Simple Minds - Once Upon A Time (2025) Hi-Res

Riding the coattails of the John Hughes flick The Breakfast Club, Simple Minds finally broke into America with their theme song "Don't You Forget About Me," and their 1985 release Once Upon a Time captured the heart-wrenching excitement found in bands such as U2. They were now one of the biggest names in music, and Jim Kerr's thirsting vocals became the band's signature. Once Upon a Time, featuring producer Jimmy Iovine (U2, Stevie Nicks, Bruce Springsteen), showcased more of a guitar-driven sound. The band's heavy synth pop beats had relaxed a bit and Charlie Burchill's charming playing style was most noticeable. Also enlisting the choir-like beauty of Robin Clark, Simple Minds' popularity was expounded on songs such as "Alive & Kicking" and "Sanctify Yourself." This album was one of their best, most likely leading the pack in the band's album roster, because it exuded raw energy and solid composition not entirely captured on previous albums.

Once Upon a Time is the seventh studio album by Simple Minds, released in 1985. Although already successful in their native UK and Europe, the band had also now become popular in the US, mainly due to the Keith Forsey-penned “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” which appeared on The Breakfast Club soundtrack and had become a no.1 hit there. However, the band decided to leave the track off the album. Four singles were taken from the album; “Alive and Kicking” (UK #7, US #3), “All the Things She Said” (UK #9, US #28), “Sanctify Yourself” (UK #10, US #14), and “Ghost Dancing” (UK #13). The album topped the UK charts, and peaked at no.10 on the US charts.