Such a great song from a very talented band. It gives me goosebumps, especially when that piano break starts and it builds up. For me, it's a toss-up between this and Don't You Forget About Me for my favorite Simple Minds song.
Spandau Ballet, thompson twins, Tears for fears, duran duran, Mr Mister, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Crowded House, UB40, Bronski Beat, Alphaville, Til Tuesday.....there were so many great sounding bands in the 80s that played this style of music besides the simple Minds....
This is actually freaking phenomenal lol. My favorite Simple Minds song. Sooo glad you enjoyed it. It is soo lush and beautiful. Gives me chills every time. Such a feel good song. 👌🏼👌🏼 Don’t You Forget About Me is their biggest song but it doesn’t hit the way this one does. This song packs such a special punch. Great reaction, thank you.
That straight faced drummer you mentioned was considered at the time one of the best drummers in the world. His ability to make those drums stand out and be so memorable was second to none! This song, for the lack of a better term, was simply EPIC! The composition, the musicianship, the production, the sound quality, the editing. Everything about it! I actually named my first band in the late 80s after them. We called ourselves Emptee Minds. That says it all I guess!😅
Love "Alive and Kicking"! You may have heard all or snippets of their biggest hit "Don't You Forget About Me" from the soundtrack to the 1985 movie "The Breakfast Club."
❤Such a great band and they have made so many iconic 80s hits. You may know them from the John Hughs film The Breakfast Club soundtrack Don't You Forget About Me. Jim Kerr has such a full beautiful tone.
I've been a fan of "The Minds" since the 1970s with "New Gold Dream." I finally had the privilege to see them live in my hometown in 2018 with their "Walk Between Worlds" tour. I was not disappointed. It was a joy to see them. That Jim and Charlie are still going strong, and with the additions of the current line up, just a sublime experience. They're on tour now with their "Direction of the Heart" tour and I"m hoping they get back this way again. I'll gladly spend the money on them.
So glad you liked this, Simple Minds was a band I used to buy anything of theirs I ran across. Other songs to definitely check out: New Gold Dream, Don't You Forget About Me, Up On the Catwalk, Waterfront, Book of Brilliant Thins, Speed Your Love To Me, Sweat in Bullet. Great band live as well!
You’ll enjoy going down the Simple Minds rabbit hole - I’ve been a fan since 1979 & saw them live numerous times here in Australia in the 80’s - brilliant live!
A loving shout out to the elegant and powerful vocalist Robin Clarke ...an alum of Bowie's backups ("Young Americans"). I love her work in this and the album. 💐🎶📀
Time to watch the movie "The Breakfast Club" and then react to Simple Minds song "Don't you forget about me", which was the theme song for that 80s classic movie. ❤
I will never get over wht great music we had coming from the 60s/70s/80s/part of 90s. It's a noticeable losss when listening to most music from the last 20+ yrs. We were so lucky!
Made my day ! Thank you so much for bringing this little pocket of memory back , I can picture a summer day in the car with the windows down singing all the way. Please look at "Don't you forget about me "
Glad you enjoyed your introduction to Simple Minds :-) This is the tip of the iceberg. To really appreciate them, though, you need to explore them as an albums band, as opposed to their singles (notwithstanding that their singles were generally brilliant as well.).
Those piano breaks are pure heaven. And the sunset at the end of the video makes me so nostalgic because there were so many 80’s videos that ended with a sunset.
This album was a masterpiece top to bottom. All the things she said, I wish you were here are incredible. Another gorgeous, dreamy song by them is Someone, somewhere in summertime.
The one song they’re most known for, “(Don’t You) Forget About Me” was written by someone else, and they didn’t want to record it since it wasn’t “theirs.” It was recorded fairly quickly and mostly ignored by the band, but the movie “The Breakfast Club” (for which it was written) brought it to life.
Thanks Salvo! Simple Minds is my Favorite 80's Band :-D NO ONE sings like Jim Kerr - Please react to early Simple Minds song SOMEWHERE IN SUMMERTIME you will not regret!
60’s-80’s were the best. 90’s the tide started to turn. By the turn of the century it all turned to uncreative, untalented, repetitive crap for the most part.
another gem from the 80's. people love to make fun of the 80's, but some amazing things, like this, can be found there. this was released when i was in high school. it inspired the title of, and my cover of it was going to be the title track of, a film i wrote a rough draft for at the time. it was going to be a jukebox musical using the music of the time that i loved. it was a homage to the teen dramedies of the time.
