The Best of Simple Minds cover

The Best of Simple Minds

Simple Minds · 2007

148 min · 32 tracks · new wave

Anthemic choruses and expansive synths blend with driving rhythms, capturing the essence of 80s arena rock and new wave.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Don’t You (Forget About Me) Start here — As the anthem for 'The Breakfast Club', this track epitomizes 80s youth culture and remains the band's most recognizable song.
  • →
    Alive and Kicking — This song combines uplifting lyrics with a soaring melody, representing the band's signature sound at its peak during the mid-80s.
  • →
    Biko — A powerful protest song, 'Biko' showcases Simple Minds' ability to merge political commentary with emotive music, highlighting their artistic depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

This compilation captures key moments in Simple Minds' career but lacks the depth of a studio album.

What we noticed

  • The album features a chronological arrangement of tracks, highlighting the band's evolution from post-punk to arena rock.
  • Each track is characterized by anthemic choruses and expansive synths, creating a cohesive sound that defines their style.
  • Several tracks, like 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' and 'Alive and Kicking', are extended versions or remixes, which contribute to the album's length.
  • The final tracks maintain a consistent energy level, ensuring the compilation feels unified despite its retrospective nature.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • nostalgic anthems for road trips
  • uplifting tracks for gatherings
  • reflective moments during downtime
  • dynamic energy for workouts
  • sing-along classics with friends

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking minimalist soundscapes
  • prefer instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Starting Point — This compilation offers a cohesive overview of the band's significant hits for new listeners.
Themes
1980s new wave· anti-apartheid activism
Career context
By the time 'The Best of Simple Minds' was released in 2007, Simple Minds had transitioned from their early post-punk roots to become stadium-filling giants. This compilation marks a retrospective of their career, showcasing hits from their rise to fame in the 1980s, particularly after the success of 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' in 1985.
Stylistic neighbors
Talk Talk· The Cure· Duran Duran
New to Simple Minds? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Don’t You (Forget About Me) Start here 4:23
  • 2 Promised You a Miracle 3:58
  • 3 Waterfront 4:51
  • 4 Alive and Kicking 5:26
  • 5 Glittering Prize 4:00
  • 6 All the Things She Said 4:18
  • 7 Sanctify Yourself 4:59
  • 8 Someone Somewhere (in Summertime) 4:34
  • 9 Ghostdancing 4:46
  • 10 Up on the Catwalk 4:07
  • 11 Speed Your Love to Me 4:05
  • 12 Theme for Great Cities 5:52
  • 13 Love Song 3:54
  • 14 The American 3:36
  • 15 Sweat in Bullet 4:32
  • 16 Life in a Day 4:07
  • 17 I Travel 4:00

Disc 2

  • 1 Let There Be Love 5:16
  • 2 This Is Your Land 5:05
  • 3 Kick It In 4:23
  • 4 Let It All Come Down 3:41
  • 5 See the Lights 4:26
  • 6 Stand by Love 4:09
  • 7 Real Life 4:55
  • 8 She’s a River 4:32
  • 9 Hypnotised 4:46
  • 10 Glitterball 4:28
  • 11 War Babies 4:25
  • 12 Mandela Day 5:41
  • 13 Biko 7:36
  • 14 Belfast Child 6:43
  • 15 The Real Life 2:55

What to play next

Graffiti Soul
Listen next

Graffiti Soul

2009

Continues the anthemic sound while introducing fresh elements and modern production.
Big Music
Go back to

Big Music

2014

Sets up the expansive sound and themes that resonate in the best of collection.
Full Simple Minds discography Where to start with Simple Minds Artists like Simple Minds
new wave post-punk synth-pop

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Songs from the Big Chair

Songs from the Big Chair

Tears for Fears

Shares anthemic synth melodies and reflective lyrics rooted in the 1980s new wave movement.

Rio

Rio

Duran Duran

Combines art rock with a glossy pop production, echoing the same vibrant 80s aesthetic.

Disintegration

Disintegration

The Cure

Explores introspective themes with lush soundscapes, resonating with emotional depth of the era.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata