Alive and Kicking (song)
Encyclopedia
"Alive and Kicking" is a song by the rock band Simple Minds
, released as first single from the band's 1985 album, Once Upon a Time
.
Following on from the success of previous non-album single, "Don't You (Forget About Me)
", "Alive and Kicking" was released as a single, reaching #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
(Four weeks at Top Five Billboard) and #7 on the UK Singles Chart
.
The music video for "Alive and Kicking" was directed by Zbigniew Rybczyński
, who directed the video for "All the Things She Said", the third single from the same album.
It was re-released in 1992 as a double A-side with "Love Song" to promote the band's Glittering Prize 81/92
collection. Around the same time, it was used on trailers for BSkyB's recently acquired coverage of FA Premier League matches. The double A-side reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Spin magazine's review of the album Once Upon a Time had mixed messages about the song saying that the song was an "ornate epic", but that the lyrics are so vague that the band "only describes nirvana without attaining it".
Football League Two
side Aldershot Town
play this song at the start of their home games.
in 1992.
Simple Minds
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band who achieved worldwide popularity from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The band produced a handful of critically acclaimed albums in the early 1980s and best known for their #1 US, Canada and Netherlands hit single "Don't You ", from the soundtrack of the...
, released as first single from the band's 1985 album, Once Upon a Time
Once Upon a Time (Simple Minds album)
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 " which appeared on The Breakfast Club soundtrack and had become...
.
Following on from the success of previous non-album single, "Don't You (Forget About Me)
Don't You (Forget About Me)
"Don't You " is a song known for its being in the soundtrack to the film The Breakfast Club and performed by the band Simple Minds in 1985. The songwriters were producer Keith Forsey "Don't You (Forget About Me)" is a song known for its being in the soundtrack to the film The Breakfast Club and...
", "Alive and Kicking" was released as a single, reaching #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
(Four weeks at Top Five Billboard) and #7 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
The music video for "Alive and Kicking" was directed by Zbigniew Rybczyński
Zbigniew Rybczynski
Zbigniew Rybczyński is a Polish filmmaker who has won numerous prestigious industry awards both in the United States and internationally. He was also a teacher of cinematography, and digital cinematography. Currently he is a researcher of blue and greenscreen compositing technology at Ultimatte...
, who directed the video for "All the Things She Said", the third single from the same album.
It was re-released in 1992 as a double A-side with "Love Song" to promote the band's Glittering Prize 81/92
Glittering Prize 81/92
Glittering Prize is a compilation album by Simple Minds, released in 1992.It spans the period from Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call to Real Life....
collection. Around the same time, it was used on trailers for BSkyB's recently acquired coverage of FA Premier League matches. The double A-side reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Spin magazine's review of the album Once Upon a Time had mixed messages about the song saying that the song was an "ornate epic", but that the lyrics are so vague that the band "only describes nirvana without attaining it".
Football League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
play this song at the start of their home games.
7" Single
- "Alive and Kicking" (Single Version) (4:47)
- "Alive and Kicking" (Instrumental Version) (6:01)
Second 12" Single
- Ltd Edition Reflective Gold Sleeve
- "Alive and Kicking" (5:26)
- "Alive and Kicking" (Instrumental Version) (6:01)
- "Up On the Catwalk" (Live) (5:37)
Personnel
- Produced By Jimmy IovineJimmy IovineJames "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
& Bob ClearmountainBob ClearmountainBob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He has worked with many prominent names in music including Bruce Springsteen , The Rolling Stones , Bryan Adams , Robbie Williams Bob Clearmountain is an award-winning American music engineer, mixer and producer. He... - Engineered By Moira Marquis & Mark McKenna
- Engineering assisted By Martin White
- Words & Music By Simple Minds (Kerr, Burchill, MacNeil)
- "Up On the Catwalk" Recorded live at Barrowlands, Glasgow, 5 January 1985
Chart performance
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Dutch Top 40 Dutch Top 40 The Dutch Top 40 is a weekly music chart, which started as the "Veronica Top 40", because the offshore radio station Radio Veronica was the first to introduce it. It remained "The Veronica Top 40" until 1974, when the station was forced to stop broadcasting... |
2 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
7 |
| Canada Music Chart | 3 |
| Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
3 |
| Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... Top Rock Tracks |
1 |
| Hit Parade Italia | 1 |
| Ireland Singles Chart | 2 |
| New Zealand Singles Chart | 5 |
| German Singles Chart | 17 |
| Australian Singles Chart | 21 |
| Belgium Singles Chart | 1 |
| Norway Singles Chart | 5 |
| Sweden Singles Chart | 11 |
| European Hot 100 Singles | 3 |
Other versions
The version by East Side Beat reached #26 in the UK Singles ChartUK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1992.