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Our Secrets Are The Same

Friendship & Fame at the Heart of Simple Minds
Brief Description
The long-awaited memoir from Simple Minds' founder members and lifelong collaborators, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill A candid, moving, and kinetic story of self-realisation through the power of music, Our Secrets Are The Same is the remarkable joint memoir by Simple Minds' founder members, Jim Kerr... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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The long-awaited memoir from Simple Minds' founder members and lifelong collaborators, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill

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The long-awaited memoir from Simple Minds' founder members and lifelong collaborators, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill

A candid, moving, and kinetic story of self-realisation through the power of music, Our Secrets Are The Same is the remarkable joint memoir by Simple Minds' founder members, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill. It not only reveals the inner workings of one of the most innovative and successful British bands of the past half-century, but also the deeply personal tale of an extraordinary friendship which powered teenage dreams into visionary action.

Exploring key songs, places, years, and events in the Simple Minds story, and told in the distinct voices of both men, Our Secrets Are The Same explores a bond which has encompassed stratospheric highs and humbling lows, marriages and divorces, fatherhood, fickle fame, tricky inter-band dynamics, the occasional explosive bust-up, and a ruthless streak to rival the Sicilian Mafia.

Their connection is grounded in shared experiences and a set of values and codes so deeply ingrained they don't need to be spoken. For Our Secrets Are The Same is not just the story of two rock stars, but of two sons, brothers, partners, and parents who have never forgotten where they come from. Two men who have remained deeply bonded to their roots and each other while fulfilling a teenage dream to form a world-class live band and take their music around the globe.

Fascinating and funny, evocative and inspiring, this unforgettable memoir captures a unique journey through life and music, and a friendship like no other.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781408720882

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 02 October 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Constable

Illustration: 2x8pp. b&w/colour

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 460g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Original members and core songwriters, Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill formed Simple Minds in 1977 and went on to turn it into one of the biggest, most influential, eclectic and pioneering groups of the past half century. Simple Minds emerged from Glasgow's post-punk scene, transitioning from restless art-rockers to electro futurists and passionate pop contenders before becoming, finally, a global rock institution. Their critically acclaimed run of records between 1979 and 1985 are cited as a key influence by artists as diverse as Primal Scream, Mogwai, Manic Street Preachers, Moby, Peter Gabriel, Horrors and Chvrches. Their numerous global hits include 'Alive and Kicking', 'Promised You A Miracle', 'Waterfront', '(Don't You) Forget About Me', 'Belfast Child', 'Sanctify Yourself', 'She's a River' and 'Let There Be Love'.Simple Minds were recently the subject of critically acclaimed documentary, Everything is Possible, and continue to perform to huge crowds all over the world.

Graeme Thomson is the author of several acclaimed music books, including Under the Ivy: The Life & Music of Kate Bush; Small Hours: The Long Night of John Martyn; and Themes for Great Cities: A New History of Simple Minds. Graeme is pop columnist for the Spectator and writes on music, literature and popular culture for a number of publications, including the Guardian, Radio Times and Uncut.

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    'Nobody owes us anything, but the Simple Minds story has been too condensed. After Live Aid and "Don't You (Forget About Me)" there hasn't been quite the credit for those first few records. I think they contain some really special music. I can hear the flaws but there's something about the spirit and imagination in them that feels good. They...
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