Simple Minds: Still alive and kicking

Simple Minds has inked a record deal with new label W14/Universal and plans to have a new album out in 2008. The band's official website also says to expect a tour next year.

This is great news for long-suffering fans of the Glasgow, Scotland, band who can't seem to get enough of Jim Kerr and his supporting cast. Simple Minds hasn't toured the U.S. since 2002, but recently completed a short tour of Australia and New Zealand.

If you're never seen them live, you're missing out. I caught their 1986 tour at Tampa's now demolished Curtis Hixon Hall after their "Once Upon a Time" album and it's easily one of the top 3 shows I've seen live. I only knew two songs beforehand, but went out and bought their entire catalog afterward.

The band celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, though it has been 22 years since their only No. 1 single in the U.S. -- "Don't You (Forget About Me)." As many hard-core fans know, the song wasn't even written by the band, but instead by soundtrack composer and Billy Idol producer Keith Forsey. (In fact, Billy Idol and Bryan Ferry both turned down the song before it landed in the lap of Simple Minds.)

But is that truly their greatest tune? Not even close.

TOP 5 SIMPLE MINDS TUNES OF THE 80s:

5. Don't You (Forget About Me): "It's my feeling we'll win in the end."

4. Someone, Somewhere in Summertime: "Somewhere there is some place, that one million eyes can't see."

3. Waterfront: "Come in, come out of the rain."

2. All the Things She Said: "Take me in your arms and I'll fade away."

1. Alive and Kicking: "You lift me up, don't you ever stop, I'm here with you."

Comments

[Elliot Garcia]

I cannot believe you left off "Promise You a Miracle" off...you really need to stop with these lists....

[80sfan]

Not an 80s tune but See the Lights is one of my all-time favorite songs. Period.

[Spears]

I'm not a fan of "Promise You a Miracle." I don't know why. But it's definitely not in the same class with some of their other stuff.

[Mike in Austin]

Steve, Steve, Steve.....Promise You a Miracle needs to be on the list. That was the first Simple Minds album I bought on cassette. It is a great song. Worry not my brother from another mother, I love your lists.

M in A

[Spears]

I can't do it! I've heard it too many times. Can't make me!

[Tom]

How about "Sanctify Yourself" I thought that was a good companion piece with "All the Things She Said". I'm really tired of "Don't you..." another one of those overplayed songs.

[Spears]

The entire "Once Upon a Time" album is just fantastic. I was trying not to pick all 5 songs from that disc.

[Jeff in Cuba]

"Sanctify Yourself" is a frequent-flyer on my radio show playlist due in no small part to the fact that I always substitute it when anyone requests "Don't you.." My show, my rules.

[malibu]

Up On The Catwalk! And Sparkle in the Rain is their best album, by far.

[Boe]

I was at that show. My girlfriend of the time had won tickets. I believe she stayed my girlfriend just long enough for me to attend that show. I've never heard so many people singing la la la la la at the same time. It was a great show.

[Spears]

The Curtis Hixon Hall show in Tampa, I think, was the band's second stop on that tour. The played Miami the day before. And Jim Kerr just looked so happy to be there. A really great performer. I forget what they opened up with, but I think it was "Waterfront."

Another great song from that tour was "Ghostdancing."

[Dennis]

80es-wise I am definetely more a fan of the pre-stadiumrock days (without the uh-ohs, lalalalas + heyheyheyhey), if it comes to my fave Simple Minds songs + I just concentrate on the 80es (otherwise See The Lights would definetely be included) - here are my Top 5...
05. Big Sleep
04. Waterfront
03. Seeing Out The Angel
02. East At Easter
01. New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)

[Bassnote]

I never got the chance to see Simple Minds live, but I love their music. It is hard to just pick 5.

5. Don't You (Forget About Me) - Completely for sentimental reasons. I graduated highschool in '85, and this was like a theme song for my friends and I.

4. Promised You A Miracle

3. Up On the Catwalk

2. Oh Jungleland

1. Alive And Kicking

[Jack3d]

I was at the Curtis Hixon Show. Didn't The Call (And the Walls Came Down)open up? I also remember Jim Kerr either scolding security for not letting people dance in the aisle or scolding people for fighting to get close to the stage. One of the great concerts that I saw at Curtis Hixon.

[Spears]

Yes, The Call did open the show. And they were great as well. I think they might have just played with the house lights on. I liked their show so much, I bought their album the next day.

[Lou from Tampa]

Hey Steve,
I saw that show at Curtis', too -- was trying to remember what venue it was at. I went in my Jim Kerr/Talking Heads over-sized zoot suit with my big-haired girlfriend. It was a great show, especially when they performed Alive and Kicking -- the black female vocalist just rocked the house.

[Cyborgia Tawain]

One of the most successful bands of their generation; Simple Minds will take a break from the preparations of their new album to celebrate their 30th Anniversary with a series of six rare UK concerts during November and December.

The concerts celebrates 30 glorious years dating back to the first time Simple Minds played their very first concert on January 17th at the Satellite City Club in Glasgow, as the support act to Steel Pulse.

Simple Minds will perform for the first time the entirety of their multi-million selling 1982 album 'New Gold Dream' featuring the hits Promised You a Miracle, Glittering Prize, and Someone, Somewhere (In Summertime).

Simple Minds: 2008 Tour Dates

Nov 27th – Manchester MEN Arena
Nov 28th – Birmingham NEC
Nov 29th – London Wembley Arena
Dec 1st – Sheffield Arena Tuesday
Dec 2nd – Cardiff Arena
Dec 4th – Glasgow SECC

Tickets on sale at Friday 7th March from 9am GMT

Ticket Hotline: 0871 424 4444 or
Book Online: www.ticketline.co.uk