"I wont be in the UK on Sunday 15th of March when on his weekly Radio Clyde show, the irrepressibly enthusiastic Billy Sloan is set to debut a track or two chosen especially to herald the release of our upcoming album Graffiti Soul. However if I was, I would certainly be listening in very excitedly and unashamedly so, it is after all not every day you hear one of your new songs make its world premier on radio."

"One of the songs Billy is due to air is titled "Rockets" and apart from anything else I am keen to hear how the new work comes across. I won’t hold back from saying that I personally love the track to pieces. It is in my book a sparkling piece of pop music that drove me nuts during last summer when I could not get the various hooks that underline it out of my head. Even when I was asleep I could hear the damn thing play on, then again is that not what good pop is meant to do."

"The music to the track comes out of Charlie Burchill and Gordy Goudie, with Charlie adding all the elements to an arrangement that is originally built on a dangerous guitar riff belonging to Goudie. Just one of many he seems to have stored away, until a magpie like me comes along and makes off with it."

"All three of us incidentally worked on Home, the track that announced our last album and a cool little tune it was as well. But in the end it is Eddie Duffy’s bass that is the clincher on Rockets, giving the track the irresistible Peter Hook type drive that Mel Gaynor was born to pound his toms on."

"Of course I will love it all even more if it also appeals to those willing to give it a chance, that is why we go to the bother of releasing music after all. We want people to like it or fall in love with it even, and if any artist tells you otherwise, I suggest you look closer to witness a nose growing visibly."

"Only a couple of weeks ago I travelled round playing some of the new tracks to the various international record companies and to such a positive reaction. This is the first time we have worked with Universal Music and I felt it important that they could get a chance to feel our enthusiasm and get to know what our approach is to our work."

"Something I definitely noticed while listening together with the executives in Bruxelles, Amsterdam, Milan and Berlin. Was that each time the second chorus of "Rockets" slammed in, there was instant smiles and nods of approval throughout the room as evidently the track hit the mark that Simple Minds intended."

"In that moment of course no one was smiling more than me, although I did in fairness a decent enough job of hiding it. Because music is not only a marvellous thing and a magical thing, but also it is a hell of a mysterious thing also. Or at least it is, in that you never quite know if it is going to have the effect on the listener that you hope for when you are creating it. However when it is obvious to me that it does just that, it is difficult to describe the glow of contentment that comes surging through." - Jim

"We're really pleased with Rockets as a lead track. Every album, and everytime you interview someone with a new album, they say "It's really new" and "It's really back to the old style." I can imagine everyone saying that, but we really feel with Rockets we hit both targets which is a wee bit of a contradiction - but it's classic Simple Minds but, at the same time, there's a spring in the step and people can feel a newness." - Jim

It looks like Cenzo Townshend remixed the original album track and this appears on the standard and deluxe version of the album. A subsequent edit was used used for the Rockets single. However, the original mix appears on the promo versions of the album; the keyboards are far more noticeable in the mix.

"It would have been tough to go to London or go to New York or to go to L.A., trying to hustle, but it’s expensive and you’re living in squats or bedsits with no money, hoping for a record deal etc..and eventually you maybe give up? Because it’s all too much. But in a place like Glasgow, back then anyone who was anyone in arts just left the city in any case. And so there was nothing happening, and we therefore didn’t know anyone making music when we were growing up. There was no mentor. There was no music school or college. You couldn’t go along to your friend and ask his uncle who played the guitar, and he’d show you how to write the bridge of a song. Maybe your auntie played the accordion, but really, what good was that to us? You had in fact more chance of being an astronaut than being a rock & roll star.And yet, we somehow heard "this thing" come out of Charlie Burchill’s amplifier and at least I thought, “Wow.... Maybe we’re going to be astronauts. Because that sound... that’s our rocket right there. All we need is lyrics and a vision to go with that sound. I guess that became my job to create it." - Jim, 20th March 2018

Your love's like faith, Your love's spite in your eyes from those battle days. There's still one way, Abandoned now no matter what you say. Just one truth, Moving up to decide that's your battle move, No one's here, Some phantoms realised that's your only fear. You're sending me rockets, Fools circle again, More than I realised. You're sending me rockets. Full circle again. Still sending me rockets. I could still cut through, A war machine with its missiles set on you. I still want you, Misty eyes clear to find another view. And still you're sending me rockets. And I surrender again, No more will I feel this time. You're sending me rockets. Fools circle again. Still sending me rockets. Fools circle again. Home sweet home, No idea of divides or where the peace has gone. No words to blame, Surrender leaves me in the dark again. You're sending me rockets, Fools circle again, No matter how I plead this time. You're sending me rockets, Fools circle again, More than I realised. You're sending me rockets. You're sending me rockets. Keep sending me rockets. Still sending me rockets. Fools circle again.

