hit and led to their debut appearance on Top of the Pops.
Simple Minds will return to California this year to perform at Darker Waves Festival, at Huntington State Beach on Saturday November 14.
The ticket presale begins at 10am PST on Thursday, April 2. General sale follows at 11am PST the same day.
The debut single from Simple Minds, 'Life In A Day', was released on this day in 1979.
Which song was your first introduction to the band?
Wishing a very happy birthday to Ged Grimes today!
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Simple Minds released their eleventh studio album Néapolis this month in 1998, drawing once again on the band’s earlier electronic influences.
Here, Jim reflects on the band’s humour behind the scenes of the 'Glitterball' music video.
“The Master And Margarita by [Mikhail] Bulgakov was one of the greatest novels of the 20th century, and a particular fave of Charlie Burchill's. It became in part the inspiration for some of the ideas behind Sparkle in the Rain's opening track.” - Jim
'Up on the Catwalk' was released as a single this month in 1984.
"Your music talks to me"
Simple Minds perform 'Let There Be Love' live in Edinburgh, 2015. Originally released as the lead single from Real Life this month in 1991.
In 2025, Jim spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about being back on the road with Simple Minds and the connection the band still shares with audiences.
Watch the full interview: bit.ly/JimGHR
On this day in 1991, Simple Minds released 'Let There Be Love', the lead single from their ninth studio album Real Life. The album went on to reach No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and broke into the top 10 across Europe.
Jim and Charlie list their favourite songs to perform on the road.
Watch the full interview: bit.ly/LiveSongsSM
Listen to the 40th anniversary editions of Once Upon A Time - available on vinyl, CD, and digital: simpleminds.ffm.to/onceuponatim...
Arriving just as the band wrapped the winter European leg of the album tour, the single also featured a powerful live version of 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' recorded at The Ahoy as its B-side.
‘All The Things She Said' was released 40 years ago this month as the third single from Once Upon A Time.
"They came on playing Waterfront, gave us the shivers! Watching them with my friend Mhairi at Bellahouston, Glasgow. Their and our hometown. In the rain. Just wonderful." - Jane
"Lytham St Annes with Texas & Cast was one hell of a show, but as always for me, the Taormina gig two nights this time was absolutely outstanding. The sound was phenomenal. Let There Be Love & See The Lights brought a tear to my eyes." - David
"Werchter was an absolute highlight for me. The sense of togetherness and becoming one through music was truly breathtaking. Young people and older ones (like me) who love different genres respected and appreciated each other. What a heartwarming feeling." - Ann
We’ve loved reading your favourite memories from the 2024/25 Simple Minds tours. Here are a few you’ve shared:
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Thirty years later, in 2015, the band performed the song on the Billboard Music Awards stage to mark the anniversary of it topping the US chart, introduced by the film’s star, Molly Ringwald.
On this day in 1985, Simple Minds released ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ as a single in the US. The song went on to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band’s biggest international hit and defining a generation through its association with The Breakfast Club.
"When the Belfast Child sings again."
Released this month in 1989, Belfast Child has long been a highlight of Simple Minds’ live shows. In 2008, the band performed the song at Night of the Proms with the incredible Sinéad O’Connor.
Last year at The Piece Hall, Cherisse spoke with Chris Hawkins about her time in Simple Minds and the craft behind her drumming.
Watch the full interview here: bit.ly/PieceHallSM
"I open up to take a look into the bright and shiny book"
Book of Brilliant Things - Live at Nuits de Fourvière, 2024.
