See the Lights

"See the Lights"
"See the Lights"
Single by Simple Minds
from the album Real Life
Released	13 May 1991
Genre	Pop rock
Length	4:22
Label	Virgin
Songwriter(s)	Charlie Burchill; Jim Kerr;
Producer(s)	Stephen Lipson
Simple Minds singles chronology

"See the Lights" is the second single released from Scottish rock band Simple Minds' ninth studio album, Real Life (1991). Written by band members Charlie Burchill and Jim Kerr, the song is about missing someone and a depression that accompanies it, longing to bring back the love that is dying. Released on 13 May 1991 by Virgin, the song was a top 40 hit in six countries. It reached number 20 in the UK, number 10 in Canada, and number 40 in the United States. It also went to number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock chart and number 10 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. It was Simple Minds' fifth song to reach the top 40 in the US, and was the last to do so.

Track listings[edit]

7-inch and cassette single

"See The Lights" (7-inch mix)
"Theme For Great Cities '91"

12-inch single

"See The Lights" (12-inch mix)
"Theme For Great Cities '91"

CD single

"See The Lights" (7-inch mix)
"Theme For Great Cities '91"
"See The Lights" (12-inch mix)

Charts[edit]

Weekly charts[edit]

Weekly charts
Chart (1991)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[1]	100
Canada Top Singles (RPM)^[2]	10
Ireland (IRMA)^[3]	16
Italy (Musica e dischi)	22
Netherlands (Single Top 100)^[4]	42
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)^[5]	27
UK Singles (OCC)^[6]	20
US Billboard Hot 100^[7]	40
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)^[8]	10
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)^[9]	1

Year-end charts[edit]

Year-end charts
Chart (1991)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)	95
Europe (European Hit Radio)^[10]	98

References[edit]

^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 253.
^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - May 25, 1991" (PDF).
^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Simple Minds". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "Simple Minds – See the Lights" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "Simple Minds – See the Lights". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "Simple Minds Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "Simple Minds Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "Simple Minds Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
^ "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

[1] Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 253.

[2] "RPM Top 100 Singles - May 25, 1991" (PDF).

[sc_Ireland2_Simple_Minds-3] "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Simple Minds". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[sc_Dutch100_Simple_Minds-4] "Simple Minds – See the Lights" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[sc_Sweden_Simple_Minds-5] "Simple Minds – See the Lights". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[sc_UK_-6] "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[sc_Billboardhot100_Simple_Minds-7] "Simple Minds Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[sc_Billboardmainstreamrock_Simple_Minds-8] "Simple Minds Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[sc_Billboardalternativesongs_Simple_Minds-9] "Simple Minds Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved 9 October 2022.

[10] "EHR Year-End Top 100" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 8, no. 51–52. 21 December 1991. p. 20. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

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v t e Simple Minds
Jim Kerr Charlie Burchill Ged Grimes Sarah Brown Gordy Goudie Cherisse Osei Brian McGee Tony Donald Duncan Barnwell Mick MacNeil Derek Forbes Kenny Hyslop Mike Ogletree John Giblin Eddy Duffy Mel Gaynor Andy Gillespie Catherine AD
Albums	Life in a Day Real to Real Cacophony Empires and Dance Sons and Fascination/Sister Feelings Call New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) Sparkle in the Rain Once Upon a Time Street Fighting Years Real Life Good News from the Next World Néapolis Our Secrets Are the Same Neon Lights Cry Black & White 050505 Graffiti Soul Big Music Acoustic Walk Between Worlds Direction of the Heart
Live albums	Live in the City of Light Real Live 91 Sunday Express – Live (Volumes 1 & 2) 5X5 Live Acoustic in Concert Live in the City of Angels
Compilations	Themes for Great Cities 79/81 Celebration Glittering Prize 81/92 The Promised The Best of Simple Minds Early Gold Silver Box Celebrate: The Greatest Hits
Singles	"Love Song" "Promised You a Miracle" "Glittering Prize" "Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)" "Waterfront" "Speed Your Love to Me" "Up on the Catwalk" "Don't You (Forget About Me)" "Alive and Kicking" "Sanctify Yourself" "All the Things She Said" "Ghostdancing" "Belfast Child" "This Is Your Land" "Kick It In" "Let There Be Love" "See the Lights" "Stand by Love" "She's a River"
Promo singles	"Mandela Day" (US)
Themes series	Themes – Volume 1: March 79–April 82 Themes – Volume 2: August 82–April 85 Themes – Volume 3: September 85–June 87 Themes – Volume 4: February 89–May 90 Themes – Volume 5: March 91–September 92
Related articles	Discography Concert tours Lostboy! AKA Jim Kerr Ex-Simple Minds