Man i thoroughly enjoyed watching you dig this 80”s tune. I was 14 yo when this song hit in 1984 it still obviously transcends through the generations. 80’s best music decade ever!!!
i am pretty sure you would have heard the other hit "Don't you forget about me" Theme song from the movie "The Breakfast Club" :) Alive & Kicking was awesome back then and is still awesome, 40 years on. with a touch of U2 sounds..a great reminder of my teen years... lol...
"Wait a second. This is actually really good." Best reaction in a while... I love this song and the breakdown bridge with the keyboard and then the heavy drums hitting is just incredible. (I actually had it as my ringtone for years.)
You react the same way I do on first listen to songs. When the music is great you know it immediately then the vocals come in and it's in total a perfect song. Truly a treat!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this track and the video as well. I personally think it’s a stronger song than “Don’t You Forget About Me”. Also, they wrote this song as opposed to “Don’t You Forget About Me” which they did not write. They didn’t even want to record “Don’t You Forget About Me”. Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr’s then wife Chrissie Hynde loved the demo of the song and was going to record it, but, because it would also require her to do a video for the song due to the film tie in, she had to back out because she was pregnant with her and Kerr’s child at the time. Simple Minds had been the first choice of the film’s director to record the song, but, they turned it down (6 times in fact). It was offered to Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol who both turned it down before Chrissie Hynde was in negotiation to record it but had to back out. She encouraged Kerr to record it with his band Simple Minds and eventually they agreed and the rest is history as it became the biggest hit of their career. “Alive And Kicking” is a full on Simple Minds song to the core with the sweeping vocals, booming big sounding instrumentation and passionate vocals from Kerr and the amazing soulful vocals of American singer Robin Clark 🙌🏼
This was fun; no one reacts to this tune, but it's such a banger! I don't know why this song reminded me of another, but I think you should check out The Hooters' "And We Danced". Another certified 80s pop song that most people forget about but shouldn't because it's awesome.❤
Great wall of sound, amazing hooks, plenty of detailed touches they are definitely worth a much deeper dive. Saw them back in 1979 when they were pretty raw but by the end of the eighties they were a well oiled stadium machine pumping out anthemic choruses like shelling peas.
Hey Salvo - so glad you are getting into Simple Minds. People overlook them but I'd put their 80s catalog up against anyone. I love a lot of their hits but enjoy their deeper album cuts just as much if not more. If I had to pick a favorite I might choose "Speed Your Love to Me." It is incredibly dynamic and melodic. Soaring instrumentals and vocals. Check it out!
I think the thing I love most about you young uns reacting to our music is you bring back the memories these songs once invoked. I haven’t thought about Simple Minds in years! Thank you! Have you done anything by Thompson Twins?
A real stadium band. So many anthems in their catalogue. During the 80s these were practically ranked as a must see live stadium gig alongside the likes of Queen and U2.
I love them. Wait until you hear "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from the movie The Breakfast Club. The lyrics are great, especially in the context of the movie. Something everyone can relate to.
Aww yes, bringing back my youth, we loved them back in the day, beautiful, they were so slick, such a big beautiful sound. Btw it’s pronounced Glasgo 😃👍 although it looks like ow, it’s not obvious, had a fab time watching thank you
Man, this song has a sweet spot in my 1980s heart! I was in my 20s when So Cal, new wave radio station, KROQ was pumping the airwaves w this band. Singer/ front man Jim Kerr's vocal stylings are on par with a very young Bono of U2. At times it's hard to tell difference btwn the 2 bands except U2 had scorching guitars vs piano. Simple Minds' "Promised You a Miracle", and "Up On the Catwalk" are stellar tracks, great for dancing!
I am so pleased you enjoyed this track. Now please listen to 'Don't you forget About Me'! :)
Brilliant song. Belfast Child is a favourite of mine too
40 years later almost and it never gets old, still fresh as a daisy.
I love that you rolled back like 3 times to fully catch the changes throughout the song. This is one of those amazing once in a lifetime perfect songs
Bass and Drums are delicious in this one. Simple Minds always had that great full sound
One of the good ones from the 80s Lots of memories with this one
Such a great song from a very talented band. It gives me goosebumps, especially when that piano break starts and it builds up. For me, it's a toss-up between this and Don't You Forget About Me for my favorite Simple Minds song.
