Alive and Kicking (song)


"Alive and Kicking" is a song by the Scottish rock band Simple Minds. Released in 1985 as the first single from the band's most successful album, Once Upon a Time, it reached number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 4 in Canada, and peaked within the top 5 of several European countries including Italy, where the song reached number one.

Chart performances

Following on from the success of previous non-album single, "Don't You ", "Alive and Kicking" was released as a single, reaching number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Top Rock Tracks chart. The song also reached number 4 in Canada. In Europe, the song topped the charts in Italy for one week, reached number 2 in Belgium, Ireland, and the Netherlands, and peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1992, when re-released as a double A-side with "Love Song" to promote the band's compilation album Glittering Prize 81/92, it managed to reach a new peak of number 6. Elsewhere, "Alive and Kicking" reached number 5 in New Zealand, number 16 in South Africa, and just missed the top 20 in Australia, peaking at number 21.

Music video

The music video for "Alive and Kicking" was filmed near the town of Hunter, at North–South Lake in the Catskill Mountains of New York State. A portion of the video was filmed on the overlook at the site of the old Catskill Mountain House. It was directed by Zbigniew Rybczyński, who directed the video for "All the Things She Said", the third single from the same album.

Track listing

7" single
  1. "Alive and Kicking"
  2. "Alive and Kicking"
12" single
  1. "Alive and Kicking"
  2. "Alive and Kicking"
Second 12" single
  1. "Alive and Kicking"
  2. "Alive and Kicking"
  3. "Up on the Catwalk"

    Personnel

Weekly charts

"Alive and Kicking"
Chart Peak
position
Australia 21

"Love Song" / "Alive and Kicking"
Chart Peak
position

Year-end charts

Chart Position
US Top Pop Singles 17

Certifications

Appearances in media

In 1992, "Alive & Kicking" provided the soundtrack for a famous promo, entitled "A whole new ball game" for BSkyB's launch of FA Premier League football.

East Side Beat version

In 1992, Italian dance music group East Side Beat covered "Alive and Kicking" in a style typical of early 1990s dance music. There are five remixes in total. Two versions are found on the 7" single and an additional three are on the CD single.

Charts