Up on the Catwalk
Encyclopedia
"Up On The Catwalk" was the third single
to be released from Sparkle in the Rain
, the sixth studio album
by Simple Minds
. It was released in March 1984 and climbed to #27 in the UK Singles Chart
.. It stayed in the charts for 5 weeks, which was longer than the band's previous single, "Speed Your Love To Me
".
Unlike the album's previous two singles, "Waterfront
" and "Speed Your Love To Me
", "Up On The Catwalk" was not included in the band's 1992 compilation album Glittering Prize 81/92
. However, reviewer MacKenzie Wilson of Allmusic considered this single to be the strongest song on Sparkle in the Rain
, complimenting its lyrics and 'glossy' verse which "thrives on celebrity and the falling grace that coincides that". The band's lead singer Jim Kerr
has retrospectively called "Up On The Catwalk" an example of Simple Minds
"at their spikiest and most dramatic".
. As the song progresses it achieves the rock-oriented, "enormous sound" of the two preceding singles, thanks to extensive "reverb and echo" attributed to each intrument in the production. The keyboards play a more prominent and "thunderous" role in "Up On The Catwalk" than in "Speed Your Love To Me
", particularly in the chorus after the refrain "I will be there".
in dense make-up sings and dances in the middle while photomontages once again come and go during the chorus refrain "I will be there". The combination of seemingly random photo compositions, and glamourous models alternating with superhero figures on the second catwalk, while Kerr rapidly sings names of well-known persons and places, create an overall "surreal" and "disturbing" video according to Dream Giver Redux.
1. "Up On The Catwalk" (Extended Mix) - 7:34
2. "A Brass Band In Africa" - 5:10
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
to be released from Sparkle in the Rain
Sparkle in the Rain
Sparkle In The Rain is the sixth studio album by Simple Minds, released in 1984. It peaked at number one in the UK album charts on 18 February 1984.-Album profile:Sparkle In The Rain, Simple Minds' US breakthrough album, is a rock-oriented album...
, the sixth studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by Simple Minds
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...
. It was released in March 1984 and climbed to #27 in 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 ...
.. It stayed in the charts for 5 weeks, which was longer than the band's previous single, "Speed Your Love To Me
Speed Your Love to Me
"Speed Your Love To Me" is a song by Simple Minds, which was released as the second single from the album Sparkle in the Rain, in January 1984...
".
Unlike the album's previous two singles, "Waterfront
Waterfront (song)
"Waterfront" is a 1983 single from Simple Minds, the first release from the album Sparkle in the Rain.Featuring a new, rockier sound, "Waterfront" scaled the charts in various countries around the world, including hitting #1 for two weeks in New Zealand. It also reached #13 on the UK Singles Charts...
" and "Speed Your Love To Me
Speed Your Love to Me
"Speed Your Love To Me" is a song by Simple Minds, which was released as the second single from the album Sparkle in the Rain, in January 1984...
", "Up On The Catwalk" was not included in the band's 1992 compilation album 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....
. However, reviewer MacKenzie Wilson of Allmusic considered this single to be the strongest song on Sparkle in the Rain
Sparkle in the Rain
Sparkle In The Rain is the sixth studio album by Simple Minds, released in 1984. It peaked at number one in the UK album charts on 18 February 1984.-Album profile:Sparkle In The Rain, Simple Minds' US breakthrough album, is a rock-oriented album...
, complimenting its lyrics and 'glossy' verse which "thrives on celebrity and the falling grace that coincides that". The band's lead singer Jim Kerr
Jim Kerr
James "Jim" Kerr is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Simple Minds who achieved five UK #1 albums and a #1 single "Ballad of the Streets EP". He released his first solo album, Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr, on the 27 May 2010.- Simple Minds :Kerr attended...
has retrospectively called "Up On The Catwalk" an example of Simple Minds
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...
"at their spikiest and most dramatic".
Style
The song begins with a exclamation of "one, two, one, two, three, four" while the drummer bangs his drumsticks together, followed by "crashing drums" and keyboards by Mick MacNeilMick MacNeil
Michael "Mick" MacNeil was the Scottish composer and keyboardist for the band Simple Minds, best remembered for their UK #7/US #1 hit single "Don't You ". Having joined in 1978 Johnny & The Self-Abusers to create Simple Minds, MacNeil left the band in 1990...
. As the song progresses it achieves the rock-oriented, "enormous sound" of the two preceding singles, thanks to extensive "reverb and echo" attributed to each intrument in the production. The keyboards play a more prominent and "thunderous" role in "Up On The Catwalk" than in "Speed Your Love To Me
Speed Your Love to Me
"Speed Your Love To Me" is a song by Simple Minds, which was released as the second single from the album Sparkle in the Rain, in January 1984...
", particularly in the chorus after the refrain "I will be there".
Music video
The promotional video for "Up On The Catwalk" begins with photomontages of parts of various people's faces forming, before switching to a studio performance of the band on a catwalk in the centre of the room. This is surrounded by a peripheral catwalk on which several figures move across during the video. During the performance Jim KerrJim Kerr
James "Jim" Kerr is a Scottish musician and singer-songwriter, best known for his work with the band Simple Minds who achieved five UK #1 albums and a #1 single "Ballad of the Streets EP". He released his first solo album, Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr, on the 27 May 2010.- Simple Minds :Kerr attended...
in dense make-up sings and dances in the middle while photomontages once again come and go during the chorus refrain "I will be there". The combination of seemingly random photo compositions, and glamourous models alternating with superhero figures on the second catwalk, while Kerr rapidly sings names of well-known persons and places, create an overall "surreal" and "disturbing" video according to Dream Giver Redux.
12" single
- Virgin VS 661-12
1. "Up On The Catwalk" (Extended Mix) - 7:34
2. "A Brass Band In Africa" - 5:10