***BONUS POST*** Week Eighty-Two: Simple Minds - "Glittering Prize" - New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)

So, it is definitely jacket weather in my fine city of Dallas, TX, and one of the fancy get-ups that I tend to wear during this time of year is this rose-colored velour number with my super-awesomely-rare Simple Minds patch prominently displayed on the back!!! Therefore, Week Eighty-Two is going to be dedicated to Simple Minds...

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Since my family's Thanksgiving celebration was postponed until today, that gave me a bit-o-spare time yesterday to compose one more post for you this week; however, what I'm actually going to do is resort to George Gimarc's Post Punk Diary 1980-1982 entry for this song:

Additionally, when I was reading up about this song on Wikipedia, I found this interesting little tid-bit of info that I thought I'd share:

"Also, the producers of Top of the Pops, after 'Glittering Prize' [was] featured on the program, stated that 'Glittering Prize had inspired them to invite more pop bands and pop solo artists to appear on the show'."

Shine on, shine the light on me,

In all of my life

so that much more I see

In the light of his love

In the light of reflection

Oh what a world

Or sometimes oh so it seems

Eyes to the skies

In that silver gift friendship

A glittering prize

Is it the prize of lost loves

They can remember

quiet sides of midnight

They can remember

the attraction of fame

Like a glittering prize

I saw you up on a clear day

First taking hearts

Then our last breath away

Always came a time, time was on our side

We were spending time, we were staring out

Catch me in a dream, captured all in heart

We were spending time, we were staring out

Could there ever be, ever more than one

It's called an act of love

Can you never stop?

Shine on, shine the light on me,

In all of my life

So much more I see

Like a glittering prize

I saw you up on a clear day

First taking hearts then our last breath away

Only on a clear day coming into our lives

Only on a clear day coming into our lives

We can remember

Quiet sides of midnight

We can remember

Attraction of fame

Like a glittering prize

I saw you up on a clear day

First taking hearts

Then our last breath away

See it in the eye, satellite skies

We were spending time, we were staring out

Take in, take in more, the endless breath away

We were staring out, now we're staring in

Could there ever be, ever more than one

It's called an act of love

Can you you never stop?

Shine on, shine the light on me

In all of my life

So that much more I see

Like a glittering prize

I saw you up on a clear day

First taking hearts

Then our last breath away

Only on a clear day

Crashing into our lives

Always on a clear day

Is it the price of love

Like a glittering prize

Always on a clear day

Week Eighty-Two: Simple Minds - "Alive and Kicking" - Once Upon a Time

So, it is definitely jacket weather in my fine city of Dallas, TX, and one of the fancy get-ups that I tend to wear during this time of year is this rose-colored velour number with my super-awesomely-rare Simple Minds patch prominently displayed on the back!!! Therefore, Week Eighty-Two is going to be dedicated to Simple Minds...

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Happy Thanksgiving!!!

So before I tell you about today's song, I am going to share a silly little Thanksgiving-inspired tale... 

Not too long ago, we were completing an estate plan for a leading pulmonary specialist, and when I was introduced to him and told his occupation, I commented: "Wow! I could have really used you last year when I had pleurisy." My attorney gave me the most puzzled look and asked: "What in the world is pleurisy???" 

Now, I was not about to explain the condition and risk sounding like an idiot while sitting across the table from a leading pulmonary specialist; therefore, employing my usual wit, I responded: "Apparently, it's something that I share in common with the Pilgrims." The specialist laughed hysterically and assured me that the Pilgrims and I were "not quite that elite of a club" and that many people suffer from pleurisy. 

Just to add to this tale a teensy bit more... when a student of mine last year found out that I had pleurisy, he asked: "Does that mean your skin is going to start falling off?" I looked at him for a minute in an attempt to figure out what in the world he might have been referencing; finally, it hit me, and I responded: "No, that's leprosy. I have pleurisy." Poor kid had been reading the Bible way too much!!! 

In case you're wondering, pleurisy is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an upper-respiratory infection gone wrong, and it is super painful!!!

