Glittering Prize
"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 (1982-08-16) | |||
Recorded | April 1982 (1982-04) – July 1982 (1982-07) | |||
Genre |
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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]
Music video
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 positions
Chart (1982) | Peak position |
---|---|
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 |
References
- ^ Heller-Nicholas, Alexandra (2016). "Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 491.
- ^ a b "Official Charts > Simple Minds". The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- ^ Glittering Prize 81/92 Cassette Sleeve Notes by Brian Hogg, 1992
- ^ "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize (video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 275. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Glittering Prize". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". VG-lista. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- ^ "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
- v
- t
- e
- Jim Kerr
- Charlie Burchill
- Ged Grimes
- Sarah Brown
- Gordy Goudie
- Cherisse Osei
- Brian McGee
- Tony Donald
- Duncan Barnwell
- Mick MacNeil
- Derek Forbes
- Kenny Hyslop
- Mike Ogletree
- John Giblin
- Eddy Duffy
- Mel Gaynor
- Andy Gillespie
- Catherine AD
- Life in a Day
- Real to Real Cacophony
- Empires and Dance
- Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call
- New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)
- Sparkle in the Rain
- Once Upon a Time
- Street Fighting Years
- Real Life
- Good News from the Next World
- Néapolis
- Our Secrets Are the Same
- Neon Lights
- Cry
- Black & White 050505
- Graffiti Soul
- Big Music
- Acoustic
- Walk Between Worlds
- Direction of the Heart
- Live in the City of Light
- Real Live 91
- Sunday Express – Live (Volumes 1 & 2)
- 5X5 Live
- Acoustic in Concert
- Live in the City of Angels
- Themes for Great Cities 79/81
- Celebration
- Glittering Prize 81/92
- The Promised
- The Best of Simple Minds
- Early Gold
- Silver Box
- Celebrate: The Greatest Hits
- "Love Song"
- "Promised You a Miracle"
- "Glittering Prize"
- "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)"
- "Waterfront"
- "Speed Your Love to Me"
- "Up on the Catwalk"
- "Don't You (Forget About Me)"
- "Alive and Kicking"
- "Sanctify Yourself"
- "All the Things She Said"
- "Ghostdancing"
- "Belfast Child"
- "This Is Your Land"
- "Kick It In"
- "Let There Be Love"
- "See the Lights"
- "Stand by Love"
- "She's a River"
- "Mandela Day" (US)
- Themes – Volume 1: March 79–April 82
- Themes – Volume 2: August 82–April 85
- Themes – Volume 3: September 85–June 87
- Themes – Volume 4: February 89–May 90
- Themes – Volume 5: March 91–September 92