You turn me on
You lift me up
Like the sweetest cup I'd share with you
You lift me up
Don't you ever stop, I'm here with you
Now it's all or nothing
'Cause you say you'll follow through
You follow me, and i, i, I follow you

What you gonna do when things go wrong?
What you gonna do when it all cracks up?
What you gonna do when the love burns down?
What you gonna do when the flames go up?
Who is gonna come and turn the tide?
What's it gonna take to make a dream survive?
Who's got the touch to calm the storm inside?
Who's gonna save you?
Alive and kicking
Stay until your love is
Alive and kicking
Stay 'til your love is
Until your love is, alive

Oh
You lift me up
To the crucial top, so I can see
Oh you lead me on, till the feelings come
And the lights that shine on
But if that don't mean nothing
Like if someday it should fall through
You'll take me home where the magic's from
And I'll be with you

What you gonna do when things go wrong?
What you gonna do when it all cracks up?
What you gonna do when the love burns down?
What you gonna do when the flames go up?
Who is gonna come and turn the tide?
What's it gonna take to make a dream survive?
Who's got the touch to calm the storm inside?
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
In the final seconds who's gonna save you?

Ooh oh, oh oh
Alive and kicking
Oh stay until your love is
Love is
Alive and kicking
Ooh oh, oh oh
Alive and kicking
Oh stay until your love is, love is
Alive and kicking

Ooh oh
Alive and kicking
Stay until your love is
Alive and kicking, oh

Stay until your love is
Alive and kicking, oh
Stay until your love


Lyrics submitted by ruben

Alive and Kicking Lyrics as written by James Kerr Charles Burchill

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Alive And Kicking song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • +5
    My Interpretation

    Simple Minds received some amounts of criticism in the 1980s for trying to be like U2 with songs that used Christian symbolism to project double meanings and spiritual overtones into their songs. This song was among those.

    There is definitely an element of double entendre in the lyrics of this song. I've tried to find some commentary from the group (credited as the writers) about the meaning, but haven't found it yet. But there has to be some level of spiritual meaning to the lyrics.

    I think there are two subjects in this song and the writer addresses the verses to one of those 'persons' and the bridges and choruses to the other person.

    At face value, it is definitely a love song that values the enduring qualities of real love -- patience, perseverance, strength. There's no doubt that those can develop in a personal relationship between two people.

    But, too many of the references in the lyrics speak of connections on deeper levels than people can have with each other, whether they would want to or not.

    The first verse is vague enough to leave room for argument that this is written about another person, though 'you lift me up' and 'the sweetest cup' references begin to create imagery that is a little deeper than a simple love song.

    Then the bridge to the first chorus - a barrage of questions seemingly pointed to a different subject than the subject of the verse - ultimately gives away the deeper meaning behind the lyrics, as the questions move from queries of fidelity in tough times to the ultimate question that faces mankind: "Who's gonna save you?"

    The chorus then becomes a plea to the second subject to stay. Stay until the feelings match the reality of the relationship, until the love that is there is alive and kicking.

    The second verse goes deeper into the spiritual aspects of the writer's relationship to his subject. "You lift me up to the crucial top where I can see," indicates the benefits the writer experiences currently from this relationship. But the verse progresses to an even bigger payoff in the relationship: "You'll take me home where the magic's from, and I'll be with you."

    Somehow, some way, when all else collapses or crumbles or dies, this relationship will still exist and the writer will be forever with the subject of his song.

    And then, again looking back to the secondary subject, the barrage of questions drills home the point that, ultimately, everything else is going to come to an end with the exception of this one permanent relationship.

    Who's gonna save you? The writer seems to have found his savior and is confident of their existence together even after it all comes down. His exhortation appears to be that we stay with him.

    bigdaddy3lkon January 18, 2014   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    A great love song about not running away from love. 'Stay until your love is alive and kicking' means don't give up so quickly.

    brokentelephone78on September 08, 2009   Link
  • +4
    General Comment

    This is a great love song, but not an ordinary one. Is it written about God or a woman? Jim married Chrissie Hynde, singer with the Pretenders, in 1984 so this could be a celebration of their love. Anyway this is an uplifting song in many senses. It takes me back to the mid 80s seeing the video. I remember thinking this is a beautiful song and a beautiful video. A great song elevates you. It lifts you up to the crucial top.

    HankSayson December 11, 2010   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    A truly timeless piece I never tire of. I think it can be taken with a double meaning, as a love song between two people, as well as religious. I loved it then, and I still love it now. It's perfect and has a great tune! Of course the Lyrics are good too. I dislike the "ohh baby bayby yeah baby ohhh yeahh yeah whoo baby" crap that's being put out these days!

    unimportanton April 27, 2012   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I've never commented on this song. But it is one of my favorites. Thank God for some bands with great songs that were the only thing that saved them and got them through their lousy teeange years. GREAT SONG. :) Jim Kerr is one of the best male vocalists in this last 30 years.

    Thia007on November 29, 2011   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It's about Holy Communion, Jesus and the resurrection

    damean1015on October 27, 2016   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Oooh, this song is excellent. I could listen to it all night and just sing and sway along and have a quiet drink. <3

    xShoshannaxon June 30, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I could never get tired of this song. It's timeless! One the best 80's tunes!

    Mode000on April 06, 2005   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Amazing song! I wish there were more like it...

    Vovinon January 30, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    The song is about the relationship Christians have with God. No matter how far a believer strays, God will be with that person.

    Also listen to Sanctify Yourself. It has religious connotations as well. Both songs have made me wonder through these years if Simple Minds was a Christian "rock" group.

    wild_thaingon March 21, 2006   Link

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