Glittering Prize

{{about|the song|the compilation named after it|Glittering Prize 81/92}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Glittering Prize

| cover = Glittering Prize.jpg

| alt = Single by Simple Minds

| border = yes

| type = single

| artist = Simple Minds

| album = New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84)

| B-side = Glittering Prize Theme

| released = {{Start date|df=yes|1982|08|16}}

| recorded = {{Start date|df=yes|1982|04}} – {{End date|df=yes|1982|07}}

| studio =

| venue =

| genre =

• Pop rock{{cite book|title= Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984|first=Simon|last=Reynolds|date= January 1, 2005|chapter= New Gold Dreams 81-82-83-84: The Peak and Fall of New Pop|page= 408|publisher=Faber & Faber|isbn=0-571-21570-X

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dK-F43T8V0wC|access-date= 18 December 2024}}

• sophisti-pop{{cite book|first= Alexandra|last= Heller-Nicholas|editor-first= Robert |editor-last= Dimery |year= 2016 |title= 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die |chapter= Simple Minds - New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)|publisher= Cassell Illustrated |location= London |page= 491}}

| length = 4:02

| label = Virgin

| writer = Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes and Mick MacNeil

| producer = Peter Walsh

| prev_title = Promised You A Miracle

| prev_year = 1982

| next_title = Someone Somewhere In Summertime

| next_year = 1982

}}

"Glittering Prize" is a 1982 single release by Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released as the second single from their fifth studio album New Gold Dream (81–82–83–84) (1982). The song reached number 16 in the United Kingdom, 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.Glittering Prize 81/92 Cassette Sleeve Notes by Brian Hogg, 1992

==Background==

In an interview with Smash Hits magazine in 1982, lead singer Jim Kerr explained that the meaning behind "Glittering Prize", stating that the song is "about getting a glimpse of something and going out on a chase for it against all the odds. If you're after something, or something's really beckoning, just go for it. The glittering prize could be a girl, or a dream".{{cite web |title=Glittering Prize by Simple Minds |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/simple-minds/glittering-prize |website=Songfacts |access-date=5 October 2024}} The band are known to have claimed that they were not particularly favourable of the song when initially recorded and released, however, later claimed that the song had "grown on them".

Speaking to the Sunday Herald in 2008, Jim Kerr explained that following turning up late to one of the bands rehearsals, the band began playing "Glittering Prize" without him. Kerr explained that he "just heard the track in a way I'd never heard it before and it sounded fantastic. And it struck me that it was a much better pop song than I ever knew it was. And I was really, really delighted".{{cite web |title=Glittering Prize by Simple Minds |url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/simple-minds/glittering-prize |website=Songfacts |access-date=5 October 2024}}

==Composition and legacy==

Musically, "Glittering Prize" has been described as "bass groove with keyboard flourishes" which combine together to create "an evocative love song".{{cite web |last1=Tucker |first1=Kara |title=Glittering Prize: Simple Minds' New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) at 40 |url=https://rockandrollglobe.com/new-wave/glittering-prize-simple-minds-new-gold-dream-81-82-83-84-at-40/ |website=Rock and Roll Globe |access-date=5 October 2024 |date=12 October 2022}}

"Glittering Prize" was recorded by the band in Paisley Abbey in Paisley, Renfrewshire in Scotland along with the rest of the New Gold Dream album. The recordings were later featured on a live album release entitled New Gold Dream – Live From Paisley Abbey and broadcast on Sky Arts Greatest Albums Live series in honour of the albums 40th year of release.{{cite web |title=New Gold Dream - Live From Paisley Abbey |url=https://www.simpleminds.com/2023/10/27/new-gold-dream-live-from-paisley-abbey-2/ |website=SIMPLEMINDS.COM |access-date=5 October 2024 |date=27 October 2023}}

==Critical reception==

Classic Rock History claims that James Morrison influences are evident on "Glittering Prize", stating that the bass line featured throughout the song was a highlight.{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Janey |title=11 Essential Simple Minds Songs |url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/11-best-simple-minds-songs/ |website=ClassicRockHistory.com |access-date=5 October 2024 |date=5 February 2024}} In a ranking of the top eleven Simple Minds songs, they ranked "Glittering Prize" as number sixth.{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Janey |title=11 Essential Simple Minds Songs |url=https://www.classicrockhistory.com/11-best-simple-minds-songs/ |website=ClassicRockHistory.com |access-date=5 October 2024 |date=5 February 2024}}