Simply R… Read Full Bio ↴Simply Red is an English pop band, formed in the mid 1980s.
Simply Red's roots originate from the notorious 1976 Sex Pistols gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester. Manchester art student Mick Hucknall was one of the many young music fans present (along with original members of The Fall, Joy Division, The Smiths and Buzzcocks) who was inspired to form a band after witnessing that gig. The first incarnation of the band was a punk group called The Frantic Elevators. This band existed for 7 years, with limited releases on local labels, but split in 1984 with only limited local attention and critical acclaim for their final single, "Holding Back the Years".
After the demise of the Frantic Elevators, Hucknall linked up with manager Elliot Rashman. By early 1985 Hucknall and Rashman had assembled a band of local session musicians and began to attract record company attention. Around this time the group adopted the name Simply Red (after Hucknall's nickname, which denoted hair color, football allegiance to Manchester United and left-wing political affiliation). They signed to Elektra in 1985, with the somewhat changeable line-up of Hucknall, Tony Bowers (bass), Fritz McIntyre (keyboards), Tim Kellett (brass), Sylvan Richardson (guitar) and Chris Joyce (drums). Their first single, released in 1985, was "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)", a cover of a soul standard originally recorded by The Valentine Brothers. This single had moderate success, reaching the UK Top 20.
In 1986 the band re-recorded "Holding Back The Years", the Frantic Elevators' biggest hit, in a more accessible pop style with adjustments in lyrics and instrumentation. The tune became a major hit, peaking at #2 in Great Britain and later #1 in the United States, and established Simply Red as a household name. Their debut album, 'Picture Book', which had been released previously in 1985, began to sell more copies, and it became an international hit album, with multi-platinum certification.
Their second album, 1987's "Men and Women", saw the band adopting a more sober and professional image, with bowler hats and colorful suits replacing their earlier ragamuffin look, and the introspection and social commentary of their debut replaced by a blue-eyed soul sound with funk influences. Around this time Hucknall became a tabloid personality, drawing attention and criticism for his alleged womanising, and gaining a reputation as "a lecherous loudmouth" and bien pensant. Despite Hucknall's bad reputation and the album's bad reviews, or perhaps as a result of them, Men and Women was a commercial success.
With their third album "A New Flame", Simply Red adopted a yet more mainstream populist sound aimed for commercial rather than critical success, typified by their cover of Harold Melvin's pop classic "If You Don't Know Me By Now", which became their second U.S. #1 hit and one of the biggest singles of the year internationally. Hucknall was by this time an international superstar, being photographed with models and Hollywood celebrities. This seemed to harm the band's coherence as a unit, with Hucknall declaring in 1991 that Simply Red was "essentially a solo project".
The band's popular career peaked later that year with the release of "Stars", which became the best-selling album for two years running in Europe and the UK (though notably had far less success in the US than their previous albums). "Stars" mixed Hucknall's anti-Thatcherite political lyrics with an easy-listening lounge-jazz sound, apparently to avoid alienation of their existing fanbase.
After touring and promoting "Stars" for two years, Simply Red returned in 1995 with "Fairground", a dance-influenced track featuring prominently a sample from Zki & Dobri's Goodmen project. A massive radio hit, "Fairground" went on to become the band’s first British #1, amid critical panning. Its parent album 'Life' sold more than a million copies in the UK alone, making it the fourth-biggest seller of the year. The band followed this up with cover heavy 'Blue' in 1998 and 'Love and the Russian Winter'. After 'Love and the Russian Winter' they left EastWest and Hucknall set up his own record label simplyred.com where he released "Home" in 2003, a mixture of mostly original songs and covers, including a version of The Stylistics song "You Make Me Feel Brand New". "Simplified" followed in 2005, mainly an album of stripped down versions of their Classic hits.
The single "Oh! What A Girl!" released in September 2006 from their album Stay, their 10th, released on 12 March 2007. This was preceded by the single “So Not Over You”, released on 5 March 2007. The third single from the album was the title song "Stay", released on 28 May 2007. The fourth and the last single of Simply Red single , "The World And You Tonight", was released in November 2007.
Mick Hucknall announced that the band were due to split in 2009, after a farewell tour.
"I've kind of decided that the 25 years is going to be enough, so I intend that the 2009 will be the last Simply Red tour."
"I've just recorded an album that is a tribute to Bobby Bland, a blues and R'n'B artist. It's a solo project and I've really enjoyed it so much that I feel the time has come now to just put a book-end to the story and the album Stay will be the last Simply Red studio album."
