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Rating: The release and sales of the single "Don't You (Forget About Me)" had given the band more fame in a few months than it had achieved in nearly ten years of activity. The international recognition obtained, thanks to the musical freshness of those two new wave offspring manifestos, which were (and remain!) "New Gold Dream (81,82,83,84)" and "Sparkle in the Rain", had indeed opened the doors of fame for the Scottish group. But without the appetizing and energetic "Alive and Kicking" and "Sanctify Yourself" driving the captivating pomp of "Once Upon a Time", the story of Jim Kerr & company might have been different.
The tour supporting their seventh album, starting at the Mid Hudson Civic in Poughkeepsie (New York), surpassed 140 dates, giving the Simple Minds the opportunity to travel extensively across the U.S.A., Europe but also Japan and Australia, ending the concert tour on November 9, 1986, at the Western Springs in Auckland, New Zealand. Crowds were guaranteed by music even more destined for the masses, which, without losing quality, earned the Scottish ensemble the deservedly achieved stardom.
In May 1987, it was easy to spot the band's first daring live album on the shelves, compiled from the exuberant performances of the latest worldwide tour. It is easy to see the great comfort the band crafts on stage, making live performances a true celebration of that unique relationship created between the audience and musicians. The initial whips of "Ghostdancing" throw you without much ceremony into the mass involvement that doesn't leave you indifferent, and radiant tracks like "Big Sleep" or "Book of Brilliant Things" keep it consistently high. The re-enactment of genuine gems like "Promised You a Miracle" and "Someone, Somewhere in Summertime" (exceptionally taken from the concert at Sydney's Entertainment) does everything to stay etched in the collective imagination. A great medley that sees the revival of "Love Song" (from "Sons and Fascination" of 1981) and "Dance to the Music" along with the protest song "Sun City" give life to one of the most fiery moments of the show. Among the highlights "Don't You (Forget About Me)" and "Alive and Kicking" that warm and enchant the Zenith of Paris (the majority of the tracks are taken from the dates of August 12 and 13, 1986), leaving the closing of the act to that enveloping golden dream, where the lushness of MacNeil (keyboards) and the embellishments of Burchill (guitar) fused with Kerr's dark declarations create an anthem of undisputed potential.
A double album that traces the career of the group, favoring the more recent tracks without forgetting the moments of first splendor to which long-time fans are always more attached. Just over eighty minutes that let the music pour out through the speakers, which to many may seem pre-packaged, but in which any attentive ear will perceive the remarkable quality and the fatal impact that together elevate the fate of a decade undeservedly remembered almost always for mascara and sequins.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Ghostdancing (07:22)
Cities, buildings falling down
Satellites come crashing down
I see them falling out the skies like eagles
All mirrored glass and shattered egos
But in a corner of the world we'd meet to laugh and drink and plan our sequels
'Cause in the alleyways and bars downtown
They're singing up from here to there can we go
This city comes alive at night, see these city walls are heaving
And if these old city walls should crash, amid the rubble you'd find us breathing
Come say what you see in me
'Cause boy, I believe in you
Come say what you're seeing
All gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
You talk about the Lebanon
You tell me 'bout the Dawn in Eden
You talk about South Africa
I tell you about the Irish children
You say one more Polish Knight could come and blow away the doors to Freedom
And if Mother Ethiopia could blow away the tears that we see run
O blow them away,
Blow, blow away
We Will blow them away
O blow, blow away
Blow, blow away
Blow, blow away
Come say what you see in me
'Cause boy, I believe in you
Come say what you're seeing
They're all gone just ghost dancing, going all the way through
You know I believe in you
Oh yes I believe, you know I believe in you
You say you believe
I believe, I believe, going all the way through, yeah
Come take me back home, come on and take me away
Ghost Dancing
The car pulled up, the girl she jumped in
The boy he wore a medal that was shining from his skin
With the windows pulled up, their radio tuned in
She's hitting from the stars, he's hitting for the moon
She said, one last kiss while you look across the Land
Move it into overdrive and take me by my hand
When the car broke, the rebels saw smoke
and they all went to heaven in a stupid fantasy, go
Take me away
02 Big Sleep (04:27)
So where did you go?
Where do you go in the big sleep?
Going out in the deep sleep.
Is where you're wandering now?
So where did you go?
When you're in the big sleep?
Drifting in wildlife,
And still you're wandering now.
We were on the top and the world was spinning,
We were only young in the whirlpool of warning.
Communication lost in the thundering rain style,
A shelter from the storm in the early beginning,
Going out in the big sleep, out in the big sleep,
Could have been years, you know it could have been years,
Or only seconds ago.
Big Sleep, deep sleep.
Where are you now?
Now that you're up in big sleep.
Valuable friend,
They saw you leaving this way.
We were on the top and the world was spinning,
We were only young in the whirlpool of warning.
Communication lost in the thundering rain style,
A shelter from the storm in the early beginning.
Where did you go?
Immaculate friend.
For a lifetime I'm grateful,
And it's only seconds away.
Big Sleep, deep sleep.
For evermore.
If only you could see me,
If only you could see me,
If only you could see,
Forever.