Okay, so since I am still alive and kicking, I figured that I would close this week out with the tune, "Alive and Kicking". Interestingly enough, since I have been away from all of the germ-infested cootie-carrying students, I have not even had so much as a sniffle!!!

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, 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 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

Week Eighty-Two: Simple Minds - "See the Lights" - Real Life

So, it is definitely jacket weather in my fine city of Dallas, TX, and one of the fancy get-ups that I tend to wear during this time of year is this rose-colored velour number with my super-awesomely-rare Simple Minds patch prominently displayed on the back!!! Therefore, Week Eighty-Two is going to be dedicated to Simple Minds...

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This is such an incredibly lovely song, but I swear that every time I hear the opening notes, for a split second, it is so reminiscent of INXS!!! This was one of their much later releases, in 1991, when many of the original members had already parted ways.

The very first line is perfect for the transitioning of the weather this week as well: "Summer's gone; winter's in your eyes..."

And speaking of lights... I made it out to the Chinese Lantern Festival at Fair Park again this year. It is just breathtakingly gorgeous, and I would strongly suggest to anyone who may find himself or herself in Dallas over the next few months to try to make it out to see them. This year, my favorite scene was the castle pictured below:

Summer's gone winter's in your eyes

I can feel the thunder storms inside

I wake every morning and the cold winds cover me

All I've got's a ghost of what could be

If you can see the lights shine in front of me

If you can see the lights shout out where you'll be

I'm in a broken dream I stare out into space

You know I called you up cos nothing takes your place

I've got a heart of stone and it's sinking deep inside

I want to tell you love I'm too proud to cry

If you can see the lights shine in front of me

If you can see the lights shout out where you'll be

Summer's gone and I can't tell you lies

Oh forgive me love I'm too proud to cry

If you can see the lights shine in front of me

If you can see the lights shout out where you'll be

Summer's gone and I can't tell you lies

Forgive me love I'm too proud to cry

Too proud to cry

Too proud to cry

Week Eighty-Two: Simple Minds - "All the Things She Said" - Once Upon a Time

So, it is definitely jacket weather in my fine city of Dallas, TX, and one of the fancy get-ups that I tend to wear during this time of year is this rose-colored velour number with my super-awesomely-rare Simple Minds patch prominently displayed on the back!!! Therefore, Week Eighty-Two is going to be dedicated to Simple Minds...

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There are probably about half-a-dozen or so songs that can give me goose bumps when I listen to them... no matter how many time I listen to them... and there is one specific part within this song that absolutely moves me this condition.

In the YouTube clip that I have included today for this video, the anticipation starts to build around 1:51, and the full-on goose bump effect kicks in at around 2:09 and continues through about 2:30.

The liner notes for the compilation album, Glittering Prize 81/92, refer to this song as having melodic twists, but the passion in Jim Kerr's voice, juxtaposed against the beauty of Robin Clark's voice, is so moving in the above-referenced portion of the song that I almost get a little emotionally overwhelmed! I know, I know... I'm a bit of a softie underneath this tough, intimidating exterior... but keep it a secret, okay??? :-D

Don't you look back on a big lost world

Crying out tomorrow

Don't you look down like the heroes say

Come tell me all about it

Take me to the streets where the bonfires burn

Take me in your arms and I'll fade away

When I hear you say what you got to say

Anywhere you go, you know I'll still be waiting

All the things she said, she said

Little darling close your eyes, there'll be no compromising

Of all the things she said, she said

Throw me to the street where the heartbeats beating

"Beating all around me"

