The album that turned a reluctant hit into a global movement
In short: Simple Minds were already stars, but their 1985 masterpiece Once Upon a Time required a sonic overhaul. By trading polished pop for aggressive guitar-based energy, they captured the zeitgeist of the decade—even while wrestling with a massive hit they secretly didn't want to include.
Released on October 21, 1985, Once Upon a Time marked a pivotal shift in Simple Minds' trajectory. The band partnered with producer Jimmy Iovine, known for his work with Bruce Springsteen and Stevie Nicks. Iovine brought an aggressive, guitar-heavy aesthetic to the group, pushing frontman Jim Kerr toward more energetic vocal performances. This transition helped the album reach number one on the UK Albums Chart and peak at No. 10 on the US Billboard 200.
The record arrived in the wake of 'Don't You (Forget About Me,' a massive success from The Breakfast Club soundtrack. Interestingly, Kerr and the band recorded that single reluctantly, feeling it wasn't worthy of inclusion on this specific album. Despite their hesitation toward that track, the era was defined by high-profile singles like 'Alive and Kicking' and 'Ghost Dancing.' Notably, all proceeds from the latter two tracks were donated to Amnesty International.
The production also signaled a lineup change: it was the first studio effort without original bassist Derek Forbes. John Giblin took over for Forbes on this record, yet he later mentioned that tracks like 'I Wish You Were' and 'All the Things She Said' were first composed during 1983 sessions when he was a member. Even 'Ghost Dancing' was revealed to be a rewrite of a track from their 1980 album Empires and Dance.
The album’s physical presentation was as innovative as its sound. It originally featured two alternating covers that fit together like a puzzle when placed side-by-side in record shops. To promote the release, Virgin Records even produced a magnetic jigsaw puzzle. While critics were divided on Kerr's 'mechanical pep,' the album remains a landmark of 1980s rock production.
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