Once Upon a Time | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 21 October 1985 | |||
Studio | The Town House, London | |||
Genre | Arena rock [1] | |||
Length | 40:12 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | ||||
Simple Minds chronology | ||||
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Simple Minds studio albums chronology | ||||
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Singles from Once Upon a Time | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
Alternative cover | ||||
Once Upon a Time is the seventh studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds,released on 21 October 1985 by record label Virgin (A&M in the US),Once Upon a Time topped the UK charts,and peaked at No. 10 on the US charts,spending five consecutive weeks in the Top 10 of Billboard and 16 weeks in the Top 20.[ citation needed ]
The album paired the group with music producer Jimmy Iovine. He had worked with artists featuring an aggressive guitar-based sound,including singer-songwriters Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Nicks,and he brought that approach to the band. Iovine particularly pushed frontman Jim Kerr,aiming for more energetic vocals. [2]
Although already successful in their native U.K. and various countries in Europe and Oceania,Simple Minds had also recently become popular in the U.S.,mainly due to the Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff-penned "Don't You (Forget About Me)". That track appeared on The Breakfast Club soundtrack and had become a No. 1 hit there. However,the band deliberately left the track off the album due to their reluctance to record it. Still,the bombastic pop rock sound proved influential in the construction of much of Once Upon a Time,particularly the arena-friendly single "Alive and Kicking". Once Upon a Time also shared many influences with their previous studio album, Sparkle in the Rain ,which explored a similar songwriting style.
This was the first album without founding member,bassist Derek Forbes,who left the band after recording "Don't You (Forget About Me)". He would later rejoin the band in 1998 for the album, Neapolis .
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [2] |
Classic Rock | [3] |
Mojo | [4] |
Q | [5] |
Record Collector | [6] |
Record Mirror | 4/5 [7] |
The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [8] |
Smash Hits | 7/10 [9] |
Uncut | 6/10 [10] |
The Village Voice | B− [11] |
Music critic MacKenzie Wilson has retrospectively praised the album for AllMusic,stating that it provided listeners with a "raw energy and solid composition not entirely captured on previous albums." He also particularly lauded singles "Alive and Kicking" and "Sanctify Yourself." [2]
Armond White at Spin said,"Every cut is neat and punchy pomp in the name of Bono. Kerr works up a cheerleader rock star's mechanical pep,displaying good-time intentions in the same dumb,obvious way. The album sucks up love,politics,and religion into a swirling vacuum of show-off musicianship." [12]
Four singles were taken from the album:"Alive and Kicking" was released as a foretaste of the album in September,reaching no.7 in the UK and no.3 in the US. "Sanctify Yourself" in January 1986,reaching no.10 in the UK and no.14 in the US. "All the Things She Said" in March 1986,(UK no. 9,US no. 28),and "Ghost Dancing" in November 1986 (UK No. 13). All the proceeds of the latter two singles were donated to Amnesty International. [13] "Oh Jungleland" had been planned to be released as the second single,but Virgin changed their mind and "Sanctify Yourself" was chosen instead. A 7" edit,an instrumental version and an extended 12" remix of "Oh Jungleland" were prepared and the latter two tracks subsequently appeared on the "Ghost Dancing" single releases. [14]
Once Upon a Time was available with two covers upon its original LP release. The alternate cover uses the back image for the front and vice versa. It also moves the Simple Minds logo to the right of the cover. The two cover images fit together when placed side by side or above each other,and the release of the album in British record shops saw the two covers placed in a grid,alternating like the two colours on a chessboard. The album cover was standardised for the original CD release and this version has since been used for the various reissues of the album. A collectable picture disc LP was also produced. Housed in a luxury gatefold die-cut sleeve,the record featured the mottled gold effect of the sleeve. A unique lyrics sheet was also packaged in the gatefold. A magnetic jigsaw puzzle was also produced by Virgin Records to promote the album.