To the peaceful revolution

And the perfect wave, surround me

Tell me 'bout the ocean moving in slow motion

I see it glitter in the sun

Then it's freezing in the moonlight

Never look back, never look back, never look away

If freedom comes and goes, you know I'll still be waiting

All the things she said, she said

You've fought the fight so long, no surrender to temptation

Of all the things she said, she said

Stars will fall out for you

Luck will surrender

I'm calling out to you

Oh to be near you in the first morning light

I'd be with you, I dream about you

If I could leave here, I would leave here tonight

I'd be with you, I'd stay with you tonight

Tonight

Anywhere you go, you know I'll still be waiting

Of all the things she said, she said

When I look into your eyes, I see a new day rising

Of all the things she said, she said

Through the eyes of love, and to never know what hate is

Of all the things she said, she said

She said, this is our time, she said, this is our place

This is the space my heart wants to be

Little darling close your eyes, there'll be no compromising

All the things she said, she said

Week Eighty-Two: Simple Minds - "Promised You a Miracle" - New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)

So, it is definitely jacket weather in my fine city of Dallas, TX, and one of the fancy get-ups that I tend to wear during this time of year is this rose-colored velour number with my super-awesomely-rare Simple Minds patch prominently displayed on the back!!! Therefore, Week Eighty-Two is going to be dedicated to Simple Minds...

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"Promised You a Miracle" is my all-time favorite Simple Minds track, and I hate that it is so completely overshadowed by "Don't You (Forget About Me)". However, I also completely understand that the aforementioned tune closed out one of the greatest 80's movies ever - The Breakfast Club - so I guess I can somewhat understand why more people would be inclined to choose it over "Promised You a Miracle".

I know that I don't typically start out the week with my favorite tune by the band that I am spotlighting; however, I have a semi-humorous Thanksgiving-inspired story for you on Thursday, and I did not want my story to be overshadowed by the awesomeness of this tune! :-D

One of the DJ's at Red Square Retro at The Red Jacket played this one quite frequently, and you can rest assured that I would dance my little tushy off to it every time I heard it!!!

I also consulted my New Wave album covers book - This Ain't No Disco - to see what Simple Minds offerings they had, and I found the album cover for New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) pictured; so I will include a scan of that for you today. It's really hard to read the caption, which is the very reason I was including the scan, so it says: Malcom Garrett designed several Simple Minds covers, including New Gold Dream and Sparkle in the Rain. The typography and design of both evoke the Saxon and Celtic culture and sounds the band was exploring at the time.

And yes, I will also begrudgingly (just kidding) include the YouTube clip for "Don't You (Forget About Me)"...

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

Week Eighty-One: Radiohead - "High and Dry" - The Bends

For the most part, I think it would be safe to claim that I have a superior memory, but for some reason, I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I picked up the magazine pictured below. However, I am completely convinced that the reason behind picking up this magazine was because it contained articles on both Suede and Siouxsie:

It also included a fantastic write-up about Radiohead's album, The Bends, which I am including a scan of below. My favorite Radiohead song, "High and Dry", appears on this album, along with "Fake Plastic Trees", which I also really dig!!

Two jumps in a week, I bet you think that's pretty clever don't you boy

Flyin' on your motorcycle, watching all the ground beneath you drop

You'd kill yourself for recognition, kill yourself to never ever stop

You broke another mirror, you're turning into something you are not

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Drying up in conversation, you will be the one who cannot talk

All your insides fall to pieces, you just sit there wishing you could still make love

They're the ones who'll hate you when you think you've got the world

all sussed out

They're the ones who'll spit at you, you will be the one screaming out

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Oh, it's the best thing that you've ever had

The best thing that you've ever, ever had

It's the best thing that you've ever had

The best thing you've had has gone away

So don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Don't leave me high, don't leave me dry

Don't leave me high

Don't leave me high

Don't leave me dry

Week Eighty-One: Radiohead - "No Surprises" - OK Computer

As I previously mentioned, I own an anniversary edition of Spin magazine, and it possesses so many little treasures. One of those treasures is a quote by Thom Yorke, lead singer of Radiohead. I love when bands/band members are not afraid to poke fun at themselves, just as Thom does below:

Another fun bit of info that was included in the same issue was a list of Readers' Poll Results. In 1997, Radiohead absolutely dominated the Readers' Poll:

