Simple Minds - 'Real Life'

As a rule, I always listen to albums only on a Saturday night, so the perfect atmosphere is set to be faithful to what the artist is trying to say.

The one exception I have to this rule is the 1991 Simple Minds album Real Life.

Real Life was the first Simple Minds album I really got into, and I had only previously discovered Talk Talk, New Order and Pet Shop Boys. It was my older brother’s cassette which he had lost when burglars broke into his car, and the replacement cassette cost him nearly £2 more (quite a difference when the value of the pound at the time is taken into account).

Anyway, I can remember him driving with me in south Wales in 1995, where there was hardly any traffic on the roads on Easter Sunday. I don’t recommend driving whilst listening to music, but Real Life fitted the moment perfectly. If there were only album I would want to hear performed live from start to finish, it would be Real Life. In a dark, navy setting, about 5000 guests, with Jim introducing it in as many words “If you guys want to listen, then I’ve something to say...”.

It is now the only album I listen to at any other time than Saturday night. Try listening to it at 7pm on Easter Sunday, as the sun goes down When Two World’s Collide.

Are you having a fucking laugh?

Empress Touch wrote: As a rule, I always listen to albums only on a Saturday night, so the perfect atmosphere is set to be faithful to what the artist is trying to say.

you WHAT? You saying albums are only for Saturday nights, or is that when the nurse lets you put the stereo on?

Empress Touch wrote:

It was my older brother’s cassette which he had lost when burglars broke into his car, and the replacement cassette cost him nearly £2 more (quite a difference when the value of the pound at the time is taken into account).

You should've checked the bargain bins. The price of bread went up, definitely.

Empress Touch wrote: I don’t recommend driving whilst listening to music from start to finish.

WHY? Do you cum on the steering wheel to the strains of Jim Kerr desecrating Irish folk songs with a smug 'I was knobbing Patsy Kensit at the time, before she moved on to a proper rock star' grin?

Empress Touch wrote:

In a dark, navy setting, about 5000 guests, with Jim introducing it in as many words “If you guys want to listen, then I’ve something to say...”.

So you want to be surrounded by 5000 sailors?

Empress Touch wrote: Simple Minds

Fookin awful band

You've surpassed yerself Empress lad with that load of twaddle Only listening to albums on a Saturday night? Don't listen to music while driving? Watching Simple Minds live in a "Navy" setting? You've made me laugh my ass off here and gone some way to clearing my hangover this morning. Priceless you are, Empress lad

Band named after a lyric from Bowie 'simple minded' erm well yea

Real laugh more like.

forget about

New Gold Dream had some good stuff. Was listening to Glittering Prize, Big Sleep, New Gold Dream, Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel and Someone Somewhere In Summertime on Friday arvo, not Saturday at 7pm. Try it, Empress lad, go on - break the rules now and again ...

Jim Kerr wasn't too annoying on New Gold Dream. Prize twat now though and certainly wouldn't like to watch him live as one of a guest among 5,000 sailors in a dark, navy setting

Now Kerr isn't too bad here. Big Sleep from New Gold Dream. He was still quite dignified and restrained here, as is the song. This was before they descended into BIG STADIUM PISS AND ARROGANCE. Before the slippery slope into bombastic big stadium wankery

The only decent song they have done is ' Don't you forget about me' for the film Breakfast Club, which they didn't even write. It was hoped Bryan Ferry or Billy Idol would record it but they declined it.

Simple Minds are the poor mans U2

Simple Minds????!!!!

SIMPLE BLOODY MINDS?!?!?!?!??

The second rate UPoo (as of 1984 onwards - UPoo2 anyone?)???!!!

The last decent thing they ever did was the album Empires and Dance.

However, a couple of the singles from New Gold Dream were pretty good too.

Then they discovered Steve Lillywhite and, the rest, as they (Johnny and Ger boy) say, is pompous overblown stadium wank.

Oh and the less said about Live Aid the better.

Oh, by the way, nomination for one of the worst cover versions ever goes to them and their priceless rendition of Prince's "Sign o The Times" - for anybody who has ever not heard it.... PLEASE DON'T BOTHER!!

Real Life came out the same day as Massive Attack's 'Blue Lines'... I had enough money to get one on cd and one on tape... I got Real Life on cd. Bad mistake, I played it once and never again and I still love Blue Lines to this day...

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote: Oh, by the way, nomination for one of the worst cover versions ever goes to them and their priceless rendition of Prince's "Sign o The Times" - for anybody who has ever not heard it.... PLEASE DON'T BOTHER!!

Oh hell I've gone and done it -- I checked it out on youtube, horrible! I don't see why some artists feel compelled to remake songs when they put absolutely no effort into making it their own original rendition. Case in point -- check out Annie Lennox's version of "Train in Vain" -- it's different, and it's great.

I guess that can also backfire though -- other case in point, George Michael!

Simple Minds always gave good drums, proper baseball bat stuff.

I can live without the more Belfast Child sort of stuff (because I dont give a shit) but earlier on they were alright.

Albums on a Saturday night only? What if Ant & Dec are on?

listen to their first couple of albums instead - they're great

I wonder what's on the listening agenda tonight,Simple Minds last week,Tears For Fears maybe? Raul And The Kings Of Spain...

cranelane wrote: I wonder what's on the listening agenda tonight,Simple Minds last week,Tears For Fears maybe? Raul And The Kings Of Spain...

I reckon 'Hue & Cry' :)

cranelane wrote: I wonder what's on the listening agenda tonight,Simple Minds last week,Tears For Fears maybe? Raul And The Kings Of Spain...

Tears for Fears are too good. If he's feeling a bit dangerous he loves a bit of DM, otherwise, my money is on Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones or A-ha. He fucking loves A-ha. The thought of Morten Harket whispering 'take onnnn meeee' in his ear will probably prevail...

... well, try not to smoke that sheit!

Ok. I admit it. The summer of 1991 when I was living in Thailand I got a hold of the Real Life cassette and listened the hell out of it. Haven't listened to it since, tho'.

'Don't You Forget about Me' is fucking brilliant, however!