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Simple Minds


A little something about Simple Minds
By 1977 singer Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill had already tired of the angst and noise of their Glasgow punk band, Johny and the Self Abusers. Inspired by the experimental music of contemporaries Brian Eno and David Bowie, they abandoned punk and put together Simple Minds. The early history of Simple Minds is a pretty standard one for successful UK pop/rock acts: they impressed audiences with their combination of punk energy and good musicianship, they won over critics, had some success at home, were picked up by US college stations, and after a couple of years MTV and the American audience caught on and made them rich and famous. Their first US exposure came in 1983 with the mild success of single "Promised You A Miracle." Before making major headlines with their music, singer Kerr made headlines by marrying Chrissie Hynde in 1984, with whom Kerr had spent some time as his band tour with The Pretenders. 1985 was definitely the band's year. They were asked to record a song for the Breakfast Club soundtrack, and though they initially refused because they thought the lyrics were "inane," it proved to be the band's breakthrough and biggest hit. The powerful if inane "Don't You (Forget About Me)" made number one in the US - their previous high mark on the American charts had been 69. That same year the band released the album Once Upon A Time, and had hits with "All The Things She Said," "Sanctify Yourself" and "Alive And Kicking." That was about it commercially for the band in the US. They keep churning out good albums but can't seem to sell them here, though it would seem European audiences don't give up on a good thing so quickly. Kerr and Hynde were divorced, and in 1992 Kerr married actress Patsy Kensit.
Lyrics featured below: "Don't you forget about me", "Alive and Kicking" , "Sanctify Yourself" , "Promised you a miracle"



Don't you forget about me

Won't you come see about meI'll be alone, dancing --- you know it BabyTell me your troubles and doubtsGiving me everything inside and outLove's strange --- so real in the darkThink of the tender thingsThat we were working onSlow change may pull us apartWhen the light gets into your heart, BabyDon't you forget about meDon't, don't, don't, don'tDon't you forget about meWill you stand above meLook my way, never love meRain keeps fallingRain keeps fallingDown, down, downWill you recognize meCall my name or walk on byRain keeps fallingRain keeps fallingDown, down, downDon't you try and pretendIt's my beginningWe'll win in the endI won't harm youOr touch your defensesVanity, insecurityDon't you forget about meI'll be alone, dancing --- you know it, BabyGoing to take you apartI'll put us back together at heart, BabyDon't you forget about meDon't, don't, don't, don'tDon't you forget about meAs you walk on byWill you call my nameAs you walk on byWill you call my nameWhen you walk awayOh, will you walk awayWill walk awayOh, call my nameWill you call my name

Alive and Kicking

You turn me on
You lift me up
And like the sweetest cup 
I'd 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 say you'll follow through
You follow me and 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 the 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
'Till the feelings come
and the lights that shine on
But if that don't mean nothing
Like if someday it should fall through
You'll 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 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 the storm inside?
Don't say goodbye
Don't say goodbye
In the final seconds 
Who's gonna save you?

Oh, alive and kicking
Stay until your love is, love is
Alive and kicking
Oh, Alive and kicking
Stay until your love is, love is
Alive and kicking



Sanctify Yourself 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
Promised you a miracle 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 One 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