Street Fighting Years

by Simple Minds

Street Fighting Years cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: 8 May 1989
  • Label: Virgin
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 1:01:50
  • Community rating: 3.13/5 from 2 ratings

Artists on this release: Jim Kerr, The Simms Brothers, Michael Been, Martin Drover, Mike Ogletree, Kenny Hyslop, Charlie Burchill, Gary Barnacle, Brian McGee, Michael MacNeil, Carlos Alomar, Mel Gaynor, Derek Forbes, Simon Heyworth

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Stepping back from the gleaming, stadium-sized synth-pop of their mid-80s peak, the Scottish group leaned heavily into acoustic instrumentation, Celtic folk traditions, and sweeping political anthems. Exploring themes like South African apartheid and political violence, the album is marked by grandiose, atmospheric production from Trevor Horn. It features the massive, politically charged hit 'Mandela Day', reinforcing the band's socially conscious pivot.

Genres

Descriptors: war, political, conscious, atmospheric

Tracklist

  1. Street Fighting Years (6:25)
  2. Soul Crying Out (6:07)
  3. Wall of Love (5:20)
  4. This Is Your Land (6:22)
  5. Take a Step Back (4:23)
  6. Kick It In (6:11)
  7. Let It All Come Down (4:56)
  8. Mandela Day (5:45)
  9. Belfast Child (6:41)
  10. Biko (7:34)
  11. When Spirits Rise (2:01)

Credits

More from Simple Minds: full discography