Coming home in the big sleep,
Coming home.
03 Waterfront (05:21)
Get in, get out of the rain
I'm goin' to move on up to the Waterfront
Step in, step out of the rain
I'm goin' to walk on up to the Waterfront
Said, one million years from today
I'm goin' to step on up to the Waterfront
Get in, get out of the rain
Come in, come out of the rain
So far, so good, so close, yet still so far
So far, so good, so close, yet still so
So far, so far, so far
The rain, I'm going to move on up to the Waterfront
Step in, step out of the rain
I'm going to walk on up to the Waterfront
Said, one million years from today
Step on up to the Waterfront
Said, come in, come out of the rain
Said, come in, come out of the rain
Said, come in, come out of the rain
I'm goin' to move on up to the front
I'm goin' to walk on up to the front
I'm goin' to live on up by the front
I'm goin' to walk on up to the front
Come in, come out of the rain
Come in, come out of the rain
Said, come in, come out of the rain
Come in, come out of the rain
Move on up, to step on up
Walk on up, live on up
Far away, far away, far away
So, walk away, so far, I walk away
So, so, walk away, up to the Waterfront
Up to the Waterfront
So far, so far
04 Promised You A Miracle (04:38)
Promised you a miracle.
Belief is a beauty thing.
Promises promises,
As golden days break wondering.
Chance as love takes a train.
Summer breeze and brilliant light.
Only love she sees,
He controls on love,
Love sails to a new life.
Promised you a miracle.
Belief is a beauty thing.
Promises promises,
As golden days break wondering.
Only love she sees.
He controls on love.
Life mirrors a cure.
Everything is possible,
With promises.
Everything is possible.
Oh no.
I promised you a miracle.
Belief is a beauty thing.
Promises promises,
As golden days break wondering.
Chance reflects on them a while,
Love screams so quietly.
Slipping back on golden times,
Breathing with sweet memories.
Promised you a miracle.
Belief is a beauty thing.
Promises promises,
As golden days break wondering.
Only love she sees.
He controls on love.
Life mirrors a cure.
Everything is possible in the game of life.
Everything is possible.
Oh no.
Chance lost pearls of great price,
Take care of family,
Only aches for love,
Love waits for fame,
In chance, in chance, they'll see.
I promised you a miracle.
Belief is a beauty thing.
Promises promises,
As golden days break wondering.
Only love she sees.
He controls on love.
Life throws a cure.
Everything is possible in the game of life,
A burning dream.
You can be Queen.
Everything is possible
05 Someone Somewhere In Summertime (05:59)
Stay
I'm burning slow
With me in the rain
Walking in the soft rain
Calling out my name
See me burning slow
Brilliant days
Wake up on brilliant days
Shadows of brilliant ways will change all the time
Memories
Burning gold memories
Gold of day memories change me in these times
Somewhere there is some place
That one million eyes can't see
And somewhere there is someone
Who can see what I can see
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Moments burn
Slow burning golden nights
Once more see city lights
Holding candles to the flame
Brilliant days
Wake up on brilliant days
Shadows of brilliant ways will change me all the time
Somewhere there is some place
That one million eyes can't see
And somewhere there is someone
Who can see what I can see
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
Someone Somewhere In Summertime
06 Oh Jungleland (06:35)
Somebody's screaming out
Somebody's knocking out
Somebody's calling out, come hear it again
Street bells are ringing out
Young girls are singing out
Boys are building up to be men
You've got the love
Then here comes the blood last
The father, the mother, the sister, the chain
Sweet inspirations
Or a cold hearted nations baby
The young man, the brothers, the killers explain
Oh Jungleland
They call you home sweet home
You make me feel so sad, to leave here all alone
But there is a kid called Hope
And he's holding out his hand
He sees the Northern Lights
above this highrise land
Oh Jungleland
Oh Jungleland
Oh Jungleland
In the city, get out the city pretty quick
I've got a prayer, I wanna sing it to you
It says, may little children forget the wild things
But no one listens cause nobody cares
When you've got the love drugs
And you've got the long nights
You got the heartbeat that spirals to heaven
Here comes summer, here comes violence
Over your shoulder the soul boy explains
Oh Jungleland
They call you home sweet home
You make me feel so sad, to leave here all alone
But there is a kid called Hope
And he's holding out his hand
He sees the Northern Lights
above the highrise land
But blood is thicker than water
But blood is sweeter than Holy Lands
Unto the Devil a daughter
When my love sings it's an angel song she sings it
Don't look back, never look back
Don't look back, never look back
Oh Jungleland
Words And Music : Simple Minds (C) EMI Music (Publ) Ltd Reproduced without permission
07 Alive And Kicking (06:25)
You turn me on
You lift me up
Like the sweetest cup
I share with you
You lift me up
Don't you ever stop
I'm here with you
Now it's all or nothing
'Cause you said
You'll follow through
You follow me
And I, I, I follow you
(What you gonna do when things go wrong
What you gonna do when it all cracks up
What you gonna do when the love burns down
What you gonna do when the flames go up
