Glittering Prize

"Glittering Prize" is a 1982 hit single by the Scottish rock group Simple Minds, and released on their fifth studio album New Gold Dream, released the same year.

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

"Glittering Prize"
Single by Simple Minds
from the album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)
B-side"Glittering Prize Theme"
Released16 August 1982 (1982-08-16)
GenreNew wave
Length4:02
LabelVirgin
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)

The song reached number 16 in the United Kingdom,[1] but was more successful in Australia, New Zealand and Norway, where it reached the top 10.

A compilation album, released by Simple Minds in 1992, is named after the song, and is entitled Glittering Prize 81/92.[2]

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.[3]

Chart positions
Chart (1982) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[4] 9
Ireland (IRMA)[5] 11
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[6] 4
Norway (VG-lista)[7] 8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[8] 11
United Kingdom (CIN)[1] 16

References
  1. "Official Charts > Simple Minds". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  2. Glittering Prize 81/92 Cassette Sleeve Notes by Brian Hogg, 1992
  3. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize (video)". YouTube. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  4. 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.
  5. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Glittering Prize". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  6. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  7. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". VG-lista. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  8. "Simple Minds – Glittering Prize". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
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