SIMPLE MINDS - Belfast Child | FIRST TIME COUPLE REACTION

[@richarddobson815]

I'm so glad you enjoyed the song Nick and Alexia. The troubles in Northern Ireland are too complex, politically and religiously, for me to explain as an English onlooker (it's easy to research) but the genesis of the song was the traditional Irish folk song 'She Moved Through The Fair' which Jim Kerr heard shortly after the Enniskillen bombing. He used the tune and put new lyrics to it, attempting to interpret how families suffer during conflicts like these. It became the band's sole #1 single. You're right Alexia, this and the album was a change in style (almost prog at times which was interesting as Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill were big Yes fans as schoolboys). They had started in the late 70's as post-punk before evolving into a Kraftwerk-style synth band before breaking through with 'New Gold Dream 81/82/83/84' which was synth pop/rock perfection. 'Sparkle In The Rain' and 'Once Upon A Time' established them as one of the biggest bands in the UK, selling out arenas all over Europe. It was during this time that they recorded 'Don't You Forget About Me' which had been written for the hit movie 'The Breakfast Club'. It was the biggest hit of their career, and the only song they never wrote themselves. Their popularity waned somewhat in the 90's which was a shame, as they continued to produce high quality, interesting guitar and synth rock, but in the last ten years their output and importance has been re-assessed by the UK music press. They are now recognised as one of the most important bands in their field and continue to tour and make excellent albums. Jim (vocals) and Charlie (guitar) formed the band in the 70's at school and have always been the driving force/nucleus of Simple Minds and continue to be so, even at the age of 65. I saw them earlier this year and it was hit after hit, and so powerful. I could give you 5 marathons of 5 songs right now Nick, and they would all be excellent. Thanks for a great reaction guys. P.S. All my favourite singers remind you of Brendan Perry of Dead Can Dance Nick lol. Think of Guy Garvey from Elbow, and now Jim Kerr of Simple Minds. You suggested I listen to his solo music and I did. It was very good!

[@monicadesanti7466]

Thank you Richard

[@philipmccarthy6175]

BELL - FAST

[@philipmccarthy6175]

@Vanu-i4o You're talking absolute nonsense.

[@philipmccarthy6175]

@Vanu-i4o it was a country long before it was colonised by the English.

[@scifimonkey3]

They are worth a massive playlist as the quality has been extraordinarily consistent for over 45 years

[@richarddobson815]

I absolutely agree!

[@glennthompson1173]

Their catalog is wonderful. So many great tunes.

[@Escapee5931]

Simple Minds are still touring - I saw them in March this year in Birmingham. They did this song, and the whole arena was vibrating as they reached the crescendo!

[@richarddobson815]

I saw them in Leeds. Just brilliant!

[@dctbass]

For hardcore Minds fans, it is fashionable to disdain almost everything post New Gold Dream and certainly from and including Don't You Forget About Me. I get that this song can seem too commercial, too smooth and bombastic... ...but... ....I saw them doing this last year in Glasgow and it was one of the highlights of the night. I found it very moving and was up there with their earlier, more credible (whatever that means) stuff.

[@richarddobson815]

@@dctbass Yes, being fashionable means missing out on forty years of wonderful music.

[@garyneville1141]

This is about the troubles in Ireland, which was like a civil war between protestants and catholics . Simple minds were a Scottish band. This is a beautifully crafted song and its important in its message.

[@danielolson5378]

So sad yet so beautiful. This is one of those songs that never lets go with you once you heard it.

[@gailhill5734]

Soooo many great Simple Minds songs and still producing great music today. One of the best arena bands ever with great 'big' sounds

[@syebba]

Simple Minds have many class & quality tracks,there's a version of this with the late,great Sinead O Conner,utter brilliance!

[@LostInSweden-cc2zu]

Saw them several times in the 80s, including a kickass performance at Ibrox stadium in Glasgow. One of the best bands live I've ever seen, and just a great fuckin' band.

[@karenglenn6707]

I saw them in Melbourne Australia in 1984 and they were brilliant!! Only beaten by Queen live in 1985, which was mind blowing. Love Simple Minds still.

[@jpwwilson430]

Great song, brilliant Scottish band....

[@colin4796]

Along with the great Glasgow band Deacon Blue, of course.😊

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

The slow ballad parts are to the melody of a traditional Irish song called. “ She Moved Through The Fair”

[@colin4796]

Nicknlex. The troubles had been going on for many years in Ireland between a mixture of the British Government, Catholics, and Protestants. My brother in law is from Belfast, and I remember as a child going to Ireland in the very early 70s to visit his family and would be woken at night with the sound of the riots and gunfire. You would walk the streets during the day and see burnt out buildings and vehicles, petrol bombs, rocks, and broken paving stones ready for the riots. We ended up going to Southern Ireland after a week as it got too dangerous. It is such a lovely country with such wonderful people. It's worth a visit.

