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."
Money's Too Tight
Simply Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My rent is due.
My kids all need
Brand new shoes.
So I went to the bank
To see what they could do.
They said "Son, looks like bad luck
Money's too tight to mention.
I can't get an unemployment extension.
Money's too tight to mention.
I went to my brother
To see what he could do
He said "Brother like to help you
But I'm unable to".
So I called on my father, father.
Oh my father
He said
Money's too tight to mention.
Oh money, money, money, money.
Money's too tight to mention.
I can't even qualify for my pension.
We talk about Reaganomics.
Oh Lord, down in the congress
They're passing all kinds, of bills
>From down on Capital Hill (we've tried them)
Money's too tight to mention.
(spoken) Cut back!
Money, money, money, money.
We're talkin' about money, money.
We're talkin' about money, money.
We're talkin' 'bout the dollar bill
And that old man that's over the hill.
Now what are we all to do
When the money's got a hold on you?
Money's too tight to mention.
Oh money, money, money, money.
Money's too tight to mention.
Amero-money, oh yeah.
We're talkin' about money, money.
We're talkin' about money, money.
We're talkin' about money, money.
We're talkin' about money, money
The song "Money's Too Tight to Mention" by Simply Red is a lament about financial difficulties faced by the singer. The song reflects the struggles of everyday people who are losing their jobs, unable to get extensions on unemployment benefits, and facing mounting bills that they cannot pay. When the singer turns to family members for help, they are met with the same discouraging news. Despite the tough situation, there seems to be some sense of hope that things will eventually get better.
The song's lyrics are relatable to many people across the world who have gone through financial struggles. The song's message is timelessly relevant, as people will always experience financial hardship. By stressing those challenges, the song puts a human face on economic issues, which is an especially compelling way to engage young people on these important political issues.
Line by Line Meaning
I been laid off from work.
I lost my job.
My rent is due.
I need to pay my rent.
My kids all need brand new shoes.
My children require new shoes.
So I went to the bank to see what they could do.
I tried to get financial assistance from the bank.
They said 'Son, looks like bad luck Got-a hold on you'.
The bank told me it appears that I'm having a string of bad luck.
Money's too tight to mention.
I have a severe shortage of funds.
I can't get an unemployment extension.
I'm not eligible for an extension of my unemployment benefits.
I went to my brother to see what he could do He said 'Brother like to help you But I'm unable to'.
I asked my brother for support, but he couldn't help.
So I called on my father, father. Oh my father He said
I turned to my father for assistance.
Money's too tight to mention.
My financial situation is dire.
I can't even qualify for my pension.
I don't qualify for my retirement income.
We talk about Reaganomics. Oh Lord, down in the congress They're passing all kinds, of bills From down on Capital Hill (we've tried them)
We discuss political policies like Reaganomics, but it seems like lawmakers are passing bills without considering the people's needs.
Money, money, money, money. We're talkin' about money, money. We're talkin' about money, money.
Money is a topic that we keep discussing.
We're talkin' 'bout the dollar bill And that old man that's over the hill. Now what are we all to do When the money's got a hold on you?
We're discussing how money has control over us, even when we're getting old.
Amero-money, oh yeah. We're talkin' about money, money.
Even the idea of a new currency like Amero-money is discussed due to the money crisis.
Money's too tight to mention.
My financial situation is so bad that I don't want to talk about it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN VALENTINE, WILLIAM VALENTINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gabrielbendinelli249
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Eu fui demitido de trabalhar a minha renda é devido
Meus filhos todos precisam de sapatos novos
Então fui ao banco para ver o que eles poderiam fazer
Eles disseram Filho parece má sorte tem uma espera de você. Dinheir
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Eu não posso ter uma desemprego extensão. Dinheir
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Fui para o meu irmão para ver o que ele poderia fazer
Ele disse que o irmão que eu gostaria de ajudar, mas eu sou incapaz de
assim chamada por meu pai, o pai oh meu pai. Dinheir
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Oh dinheiro dinheiro dinheiro
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Eu não posso nem qualificar-se para a minha pensão
Estamos falando sobre reaganomics
Oh senhor no congresso
Eles estão passando todos os tipos de contas
De lá em Capitol Hill, que já experimentei. Dinheir
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Oh dinheiro dinheiro dinheiro
Trackback!
O dinheiro é muito apertado para mencionar
Estamos falando sobre o dólar
E que o homem velho que está sobre o monte
Agora, o que todos nós estamos a fazer
Quando o dinheiro tem um poder sobre você. Dinheir
é muito apertado, etc
Estamos falando sobre dinheiro, dinheiro
Estamos falando sobre dinheiro, dinheiro
https://www.vagalume.com.br/simply-red/moneys-too-tight-to-mention-traducao.html
@nickhall9572
This song needs more credit then it already has. This song is 🔥. Have a good day person reading this :))
@muziknmemories
This song is timeless....great when it came out in 85 and is STILL an awesome tune. Congratulations Mick
@paulotoronto
One of the best sounds to ever come out of the 80's. Straight up!
@joseluisdominguezlara3305
Simply Red es uno de los mejores grupos, que aun con el paso de los años (muchos) sigue siendo vigente, su propuesta musical súper buena y además inigualable ...Simplemente unicos
@SFFOOL76
Im just shocked this song isn't played as much now a days on the radio. Sign of the times.
@unclebuck9861
Mick Hucknall wrote his first song at 17 and has now had a carrier spading 40 years with hit after hit with no end in sight I find his music is simply timeless.
@poppyfield1619
Mick Hucknell at his vocal best - just love this fantastic song. Simply Red were MASSIVE in the 80's.
@TheCaulfield1
I don't think there is one song I dislike from the group! Pure Class Act!! Have loved this group from the beginning, great memories of being 14 and being in senior school.
@francescorenzi2727
I'm 21 and I would listen to Simply Red when I went skiing with my parents. In the car, on a snowy road we would listen to this genious. Today I still buy his CDs and this is my favourite song by him.
@roglo06
Thirty years later and money is still too tight to mention.