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."
Lost Weekend
Simply Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Been more now than a year
Oh I hoped not
'Cause since you put me down
My world merely spins around
Did you play me for your fool?
Oh honey, I know you didn't mean to
You carry the weight of pain from the past
The sunshine in my soul is here to tell you
That pain doesn't have to last
The love that's in my heart is here to pray
That pain will go away
Feel it honey
Blowin' away
My lost weekend
More now than a year
Oh and it goes on
'Cause since you let me down
My world merely spins around
Did you play me for your fool
Oh honey I know you didn't mean to
'Cause you're pent up with a problem
You carry the weight of pain from the past
The sunshine in my soul is here to tell you
That pain doesn't have to last
The love that's in my heart is here to say
That pain will go away
The sunshine in my soul is here to tell you
That pain doesn't have to last no, no
The love that's in my heart is here to pray
That pain will go away
Watch that pain go away
Feel it honey
Blowin' away
My lost weekend
The song "Lost Weekend" by Simply Red is about the aftermath of a breakup and the pain that comes along with it. The lyrics talk about how the singer has been lost in a haze of heartache for more than a year since the breakup, and wonders if they were played for a fool. The chorus speaks of the sunshine in their soul and the love in their heart that gives them hope that the pain will eventually go away.
The verse also talks about the other person carrying the weight of pain from their past, which may have contributed to the breakup. The singer acknowledges that this may have been unintentional, but the pain is still there nonetheless. The use of the phrase "lost weekend" implies a sense of time passing by without really living or feeling present, which is a common feeling after a breakup.
The song ultimately offers a message of hope and healing, with the idea that pain doesn't have to last forever if we allow ourselves to feel it and then let it go. The catchy melody and soulful vocals of singer Mick Hucknall make for a memorable and engaging song that speaks to the universal theme of heartbreak and healing.
Line by Line Meaning
My lost weekend
The period of time since you left me feels like I've lost a whole year.
Been more now than a year
It's been more than a year since you left me.
Oh I hoped not
I hoped it hasn't been that long, but it feels like it.
'Cause since you put me down
Ever since you broke up with me,
My world merely spins around
I feel lost and my life just goes in circles.
Did you play me for your fool?
Did you use me and make me look stupid?
Oh honey, I know you didn't mean to
I know you didn't intend to hurt me.
'Cause you tremble with a problem
You're struggling with something and it's affecting you emotionally.
You carry the weight of pain from the past
You're still holding onto past pain, and it's weighing you down.
The sunshine in my soul is here to tell you
I want to share my happiness with you and let you know that life can get better.
That pain doesn't have to last
You don't have to keep carrying that pain around.
The love that's in my heart is here to pray
I care about you deeply and want the best for you.
That pain will go away
I believe that you can heal from the past and move forward with your life.
Feel it honey, blowin' away
Let go of the pain and feel it fading away.
Oh and it goes on
It feels like the pain and emptiness just keep going on.
'Cause since you let me down
Since you disappointed me and left me,
My world merely spins around
My life still feels lost and directionless.
The sunshine in my soul is here to tell you
I still want to offer you hope and happiness.
That pain doesn't have to last
Don't hold onto pain, you can find healing and happiness.
The love that's in my heart is here to say
I still care about you and want what's best for you.
Watch that pain go away
Believe that the pain can and will fade away.
Feel it honey, blowin' away
Let go and feel the pain leaving you for good.
The sunshine in my soul is here to tell you
My happiness and hope are still available to you.
That pain doesn't have to last no, no
Believe that you can move past the pain and find happiness.
The love that's in my heart is here to pray
I still care about you and want the best for you.
That pain will go away
Believe that the pain can and will fade, and you can find healing and happiness.
Watch that pain go away
Believe in your ability to move past the pain and negative emotions.
Feel it honey, blowin' away
Let go of the pain and let it be replaced by positive emotions.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MICK HUCKNALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danjuric622
My favourite Simply Red song. Such a touch.
@khanman61
Mick is so underrated and overlooked, what a wonderful talent he is!
@sandzisiwedlamini8048
This song is getting me through my older brother’s passing.😢
@lapicesdecolores1
Simply Red, la banda sonora de mi vida...🎨📸❤
@angelgraneromorales8763
Una joya de Mick envuelta en la magia aterciopelada de Home...
@begonapolohernandez6482
Mick y su preciosa voz🌺🌺
@juanitubcn
Amazing song...
@chris2302
One of my favorite tracks of the album next to "You make me feel brand new".
@lou-annearpinrobert5835
Chris and sunrise !!
@chris2302
Lou-Anne Arpin Yes indeed! This album is filled with excellent tracks! It's also excellent driving music!