Artist page · 05/07/2026

Simple Minds

GlasgowFormed in 1977New Wave17 vinyl albums
Originating from Glasgow in 1977, Simple Minds combines new wave with elements of pop and rock, gaining global prominence especially during the mid-1980s. Founders Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill remain core members.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
17Albums on Vinyles.com
3177Discogs releases
2.1MLast.fm listeners

About

18 vinyl editions including limited live albums and 1980s synth-pop milestones.

Simple Minds formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 1977 and evolved through new wave and rock genres, eventually mixing pop influences with progressive soundscapes. Their sound matured with albums like New Gold Dream, which defined their 80s peak and is well represented on vinyl. The band gained worldwide recognition through hit singles and energetic live performances, capturing the spirit of the decade.

With over 18 vinyl editions in circulation, including remasterings, live recordings, and reissues, their catalog appeals to collectors interested in new wave and synth-pop history, as well as more recent rock releases. The band's humanitarian engagement and memorable anthems like Belfast Child and Mandela Day also contribute to their lasting relevance.

Discography

Simple Minds discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Live In The City Of DiamondsBMG · 2025
2025
Live In The City Of Diamonds
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Live
New Gold Dream (Live From Paisley Abbey)BMG · 2023
2023
New Gold Dream (Live From Paisley Abbey)
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Direction Of The HeartBMG · 2022
2022
Direction Of The Heart
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live In The City Of AngelsBMG · 2019
2019
Live In The City Of Angels
CD, Album, Stereo
Live
Walk Between WorldsBMG · 2018
2018
Walk Between Worlds
CD, Album, Deluxe Edition
Studio
AcousticCaroline International · 2016
2016
Acoustic
CD, Album
Studio
Big Music Tour 2015 (Simple Minds Live)Demon Records · 2016
2016
Big Music Tour 2015 (Simple Minds Live)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Record Store Day, Limited Edition
Live
Celebrate (Live At The SSE Hydro Glasgow)Edsel Records · 2014
2014
Celebrate (Live At The SSE Hydro Glasgow)
CD, Album, DVD, DVD-Video, NTSC
Live
Big MusicCaroline Records · 2014
2014
Big Music
CD, Album
Studio
Live Australia 2012 (Entertainment Centre - Dec 2)DiscLive Network · 2012
2012
Live Australia 2012 (Entertainment Centre - Dec 2)
CD, Album, Numbered
Studio
5X5 LiveVirgin · 2012
2012
5X5 Live
CD, Album
Studio
Graffiti SoulSanctuary · 2009
2009
Graffiti Soul
CD, Album
Studio
Black & White 050505Sanctuary · 2005
2005
Black & White 050505
CD, Album, Enhanced
Studio
CryEagle Records · 2002
2002
Cry
CD, Album
Studio
Neon LightsEagle Records · 2001
2001
Neon Lights
CD, HDCD, Album, Stereo
Studio
NéapolisChrysalis · 1998
1998
Néapolis
CD, Album
Studio
House Of BluesVirgin · 1995
1995
House Of Blues
CDr, Album, Test Pressing
Studio
Good News From The Next WorldVirgin · 1995
1995
Good News From The Next World
CD, Album
Studio
Real LifeVirgin · 1991
1991
Real Life
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Street Fighting YearsVirgin · 1989
1989
Street Fighting Years
CD, Album
Studio
Live In The City Of LightVirgin · 1987
1987
Live In The City Of Light
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Once Upon A TimeVirgin · 1985
1985
Once Upon A Time
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Sparkle In The RainVirgin · 1984
1984
Sparkle In The Rain
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)Virgin · 1982
1982
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Sister Feelings CallVirgin · 1981
1981
Sister Feelings Call
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Sons And FascinationVirgin · 1981
1981
Sons And Fascination
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings CallVirgin · 1981
1981
Sons And Fascination / Sister Feelings Call
Vinyl, LP, Album, All Media, Limited Edition
Studio
Empires And DanceZoom Records · 1980
1980
Empires And Dance
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Real To Real Cacophony.Zoom Records · 1979
1979
Real To Real Cacophony.
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Life In A DayZoom Records · 1979
1979
Life In A Day
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Simple Minds's career.

01
Don't You (Forget About Me)
·
02
Alive and Kicking
·
03
Don't You (Forget About Me) - Remastered 2001
·
04
Promised You a Miracle
Promised You a Miracle
New Gold Dream (Live From Paisley Abbey) · 2023
05
All the Things She Said
·
06
Belfast Child
·
07
Glittering Prize
Glittering Prize
New Gold Dream (Live From Paisley Abbey) · 2023
08
Sanctify Yourself
·

The essentials

The 3 Simple Minds albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 2016
Vinyl LP
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)

A definitive 1982 album capturing Simple Minds’ transition to synth-driven new wave and pop rock with acclaimed melodies.

9 tracksRemastered editionPop Rock, Synth-pop, New Wave
Discover the album
#2 · 2019
Vinyl LP
Big Music

2014 studio album embracing melodic rock with contemporary production, demonstrating the band’s enduring evolution.

12 tracksAvailable in multiple pressingsPop Rock style
Discover the album
#3 · 2019
Limited Edition Vinyl LP
Big Music Tour 2015

Live album documenting the band's 2015 tour, capturing energetic performances of classics and recent works.

