Simple Minds Opens Preorders for Anniversary Vinyl and CDs

Once Upon a Time hit number one in the UK and top 10 in the US when it dropped in 1985, moving two million copies in two months. The album remains a cornerstone release for ’80s rock collectors, particularly in the UK and Europe where Simple Minds maintained massive popularity.

So they’re tapping into nostalgia with a 40th anniversary of the album. The collection is split into an exclusive ruby red vinyl and 5 CD box set.

The vinyl adds “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” to the tracklist for the first time ever. That’s the band’s biggest hit, the number one US single from The Breakfast Club soundtrack that recently surpassed one billion streams on Spotify. The band famously left it off the original 1985 album, making this the first official pressing to include it.

The biggest unknown is pressing quantity. If Simple Minds did a massive pressing despite the short preorder window, you’re competing against retail availability starting Friday. The value depends entirely on this actually being limited.

After eBay’s 13% fees, the vinyl needs to sell for around £40-45 to clear £5-8 profit per unit. The box set needs £55-60 for similar margins. Those are achievable targets if supply is constrained, but you’re betting on scarcity that may not exist.

Simple Minds just wrapped a major US/Canada tour leg and played UK summer festivals including a hometown show at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park where they performed this entire album. That touring activity keeps the band visible and drives catalog interest.

The short preorder window means casual fans likely missed it. Unlike drops promoted for months, this gave people just days to notice and act between when preorders opened and Friday’s release. That gap is where resale demand comes from.

The 5CD box set replaces an out-of-print 2015 super deluxe edition that currently sells above its original price when copies surface. However, announcing a new version immediately kills scarcity on the old one, and the new version removes the DVD which some collectors wanted.

The compressed timeline between preorder opening and Friday’s release creates potential for quick flips if pressing quantities are truly limited. If this sells out at retail over the weekend, you could see 20-40% returns within weeks.

However, if Simple Minds pressed heavily or retailers have deep stock, you’re sitting on inventory that’s competing with retail availability. The unique “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” inclusion gives this version differentiation, but that only matters if supply is actually constrained.

For flippers comfortable with the gamble, the short window between preorder and release is favorable. Just understand you’re betting that demand exceeds what the limited preorder window captured, and that pressing quantities stay tight post-release.