Alive And Kicking

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.