Simple Minds - Theme For Great Cities 12'' (RSD Edition)

The Record Store Day 12" vinyl edition of Simple Minds' "Theme For Great Cities" is universally acclaimed as a masterpiece of atmospheric post-punk and electronic rock. Critics and fans consistently praise the pressing's stellar audio fidelity, which highlights the track's hypnotic, krautrock-inspired motorik beat, Derek Forbes' driving bassline, and Mick MacNeil's sweeping, cinematic synthesizer washes. Deprived of Jim Kerr’s vocals, the instrumental stands out as a dizzying, futuristic highlight of the band’s early catalog, making this specific high-quality 12" release a highly sought-after collector's item for audiophiles.

Producer John Leckie first announced the single when he wrote about Empires And Dance in the 5X5 Tour Brochure: "I'm currently mixing a new version of I Travel which the band will release on vinyl for Record Store Day in April 2012. It still sounds a fantastic song more than 30 years on." The single was confirmed in March when it appeared in the listings for Record Store Day. A limited edition run of 1000 12" records worldwide would be pressed which would only be available at various independent record stores.

A remix of Theme For Great Cities by Simple Minds fan Moby was later revealed as the singles title track. The artwork simply reused the old I Travel sleeve from 1980 although Virgin was more imaginative with the labels.

Jim and Charlie took part in a record signing on the 21st April at Sister Ray Records in London where they personally signed 100 copies. The queue took over three hours to reach the doors. A signed copy was sold on eBay several hours later. It was quickly snapped up for £100. (Those signed copies from Sister Ray should also come with the Sister Ray Record Store Day list, the Last Minute Info list, till receipt and Sister Ray bag.) Themes was the first commercial 12" single released by Virgin since 1991's Real Life.

The Record Store Day 12" vinyl edition of Simple Minds' "Theme For Great Cities" is universally acclaimed as a definitive masterpiece of post-punk and electronic rock. Critics and audiophiles consistently praise this specific pressing for its exceptional audio fidelity, which breathes new life into the track's dense, cinematic atmosphere. By stripping away Jim Kerr's vocals, the instrumental allows the band's formidable rhythm section to take center stage, driving a hypnotic, krautrock-inspired motorik beat fueled by Derek Forbes' propulsive bassline and Brian McGee's precision drumming.

What truly elevates this release is how the high-quality 12" mastering enhances Mick MacNeil’s sweeping synthesizer washes and Charlie Burchill’s percussive guitar work, creating a dizzying, futuristic soundscape. Fans and reviewers note that the expansive vinyl dynamics capture the track’s original 1981 darkwave energy while offering a pristine clarity that modern sound systems demand. It remains a highly sought-after collector's item, perfectly encapsulating the era when Simple Minds pioneered a bold, instrumental blueprint for alternative dance music.

Ripped from my very own 12” copy to MP3

Simple Minds; Theme For Great Cities 12” (RSD Limited Edition)

A.     Theme For Great Cities (Moby Remix)

B.     I Travel (John Leckie Remix)