Street Fighting Years

Infobox Album | Name = Street Fighting Years
Type = Album
Artist = Simple Minds


Released = May 8, 1989
Recorded = March, 1988–March, 1989
Genre = Alternative, Progressive rock
Length = 61:13
Label = A&M Records
Producer = Trevor Horn, Steve Lipson
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|2.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:rn59kebt7q7v~T1 link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|2|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/simpleminds/albums/album/214815/review/6067940/street_fighting_years link] |Last album = "Live in the City of Light" (1987)
This album = "Street Fighting Years" (1989)
Next album = "" (1990)

"Street Fighting Years" is an album by Simple Minds, released in 1989. It was a major stylistic departure from the previous album, 1985's "Once Upon A Time", and contained the band's most overtly political lyrics. The album reached Number 1 in the UK on the success of the chart-topping single "Belfast Child", and was well-reviewed, receiving a rare five-star review in "Q Magazine". Despite contributions from Lou Reed and ex-Police drummer Stewart Copeland, as well as production by Yes member Trevor Horn, the album performed poorly in the USA and produced no hit singles.

Track listing

# "Street Fighting Years" (Simple Minds) – 6:26
# "Soul Crying Out" (Simple Minds) – 6:07
# "Wall of Love" (Simple Minds) – 5:20
# "This Is Your Land" (Simple Minds) – 6:22
# "Take a Step Back" (Simple Minds) – 4:22
# "Kick It In" (Simple Minds) – 6:11
# "Let It All Come Down" (John Giblin/Simple Minds) – 4:56
# "Mandela Day" (Simple Minds) – 5:45
# "Belfast Child" (Simple Minds/Traditional) – 6:42
# "Biko" (Peter Gabriel) – 7:34
# "When Spirits Rise" (Simple Minds) – 2:03

Line Up

* Jim Kerr – Vocals
* Charlie Burchill – Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)
* Michael MacNeil – Piano, Accordion, Keyboards
* John Giblin – Guitar (Bass)
* Mel Gaynor – Drums

Additional Musicians

* Lou Reed – Vocals on This Is Your Land
* Lisa Germano – Violin
* Lorna Bannon – Backing Vocals
* Manu Katché – Drums
* Maureen Kerr – Penny Whistle, Bodhran
* Steve Lipson – Guitar (Bass), Producer
* Abdou Mboup – Percussion
* Sheena McKenzie – Cello
* Stewart Copeland
* Roger Sharp – Bagpipes

tudio Personnel

* John Altman – Orchestral Arrangements
* Dougie Cowan – Technical Master
* Robin Hancock – Engineer
* Guido Harari – Photography
* Simon Heyworth – Mastering
* Trevor Horn – Producer
* Paul Kerr – Logistics
* Stephen Lewis – Talking
* William Lithgow – Cello
* Bob Ludwig – Mastering
* Heff Moraes – Engineer
* Martin Plant – Assistant Engineer
* Steve Ralbovsky – Talking
* Willie P. Richardson – Talking
* Danton Supple – Assistant Engineer
* Sydney Thiam – Percussion
* Jane Ventom – Coordination
* Gary Wathen – Talking
* Leroy Williams – Percussion
* Ying Ho Au Yeung - Catering

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)