- The gradual introduction of Simple Minds was carefully planned from the beginning. Chelsea Girl
was considered the standout track from Life In A Day, but its release was held back, keeping the knockout punch for later.
Instead, one of the newest songs from the set, Life In A Day, was chosen to represent the album
as the lead single.
- The timing was important. The single was issued to promote both the
forthcoming album and the band's first UK tour
supporting Magazine. Its release also coincided with
their first TV appearance on The Old Grey Whistle Test.
- The title track was not edited and was taken directly from the album. The B-side,
Special View, was recorded during the album sessions as a bonus track.
- The master tape was produced at The Townhouse on the 4th March 1979 by
John Leckie and George Chambers. The lacquer was then cut at Abbey Road Studios.
- Special View was given the incorrect track time of
4:00 on the master tape box, which led to the incorrect running time being added to the single's labels. (This has since been corrected by someone with
a black pen.)
- The packaging was exceptionally plain and just featured the band's name and the single's title. (An extremely rare pressing with
alternative proof artwork does exist, but its provenance is unclear).
- Most of the pressings featured red die-injected labels but some copies had light blue labels instead.
- The single was also released in Germany with a different B-side and different sleeve. This featured
the band picture from the back of the LP sleeve taken by Carole Moss.
- A single by US-based PVC Records was rumoured, but no copies have ever surfaced. It could be a UK
version with promotional sticker - like this copy of Chelsea Girl.
- Its success (a lowly 62) was considered a success and led to the much glossier packaging of the next single
Chelsea Girl.
- It was the first commercial pressing to feature the name Simple Minds.
- For many years, Special View was only available on this release. Fans had to wait
until 2012 and the release of the X5 boxset to get it on CD.
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