British soul and pop formation Simply Red is a household name in the music industry. Led by the eccentric frontman Mick Hucknall the band rose to fame with their 1985 debut album “Picture Book”. Popular releases such as “A New Flame” and “Stars” followed. To date, the band has sold over 50 million records and had numerous number 1 hits. To celebrate Simply Red’s rich repertoire, I’ve hand-picked their 10 very best songs. Let’s dive into this list!
10. Your Mirror
We start this list with “Your Mirror”. The song appears on the band’s fourth studio album “Stars”, the album that contributes the most songs in this top 10. “Your Mirror” is lyrically profound and Mick Hucknall’s vocal delivery is – as always – top-notch. Especially during Simply Red’s Cuba concert in 2005.
9. Fake (Radio Mix)
On number 9: “Fake”. I’ve decided to go with the radio mix, since it’s vastly better than the album version. The Ibiza-esque dance track is accompanied by a humorous music video where Mick Hucknall meets the look-a-likes of famous people. At the end of the video, he stumbles upon himself.
8. Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)
Let’s talk about money, money! Released on Simply Red’s 1985 debut album “Picture Book”, “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)” was the band’s first single. The song is originally written and recorded by The Valentine Brothers, but Mick Hucknall and co had more success with their version of the song. The track peaked at 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and 13 on the UK Singles chart.
7. Something Got Me Started
“Something Got Me Started” was the first single on the band’s best-selling album “Stars”. The song tells the story of a man who regrets breaking up with his girlfriend. He now knows he needs her and is willing to give it all up for her.
The song reached number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and 11 on the UK charts. It was a top-10 hit in 8 other countries
6. Sunrise
This song uses samples of Hall & Oates’s hit “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)”. A song that also influenced Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean”. “Sunrise” is the most successful song on Simply Red’s eighth studio album “Home”. The track wasn’t capable of breaking through in the US, But it was a major hit in Europe.
5. For Your Babies
The beautiful ballad was released as the third single on “Stars”. Hucknall later recalled it was the single that flew the album’s sales towards the sky. “By the time ‘babies’ came out people knew it was a really strong record. That’s when I think it really started to fly. It captured the imagination, that song, because people of my age around that time were having babies. It just hit a chord!”
4. Fairground
Fairground was yet another milestone in the band’s rich career. The song was the first – and to date only – Simply Red track to top the UK Charts. Hucknall later said: “Fairground was just a phenomenon in this country (UK). It was number 1 for like 6 weeks. It was played so much on the radio, and the vibe was so great. It was just fantastic, I really enjoyed the ride.”
The song was a major hit in Europe, reaching the top 10 in most countries. It wasn’t capable to gain traction in the US.
3. If You Don’t Know Me By Now
On number 3, “If You Don’t Know Me By Now”. The soulful Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes cover gave Simply Red their second US number 1 hit. Can you guess their first?
2. Stars
The title track from the band’s 1991 album “Stars”. The beautiful ballad explains how love keeps Hucknall grounded amidst stardom. The song was released as a single and became a hit in Europe. It had less success in the US, but nevertheless reached 44 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
“Stars” is Simply Red’s second-most-played live song, right behind this list’s number 1.
1. Holding Back the Years
The only real contender for the number 1 spot is obviously “Holding Back the Years”. The song is a true fan-favorite, and Hucknall himself agrees: “I have to say my favorite song to perform will always be ‘Holding Back the Years’. It’s the first song I ever wrote and just such a key song on so many levels.”
Mick Hucknall wrote “Holding Back the Years” when he was only 17. At the time, Mick was still part of the punk formation The Frantic Elevators. The group released the song with little success. Hucknall later re-recorded the track with Simply Red. This version topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and launched the band’s career.
So, that wraps up this list of best Simply Red songs! Did I mention your favorite song? Did I blatantly miss a song? Please let me know in the comments down below!
Read more: The Story Behind “Holding Back the Years” by Simply Red
