"Glittering Prize" is a 1982 single release by Scottish

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

band

Simple Minds Simple Minds are a Scottish Rock music, rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977, becoming best known internationally for their song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" (1985), which topped the ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' Billboard Hot 100, Hot 100 ...

, released as the second single from their fifth studio album '' New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)'' (1982). The song reached number 16 in the United Kingdom, but was more successful in Australia, New Zealand and Norway, where it reached the top 10. A

compilation album A compilation album comprises Album#Tracks, tracks, which may be previously released or unreleased, usually from several separate recordings by either one Performing arts#Performers, performer or by several performers. If the recordings are from ...

, released by Simple Minds in 1992, is named after the song, and is entitled '' Glittering Prize 81/92''.'' Glittering Prize 81/92'' Cassette Sleeve Notes by Brian Hogg, 1992

Background

In an interview with ''

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'' magazine in 1982, lead singer Jim Kerr explained that the meaning behind "Glittering Prize", stating that the song is "about getting a glimpse of something and going out on a chase for it against all the odds. If you're after something, or something's really beckoning, just go for it. The glittering prize could be a girl, or a dream". The band are known to have claimed that they were not particularly favourable of the song when initially recorded and released, however, later claimed that the song had "grown on them". Speaking to the ''

Sunday Herald The ''Sunday Herald'' was a Scottish Sunday newspaper, published between 7 February 1999 and 2 September 2018. Originally a broadsheet, it was published in compact format from 20 November 2005. The paper was known for having combined a centre- ...

'' in 2008, Jim Kerr explained that following turning up late to one of the bands rehearsals, the band began playing "Glittering Prize" without him. Kerr explained that he "just heard the track in a way I'd never heard it before and it sounded fantastic. And it struck me that it was a much better pop song than I ever knew it was. And I was really, really delighted".

Composition and legacy

Musically, "Glittering Prize" has been described as "bass groove with keyboard flourishes" which combine together to create "an evocative love song". "Glittering Prize" was recorded by the band in

Paisley Abbey Paisley Abbey is a parish church of the Church of Scotland on the east bank of the River Cart, White Cart Water in the centre of the town of Paisley, Renfrewshire, about west of Glasgow, in Scotland. Its origins date from the 12th century, base ...

Paisley, Renfrewshire Paisley ( ; ; ) is a large town situated in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. Located north of the Gleniffer Braes, the town borders the city of Glasgow to the east, and straddles the banks of the White Cart Water, a tributary of the River ...

in Scotland along with the rest of the ''New Gold Dream'' album. The recordings were later featured on a live album release entitled ''New Gold Dream – Live From Paisley Abbey'' and broadcast on

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''Greatest Albums Live'' series in honour of the albums 40th year of release.

Critical reception

''Classic Rock History'' claims that James Morrison influences are evident on "Glittering Prize", stating that the bass line featured throughout the song was a highlight. In a ranking of the top eleven Simple Minds songs, they ranked "Glittering Prize" as number sixth.

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 James Kerr (born 9 July 1959) is a Scottish musician and lead singer of the rock band Simple Minds. Commercially successful singles released by Simple Minds include " Don't You (Forget About Me)", " Glittering Prize" (1982), " Someone Somewh ...

Charlie Burchill Charles Burchill (born 27 November 1959) is a Scottish musician and composer. He is the guitarist and one of the founders of the rock band Simple Minds. Style During Simple Minds' early-to-mid-1980s period, Burchill's guitar had a distinctive a ...

, and

Mick MacNeil Michael Joseph MacNeil (born 20 July 1958) is a Scottish songwriter and keyboardist. He is best known as a former member of the group Simple Minds. Early life One of seven siblings, MacNeil grew up in a musical family listening to traditional ...

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

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within which lies a

pharaoh Pharaoh (, ; Egyptian language, Egyptian: ''wikt:pr ꜥꜣ, pr ꜥꜣ''; Meroitic language, Meroitic: 𐦲𐦤𐦧, ; Biblical Hebrew: ''Parʿō'') was the title of the monarch of ancient Egypt from the First Dynasty of Egypt, First Dynasty ( ...

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.

Track listing

UK 7" vinyl

A – "Glittering Prize" – 3:58
B – "Glittering Prize" (Theme) – 4:03

Europe 12", 45 RPM, Single

A – "Glittering Prize (Club Mix)" – 4:57
B1 – "Glittering Prize" (Theme) (Instrumental) – 4:57
B2 – "

Promised You A Miracle "Promised You a Miracle" is a 1982 song by Scottish band Simple Minds and was released as the first single from their fifth studio album '' New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)''. It was the band's first chart hit in the UK,'' Glittering Prize 81 ...

" – 3:59

Chart performance

References

{{authority control 1982 singles Simple Minds songs Songs written by Derek Forbes 1982 songs Virgin Records singles Songs written by Jim Kerr Songs written by Charlie Burchill Songs written by Mick MacNeil