Simon began DJing in 1982 and has been working as an A&R man since 1989. This experience, along with an open mind and an ear for a hit go some way to explaining the massive success of Defected, the label he set up in 1999.
Simonโs soul-boy background in West London led inevitably to working in a record shop [the Soul & Disco Centre in Rayners Lane], DJing and promoting his own nights locally and around London, and into journalism, firstly for Blues & Soul, then with a self-produced fanzine, The London Soul Circular. Simonโs suggestion that CeCe Rogersโ Someday was a soul record that should get played on the Northern scene led to him being in receipt of a death threat! He laughs about it now, saying that โWhenever I dip into the modern soul scene these days those guys are still playing exactly the same records. I couldnโt ever imagine not being interested in new music.โ For Simon, house music was a natural progression from the jazz, soul and funk heโd grown up with, and he embraced the new era with open arms. Itโs an attitude still with him today -always open to new sounds, new artists, and looking forward, not back, though never forgetting his musical roots.
His first A&R job came at Cooltempo, where Simon signed Juliet Roberts and much-loved tracks like River Oceanโs Love and Happiness and Alyusโ Follow Me, as well as working with a varied roster that included the likes of Arrested Development, Gangstarr, Adeva and Shara Nelson. At this time he also remixed the odd track for the label, along with colleagues including Gerald Elms [whose Guitarra G track Simon later signed for Defected, resulting in a massive club hit].
1995 saw a move to AM:PM, the dance division of A&M, where signings [and hits] included Ultra Nate, Mousse T, Alcatraz and Farley and Heller. When the Universal corporation that took over A&M decided to pull the plug on the label despite its high profile and evident success, Simon and colleague Janet Bell decided the time was right to set up on their own. Defected was born on the 1st of January 1999 and a no.8 chart placing for its first release, Soul Searcherโs Canโt Get Enough, was initial confirmation that their gamble was about to pay off.
Six years or so later, no-one could doubt it, as Defected has become established as one of the premiere dance indies in the world, with a whole string of successes behind it, two sub-labels, probably the most recognizable branding in the dance music scene, and a virtual patent on the funky vocal house sound that dominates the clubs.
Simon still DJs, with a long-standing residency in Lausanne, regular appearances at Southport where heโs been playing since the event was launched, and of course at Defected nights, though heโs never been one to crave the limelight. A family man, heโs just at happy at home playing with his iPod these days, transferring the collection to yet another new format. Simon mixed the Eivissa 04 and 05 compilations for Defected, as a personal statement both of where the labelโs roots lie and where itโs at right now, and as a taster for Defectedโs residency in Ibiza, where the label is now โIn The Houseโ at Pacha, probably the worldโs best-loved nightclub, on Tuesday nights.
Ultimately though, Simon has become well respected as the consummate A&R man, happy to take a back seat and nurture success in the artists/producers heโs signed. โWhenever Iโm trying to persuade someone to sign with us,โ he says, โI always ask them to have a look at the roster of people on our books already. There are people that Iโve been working with now since the A&M days. That doesnโt happen if you donโt treat them well.โ
Ever the enthusiast, Simon describes โ...the buzz of being one of the first people to hear a piece of music you love, and then helping to make it go all the way to become a club anthem,โ as being his prime motivation. Itโs a journey heโs made with more than a few tracks now, and a knack that he shows no sign of losing.
Nights
Simon Dunmore Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It seems I can't deny
Some days just don't seem right
I think I feel, I feel much better
At night
Sometimes I can't deny
Some days just don't seem right
At night
Sometimes I can't deny
Some days just pass me by
You know I feel, I feel much better
At night
(I feel)
Seems I can't deny
Some days just don't seem right
I think I feel, I feel much better
At night
Sometimes I can't deny
Some days just pass me by
You know I feel, I feel much better
At night
Yeah
The lyrics to Simon Dunmore's song Nights convey the feeling of finding solace in the night-time. The stanza repeats a simple, yet significant message, "Sometimes I can't deny, some days just don't seem right. I think I feel, I feel much better at night." The singer of the song seems to enjoy the calmness and tranquility that the night provides, helping them to feel more at peace. This is a common theme in music, as many artists use the night-time to represent a time of reflection and contemplation. The lyrics convey the idea that sometimes the darkness is a better place to be than the light, and it can be a place of healing and rejuvenation.
The repetition of the lyrics "I think I feel, I feel much better at night" acts as an anchor point for the listener. The chorus is simple and memorable, allowing the listener to connect with the song on a personal level. The lyrics capture the essence of the night- time and remind us that it is a time for self-reflection and rest, a time to recharge our batteries before we face another day.
Overall, the lyrics to the song Nights by Simon Dunmore offer a sense of hope and encouragement to the listener. They remind us of the power of the night as a time of rest and rejuvenation.
Line by Line Meaning
I feel at night
The singer experiences certain emotions at night
It seems I can't deny
The singer cannot hide or ignore their feelings
Some days just don't seem right
The singer has bad days or negative experiences
I think I feel, I feel much better, At night
The artist finds comfort and relief in the nighttime
Sometimes I can't deny
The artist sometimes has difficulty admitting their emotions
Some days just pass me by
The singer feels like some days go by without much significance
You know I feel, I feel much better, At night
The singer emphasizes how much better they feel at night
Yeah
An expression of agreement or affirmation
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: SIMON CHRISTOPHER NEALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@paulaallen6649
Stunning lady throwing out the tunes ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถ๐ถโค๏ธ
@diver74m
love love love
@stoneislandkirkcaldy
Hard to believe that Simon will be 60 in November as well.
@user-xn1pi6zf8x
The best music I've heard for a long time she's got to be the number one female Dj I've ever heard I'm deadly serious big tunes all the time loving it ๐๐โค๐คฉ๐
@waltervalenzuela5635
No la dejaste trabajar, Dunmore. Sabe la piba. Big boy, haciendo estas BOLUDECES
@KR8TZ
Fun fact..The best house music DJ's on earth either get senior discounts at stores,or are very close to getting senior discounts!! Mine are so close,that I can almost taste them!! Early bird senior specials,here I come! Just be ready to dance when I get there! :p
@kaschke1
Quanto me piace questa musica io ho 68 anni e vado fuori di testa
@denispoinsard7419
Me suis toujours demandรฉ si ร l'aube de la soixantaine, il etait normal d'ecouter de la house music ...!?! Aujourd'hui j'ai ma rรฉponse. Merci ร Simon !!!! and Sam too ๐
@joeyhazell2643
This is going to be a party, Sick Toronto in the house, House music all life long
@raffyrigon9661
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