The Simple Minds' New Gold Dream And The Story Of The German Remix That Wasn't German At All

The Twelve Inch 144 : New Gold Dream 81-82-83-84 (Simple Minds)

If you ask fans of ’80s music to name their top five Simple Minds tracks, chances are high that New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) will make the list. For enthusiasts of ’80s dance music, you’re likely to hear an added recommendation: “You’ve got to “check out the ‘German remix’ of the track.”

Here’s the twist: New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) wasn’t released as an international single. In fact, its iconic twelve-inch version saw the light of day in only one country—Italy. And that so-called German remix? It’s not German at all.

Let’s unravel the gold-threaded story behind the twelve-inch, its enigmatic German remix, and the album that catapulted Simple Minds from cult favorites to global stars.

Welcome, I’m Pe Dupre and this is “The Twelve Inch”, a newsletter that tells the history of dance music between 1975 and 1995, one twelve inch at a time.

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The Making of a Classic

Simple Minds’ rise to fame was anything but straightforward. Formed in Glasgow in 1977, the band initially struggled to find their footing, releasing three albums under Arista’s Zoom imprint with little fanfare. By the time Empires and Dance and its standout track “I Travel” came out in 1980, the band was teetering on the edge of obscurity, burdened with debt and lacking label support.

Frustrated, Simple Minds sought to escape their contract, which Arista eventually granted in early 1981. Their fortunes changed when they signed with Virgin Records. Almost immediately, the label doubled down on their potential, simultaneously releasing two albums, Sons and Fascination and Sister Feelings Call. Tracks like “The American” and “Love Song” became cult hits on European dance floors, foreshadowing the breakthrough to come.

The Birth of “New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)”

The New Gold Dream album, released in 1982, marked a turning point. Producer Peter Walsh, fresh off remixes for Penthouse and Pavement, helped craft a lush, atmospheric sound that resonated deeply with Europe’s evolving post-disco and synthpop scene. The recording process was unconventional: the instrumental tracks were completed before Jim Kerr penned the lyrics. The result was an album drenched in optimism and artistry, epitomized by its title track.

Jim Kerr & Charley Burchill

The last one the finished was that title track. “I was meant to sing it one Friday, but I was playing for time,” Jim Kerr remembers. “It can feel very fragile when you walk up to the microphone if you’re not convinced of your idea. I sound-checked in a Swedish festival that Sunday, went back to the hotel, and convinced myself to finish it.” He added the exhilarating chant from past to future in the chorus, ‘81-82-83-84’, that made it sound like the times belonged to Simple Minds – and their listeners.“It sounds stupid and pretentious, but to me New Gold Dream sums up the paths that we had gone on on the first four records. Some with really dark moods, some intense, some claustrophobic. And the storm broke, and then the next day you have a beautiful morning. New Gold Dream, the title, the artwork, the language of a lot of the songs, resonates that to me.”

An Italian Gamble

Though “New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)” was never released as a single in most countries, Virgin Italy saw its potential as a club track. Italy’s thriving disco culture made it a perfect testing ground, especially with Simple Minds’ Italian tour on the horizon. In March 1983, a twelve-inch version featuring the now-famous “German remix” hit Italian record stores.

However, Virgin UK complicated matters by re-releasing Empires and Dance’s “I Travel” a month later and preparing for the next album’s lead single. The resulting scheduling glut likely stifled the track’s Italian chart potential (and made the other countries decide not to follow the Italian example).

The Mysterious “German Remix”

Ironically, the “German remix” wasn’t German at all. The extended version of “New Gold Dream” was crafted by producer Peter Walsh and the band themselves. Drawing on the multi-track live recordings of the album, Walsh extended the track’s ambient textures, highlighted the bassline, and added percussion to create a more DJ-friendly mix. It became known as the “German remix” after appearing on a German CD release of the album, cementing its name among fans. On the recent re-released 6 cd version of the New Gold Dream album you’ll find a number of other versions. There’s a “German remix with drums” and one without (what they mean is more or less percussion) and there’s also an “Alternative Dream Version”

Legacy on the Dance Floor

Despite its limited release, “New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84)” became a cornerstone of European dance music, finding its way into clubs and collections far beyond Italy. Its ethereal sound captured the zeitgeist of the early 1980s, blending post-punk, synthpop, and disco into a shimmering pop masterpiece.

The New Gold Dream album is one of the best examples of “pure pop” (as explained in episode 125 on Scritti Politti’s “Absolute”). “If I think about ABC’s Lexicon of Love or New Gold Dream or The Associates’ Sulk, it was colourful music, colourful clothes, colourful everything,” the guitarist Charlie Burchill says

It’s only a matter of time before I dedicate an episode to these two guys

“Every band or artist with a history has an album that’s their holy grail,” said Jim Kerr. “I suppose New Gold Dream was ours, bridging the gap between art and commerce. Tracks like “Promised You a Miracle” and “Someone Somewhere (In Summertime)” fueled their rise to international stardom, influencing contemporaries like U2 and inspiring future acts like the Manic Street Preachers.

Your Turn: Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What are your memories of the Simple Minds in general and especially the album and title track “New Gold Dream”? Did you know the song ? Did you know the remix ? Share the story and let us know

Further reading (or should I say watching)

There are a number of interesting video’s/links :

1. There is no official video off course but there is an appearance on Italian TV by The Simple Minds

2. New Gold Dream live is a feast. Listen to this version from a 2016 concert. The start of the song gives an impression what could’ve been if they would’ve had an Arthur Baker or François K remixing the song.

3. This is a live version of the year the song was released

4. The best live version :

So You Wanna Hear More ?

I thought you would !

It’s fun to write about music but let’s be honest. Music is made to listen to.

Every week, together with this newsletter, I release a 1 hour beatmix on Mixcloud and Soundcloud. I start with the discussed twelve inch and follow up with 10/15 songs from the same timeframe/genre. The ideal soundtrack for…. Well whatever you like to do when you listen to dance music.

The MIXCLOUD Mix Of The Week

So what’s in this week’s mix ?

This week’s mix offers two distinct vibes. The first half kicks off with the iconic German mix of New Gold Dream and takes an electro-inspired journey featuring The Human League, Yazoo, Depeche Mode, and Kraftwerk. Track 4 is Heaven 17’s I’m Your Money from their debut album Penthouse & Pavement, a project shaped by producer Peter Walsh’s early brilliance.

The second half shifts gears into a more upbeat, pop-oriented sound with tracks from Culture Club, ABC, Modern Romance, Spandau Ballet, and Madness. A perfect blend of electro edge and pop charm!

Enjoy !

Next week, we dive into a compelling tale of meteoric rise and sudden downfall. Discover how a producer from a small Belgian town created one of the biggest disco hits of 1979, seemed poised for a dazzling future, and then lost it all in an instant. A true story of rags to riches—and back again.