[@philipmccarthy6175]

No one calls it Southern Ireland , it's either Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

[@handyandyoway]

​@@philipmccarthy6175 some of us (from Belfast and other places) call it 'down South' as a routine.

[@jaquettajones]

Jim Kerr is diminutive with a mighty voice ❤

[@SteveA308]

From the same album Street Fighting Years is a cracking song...... just so silky smooth in the headphones but its a great sonic discovery like this one

[@tompickles9798]

WOW I can't believe you're doing this ive seen simple minds 3 times live but never played BELFAST CHILD. AN ABSOLUTE ICONIC track hope you enjoy it.

[@monicadesanti7466]

Don' t you (forget about me) is very popular in States but their catalogue is full of another great songs: Alive and Kicking , Let there be love, Glittering prize, Mandela day, See the lights and so on

[@baldy3405]

Prefer their early song, I travel, love song, American.

[@JamesCormier]

Love Jim Kerr! So much great music from the era. One of the best acts to come out of the 80s.

[@karenglenn6707]

I still have my cassette of this from when the album came out. Full of great songs!! Got to see them live in Melbourne Australia in 1984 and they were freaking amazing!!

[@SuHo-bp1iy]

You ought to watch them do this song on "Live In Verona". That tour was when they were at the height of their powers, but I also saw them earlier this year at the Sydney Opera House.- this song was just as good. And their drummer ... wow!

[@richarddobson815]

Cherisse Osei can really play the drums!

[@mattleppard1970]

Ooh, I’ve recently dipped back into Simple Minds! Pretty much every song is pure fire. Earlier was more synth pop, their later stuff just huge arena rock. And sweeping soundscapes like this. All ❤

[@richarddobson815]

So much to listen to. Still great in concert as well.

[@andrewlivings6124]

Simple minds have done so many great songs and great live. Promised you a miracle off the album live in the city of light is brilliant.

[@dctbass]

The song was released in 1989. It's about "The Troubles" in Northern Ireland, which was a decades long terrorist war between Nationalists (who wanted Northern Ireland to be a part of a united, independent Republic of Ireland) and Unionists (who wanted to maintain the status quo and remain part of the United Kingdom). There was a religious angle intimately intertwined, in that the Nationalists/Republicans were mostly Catholics and the Unionists were mostly Protestant. The paramilitary wings of each community had been bombing the sh!t out of each other for decades. Simple Minds are from Glasgow, Scotland, just across the Irish Sea on the UK mainland. It has strong historic roots with both communities, with families moving to and fro across the water. Glasgow too has had a strong religious divide, manifested in the intense rivalry between the football teams Celtic (Nationalist/ Catholic) and Rangers (Unionist/Protestant), so, whilst the Minds are not Irish, they had a fairly intimate understanding of the issues. The song pre-dates the Good Friday Agreement (which largely ended the paramilitary violence and bombings) by 9 years (1989/1998). The song laments the loss to both communities of people who left Northern Ireland to escape The Troubles, the violence. "Come back Billy..........Come back Mary". "Billy" would be seen as a very Unionist/Protestant name and "Mary" as a very Nationalist/Catholic name. The song looks forward to a time when those people might return, when it was safe, when the Troubles were over and when "the Belfast Child sings again....." Beautiful, prescient, haunting

[@AH-fg8dk]

I have no idea about the raffle 🙂as I have not stopped by the channel before, that is until I saw someone had reacted to Simple Minds - Belfast Child This is such a moving track but that said, there is a live version that is truly amazing out there 'Simple Minds with Sinéad O'Connor - Belfast Child (Night Of The Proms)'

[@richarddobson815]

Yes, that is a great version as well.

[@BarryOstle-o8z]

HAUNTING!!! LOVE THIS SONG.

[@colin4796]

What a great pick, Richard. It's my all-time favourite Simple Minds track.

[@richarddobson815]

Thanks Colin!

[@scotmax8426]

love this simple minds track. beautiful song.

[@xelamercedes]

Beautiful. Haunting. Only ever heard one song from this group before. Wow.