Spandau Ballet, thompson twins, Tears for fears, duran duran, Mr Mister, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Crowded House, UB40, Bronski Beat, Alphaville, Til Tuesday.....there were so many great sounding bands in the 80s that played this style of music besides the simple Minds....
UB40's 'Red Red Wine' is a Neil Diamond cover. Love the reggae feel of it.
This is actually freaking phenomenal lol. My favorite Simple Minds song. Sooo glad you enjoyed it. It is soo lush and beautiful. Gives me chills every time. Such a feel good song. 👌🏼👌🏼
Don’t You Forget About Me is their biggest song but it doesn’t hit the way this one does. This song packs such a special punch.
Great reaction, thank you.
That straight faced drummer you mentioned was considered at the time one of the best drummers in the world. His ability to make those drums stand out and be so memorable was second to none! This song, for the lack of a better term, was simply EPIC! The composition, the musicianship, the production, the sound quality, the editing. Everything about it! I actually named my first band in the late 80s after them. We called ourselves Emptee Minds. That says it all I guess!😅
Yes, it is that good. 😄 We 80s teens had such great music. Beautiful Upstate New York for the video. Drummer still kills me too.
The drummer is the man!
Mighty Mel Gaynor. ❤@@mainmanjimmiblue
Love "Alive and Kicking"! You may have heard all or snippets of their biggest hit "Don't You Forget About Me" from the soundtrack to the 1985 movie "The Breakfast Club."
When the charts were filled with real music and real musicians.
❤Such a great band and they have made so many iconic 80s hits. You may know them from the John Hughs film The Breakfast Club soundtrack Don't You Forget About Me. Jim Kerr has such a full beautiful tone.
It warms my heart that you're so into (what I call) "our music" that I grew up with. ❤🎼
I've been a fan of "The Minds" since the 1970s with "New Gold Dream." I finally had the privilege to see them live in my hometown in 2018 with their "Walk Between Worlds" tour. I was not disappointed. It was a joy to see them. That Jim and Charlie are still going strong, and with the additions of the current line up, just a sublime experience. They're on tour now with their "Direction of the Heart" tour and I"m hoping they get back this way again. I'll gladly spend the money on them.
I love the way Jim kerr sings this song.
Anytime someone asks me how I am, I say, Alive and Kicking! This song is a childhood favorite! Love your reaction!
Do “Promised You a Miracle”
“Waterfront” is a slept on certified BANGER!
Great intro...
Certainly a banger
So glad you liked this, Simple Minds was a band I used to buy anything of theirs I ran across. Other songs to definitely check out: New Gold Dream, Don't You Forget About Me, Up On the Catwalk, Waterfront, Book of Brilliant Thins, Speed Your Love To Me, Sweat in Bullet. Great band live as well!
You’ll enjoy going down the Simple Minds rabbit hole - I’ve been a fan since 1979 & saw them live numerous times here in Australia in the 80’s - brilliant live!
This is one of those songs, at least for me, never gets old or tired of listening to. Love the drum cadence.
A loving shout out to the elegant and powerful vocalist Robin Clarke ...an alum of Bowie's backups ("Young Americans"). I love her work in this and the album. 💐🎶📀
Of course it's really good! Bring back the 80's baby ❤
Time to watch the movie "The Breakfast Club" and then react to Simple Minds song "Don't you forget about me", which was the theme song for that 80s classic movie. ❤
Thanks for bringing back this song... far to many years
This is my fav by Simple Minds
Good taste my man!
One of my favorite albums of all time. This song in particular always made me feel good. :)
I will never get over wht great music we had coming from the 60s/70s/80s/part of 90s. It's a noticeable losss when listening to most music from the last 20+ yrs. We were so lucky!
Belfast Child is amazingly beautiful and i can't even entertain the possibility that you haven't heard Don't You
Street Fighting Years is just about my favorite album, back when folks listened to albums.
Total banger!!!
Oh what a treat this is my era I was 18 yrs old going out when this came out 😘
I was just thinking of this song yesterday. Love it. Also Sanctify Yourself rocks.