"No Surprises" is such a lovely song. It has an incredible lullaby-like quality to it. Every time I hear the opening notes, it reminds me of the ballerina jewelry box (pictured below) that I asked for a few years ago and received from an ex:

A heart that's full up like a landfill

A job that slowly kills you

Bruises that won't heal

You look so tired and unhappy

Bring down the government

They don't, they don't speak for us

I'll take a quiet life

A handshake of carbon monoxide

No alarms and no surprises

No alarms and no surprises

No alarms and no surprises

Silent, silent

This is my final fit, my final bellyache with

No alarms and no surprises

No alarms and no surprises

No alarms and no surprises please

Such a pretty house, and such a pretty garden

No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)

No alarms and no surprises (let me out of here)

No alarms and no surprises please (let me out of here)

Week Eighty-One: Radiohead - "Karma Police" - OK Computer

Many of the area Catholic high schools require their students to complete service hours every year, and many of them also require the Seniors to go off campus at least once a week in order to complete additional service.

So every Wednesday, when I was still teaching, a group of three or four Seniors would come instruct my 8th grade Literature classes. Fortunately, for me, the individual who was in charge of this program and these particular Seniors was also married to one of the employees who worked in our Church office. This meant that I was sent the "cream of the crop" from this particular high school.

One year, one of the students was this really cool black guy from England. His favorite band was Radiohead, and when the poetry unit came around, he decided to cover some Radiohead lyrics. For one of the lessons, he brought his guitar and sang this song to the class. It was phenomenal!!!

I don't think the students enjoyed the lessons even half as much as I did, but then again, most of them listened to Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber --- if that tells you anything!!!

Karma police, arrest this man

He talks in maths

He buzzes like a fridge

He's like a detuned radio

Karma police, arrest this girl

Her Hitler hairdo is

Making me feel ill

And we have crashed her party

This is what you get

This is what you get

This is what you get when you mess with us

Karma police

I've given all I can

It's not enough

I've given all I can

But we're still on the payroll

This is what you get

This is what you get

This is what you get when you mess with us

And for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself

Phew, for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself

For for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself

Phew, for a minute there, I lost myself, I lost myself

Week Eighty-One: Radiohead - "Creep" - Pablo Honey

In my humble opinion, the early 90s was such a phenomenal time for rock music. The grunge sound found mainstream success. The Britpop bands were also in full swing, and Radiohead hit the scene in the States with Pablo Honey. As a result, their tune, “Creep”, became the anthem of any person who was displaced, misplaced, and just plain out-of-place.

At first, it was kind of difficult to even put Radiohead into a genre. The guitar in “Creep” sounded awfully grunge-inspired to me, but some other favorites on the album were leaning more towards Britpop. I just considered Radiohead to be a bit of an anomaly for the time that they appeared on the scene. Much like the people who seemed to rally behind the song, “Creep”, they were just kind of out-of-place at that time.

With Radiohead's later releases, it became much easier to tuck them away into an alternative rock genre. Regardless, “Creep” spoke volumes to me. I was so socially awkward and definitely could relate to the “What the hell am I doing here?; I don't belong here” bit. The song completely encompassed the loneliness and desperation I was feeling, and even though I have read that the band refused to play the song live for many years, I still appreciate them for writing it.

I saw this comment on their YouTube video about a year ago, and I saved it in a file for when I was ready to post about this song because it made me chuckle: “I don't know what my generation did to music, but I want to apologize for all the teenagers that murdered good music.”

When you were here before

Couldn't look you in the eye

You're just like an angel

Your skin makes me cry

You float like a feather

In a beautiful whirl

I wish I was special

You're so very special

But I'm a creep

I'm a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts

I want to have control

I want a perfect body

I want a perfect soul

I want you to notice when I'm not around

You're so very special

I wish I was special

But I'm a creep

I'm a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don't belong here

She's running out the door

She's running

She runs runs runs runs

Runs

Runs

Whatever makes you happy

Whatever you want

You're so very special

I wish I was special

But I'm a creep

I'm a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don't belong here

I don't belong here