Released 33 years ago this very week, "Once Upon A Time" is the album that brought Simple Minds a level of success that truly went beyond our dreams. A kind of success in fact that all these years later we still partly live off, still finding it hard to believe that it brought us 3 songs that featured in the very top end of the Billboard singles charts - as well as top positions in countless countries worldwide.
(The album itself achieved platinum status in myriad territories, sealing Simple Minds position then as possibly one of the most popular bands of our generation.)
So far - so good then. Except that commercial glory was not matched with much critical glory. Particularly in the UK - OUAT was given the cold shoulder by a whole host of journalists, who all felt that Simple Minds had seemingly become "too big for their boots." That we were being far too audacious etc, by courting what they believed was apparently a "sell - out " to American tastes.
For them, "the rot " had somehow set in with the No1 success of Don't You forget About Me.
Their logic seemed to be that the more popular we became, the poorer we became as artists.
And who were we to deny them their opinions - to which they were - and still are - entitled to?
Then again, you are not likely to see any written opinions about anything from most of those journalists who seemed to delight in taking a (metaphorical) axe to our art back in those days.
The reason is that just about all of them are no longer in the journalistic profession. Their own careers petered out within a decade or so afterwards, even sooner in many cases. Sadder still, most of the publications that they wrote for are now in the great publishing graveyards. All just about went out business already a long time ago, their reputations now little more than an increasingly distant footnote within a faded history of pop culture
No longer alive in kicking then? Plenty would alternately vouch that Simple Minds most certainly are? We in turn would thank them for that.
Such is the way the cookie crumbles!
I coincidentally heard two tracks from OUAT on radio during these past two days.
All The Things She Said, Alive And Kicking, respectively.
What can I tell you? More than 3 decades later they struck me as still sounding like great, big, powerful, pop songs. Full of melody and with a creative vision that I reckon was hitting on some kind of peak.
As for the live versions of those songs that we play with full heart every night on tour?
Those anthems that never fail to leave audiences jumping up and down, as they sing their hearts out while accompanying us?
Well, how right it was of us to follow our muse back in 1985. To pursue the creative vision and style behind those songs that feature on once Upon A Time.
And how courageous likewise, to pay little attention to the naysayers when they were tripping over each other to declare that Simple Minds had chosen the wrong path.
Same as it ever was!
It was Xmas that year(1985) I got OUAT on cassette tape with a new Walkman😄....it was the time I truly got into Simple Minds. I then took the journey backwards to the earlier stuff and the beauty of SM’s music is that it isn’t ‘samey ‘....That’s whole thing for me and what so called critics miss....From new wave to soft rock and in between. A great journey 👍🏻
Scratching my head at any negative reviews of this album. Still listen to this album today and it still sounds fresh. One of the albums that contributed to the soundtrack of my life growing up. Truly an “album of brilliant things!”
My brief foray into being “a fan” of the time. I use quotation marks because...I just feel they are required because I was a fair-weather fan then. You guys were just one of several. I was also getting into Bowie then...that love affair SOMEWHAT took over. If I was wanting ANY track to be played live right now? It would be Ghostdancing. It played on shuffle mode this morning and it sounds as fab as ever. I’ve not heard it live at any gigs I’ve been to...so, just bear that one in mind for future for me, please, Jim?
It was the first Simple Minds album I ever bought. Went straight back to the store and bought New Gold Dream and Sparkle in the Rain. And the rest is history. I had fallen in love !!! ❤😘
Simple Minds, it is truly a tightrope you walk (between worlds?) - playing the role of human time machine to a generation of fans, while continuing to create and grow as artists. I for one think you’ve handled it brilliantly.
Still listen to this album today,also bought some of the back catalogue,Simple Minds were the soundtrack of my teens,still get goosebumps listening to your music,brings back amazing memories,thank you👏👏👏👏👏👏
The album of my teenage years. Off the back of that album simple minds were the 1st band i saw live. Milton Keynes bowl 86 i think.
Fantastic album, hard to pick a favourite 🤔 Goes to show what the critics know. U2's latest album got panned by critics yet I think it's their best work since the early 90's...all opinions but I find some criticism of certain albums/songs baffling I have to say. Me and my other half have seen both Simple Minds and this weekend just gone, U2, and both remarked how you're still blowing our socks off both live and in the studio...nobody else seems to be coming through, God knows who we'll be watching live in 10-20 years when yourself, Springsteen and U2 hang up your instruments and pens. Alive and Kicking couldn't be more appropriate!!