[@aaronherbison7316]

Nick you didnt butcher it, you got the pronunciation spot on. I live 20 miles from Belfast, its a beautiful city and I spent 2 years living in it during the 'Troubles' and i work in it couple of days every week . i love the place

[@TheSimplyminds]

Amazing band You need to discover more of there music ❤

[@freeguitar]

I'm from Italy and I'm 52 and I'm happy to see that you are interested in the music I've always loved.....💥

[@joykeebler1916]

- it was once stated ,that the Belfast Child, is related to that as to the Prince of Peace

[@monicadesanti7466]

Thank you guys ❤❤❤❤❤! My one' s favourites songs ever

[@botlus4727]

Thank you for doing one of my all time favorits. Cheers from Berlin 👍🍀😎

[@juliooyarzo3643]

Excelente canción! Y no es la unica. Me gustan "Soul crying out", "This is your land", "Take step back", "Let it all come down". Cuando se referian a las gaitas, flautas, recordé la cancion "Tomorrow" de U2 que en su intro tiene esos sonidos hasta que comienza a cabalgar!

[@delskioffskinov]

Produced by the legendary Trevor Horn and was Simple Minds first UK number 1!

[@stevecrisell108]

Quality. The Song Incorporates The Melody Of " She Moved Through The Fair " A Traditional Irish Folk Song.

[@bstapylton-smith1940]

So it wasn't just me who thought that!

[@richarddobson815]

That's right!

[@HunkumSpunkum]

Great song about 'The Troubles'.

[@srxjanne]

My favourite song from Simple Minds!

[@nilsatisno9964]

uilleann pipes is the instrument you refer to.

[@jimled50jl49]

Hi Guys, love Simple Minds. Brilliant albums. Have you ever watched the movie "The Breakfast Club" ? It's a movie I have watched so many many times over the years and never get tired of it. The intro theme is "Don't you forget about me" by Simple Minds. Perfect track for a classic iconic movie. This song is a very poignant song and something I know only too well about. I have told you in previous reactions I have lived in Belfast in my childhood till I was 16, then moved to England because of a few very close calls with bombs going off by the IRA. One of my sisters still lives in Belfast as she got married there, and decided to stay, due to her own friends and her husbands family and friends. I of course have been back numerous times to visit. I love Belfast. So many wonderful memories, despite "The Troubles" as it was known. I remember the very day the British soldiers arrived on the streets and my mum going out with cups of tea for those near our house. This group Simple Minds have a very long list of superior tracks of hits and album tracks that are sooo good.....and they are one hell of a band to watch live !!! Jim Kerr is a brilliant vocalist and frontman for the band. I rate them better than U2 !!! [ I am a massive fan of U2's earliest albums that are classics today ] The Troubles were based on religion between 2 fractions, the Catholics and the Protestants that escalated to gangs on both sides killing each other, then came the bombs and the British army were brought in. It isn't a feud that just happened, although the Troubles began in the 70's. This has a very long history going back to a man known as William of Orange, and we are talking around the 16 - 17 hundreds where he became King of England and Ireland. Every year my dad would take me to the long Parades of street bands marching through Belfast with huge banners depicting that history. One of the saddest days of my life was leaving Ireland. Byee Jim X

[@rudolfbecker4313]

Hi Jim, how are you ? I always know where to find you 😄 Basically I only have to look for english music 😆 Have you seen, that Jim reacted to Peter Gabriel and Steven Wilson's Raven - album ? Today we recorded the 2nd video with me 🤘 if you don't want to watch because it's not your favourite music, you maybe drop a few lines. I hope you're back to normal 🤔 Take care Rudi 👋

[@jimled50jl49]

@@rudolfbecker4313 Hey Rudi !!! Good to see you. I actually love some German music > "Wolfsheim" and Peter Heppner solo albums....Also "Girls Under Glass" who have had Peter as guest artist. I also love French singer Nena. [ 99 Red Balloons] Her early stuff which is mainly pop music is ok but I prefer the later albums. Much more depth musically and vocally. I also love "Vow Wow" a Japanese rock band from the 1980's. They are like "Rainbow" on steroids. " I first heard a track called "Hurricane" and that was it ...Hooked. Vow Vow "V" is a mind blowing rock album. Lead singer is like a Japanese Ian Gillan. So if any of these show up ... I'll be there ! Lol ...I haven't seen Jim's reaction to Gabriel & Wilson [ I will checkout ] Love both artists. My nephew has worked a number of times with Peter Gabriel, mainly via Womack festivals. Take care too, Rudi my friend. I'm good. Bye for now. 😀👍 Jim

[@blucomicguy8705]

My favorite Simple Minds track! Thanks, Richard and NicknLex!!

