Once Upon a Time (Simple Minds album)

Once Upon a Time
Studio album by
Simple Minds
Released21 October 1985
RecordedMay–September 1985
StudioThe Town House, London
Genre
Length40:12
Label
Producer
Simple Minds chronology
Sparkle in the Rain
(1984) 		Once Upon a Time
(1985) 		Live in the City of Light
(1987)
Simple Minds studio albums chronology
Sparkle in the Rain
(1984) 		Once Upon a Time
(1985) 		Street Fighting Years
(1989)
Singles from Once Upon a Time
  1. "Alive and Kicking"
    Released: 30 September 1985
  2. "Sanctify Yourself"
    Released: January 1986
  3. "All the Things She Said"
    Released: March 1986
  4. "Ghost Dancing"
    Released: November 1986
Alternative cover
Alternative cover
Alternative cover
UK picture disc cover

Once Upon a Time is the seventh studio album by the 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 American Billboard Hot 100, spending five consecutive weeks in the top 10 and 16 weeks in the top 20.

Background

The album paired the group with producer Jimmy Iovine, who 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 pushed frontman Jim Kerr to deliver more energetic vocals.[1]

Although already successful in their native U.K. and abroad, Simple Minds had also recently become popular in the U.S. on the strength of the #1 single "Don't You (Forget About Me)", written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff and featured on the soundtrack for The Breakfast Club. However, Kerr and the band had recorded the song reluctantly and did not feel that it was worthy of inclusion on the album.

Once Upon a Time shares many influences with Simple Minds' previous studio album Sparkle in the Rain, which explored a similar songwriting style. It was the first album without founding member and 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.

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Classic Rock[2]
Mojo[3]
Q[4]
Record Collector[5]
Record Mirror4/5[6]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[7]
Smash Hits7/10[8]
Uncut6/10[9]
The Village VoiceB−[10]

AllMusic critic MacKenzie Wilson wrote that the album provided a "raw energy and solid composition not entirely captured on previous albums."[1]

Armond White of Spin wrote: "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."[11]

Singles

Four singles from the album were released. "Alive and Kicking" was released in advance of the album's release in September 1985, reaching #7 in the UK and #3 in the U.S. "Sanctify Yourself" was released in January 1986, reaching #10 in the UK and #14 in the U.S. "All the Things She Said" was released in March 1986, (UK #9, U.S. #28), and "Ghost Dancing" was released in November 1986 (UK #13). All of the proceeds from "All the Things She Said" and "Ghost Dancing" were donated to Amnesty International.[12]

"Oh Jungleland" had been planned to be released as the second single, but Virgin instead selected "Sanctify Yourself". 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.[13]

Releases

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, and 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 album was displayed in British record shops with the two alternating covers placed in a grid. 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 rereleased in remastered form several times, 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 the completely remixed album in DVD-Audio format. All of the tracks were remixed in 5.1 surround sound, and a downmixed 2.0 stereo version was created for compatibility with DVD-Audio setups without surround sound. The tracks on the remixed album differ in length in comparison to those on the original version, with most longer than in the original mix. In 2012, the original eight-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 reissued as Deluxe and Super Deluxe editions, including a double CD digipack and a five-5 CD/one-DVD boxset.

Track listing

All tracks are credited to Simple Minds as a band on the album, although Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill and Mick MacNeil are listed in the ASCAP database as the writers.[14]

Side A
No.TitleLength
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
Side B
No.TitleLength
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
Deluxe Edition Disc 1: The Original Album
No.TitleLength
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
Deluxe Edition Disc 2: B-Sides and Rarities
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't You (Forget About Me)"Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff4:23
2."A Brass Band in Africa"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil5:11
3."Don't You (Forget About Me)" (Extended)Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff6:36
4."A Brass Band in African Chimes"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil9:23
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 MacNeil5:54
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
Deluxe Edition Disc 3: B-Sides and Rarities
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Street Hassle" (Live)Lou Reed7:29
2."Love Song" (Live)Brian McGee, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil5:43
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 MacNeil6:04
7."All the Things She Said" (Extended) 5:12
8."Don't You (Forget About Me)" (Live)Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff9:05
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
Deluxe Edition Disc 4: Live in the City of Light (Live from Le Zenith, Paris ‘86)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Ghost Dancing" 7:22
2."Big Sleep"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil4:27
3."Waterfront"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil5:21
4."Promised You a Miracle"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil4:38
5."Someone Somewhere in Summertime"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil5:59
6."Oh Jungleland" 6:35
7."Alive and Kicking" 6:25
Deluxe Edition Disc 5: Live in the City of Light (Live from Le Zenith, Paris ‘86)
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Don't You (Forget About Me)"Keith Forsey, Steve Schiff6:37
2."Once Upon a Time" 6:06
3."Book of Brilliant Things"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil4:53
4."East at Easter"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Mel Gaynor, Michael MacNeil4:20
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 Stewart7:02
7."New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)"Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Jim Kerr, Michael MacNeil5:29
Deluxe Edition Disc 6 (DVD): 5.1 Mix and Promo Videos
No.TitleWriter(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 Schiff4:20
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
Note
  • The Deluxe edition of Once Upon a Time consists of Disc 1 (The Original Album) and Disc 2 (B-Sides and Rarities).
  • The Super Deluxe edition consists of all six discs.