I am a bit disappointed about this post. Whats the point of making a big nose about the fact that most music journalists of that time lost their jobs and you did not ? Justice done or something like that? These people juist did their jobs. I am a big fan of yours but hey I still love NGD more than OUAT. So what, nothing for you to be bitter about! Simple Minds Official
Walk your path, Jim. Those who choose to follow will do so. If you write and perform to please others, that lack of ownership will bleed into the music and the performances to create a tainted product. SM are where they are today because your blood, sweat, and tears are pure and unfiltered. We can see that, and we, your fans, return the same to you.
It's a mystery to me why this album is so often the subject of much loathing. I recall buying it without reading a word from the haters and loving it from start to finish. My only criticism of those heady days was the fact that instrumental versions of the songs appeared on the B-side of the singles. Apart from that Once Upon A Time remains one of the most played Simple Minds albums in our house. Still Alive and Still Kicking, good on you Jim, Charlie and the rest of the SM crew.
Those so called music journalists used to make me laugh. They posed and haughtily aired their views on many fine bands who did not deserve some of their smug views. I always wondered why they chose to like or unlike bands depending on how cool they would appear to their readers. The truth is most of them were just failed artists themselves or sufferd from inferiority complexes! Sometimes when reviewing live performances I would ask myself..were they really there or did they sulk because their egos hadn't been licked enough by more talented writers? I think that Joe Blogs is savvy enough to guess that professional jealousy is a bi-product of how music journalists see themselves. I for years was unperturbed by their crass and unwarranted remarks regarding Simple Minds direction of choice. Guess who had the last laugh?
It’s kinda sad this post that you seem to be gloating when your own career whilst still continuing no longer continues with the same continuity As those massive stadium tours. I loved OUAT when it came out and introduced me to earlier albums that I now enjoy more than OUAT. NGD is surely your best work and well may not have been as commercially successful as OUAT it has to be your most critically acclaimed album and if I had grown up listening to simple minds from those early days I guess I also would have been disappointed with OUAT. I still love SM but don’t like the attitude of this post like I said I just feel sad 🙁
Street Fighting years, without doubt, my favorite record. I love the haunting guitar sound, the way it sounds like a bagpipe or has the essence of it mixed in the guitar it takes me away to far places. Also the slowness of it and the vocals are totally amazing. I just like the entire album, so much emotion. But after having listened to it for years, I think black and white is my new favorite album. Anyway, I had forgotten just how many great songs you have, after the concert in Nashville I was driving back home to North Alabama, I was able to play most of the songs I have in my library, I was really shocked how many there were that I was telling my wife, this was a great song. Haha, it was a lot of fun. Brought back memories for sure. By the way, favorite song, Hypnotized. Favorite other song, Home! Cheers!
As a teen growing up in the desert of Arizona, listening to music was my refuge & escape to the much larger world “out there”. Once Upon a Time was a cassette tape (remember those?) I would play in my Walkman all the time, while riding the hour long bus ride to and from HS, and during the day. Thank you Simple Minds for this album- as an adult I have a great appreciation for the meaning in these songs. 😘❤️ Wish I could have caught you your.
It's 33 years ago...😉
Unfortunately, for so many bands, and Simple Minds are a perfect example of this, when they hit a creative and commercial (read that as hugely successful) peak, the music press and the inevitable "die hard" fans tell us they've "sold out!" And yet, this often the moment bands have actually released some of their best work. Once Upon A Time is a brilliant album and a perfect reflection of the time in which it was recorded. Furthermore, it stands the test of time and is revealed as a truly classic album.
It takes a wonderfully talented band to make so many different styles of music and yet tie them together so I still like them all. Granted, more some than others, but I still find them all worth listening to for me. Often it depends on my mood and wants at the moment. Classic - NGD Edgy - Changing Thoughtful - Biko and Belfast Child Big Music - OUAT oh and Big Music. Simple Minds gives me all that and more. Thank you.
Love the album, had Simple Minds written on my blue rucksack at school when the album was out, was so proud then and still am to be a Minds fan. This album I always return to and "Ghost Dancing" is my fav track.
