Glittering Prize

This article is about the song. For the compilation named after it, see Glittering Prize 81/92.

"Glittering Prize" is a 1982 single release by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, 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,^[2] but was more successful in Australia, New Zealand and Norway, where it reached the top 10.

"Glittering Prize"
Single by Simple Minds
from the album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)
B-side	"Glittering Prize Theme"
Released	16 August 1982 (1982-08-16)
Recorded	April 1982 (1982-04) – July 1982 (1982-07)
Genre	New wave sophisti-pop[1]
Length	4:02
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes and Mick MacNeil
Producer(s)	Peter Walsh
Simple Minds singles chronology
"Promised You A Miracle" (1982) "Glittering Prize" (1982) "Someone Somewhere In Summertime" (1982)

A compilation album, released by Simple Minds in 1992, is named after the song, and is entitled Glittering Prize 81/92.^[3]

Background

In an interview with Smash Hits 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".^[4] 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 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".^[5]

Composition and legacy

Musically, "Glittering Prize" has been described as "bass groove with keyboard flourishes" which combine together to create "an evocative love song".^[6]

"Glittering Prize" was recorded by the band in Paisley Abbey in Paisley, Renfrewshire 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 Sky Arts Greatest Albums Live series in honour of the albums 40th year of release.^[7]

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.^[8] In a ranking of the top eleven Simple Minds songs, they ranked "Glittering Prize" as number sixth.^[9]

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, Charlie Burchill, and Mick MacNeil 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 sarcophagus within which lies a pharaoh 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.^[10]

Track listing

UK 7" vinyl

A – "Glittering Prize" (Club Mix) – 4:57
B – "Glittering Prize" (Theme) – 4:57

Europe 12", 45 RPM, Single

A – "Glittering Prize (Club Mix)" – 4:57
B1 – "Glittering Prize" (Theme) (Instrumental) – 4:57
B2 – "Promised You A Miracle" – 3:59

Chart performance

Chart (1982)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[11]	9
Ireland (IRMA)[12]	11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[13]	4
Norway (VG-lista)[14]	8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15]	11
United Kingdom (CIN)[2]	16

References

1. Heller-Nicholas, Alexandra (2016). "Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 491.
2. "Official Charts > Simple Minds". The Official UK Charts Company. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
3. Glittering Prize 81/92 Cassette Sleeve Notes by Brian Hogg, 1992
4. "Glittering Prize by Simple Minds". Songfacts. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
5. "Glittering Prize by Simple Minds". Songfacts. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
6. Tucker, Kara (12 October 2022). "Glittering Prize: Simple Minds' New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) at 40". Rock and Roll Globe. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
7. "New Gold Dream - Live From Paisley Abbey". SIMPLEMINDS.COM. 27 October 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
8. Roberts, Janey (5 February 2024). "11 Essential Simple Minds Songs". ClassicRockHistory.com. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
9. Roberts, Janey (5 February 2024). "11 Essential Simple Minds Songs". ClassicRockHistory.com. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
10. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize (video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
11. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 275. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
12. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Glittering Prize". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
13. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
14. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". VG-lista. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
15. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 January 2020.