I love the Simple Minds! Great song and band! LJ
Made my day ! Thank you so much for bringing this little pocket of memory back , I can picture a summer day in the car with the windows down singing all the way. Please look at "Don't you forget about me "
Glad you enjoyed your introduction to Simple Minds :-) This is the tip of the iceberg. To really appreciate them, though, you need to explore them as an albums band, as opposed to their singles (notwithstanding that their singles were generally brilliant as well.).
Could easily imagine this as a U2 song. So good.
Jim Kerr and Bono were good friends.
One of my favourites in the day!
incredible melody, incredible voice
All the Things She Said, See the Lights both good follow ups
Their sound was - as you said - immensely lush - and Jimmy's voice can melt stones! 😍 I still love them.
Ty for reaction! These guys are turned up in the car every time.
Total anthem. Never ever gets old. Just ❤❤❤❤
This album is solid from start to finish. The production in itself is amazing.
Still gets me up and moving!! ❤😊
Their song, DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME, was the outro to the movie Breakfast Club and has been featured in different things for decades!❤ DO IT!😂
That is a far better song than this one.
Oh yes please to a Simple Minds rabbit hole!xx
I forgot how awesome this song is , class of 84! Lol.
Such a nostalgic band ,song .back during my youth in the 80's ..fun times !
I saw Simple Minds and clicked on the video SO fast. They were HUGE in the 80s and especially on Mtv. Love this song and the video.
Those piano breaks are pure heaven. And the sunset at the end of the video makes me so nostalgic because there were so many 80’s videos that ended with a sunset.
Absolute smash 80s hit
along with the police, U2 ,simple minds were my fav in the first half of the 80s
I love simple Minds❤
I llke that you seem to be working your way through my record collection :)
He was married to Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders in the 80S
This album was a masterpiece top to bottom. All the things she said, I wish you were here are incredible. Another gorgeous, dreamy song by them is Someone, somewhere in summertime.
Simple Minds are simply amazing! So happy you are finding them.
The one song they’re most known for, “(Don’t You) Forget About Me” was written by someone else, and they didn’t want to record it since it wasn’t “theirs.” It was recorded fairly quickly and mostly ignored by the band, but the movie “The Breakfast Club” (for which it was written) brought it to life.
Thanks Salvo! Simple Minds is my Favorite 80's Band :-D NO ONE sings like Jim Kerr - Please react to early Simple Minds song SOMEWHERE IN SUMMERTIME you will not regret!
1980s was the best decade of music ... change my mind ...
Go listen to the 70's for 10 yrs
1970s is a very close 2nd for me@@isebmazo2140
Yup! 💯agree! 80s for sure
Two words - The Beatles.
60’s-80’s were the best. 90’s the tide started to turn. By the turn of the century it all turned to uncreative, untalented, repetitive crap for the most part.
another gem from the 80's. people love to make fun of the 80's, but some amazing things, like this, can be found there. this was released when i was in high school. it inspired the title of, and my cover of it was going to be the title track of, a film i wrote a rough draft for at the time. it was going to be a jukebox musical using the music of the time that i loved. it was a homage to the teen dramedies of the time.
Man i thoroughly enjoyed watching you dig this 80”s tune. I was 14 yo when this song hit in 1984 it still obviously transcends through the generations. 80’s best music decade ever!!!
I love Simple minds...hoping you can do more of their songs in future 😀
My favorite of theirs. TWO beautiful voices.
80s were Great I Love This Band
Awesome song! I have always loved this song, also ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’! ❤❤
Best band ever... you cannot beat simple minds.
I love reliving the 80’s with new listeners! It just brings back such great memories from high school and college. 😊
i am pretty sure you would have heard the other hit "Don't you forget about me" Theme song from the movie "The Breakfast Club" :) Alive & Kicking was awesome back then and is still awesome, 40 years on. with a touch of U2 sounds..a great reminder of my teen years... lol...
Great song and great review!! I love 80’s music!! ❤️
This album was all I listened to in 1986, the year of my college graduation. They seriously lifted me to new heights.
"Wait a second. This is actually really good." Best reaction in a while... I love this song and the breakdown bridge with the keyboard and then the heavy drums hitting is just incredible. (I actually had it as my ringtone for years.)