I missed Derek Forbes on OUAT - and, of course, in all the following Simple Minds recordings. There are many things I like about the album, even though it doesn't compete with NGD for me. My favourite songs are "Ghost Dancing" and "Oh Jungle Land". I liked "Alive and Kicking" a lot when it came out, but then I grew tired of it because I heard it all the time. But it's always the same with songs you like that turn into huge hits.
Well, I'm definitely a yessayer and not a naysayer. I remember the day I bought this album (oh, those wonderful LP or vinyl days) so vividly... And how my stereo went nuts... So, stay alive and kicking and be Simple Minds... You' ve got a friend in me (I quote Randy Newman) All the best and ❤️👍
you’re right...i remember those speeches....truly it was not too simple listening OUAT after New Gold Dream or even Sparkle in The Rain that I consider the most similar to OUAT in manybitems.....but listening to songs like Jungleland or come a long way or also all the things she said (apart from Alive and kicking that i consider an essential in pop music) i recognize them as pop songs even today (in italian....”fatte e finite”) maybe it’s like red wine....the most get older...the most improves!!! ciao a tutti
First album I heard and bought by you, closely followed by In The City Of Light and within a year I owned everything that you had released on 7 inch, 12 inch,lp, cassette and within another year cd. Still have all the cd's and reissues but sold the vinyl years ago. OUAT had me hooked when I heard Ghostdancing and Oh,Jungleland. The live version of the title track at Rotterdam 1985 is amazing, especially the drum off with Sue and Mel.
Love this post! As a SM fan around this time, I similarly had to endure the un-educated rantings of friends/colleagues who followed & absorbed the cr*p written by these journalists like sheep! Just like those journalists, "their bands" have long since faded into obscurity. Whilst not my very favourite album (NGD will always be), for me it demonstrates the diverse brillance that is Simple Minds. Caught you live in Coventry back in August & you were magnificent as ever!
Absolutely top album , for me at the time I was hoping Simple Minds would follow sparkle in the rain and it’s live sound into a next album , what I didn’t expect was just how brilliant it would be , I remember being blown away by the big sound and energy of once upon a time and like I was then I still am today ,
SAN DIEGO LIVE - ON THE WATERFRONT (Literally)
Seems like only yesterday we were in Ged Grimes (pic) hometown of Dundee, playing outdoor right by the city's waterfront area - on an already fairly chilly evening - albeit to an audience that was on fire.
Six weeks later we find ourselves in San Diego and on the waterfront - on stage so close to the the shore you can almost hear the waves gently rolling in.
It was a beautiful sunny morning here when we arrived, allowing us the opportunity to take a stroll with some friends who live locally, and are excited to have Simple Minds finally return to San Diego - last time was in 2002!
Conditions are perfect for tonight, and we aim to give our best in the first of a series of Californian shows.
Glenn Thompson posted "The music of Simple Minds is as relevant and brilliant today as it ever was, I will never forget about you!"
Michael Stuy "The Denver Show was awesome. I loved the long sets and song selections.. It was a good reminder of just how awesome this band really is."
Cody Fulfer "My wife and I had such a good time in Denver we thought it only appropriate to see the show in our hometown, too! Honestly, I would see every show if I could. "
Debbie Sutherland "Well worth the trip from the UK! Sarah is “awesome” - fab gig as always!"
Julie Farmer "Thank you for a Rockin' night!!! So happy I finally got to see you in concert."
Travis B Smith "Thank you for the show in Reno! Great group on tour. Jim and Charlie you are true gentlemen. Thanks for the poetry! "
Tonight's venue in San Diego
After an awesome Vegas gig, couldn't resist to see you again. Booked last moment, flying down from Edmonton for the second time, and see you in Portland now on Saturday !! As long as we're alive, we'll be kicking!
I'm with Cody Fulfer on this one! Would go to all the shows, if I could. So it's less Waterfront and more waterworks this end! Still, patience is a virtue, as they say! 🙂
A stroll with friends...AND...the devouring of a mysteriously sent cupcake or two! Lucky that stroll happened...working off the cupcakes. There was no point denying eating it...just answer the question, man! Was it any good?
The view from the nearby Bali Hai as we await the band hitting the stage. This is going to be a very special night
Stage looks great! It's going to be an amazing show!