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Simply Red Lyrics
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Take a walk down any street now
Every one of us in our own little world
Looking for a heart with whom to beat now
What's worth nothing else but love
I'm prepared to take the heat now
What's worth more than anything else at all
So fake cool image should be over
?Cause I long for a feeling of home
Real life, depicted in song
A loving memory
After long, home is a place where I yearn to belong
Where the land meets the sea
She'll be smiling so sweetly now
I hope that she'll be here much longer than I will
My heart loves her with every beat now
So fake cool image should be over
?Cause I long for a feeling of home
Real life, depicted in song
A loving memory
After long, home is a place where I yearn to belong
The song "Home" by Simply Red is a beautiful and touching tribute to the concept of home, love, and belonging. The lyrics reflect on the idea that love is the most important thing in life and that we are all searching for that special person with whom we can share our lives. The first two lines of the song, "What's worth nothing else but love / Take a walk down any street now," set the tone for the rest of the song and convey the message that love is the most important thing in the world.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of authenticity and the importance of being true to oneself. The line "So fake cool image should be over" suggests that the singer is tired of putting up a façade and wants to be true to himself. He dreams of finding a sense of belonging and connection that can only come from being true to himself and finding someone who loves him for who he really is.
The last line of the song, "After long, home is a place where I yearn to belong," encapsulates the central theme of the song. Home is not just a physical place, but a place where we belong and feel loved. This is a powerful message that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds.
Line by Line Meaning
What's worth nothing else but love
Love is the most valuable thing in life
Take a walk down any street now
Everyone is in their own world, yet surrounded by others
Every one of us in our own little world
Each person has their own unique experiences and perspective
Looking for a heart with whom to beat now
Searching for someone to connect with on a deeper level
I'm prepared to take the heat now
Willing to accept the consequences of loving someone
What's worth more than anything else at all
Love is the most important thing in life
To keep you firmly on your feet now
To support and encourage someone through life's ups and downs
So fake cool image should be over
It's time to be genuine and authentic
?Cause I long for a feeling of home
Seeking a sense of belonging and comfort
Real life, depicted in song
The song's lyrics are a reflection of real life experiences
A loving memory
A cherished memory of love and happiness
After long, home is a place where I yearn to belong
Despite all the experiences, home is where the heart truly belongs
Where the land meets the sea
A beautiful and peaceful location
She'll be smiling so sweetly now
The person in question is happy and content
I hope that she'll be here much longer than I will
Wishing for that person's happiness and well-being
My heart loves her with every beat now
Deeply in love with that person
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ROSANGLIANA, H. S. LALRUATLIANA, JOSHUA ZORAMLIANA, P. B. LIANMAWIA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Phyx1us
LYRICS
"Home"
What's worth nothing else but love
Take a walk down any street now
Every one of us in our own little world
Looking for a heart with whom to beat now
What's worth nothing else but love
I'm prepared to take the heat now
What's worth more than anything else at all
To keep you firmly on your feet now
So fake cool image should be over
'Cause I long for a feeling of home
Real life, depicted in song
A loving memory
After long, home is a place where I yearn to belong
Where the land meets the sea
She'll be smiling so sweetly now
I hope that she'll be here much longer than I will
My heart loves her with every beat now
So fake cool image should be over
'Cause I long for a feeling of home
Real life, depicted in song
A loving memory
After long, home is a place where I yearn to belong
@conchiherves
Lo que no vale nada más que amor
Tome un paseo por cualquier calle ahora
Cada uno de nosotros en nuestro pequeño mundo
En busca de un corazón con el que vencer ahora
Lo que no vale nada más que amor
Estoy preparado para soportar el calor ahora
¿Qué vale más que cualquier otra cosa en todo
Para mantenerte firme en tus pies ahora
Imagen fresca tan falso debe ser más
Porque yo mucho tiempo para sentirse como en casa
La vida real, representado en la canción
Un recuerdo amoroso
Después de mucho tiempo, el hogar es un lugar en el anhelo de pertenecer
Donde la tierra se encuentra con el mar
Ella se sonreía tan dulcemente ahora
Espero que ella va a estar aquí mucho más tiempo que yo
Mi corazón ama con cada latido ahora
Imagen fresca tan falso debe ser más
Porque yo mucho tiempo para sentirse como en casa
La vida real, representado en la canción
Un recuerdo amoroso
Después de mucho tiempo, el hogar es un lugar en el anhelo de pertenecer
@cbaron1234
Simple Red is an underrated group. Wonderful music with a message.
@JohnFRusso-dg6ek
This song sends me into another place and time. It is one of the most moving and heart felt songs that I ever heard.
@ccruz1014
Mick's voice is unique. Simply Red's music will live forever. So many beautiful songs!!! Their songs remind me of different phases of my life. Thanks Mick!!!
@MaeWest08
Ive been listening to Simply Red since they first came on the scene, and I cannot think of one song that I dont like. I hope his creativity sustains forever!
@rosiclermoura4374
Pra mim o cantor Mick Hucknall é um dos melhores do mundo todo!!!
@codycolby
im 22 and i grew up with this group...i remember fairground back when i was in elementary...and they still cease to amaze me...another great song that will stay with me for a long time!
@JoseRamirez-bk7pm
Un artista fantástico, su música trae gratos momentos ha mi vida
@portabellaprincess
This group holds up well, they were popular twenty years ago and still have a good sound.
@nikitamsilva
simplesmente maravilhoso
@beatrizlimauminski1872
Mick é muito meigo e fofo. Linda música, linda interpretação 😇💞💞💞💞💞