Sampler Edit (0:31) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Promo Edit (4:00) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Promo Mix (4:36) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Radio Edit (3:24) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzo Townshend
Album Version (4:36) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzon Townshend
Gesamtkunstwerk Mix (3:18) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Legato Extended Mix (4:10) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remix by: Pat Legato
Live Version (3rd November 2009) (4:30) Recorded: Arena, Vienna, Austria Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th November 2009) (4:15) Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th November 2009) (7:20) Recorded: Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th November 2009) (4:34) Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (8th November 2009) (4:16) Recorded: Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (19th November 2009) (4:16) Recorded: Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (22nd November 2009) (4:21) Recorded: Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:19) Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:22) Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (26th November 2009) (4:17) Recorded: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (27th November 2009) (3:33) Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (28th November 2009) (3:27) Recorded: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (30th November 2009) (3:27) Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (2nd December 2009) (3:26) Recorded: NEC, Birmingham, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (3rd December 2009) (3:52) Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th December 2009) (3:26) Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th December 2009) (3:24) Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th December 2009) (3:25) Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (9th December 2009) (3:23) Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (10th December 2009) (3:23) Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (11th December 2009) (3:22) Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (12th December 2009) (3:25) Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (17th December 2009) (3:23) Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (18th December 2009) (3:28) Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online

Radio Edit (3:24) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain

Sampler Edit (0:31) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Radio Edit (3:24) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remixed by: Cenzo Townshend
Gesamtkunstwerk Mix (3:18) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Legato Remix (3:40) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain Remix by: Pat Legato
Album Version (4:36) Produced by: Jez Coad and Simple Minds Engineers: Arjen Mesinga, Simon Dawson, Mark Bishop Assistant Engineer: Ben Cunningham Pre-Production: Gordy Goudie, Andy Gillespie, Kevin Burleigh Mixed by: Bob Clearmountain
Live Version (16th July 2009) (4:17) Recorded: iTunes Festival, Roundhouse, London
Live Version (3rd November 2009) (4:30) Recorded: Arena, Vienna, Austria Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th November 2009) (4:15) Recorded: Saschall, Florence, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th November 2009) (7:20) Recorded: Neon Concept Club, Ancona, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th November 2009) (4:34) Recorded: Atlantico, Rome, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (8th November 2009) (4:16) Recorded: Gran Teatro Di Padova, Padova, Italy Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (19th November 2009) (4:16) Recorded: Kursaal, San Sebastian, Spain Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (22nd November 2009) (4:21) Recorded: Falconer Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (23rd November 2009) (4:19) Recorded: Solnahallen, Stockholm, Sweden Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (24th November 2009) (4:22) Recorded: Sentrum Scene, Oslo, Norway Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (26th November 2009) (4:17) Recorded: Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (27th November 2009) (3:33) Recorded: Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (28th November 2009) (3:27) Recorded: Forest National, Brussels, Belgium Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (30th November 2009) (3:27) Recorded: Metro Arena, Newcastle, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (2nd December 2009) (3:26) Recorded: NEC, Birmingham, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (3rd December 2009) (3:52) Recorded: MEN, Manchester, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (5th December 2009) (3:26) Recorded: Arena, Sheffield, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (6th December 2009) (3:24) Recorded: CIA, Cardiff, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (7th December 2009) (3:25) Recorded: Arena, Wembley, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (9th December 2009) (3:23) Recorded: 02, Dublin, Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (10th December 2009) (3:23) Recorded: Odyssey, Belfast, Northern Ireland Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (11th December 2009) (3:22) Recorded: SECC, Glasgow, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (12th December 2009) (3:25) Recorded: AEC, Aberdeen, UK Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (17th December 2009) (3:23) Recorded: Popcentrum, Tilburg, Netherlands Mixed By Concert Online
Live Version (18th December 2009) (3:28) Recorded: Autostadt Piazza, Wolfsburg, Germany Mixed By Concert Online