You warmed my heart & put a gentle smile on my face talking about Dundee.. 🙂 <3 Yes it seems like it was only yesterday yet so far away at the same time 🙁 - Thank you for this lovely thought about Dundee which is still very much in my heart !💗 San Diego looks absolutely lovely - What a stunning view you're having ! 😍 the palm trees, and your words making one feel almost there hearing the waves, reminds me of Grimaud also.. 🙂 Have a full moon blast tonight in San Diego !!! 🙂 ❤️😘 ps : a young american bloke who did a year at uni in psy with me lives there, I'll poke him hehe
Wow! Looks as good as Merthyr Tydfil in August 😁 (maybe not then? 🤔). Looks epic guys!! ⭐️❤️⭐️
Thank you for an awsome show! Couldn't be happier! Enjoy the rest of your California tour.
A stunning venue. I think a very special atmosphere would definitely have been created last night. A show exuding energy and power reverberating through the palm trees and across the tranquility of the bay. Magical! My daughter went to San Diego as an exchange student for 6 months in 2015. Lovely place.
Nice to have you posting from reasonable time zones for a change and not while I'm sleeping. That pic of Ged appears to be from the 9:30 Club, certainly to go down as the highlight of the tour 😉
San Diego.... ahhhhh... my fav place. Just Dundee’s waterfront for me though. 🤣 X
Really we need this 2-part show also in Europe !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can’t wait to see you on Thursday!
Looks sunny and warm...Wish I was there...afraid Im gigged-out til next round...Have fun everyone!
Have a blast tonight! Loved your show in Milwaukee! Thanks for a great show!
My first show with Simple Minds, it was amazing! Please put your soccer scarf in your store on line.
So wish I was there for that show!! Love simple minds! ♡
Humphrey's By the Bay is indeed a beautiful venue. I used to live down in San Diego but moved up the coast to the SF Bay Area, so I'll see you on Thursday instead! 🙂
I see you’ve been playing “I Travel” on this tour, but it appears to have been dropped recently. Please bring it back for Portland!
😊😊 have a beautiful time on stage 💕 I especially Love what you wrote its alive its happy and it makes people feel happy. Love it so much
Waterfront was definitely a highlight for me! Have a great night!!!
Thank you for a wonderful night!
Besides my home city DC I love San Diego! Enjoy!!
Anthony keidis is from Michigan on the east coast you'll mabe see him with the chillis at some point
Video
Simple Minds are proud to announce a brand new studio album with some very special tour dates!
‘Walk Between Worlds’ is OUT NOW.
Live Shows
Oct
24
Wed
2018
Simple Minds play Orpheum Theatre – Los Angeles, CA, USA
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Oct
25
Thu
2018
Simple Minds play Masonic Auditorium – San Francisco, CA, USA
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Oct
27
Sat
2018
Simple Minds play Roseland Theatre – Portland, OR, USA
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Oct
28
Sun
2018
Simple Minds play Moore Theatre – Seattle, WA, USA
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
Oct
29
Mon
2018
Simple Minds play Orpheum – Vancouver, BC, Canada
VIP Ticket Packages – Meet The Band
Simple Minds are delighted to announce that they will tour North America in September and October 2018, playing two full sets featuring iconic songs spanning their whole career and including tracks from the new album Walk Between Worlds!
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 27th April at 10.00am Venue Local Time.
NOTE: There will be a special fan pre-sale from Wednesday 25th of April at 10.00am (venue local time) until 10.00pm on Thursday. To access the pre-sale, click the black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and enter the code: WORLDS when prompted.
There will also be pre-sales held directly by Ticketmaster (excluding DC, Milwaukee, and Denver) and Spotify on 26th of April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time. These are accessible using the same black ‘Tickets’ button on this page and entering the code: TMSIMPLE for Ticketmaster and: MINDS18 for Spotify when prompted.
‘Walk Between Worlds’ Meet & Greet Experiences and ‘Sense of Discovery’ Soundcheck Experiences will also be available. Includes a chance to meet Simple Minds, an invitation to the pre-show soundcheck and Q&A session, a signed show poster, and much more! Click here for more details.
***Tickets go on general sale from Friday 27th April 2018 at 10.00am Venue Local Time***
Doors: TBC
Simple Minds: TBC
Get The Album Now
“We would like to remind all of our fans and members that despite hearing announcements elsewhere regarding possible concert performances etc, it is only when the date is announced here at simpleminds.com that you can be sure the information is 100% official and that contracts have been agreed” – Simple Minds
Can’t get the tickets you’re looking for? Try the Official Simple Minds Twickets Page where fans sell tickets at face value. Say NO to ticket touts. Visit Twickets Now !