Personnel

Adapted from the album's liner notes:[15]

Simple Minds
Additional personnel
Technical

Charts

Singles

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

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA)[37] Platinum 75,000[37]
Canada (Music Canada)[38] 2× Platinum 200,000^
France (SNEP)[39] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[40] 2× Gold 500,000 
Greece (IFPI Greece)[41] Gold 50,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[42] Platinum 100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[43] Platinum 15,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[44] Platinum 50,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[45] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[46] Gold 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[47] 3× Platinum 900,000^
United States (RIAA)[48] Gold 500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ a b c Wilson, MacKenzie. "Once Upon a Time – Simple Minds". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  2. ^ Lester, Paul (27 November 2015). "Simple Minds: Once Upon A Time". Classic Rock. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  3. ^ Male, Andrew (January 2016). "Simple Minds: Once Upon a Time". Mojo. No. 266. p. 104.
  4. ^ Price, Simon (December 2015). "Simple Minds: The Vinyl Collection 79–84 / Once Upon a Time". Q. No. 353. p. 118.
  5. ^ Elliott, Mark (January 2016). "Once Upon A Time | Simple Minds". Record Collector. No. 449. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  6. ^ O'Toole, Lesley (26 October 1985). "Simple Minds: Once Upon a Time". Record Mirror. p. 14.
  7. ^ Coleman, Mark (1992). "Simple Minds". In DeCurtis, Anthony; Henke, James; George-Warren, Holly (eds.). The Rolling Stone Album Guide (3rd ed.). Random House. pp. 638–639. ISBN 0-679-73729-4.
  8. ^ Cranna, Ian (23 October – 5 November 1985). "Simple Minds: Once Upon a Time". Smash Hits. Vol. 7, no. 21. p. 31B.
  9. ^ Thomson, Graeme (January 2016). "Simple Minds: Once Upon a Time – Deluxe". Uncut. No. 224. p. 92.
  10. ^ Christgau, Robert (1 April 1986). "Christgau's Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 11 February 2018.
  11. ^ Armond White (January 1986). "Spins". Spin. No. 9. p. 28.
  12. ^ Timeline Dream Giver Redux
  13. ^ Sanctify Yourself Dream Giver Redux
  14. ^ ASCAP database search.
  15. ^ "Studio Albums: Once Upon a Time". Simple Minds official website. 21 October 1985. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  16. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0610". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  20. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  21. ^ "European Top 100 Albums" (PDF). Eurotipsheet. Vol. 2, no. 50. 16 December 1985. p. 15. OCLC 29800226. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  22. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  23. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  24. ^ "Charts.nz – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  25. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  26. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  27. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  29. ^ "Simple Minds Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  30. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0618". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  31. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8824". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  32. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 1986" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  33. ^ "European Hot 100 Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 51/52. 27 December 1986. p. 35. OCLC 29800226. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 May 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2022 – via World Radio History.
  34. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  35. ^ "Top Selling Albums of 1986 — The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  36. ^ "Top US Billboard 200 Albums - Year-end 1986". BestSellingAlbums.org. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  37. ^ a b "European Gold & Platinum Awards 1986" (PDF). Music & Media. 27 December 1986. p. 33. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  38. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Music Canada. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  39. ^ "Les Certifications depuis 1973: Albums". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 26 May 2019. (select "Simple Minds" from drop-down list)
  40. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datebank (Simple Minds; 'Once Upon A Time')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  41. ^ "Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music & Media. 26 December 1987. p. 44. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  42. ^ "Dutch album certifications – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 26 May 2019. Enter Once Upon a Time in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  43. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  44. ^ "Norwegian Once Upon A time platinum disc, presented to Schoolhouse Management". 30 July 2023.
  45. ^ Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990 (in Spanish). Iberautor Promociones Culturales. 2005. ISBN 8480486392.
  46. ^ "Swedish Once Upon A Time Gold disc presented to Schoolhouse Management". 31 July 2023.
  47. ^ "British album certifications – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  48. ^ "American album certifications – Simple Minds – Once Upon a Time". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
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