"Glittering Prize" | ||||
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Single by Simple Minds | ||||
from the album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) | ||||
B-side | "Glittering Prize Theme" | |||
Released | 16 August 1982 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:02 | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes and Mick MacNeil | |||
Producer(s) | Peter Walsh | |||
Simple Minds singles chronology | ||||
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"Glittering Prize" is a 1982 hit single by the Scottish rock group Simple Minds, the 2nd released from their fifth studio album New Gold Dream , released the same year.
The song reached number 16 in the United Kingdom, [2] but was more successful in Australia, New Zealand and Norway, where it reached the top 10.
A compilation album, released by Simple Minds in 1992, is named after the song, and is entitled Glittering Prize 81/92 . [3]
The video continuously alternates between two main stages. The first one is set in a golden room where the band members (Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, and Mick MacNeil only), all dressed in black, perform the song. The other stage is set in a dark, museum-like room, under the surveillance of a napping security guard, and featuring hanging portraits of the band members' faces made of gold. A story unfolds in this latter stage as a young woman in a bikini and whose body is all painted in gold, stealthily penetrating the room and reaching out to a sarcophagus within which lies a pharaoh version of Kerr. After having touched his face and brought the other band members back to life she then drives away with them in a car. As the guard realises the burglary, the woman, now in the golden room, rests in a long chair and sips on a cocktail before the video ends. [4]
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report) [5] | 9 |
Ireland (IRMA) [6] | 11 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [7] | 4 |
Norway (VG-lista) [8] | 8 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [9] | 11 |
United Kingdom (CIN) [2] | 16 |
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983) and "Alive and Kicking" (1985), as well as the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).
Street Fighting Years is the eighth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in May 1989 by record label Virgin Records worldwide apart from the US, where it was released by A&M. Produced by Trevor Horn and Stephen Lipson, the album reached the top of the UK Albums Chart.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" is a song by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released as a single in 1985. It was written and composed by producer Keith Forsey and guitarist Steve Schiff. Forsey and Schiff wrote the song for Simple Minds and offered it to several other acts before Simple Minds agreed to record it. The song was inspired by and used in the 1985 John Hughes film The Breakfast Club. "Don't You (Forget About Me)" reached No. 1 in the United States and Canada and became Simple Minds' biggest American hit.
The discography of the Scottish art rock/new wave band Simple Minds consists of 21 studio albums, eleven live albums, ten compilation albums, fourteen box sets, 68 singles, and five video albums.
James Kerr is a Scottish singer and the lead singer of the rock band Simple Minds, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983) and "Alive and Kicking" (1985), as well as the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).
New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) is the fifth studio album by Scottish band Simple Minds. The album was released in September 1982 by record label Virgin, and was a turning point for the band as they gained critical and commercial success in the UK and Europe.
Once Upon a Time is the seventh studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in October 1985 by record label Virgin.
Life in a Day is the debut album by Simple Minds, released in April 1979 by record label Zoom. It reached number 30 in the UK Albums Chart. The title track and "Chelsea Girl" were issued as singles.
Glittering Prize 81/92 is a compilation album by Simple Minds, released in 1992.
Néapolis is the eleventh studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in March 1998 by record label Chrysalis.
Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call is the (double-LP) fourth album by Scottish post-punk band Simple Minds. It was released in September 1981 and was their first to reach a wide international audience. It includes the singles "The American", "Love Song" and "Sweat in Bullet".
"Alive and Kicking" is a song released by the Scottish rock band Simple Minds as the lead single from their seventh album, Once Upon a Time. The song reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number four in Canada; it peaked within the top five of several European countries including Italy, where the song reached number one.
Sparkle in the Rain is the sixth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released on 6 February 1984 by record label Virgin in the UK and A&M in the US.
"Up on the Catwalk" was the third single to be released from Sparkle in the Rain, the sixth studio album by Simple Minds. It was released in March 1984 and climbed to number 27 in the UK Singles Chart. It stayed in the charts for five weeks, which was longer than the band's previous single, "Speed Your Love to Me".
"Promised You a Miracle" is a 1982 song by Scottish band Simple Minds and was released as the first single from their fifth studio album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84). It was the band's first chart hit in the UK, reaching #13 in the UK Singles Chart and charting for 11 weeks. Their previous nine UK singles yielded no Top 40 hits in that country although some had sold well in Scotland.
"Someone Somewhere In Summertime" is a song by Simple Minds released as the third single from the album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) in 1982. Its performance in the UK Singles Chart was significantly poorer than the band's two previous hits, peaking at no. 36 and charting for 5 weeks. Nonetheless, it has become a live favourite. and acclaimed as one of the album's most popular tracks.
"Love Song" is the seventh single released by Scottish band Simple Minds. It was issued by Virgin Records in August 1981, one month before the release of its parent album Sons and Fascination. The B-side is an instrumental version of "This Earth That You Walk Upon", which later appeared on the album with newly-recorded vocals. Despite a sticker appearing on the 12" single promising an 'extended version', all 12" releases around the world featured the 5:04 album version.
"All the Things She Said" is a song by Scottish rock group Simple Minds, released as the third single from their seventh studio album, Once Upon a Time. It was sung by lead vocalist Jim Kerr, with backing vocals provided by American singer Robin Clark who also appeared in the promotional video.
"Sanctify Yourself" is a song released by Scottish rock band Simple Minds as the second single from their seventh studio album Once Upon a Time in January 1986. The song reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart and number 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
"Ghostdancing" is a song written by Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill and Mick MacNeil and recorded by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. It was released as the fourth single from the band's 1985 album Once Upon a Time. According to the band's website, the first live performance of the song was at John F. Kennedy Stadium as part of their Live Aid performance. The song also appears on their "Glittering Prize (81-92)" album. The song reached number 13 in the UK singles charts.