[@jenniferwilgar7485]

Love this track! The instrument u r talking bout r called bagpipes. Thanks for playing this! Jen Belfast

[@benjaminsaban3522]

ive always loved jim kers voice ❤

[@niged]

Simple Minds still touring. Just booked tickets to see them in Halifax UK in 2025!

[@richarddobson815]

I saw them in Leeds earlier this year. Tremendous gig!

[@markd6170]

More of Simple Minds.. Check out the song 'Somebody Up There Likes You'..

[@sandraandmichaelfield1602]

Great Reaction!!! - Please more Simple Minds....suggest album: New Gold Dream, songs: "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" and "Promise You A Miracle". Saw them live Nov 24, 1985 at the Universal Amphitheater (N. Hollywood, CA), ticket price $17.50. Outstanding performance!! With Peace and Love to all! (Michael)

[@richarddobson815]

New Gold Dream is a classic album!

[@skyscraper7474]

Someone that doesn' react t to simple minds for don' t you forget about me?? Really?? Wow! It' s a miracle.

[@rockandrollpaddy]

This is set to the traditional Irish air 'She Moved Through The Fair'.

[@royboy56100]

I love Celtic music. The Corrs, IONA, and The Chieftains, etc. Ancestors are Scottish, British and Dutch German.

[@royboy56100]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYO5i6Wsl7R4g7csi=nJvKifYIu4jvGX8-

[@scottanderson8420]

Great Request Richard, beautiful song highlighting the troubles. Nice to hear diverse music being reacted too. That’s of course why we are here. I’m anxious to see your picture in a NicknLex t-shirt. I ordered mine this morning. 👍👍

[@richarddobson815]

Thanks Scott. They have a huge back catalogue well worth investigating. Did you order the Bass T-Shirt? I'm expecting my shirt to arrive this week!

[@scottanderson8420]

I’m getting 2 a bass and a Holdsworth 😎😎

[@juliooyarzo3643]

Me gustan mucho los álbumes "Sparkle in the rain" , "Once upon a time" , "Real life Las canciones "She's a river" , "Hypnotised"

[@alanmartin-hz5bp]

Check out there track waterfront ❤

[@robwebb6383]

You guys should listen to a live recording of this song. Or listen to Live in the city of light album. It's incredible. I was there.

[@shimahero]

Good pick from the group

[@darrenwestbury8569]

Love to see them take a look at the album "Once upon a time" by Simple minds

[@markd6170]

Alive & Kicking..

[@genwcd91]

Seen them over 20 times, check out the album New Gold Dream

[@nealjones255]

Superb

[@freeguitar]

Another album in my heart....❤✌️

[@MauricioDelaRosa-db7rr]

Hey Nick and Lex don't forget to do their song Don't You Forget About Me (see what I did there me so clever 😉😂) probably their best known song which was featured in the movie The Breakfast Club.

[@benjamincharrier3527]

You must react to the first song on the same album named "street fighting years". It's a masterpiece.

[@benjaminsaban3522]

so beautiful ❤

[@djdm2000]

Top notch production by Trevor Horn

[@ianwood-zi7fh]

There best song i think love the iconic singing and the wonderful flute

[@joykeebler1916]

- and towards the mathematics of everything ...

[@stephencaruso760]

Richard great pick and Simple Minds are very talented...I love their 2015 live performance at awards ..on KZbin.. Taylor Swift and Jennifer Lopez dancing to their music..

[@richarddobson815]

Thanks Stephen. Yes I know this video. It seems in the last ten years everyone's remembered just how good Simple Minds are!

[@Gormley_Shoes]

You need to listen to the live version with the late Sinead O'Connor

[@benjaminsaban3522]

i forgot how good it was

[@angeloscarcroce726]

Feliz cumpleaños Lex!!! Qué pases un hermoso día!!! (Feliz cumpleaños para mi también!!!). 06 10 2024.

[@NicknLex]

Feliz cumpleaños!!!! Que estés disfrutando al máximo también!!

[@angeloscarcroce726]

@@NicknLex Muchísimas gracias!!! Un gran cariño!!!

[@thedoctor5268]

Try a lot more simple minds they have a whole host of top tracks, love the reactions guys Davie from Edinburgh Scotland

[@tomtorres212]

the Dudelsack part was so hilarious ;)....love you guys

[@steviesellers]

I get emotional to this song and to The Cranberries / Zombie as i lost a young nephew to the troubles . Conflict like most wars was religious between Protestants a English supporting population and the majority and the Catholics Irish supporters who wanted a united Ireland and didnt get on with English to say the least ,Each had terrorist organizations and the army went in to control Northern Ireland and tit for tat happened with the army in the middle . Thats the simplified version lol

[@realbworld]

The album was produced by Trevor Horn…. One of the great 80’s producers. The rest of the album is wonderful in so many different ways……. The 80’s was so different to today. The band were very politically aware….. there is a song called Biko, all about the struggles of apartheid in South Africa. Decades pass, sadly the World doesn’t change much.