You react the same way I do on first listen to songs. When the music is great you know it immediately then the vocals come in and it's in total a perfect song. Truly a treat!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this track and the video as well. I personally think it’s a stronger song than “Don’t You Forget About Me”. Also, they wrote this song as opposed to “Don’t You Forget About Me” which they did not write. They didn’t even want to record “Don’t You Forget About Me”. Simple Minds lead singer Jim Kerr’s then wife Chrissie Hynde loved the demo of the song and was going to record it, but, because it would also require her to do a video for the song due to the film tie in, she had to back out because she was pregnant with her and Kerr’s child at the time. Simple Minds had been the first choice of the film’s director to record the song, but, they turned it down (6 times in fact). It was offered to Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol who both turned it down before Chrissie Hynde was in negotiation to record it but had to back out. She encouraged Kerr to record it with his band Simple Minds and eventually they agreed and the rest is history as it became the biggest hit of their career. “Alive And Kicking” is a full on Simple Minds song to the core with the sweeping vocals, booming big sounding instrumentation and passionate vocals from Kerr and the amazing soulful vocals of American singer Robin Clark 🙌🏼
Love this song, also the song Don't you forget about me which played at the end of the movie The Breakfast Club, great movie if you haven't seen it!❤️
This was fun; no one reacts to this tune, but it's such a banger!
I don't know why this song reminded me of another, but I think you should check out The Hooters' "And We Danced". Another certified 80s pop song that most people forget about but shouldn't because it's awesome.❤
Belfast child is amazing ❤
Great wall of sound, amazing hooks, plenty of detailed touches they are definitely worth a much deeper dive. Saw them back in 1979 when they were pretty raw but by the end of the eighties they were a well oiled stadium machine pumping out anthemic choruses like shelling peas.
Yes, this is really that good
Bellissima. Grazie Salvo
Stunning production values!
this is probablt my favorite outro every "bada bADA....."
I could loop it for an hour.
it takes me right back to growing up in the 80s
For me their early career is amazing “someone somewhere in summertime “ is fantastic The whole New gold dream album is amazing.
Love Simple Minds 😊
Hey Salvo - so glad you are getting into Simple Minds. People overlook them but I'd put their 80s catalog up against anyone. I love a lot of their hits but enjoy their deeper album cuts just as much if not more. If I had to pick a favorite I might choose "Speed Your Love to Me." It is incredibly dynamic and melodic. Soaring instrumentals and vocals. Check it out!
I think the thing I love most about you young uns reacting to our music is you bring back the memories these songs once invoked. I haven’t thought about Simple Minds in years! Thank you!
Have you done anything by Thompson Twins?
No, he hasn't.
The piano break on this song chokes me up every time.
A real stadium band. So many anthems in their catalogue. During the 80s these were practically ranked as a must see live stadium gig alongside the likes of Queen and U2.
Fabulous song. I had the biggest crush on Jim Kerr ❤
I love them. Wait until you hear "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from the movie The Breakfast Club. The lyrics are great, especially in the context of the movie. Something everyone can relate to.
If the 80’s were a painting then the Simple Minds song ‘Don’t you forget About Me’ would be the frame.
I know you like the synth pop round so I wondered if you would like Thomas Dolby and Howard Jones. Both were great! Love Simple Minds btw!
One of my favorite 80's bands. ❤Check out their song Waterfront if you want to rock out a little more.
I have always loved this song
Aww yes, bringing back my youth, we loved them back in the day, beautiful, they were so slick, such a big beautiful sound. Btw it’s pronounced Glasgo 😃👍 although it looks like ow, it’s not obvious, had a fab time watching thank you
He had a baby with Chrissy Hinds from Pretenders.
I like thier earlyvstuff
I wonder if that baby is making music today. Hmmm, I spy a rabbit hole. Thank you for posting. 👏
Great band. Try their earlier stuff, I Travel, Theme for Great Cities, Glittering Prize.
I love this song. Great group!
Man, this song has a sweet spot in my 1980s heart! I was in my 20s when So Cal, new wave radio station, KROQ was pumping the airwaves w this band. Singer/ front man Jim Kerr's vocal stylings are on par with a very young Bono of U2. At times it's hard to tell difference btwn the 2 bands except U2 had scorching guitars vs piano. Simple Minds' "Promised You a Miracle", and "Up On the Catwalk" are stellar tracks, great for dancing!
Jim Kerr and Bono were good friends.