Simple Minds Reflect on Four Decades of Music and Friendship
During a recent video interview with Simple Minds members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, the band’s 1981 hit “Love Song” featured prominently on Nick Grimshaw’s 6 Music breakfast show, demonstrating the enduring appeal of their music, reports BritPanorama.
Initially peaking at number 47 on the charts, “Love Song” marked the Glasgow band’s first significant breakthrough. Over the subsequent years, Simple Minds solidified their status with a series of hits, including “Promised You a Miracle” and “Don’t You (Forget About Me),” which became an iconic anthem after being featured in the film The Breakfast Club.
Now, over 40 years later, Kerr and Burchill have released their memoir, Our Secrets Are the Same, co-authored with music journalist Graeme Thomson. The book chronicles their journey from the deprived neighborhoods of 1970s Glasgow to achieving international fame, with an emphasis on their unwavering friendship.
Each band member shares personal insights, with lyricist Kerr reflecting on their triumphs and challenges, including the critical perception of their mainstream success: “I understood the criticisms we faced about selling out… In striving to appeal to everyone, it’s easy to appear overblown and just too much.”
Burchill, known for his more reserved role, humorously recalls the pressure of keeping pace with Kerr’s ambition: “At times, I think, ‘I’m going to drug him. I’m going to put something in his drink.’”
Despite the changes in the music landscape, Kerr’s candid reflections illuminate the difficult transitions the band faced as the 1980s gave way to new genres: “I could see the new tribes coming over the hill,” he noted, as younger artists began to overshadow their once-prevalent style. Nevertheless, with sales exceeding 60 million albums, Simple Minds persevered through the fluctuations of the music industry.
Kerr acknowledges the challenges of their sustained success, particularly in navigating the evolving popular culture. “I think of the generation of bands before us that lost it overnight when punk came around… it was ‘see you later’ overnight,” he remarked, indicating a keen awareness of their vulnerable position amid the music industry’s volatility.
Reflecting on their extensive career, Kerr admits that they sometimes operated on dwindling inspiration: “The well isn’t [bottomless],” adding that they remain determined to avoid becoming complacent in their achievements. “We would never have got to where we are without that.”
Despite personal sacrifices within his marriages, Kerr remains resilient, noting, “I don’t think every [musician] is cut out for being in a band that length of time.” The duo’s enduring collaboration highlights their unique dynamic, which has allowed them to sustain their partnership, even as they navigate the complexities of life and fame.
Through their long-standing bromance, which continues today as they live in close proximity in Taormina, Sicily, both Kerr and Burchill signal a profound understanding of each other’s quirks and differences, asserting that their successful partnership arises from mutual respect and a shared passion for music and life.
‘Our Secrets are the Same’ (Constable, £25) is out now. The 40th anniversary edition of ‘Once Upon A Time’ is released on 17 October.