[@richarddobson815]

Yes, it's a great album. Biko was a cover of the Peter Gabriel song, the band showing support for the Free Nelson Mandela movement with Mandela Day of course.

[@realbworld]

@@richarddobson815 I saw them play it in Hyde Park.

[@lesgrice4419]

It's a plea for peace to break out from what was known as The Troubles in Northern Ireland that 'began' around 1968 and 'ended' in 1998 with the Good Friday Agreement, basically an agreement to disagree but solve the problems politically rather than by the gun and the bomb which killed over 3000 people during those 30 years of sectarianism, simply put Catholics wanted a Union with the rest of Ireland, Protestants wanted a continuing union with The Crown, Great Britain. (much else besides that too, equal rights in voting, employment etc.) it was a war which no side including the British Goverment could win and this song sort of materialised in that many participants of the Troubles got older and did not want the murder to continue into the next generation of their children, they grew sick of murder, fear and all they brought with it and did not want to hand it all over to the next generation, their children and by a majority voted for the Good Friday Agreement which still holds. So in a way the Belfast Child did return to fill the streets with a kind of peace, though through inter-generational trauma since 1998 3500 people have committed suicide there though its a great place full of wonderful people.

[@josbroersma7419]

did you already react to Portishead- Glorybox (live version with orchestra)?

[@JakCarter-b5p]

Impressive ❤

[@GaryHalstead-v1t]

Waterfront should be your next choice non political just an ace tune

[@richarddobson815]

@@GaryHalstead-v1t It’s their concert opener every time! Great track.

[@yw1971]

The tune is of an irish Dirge.

[@-pulze_x_fyahz-3443]

The song is about the bombing in Enniskillen that killed 72 people which the IRA planted. Simple Minds are not taking sides, just a voice for those caught up in the conflict. Fantastic band, there is so much more you can react to.

[@aaronherbison7316]

Its important to get details correct. 12 people were sadly killed in the Enniskillen bomb and this song is based in Belfast which is on the other side of the country

[@-pulze_x_fyahz-3443]

@@aaronherbison7316 Sorry Arron, you are correct 12 people sadly died. Typo error.

[@aaronherbison7316]

​@@-pulze_x_fyahz-3443no sweat 👍

[@drumvc8060]

This is a modification of a traditional Irish folk tune. For something closer to the original, try any live version of she moved thru the Fayre by the quite wonderful Cara Dillon.

[@HARRYBZ249]

Simple Minds .....

[@thequietman760]

The original song is she moved through the fair 💔

[@duncanwyer2460]

Uilleann pipes are the Irish version of bagpipes with a more mellow sound air is pumped from a sack under the elbow so no blowing into it ,uilleann translates as elbow 😊

[@garymcghee2249]

Not a favourite song of theirs for me as a life-long fan, although it was their first Number one record in the UK and God knows they deserved it, but Kerr's vocal is just fantastic. He carries it. x

[@lilaelsi5766]

It was Ballads of the Streets EP in April 1989.

[@martin-vg7hf]

Bagpipes are Scottish, Uillean pipes are Irish

[@thequietman760]

Uilleann pipes

[@pairofpints]

I think we can call it a classic now. A lot of it is on synth. I think Lisa Gerrard is on fiddle(maybe). Troubles is such a dismissive word for war I think. Shame you mentioned Titanic, I fuckin hate that song .

[@dannywachowski5880]

Music from the past is great, but why don't you react to new musicians? I guess money talks then

[@NicknLex]

We react to new music all the time. Sponsored or not. If we only reacted to new musicians we would have double the subscribers so it's clearly not about money or views.

[@dannywachowski5880]

@@NicknLex Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've not seen you react to new music. And if it would double your subscriptions as you suggest, that means there's a thirst for new music. I'm not having a go at you as such, I just get a bit fed up with reactions to older music by you and others when there's an abundance of new music talent around that doesn't get the airplay/exposure they deserve. I want to help many talented young musicians out there and not for money on my part. In fact, I went on tour with a musician last July at my own expense! I'm as passionate about music as you are, just don't miss out on some amazing new music out there. Love you both