SIMPLE MINDS - THEME FOR GREAT CITIES

Released: September 4, 1981

Album: Sister Feelings Call

Originally a 1981 demo by Mick MacNeil, “Theme For Great Cities” became an iconic instrumental track for Simple Minds, later embraced by the Balearic club scene through numerous dance remixes. It was one of three demos given to Jim Kerr, alongside tracks that evolved into “Sons and Fascination” and “Seeing Out the Angel”. Initially called “The Third Track” and later recorded as Dexy’s. Though originally considered for lyrics, Kerr decided it worked best as an instrumental, later calling it one of his best decisions.

The final mix was completed at Regent’s Park Studios, and despite initial uncertainty about leaving it wordless, Jim saw its power in instrumental form, influenced by Eno, Kraftwerk, Bowie, and Magazine. He named it “Theme For Great Cities” to evoke a futuristic, cinematic feel, possibly inspired by Philip K. Dick’s sci-fi stories.

“Theme For Great Cities” captures the band’s fascination with urban landscapes, movement, and futurism. Inspired by Glasgow’s decline and the great capitals of the world, Jim Kerr saw cities as places of self-discovery but also as symbols of technology overpowering humanity. The track, from “Sister Feelings Call” embodies an imagined future, with its electronic rhythms and synth-driven atmosphere evoking a Blade Runner-style cityscape. 

“Sister Feelings Call” was conceived as a companion album to “Sons And Fascination”, featuring weaker, half-finished, or more ethereal tracks that the band didn’t want to discard. Originally, it was planned as a limited-edition bonus album, shrink-wrapped with “Sons And Fascination” for one month, before being sold separately in limited quantities and then deleted, but in reality, it became a budget release, initially bundled with “Sons And Fascination” and later sold separately remaining in circulation longer than intended. All “Sister Feelings Call” tracks were included on the “Sons And Fascination” cassette, and while a separate tape version appeared in 1986, no standalone CD was ever released. The first “Sons And Fascination” CD tried to include all “Sister Feelings Call” tracks but could only fit all but two.