The album has been re-released in remastered form on several occasions,most recently in 2015. Virgin Records reissued the album as a remastered edition in 2002 (cardboard vinyl replica edition) and early 2003 (jewel-case). It was released on SACD in 2003. In 2005,Virgin released another reissue of the album:a DVD-Audio version (actually,the disc bears a DVD-Audio/Video logo),which is notable for being a completely remixed album. All the tracks were remixed in 5.1 surround sound,and additionally,a downmixed 2.0 stereo version was created for compatibility with non-surround DVD-Audio set-ups. The tracks on the remixed album differ in length in comparison to the original version. In most cases,they are longer than in the original mix. All the tracks on the remixed album contain material that has frequencies above the CD-Audio cut-off frequency,reaching beyond 30 kHz (a tribute to the original analogue multi-track tapes,and to the producers). In 2012,the original 8-track album was included in the box set 5 Album Set,which also included four other Simple Minds albums: Sons and Fascination , New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) , Sparkle in the Rain and Street Fighting Years . On 4 December 2015,multiple formats of the album were re-issued as Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions,including a Deluxe double CD digipack and a Super Deluxe 5 CD / 1 DVD boxset.[ citation needed ]
All tracks are written by Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, and Mick MacNeil, [15] except where noted. (Note: the band used to credit all their songs to simply "Simple Minds", which at the time also included drummer Mel Gaynor and bass player John Giblin. However, both the ASCAP song database and the credits on Spotify list Kerr, Burchill and MacNeil as the sole writers)
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Once Upon a Time" | 5:45 |
2. | "All the Things She Said" | 4:15 |
3. | "Ghost Dancing" | 4:45 |
4. | "Alive and Kicking" | 5:26 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
5. | "Oh Jungleland" | 5:14 |
6. | "I Wish You Were Here" | 4:42 |
7. | "Sanctify Yourself" | 4:57 |
8. | "Come a Long Way" | 5:07 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Once Upon a Time" | 5:45 |
2. | "All the Things She Said" | 4:15 |
3. | "Ghost Dancing" | 4:45 |
4. | "Alive and Kicking" | 5:26 |
5. | "Oh Jungleland" | 5:14 |
6. | "I Wish You Were Here" | 4:42 |
7. | "Sanctify Yourself" | 4:57 |
8. | "Come a Long Way" | 5:07 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Don't You (Forget About Me)" | Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff | 4:23 |
2. | "A Brass Band in Africa" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil | 5:11 |
3. | "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (Extended) | Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff | 6:36 |
4. | "A Brass Band in African Chimes" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil | 9:23 |
5. | "Alive and Kicking" (Edit) | 4:49 | |
6. | "Alive and Kicking" (Instrumental) | 6:11 | |
7. | "Up on the Catwalk" (Live) | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil | 5:54 |
8. | "Alive and Kicking" (7" Remix, previously unreleased) | 4:48 | |
9. | "Alive and Kicking" (12" Remix, previously unreleased) | 6:22 | |
10. | "Alive and Kicking" (Kevorkian 12" Remix, previously unreleased) | 6:38 | |
11. | "Sanctify Yourself" (Edit) | 3:54 | |
12. | "Sanctify Yourself" (Instrumental) | 3:59 | |
13. | "Sanctify Yourself" (Alternative Edit, previously unreleased) | 4:00 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Street Hassle" (Live) | Lou Reed | 7:29 |
2. | "Love Song" (Live) | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 5:43 |
3. | "Sanctify Yourself" (Extended) | 7:13 | |
4. | "Sanctify Yourself" (Dub) | 6:14 | |
5. | "All the Things She Said" (Edit) | 4:00 | |
6. | "Promised You a Miracle" (US Remix) | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 6:04 |
7. | "All the Things She Said" (Extended) | 5:12 | |
8. | "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (Live) | Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff | 9:05 |
9. | "Ghost Dancing" (Special Extended 12" Remix) | 7:20 | |
10. | "Ghost Dancing" (Instrumental) | 4:52 | |
11. | "Oh Jungleland" (Special Extended 12" Remix) | 7:23 | |
12. | "Oh Jungleland" (Instrumental) | 6:05 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Ghost Dancing" | 7:22 | |
2. | "Big Sleep" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 4:27 |
3. | "Waterfront" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil | 5:21 |
4. | "Promised You a Miracle" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 4:38 |
5. | "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 5:59 |
6. | "Oh Jungleland" | 6:35 | |
7. | "Alive and Kicking" | 6:25 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Don't You (Forget About Me)" | Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff | 6:37 |
2. | "Once Upon a Time" | 6:06 | |
3. | "Book of Brilliant Things" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil | 4:53 |
4. | "East at Easter" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil | 4:20 |
5. | "Sanctify Yourself" | 7:06 | |
6. | "Love Song / Sun City / Dance to the Music" | Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil, Steve Van Zandt, Sylvester Stewart | 7:02 |
7. | "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)" | Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil | 5:29 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Once Upon a Time" (5.1 Mix) | 6:20 | |
2. | "All the Things She Said" (5.1 Mix) | 4:23 | |