13 tracksRecord Store Day releaseLimited edition
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Simple Minds

Artists who share part of Simple Minds's musical DNA.

Ultravox
Howard Jones
Howard Jones
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
INXS
INXS
Duran Duran
Duran Duran
ABC
The Human League

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Simple Minds

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill have remained the foundations of Simple Minds since its Glasgow beginnings in 1977.
— Band history
01Live Album

Live In The City Of Diamonds

Released in 2025 worldwide on BMG, this limited edition vinyl live album showcases 18 tracks including 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' and 'New Gold Dream', exemplifying the band's live energy.

2025Worldwide
02Recording

New Gold Dream (Live From Paisley Abbey)

This 2023 European release captures a live performance of the 1982 classic with 9 tracks, pressed on LP and available in test pressing editions, highlighting the band’s synth-pop roots.

2023Europe
03Studio Album

Big Music (2014)

Recorded in 2014 and released on vinyl across UK and Europe, this album features 12 tracks with a pop rock style, representing the band’s contemporary sound evolution.

2014UK & Europe
04Chart Success

1984 Breakthrough

From 1984 onward, Simple Minds achieved global recognition, peaking with the acclaimed 'Sparkle In The Rain' album and iconic singles like 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)'.

1984Worldwide
The band’s humanitarian activism is reflected in songs like 'Mandela Day' and 'Belfast Child', often performed at charity events.
— Band activism

Records by Simple Minds

See all
Back In The Motherland (Live Broadcast Recording) - Front Cover

Back In The Motherland (Live Broadcast Recording)

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
PARACHUTE RECORDING COMPANY
View details
New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) - Front Cover

New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $45.99 1 offer
Once Upon A Time - Front Cover Once Upon A Time - Front Cover

Once Upon A Time

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $29.99 2 offers
At The Bowl Vol.2 (Radio Broadcast) - Front Cover At The Bowl Vol.2 (Radio Broadcast) - Front Cover

At The Bowl Vol.2 (Radio Broadcast)

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
PARACHUTE MUSIC
View details
At The Bowl Vol.1 (Radio Broadcast) - Front Cover At The Bowl Vol.1 (Radio Broadcast) - Front Cover

At The Bowl Vol.1 (Radio Broadcast)

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
PARACHUTE MUSIC
View details
Live in the City of Diamonds - Front Cover Live in the City of Diamonds - Front Cover

Live in the City of Diamonds

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
View details
Sparkle In The Rain - Front Cover

Sparkle In The Rain

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $28.95 3 offers
New Gold Dream - Live From Paisley Abbey - Front Cover

New Gold Dream - Live From Paisley Abbey

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
View details
Up All Night (Radio Broadcast Recording) - Front Cover

Up All Night (Radio Broadcast Recording)

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
ROUND RECORDS
View details
Forty: The Best Of Simple Minds 1979-2019 - Front Cover

Forty: The Best Of Simple Minds 1979-2019

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $34.99 1 offer
Big Music Tour 2015 - Front Cover Big Music Tour 2015 - Front Cover

Big Music Tour 2015

Simple Minds
New Wave Pop
DEMON
View details
Black & White 050505 - Front Cover Black & White 050505 - Front Cover

Black & White 050505

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
DEMON
View details
Graffiti Soul - Front Cover Graffiti Soul - Front Cover

Graffiti Soul

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
EDSEL
View details
Cry - Front Cover Cry - Front Cover

Cry

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
EDSEL
View details
Neon Lights - Front Cover Neon Lights - Front Cover

Neon Lights

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
EDSEL
View details
Big Music - Front Cover Big Music - Front Cover

Big Music

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
EDSEL
View details
Celebrate - Live - Front Cover

Celebrate - Live

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
DEMON
View details

CDs by Simple Minds

Search all Simple Minds CDs
Once Upon A Time - Front Cover Once Upon A Time - Front Cover

Once Upon A Time

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
CD POLYDOR
From $43.54 3 offers
Live in the City of Diamonds - Front Cover Live in the City of Diamonds - Front Cover

Live in the City of Diamonds

Simple Minds
International Rock Rock
CD BMG
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who are the founding members of Simple Minds?

Jim Kerr (vocals) and Charlie Burchill (guitar) founded Simple Minds in Glasgow in 1977 and remain central to the band.

What genre is Simple Minds best known for?

They are primarily known for new wave and synth-pop music, blending pop and rock with electronic influences.

When did Simple Minds reach mainstream success?

The band gained international fame in the mid-1980s, especially after the 1984 release of 'Sparkle In The Rain'.

Which Simple Minds album is considered essential for collectors?

'New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)' from 1982 is a key album representing their signature synth-pop sound, popular among vinyl enthusiasts.

Are there live albums of Simple Minds available on vinyl?

Yes, notable live vinyl releases include 'Live In The City Of Diamonds' (2025) and 'Big Music Tour 2015' (2019 limited edition).

What is the price range for Simple Minds vinyl editions?

Prices vary but recent live editions like 'Live In The City Of Diamonds' can range from about €26 to €31 depending on pressing and edition.

Is Simple Minds music popular in France?

Simple Minds has a dedicated fanbase in France, with releases distributed by labels like Bertus and Demon Records available on vinyl.

Where can I find limited edition Simple Minds vinyl?

Limited edition records, such as 'Big Music Tour 2015' released for Record Store Day, often appear on specialty vinyl marketplaces.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026