Who is gonna come and turn the tide
What's it gonna take)
To make a dream survive
(Who's got the touch)
To calm a storm inside
(Who's gonna save you)
Alive and kicking
Stay until your love is
Alive and kicking
Stay until your love is
Until your love is
Alive
Oh
You lift me up
To the crucial top
So I can see
Oh
You lead me on
'Til the feelings come
And the lights that shine on
But if that don't mean nothing
Like if someday it should fall through
You take me home
Where the magic's from
And I'll be with you
(What you gonna do when things go wrong
What you gonna do when it all cracks up
What you gonna do when your love burns down
What you gonna do when the flames go up
Who is gonna come and turn the tides
What's it gonna take)
To make a dream survive
(Who's got the touch)
To calm a storm inside
(Don't say goodbye
Don't say goodbye
In the final seconds
Who's gonna save you)
Oooh, oh
Oh
(Ba da da da)
Alive and kicking
Oh
Stay until your love is
Love is
Alive and kicking
Oooh, oh
Oh
(Ba da da da)
Alive and kicking
Oh
Stay until your love is
Love is
(Ba da da da)
Alive and kicking
Oooh, oh
Alive and kicking
Stay until your love is
Alive and kicking
Oh
Ba da da da
Ba ba da da da
Ba ba da oh
Ba da oh
Ba da da da
Ba ba da da da
Ba ba da oh
Ba da oh
(Ba da da da
Ba ba da da da
Ba ba da oh
Ba da oh)
Stay until your love is
(Ba da da da
Ba ba da da da)
Alive and kicking
(Ba ba da oh
Ba da oh)
Oh
Stay until your love is
(Ba da da da
Ba ba da da da)
Until it is
(Ba ba da oh
Ba da oh
Ba da da da
Ba ba da da da).
09 Once Upon A Time (06:06)
And you
Yes you speak to me tonight
And you say so, say so
That once upon a time
When love, love was a white dove
And hope, long live hope, could spin the whole world 'round
I'm talking east to west
I'm talking lost and found
Get up to the mountain top
I'm going to drop unto the ground
That's once upon a time
You raise me up when I know you're around
But God only knows, what God only knows
You lift me up and you spin me around
God only knows, but God only knows
That's time
Time looked around herself
Time got excited
That's when we all got started
Still I hear you, yes still you speak to me tonight
You say then how come out of love, is all this cruelty arising?
Well I said, look, well will you look at you, you're frightened
I see that you smile through weariness
But there is not much else enlightened
Well, that's a question down to time
You life me up when I know you're around
God only knows, God only knows
Still you raise me up when I know you're around
God only knows, God only knows
That's time
Words And Music : Simple Minds (C) EMI Music (Publ) Ltd Reproduced without permission
11 East At Easter (04:20)
We go walking, hand in hand
All across the land it's East At Easter
People walking hand in hand
When ships are moving south it will be East at Easter
We will rock you, rock you little child
We will rock you, rock you little child
All across the land it's East At Easter
All across the land it's East At Easter
Things will lighten up the sky, East At Easter
Things will lighten up the sky, East At Easter
We'll go walking hand in hand
'Cause all across the land it will be East At Easter
Ah, we will rock you, rock you little child
We will rock you, rock you little child
All across the land it's East At Easter
When ships go moving south it will be East At Easter
They're gonna lighten up the sky
They're gonna lighten up the sky
They're gonna lighten up the sky
East At Easter
Ah, we'll go walking hand in hand
We'll go walking hand in hand, yes
We will rock you, rock you little child
We will rock you, rock you
Rock you little child
They're gonna lighten up the sky
When they lighten up the sky it will be East At Easter
We will rock you, rock you, rock you
Words & Music : James Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Mel Gaynor, Derek Forbes, Michael MacNeil (C) EMI Publishing Ltd Reproduced without permission
12 Sanctify Yourself (07:06)
Is this the age of the thunder and rage
Can you feel the ground move 'round your feet
If you take one step closer, it'll lead to another
The crossroad above is where we meet
I shout out for shelter, I need you for something
The whole world is out, they're all on the street
Control yourself, love is all you need
Control yourself, in your eyes
Sanctify yourself, sanctify
Be apart of me, sanctify
Sanctify yourself, sanctify
Sanctify yourself, set yourself free
In pictures of living, in bloodshot a vision
Sweet miracles and strange circumstances
I see the sun up, the showdown, the cool winds that blow down
On the big beat that life-long romance is
You've got a gun in your hand, you're making self plans
Stay with me all through the night
Control yourself, love is all you need
Control yourself, open up your heart
Sanctify yourself, sanctify
Be apart of me, sanctify
Sanctify yourself, sanctify
Sanctify yourself, set yourself free
You can't stop the world for a boy or a girl
Sweet victims of poor circumstances
But you can pour back the love, sweeping down from above
Giving hope and making more chances
Well, I hope and I pray that maybe someday
You'll come back down here and show me the way
Control yourself, love is all you need
Control yourself, open up your heart
Open up your heart
Sanctify yourself, sanctify
Sanctify yourself, sanctify
Sanctify yourself, set yourself free
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