3. | "Ghost Dancing" (5.1 Mix) | 4:47 | |
4. | "Alive and Kicking" (5.1 Mix) | 5:14 | |
5. | "Oh Jungleland" (5.1 Mix) | 5:26 | |
6. | "I Wish You Were Here" (5.1 Mix) | 4:48 | |
7. | "Sanctify Yourself" (5.1 Mix) | 5:01 | |
8. | "Come a Long Away" (5.1 Mix) | 5:24 | |
9. | "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (Promo Video) | Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff | 4:20 |
10. | "Alive and Kicking" (Promo Video) | 5:26 | |
11. | "Sanctify Yourself" (Promo Video) | 4:00 | |
12. | "All the Things She Said" (Promo Video) | 4:16 | |
13. | "Ghost Dancing" (Promo Video) | 4:50 |
Adapted from the album's liner notes. [16]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Year | Single | Chart | Position |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | "Alive and Kicking" | UK Singles Chart | 7 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 3 | ||
US Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 2 | ||
1986 | "Sanctify Yourself" | UK Singles Chart | 10 |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 14 | ||
US Mainstream Rock Tracks | 3 | ||
"All the Things She Said" | UK Singles Chart | 9 | |
US Billboard Hot 100 | 28 | ||
US Mainstream Rock Tracks | 9 | ||
"Ghost Dancing" | UK Singles Chart | 13 | |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Belgium (BEA) [35] | Platinum | 75,000 [35] |
Canada (Music Canada) [36] | 2× Platinum | 200,000^ |
France (SNEP) [37] | Gold | 100,000* |
Germany (BVMI) [38] | 2× Gold | 500,000 |
Greece (IFPI Greece) [39] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI) [40] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [41] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [42] | Platinum | 50,000* |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [43] | Gold | 50,000^ |
Sweden (GLF) [44] | Gold | 50,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] | 3× Platinum | 900,000^ |
United States (RIAA) [46] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977, becoming best known internationally for their song "Don't You " (1985), which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Other commercially successful singles include "Promised You a Miracle" (1982), "Glittering Prize" (1982), "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" (1982), "Waterfront" (1983), "Alive and Kicking" (1985), "Sanctify Yourself" (1986), "Let There Be Love" (1991), "She's a River" (1995), and the UK number one single "Belfast Child" (1989).
Real Life is the ninth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in April 1991 by record label Virgin Records worldwide apart from the US, where it was released by A&M.
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.
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.
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. It is considered one of the defining albums of the new pop movement of the early 1980s. It spawned the commercial successful singles “Promised You a Miracle” released in April 1982, “Glittering Prize” released in August 1982 and “Someone Somewhere in Summertime” released in November 1982. The albums title track, "New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)", saw a limited release in Italy in March 1983 following the bands Italian leg of their supporting tour.
Good News from the Next World is the tenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in January 1995 by record label Virgin.
Life in a Day is the debut album by Scottish rock band 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.
Live in the City of Light is the first live album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. It was released in May 1987 to document their successful worldwide Once Upon a Time tour, and charted at No. 1 in the UK. The album spawned one chart single release, a live version of "Promised You a Miracle".
Celebration is a compilation album by Simple Minds, released in 1982. The compilation features tracks from the band's first three albums released during their tenure on the Arista Records label, prior to their move to Virgin Records in 1981. One of the tracks, "Kaleidoscope", was exclusive to this CD and LP until it appeared on the X5 box set in 2012.
The Best of Simple Minds is the second greatest hits album by Simple Minds, released in 2001. New versions of the "Theme for Great Cities" were released, and some copies, included the remixes by Raven Maize.
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.
Graffiti Soul is the fifteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in May 2009.
"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.
Big Music is the sixteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds. It was released on 31 October 2014 by Sony Music. "Honest Town" was released as the lead single on 10 October 2014. The album was available to stream from 28 October 2014.
Acoustic is the seventeenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in November 2016 by Caroline International. The album features acoustic studio recordings of previously released songs. It received mixed reviews.
Walk Between Worlds is the eighteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in February 2018 by BMG.
Live in the City of Angels is the seventh (double) live album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released in early October 2019 to document their largest ever North American tour.
Direction of the Heart is the nineteenth studio album by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released on 21 October 2022 by BMG.
...Simple Minds recorded the 1985 album Once Upon A Time and went for grand, expansive arena-rock.