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."
Something for You
Simply Red Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Too bad if they do
But baby I could try if you want me to
To help you let yourself go
Any man would die for you
But they're mad if they do
But baby let me get closer to you
I got something for you
The joy of letting you know what you have done for me
Loving you has smiled on the face of a lonely man
Loving you has pride in the place of our home again
Loving you has smiled on the face of a lonely man
Loving you has pride in the place of our home again
Smile on the face of a lonely man
Pride in the place of our home again
Smile on the face
Pride in the place
When I get tired I'm gonna try
Let you wonder why
Any man would die
for you
But they're mad if they do
But baby let me get closer to you
So I can let you know
I got something for you
Simply Red's song Something for You is a soulful ballad that speaks of a man who recognizes the worth and value of the woman he loves. The lyrics speak of the fact that anyone who truly understood the beauty and value of his lover would be moved to tears, and that while he would try to love her as no one else can, he acknowledges that the road to healing from heartbreak is not easy nor instantaneous. In the end, however, his love for her has brought joy to his heart and given him true purpose.
The lyrics also reveal the important role that loving someone can play in our lives. The singer acknowledges that the love he has for his partner has given him a sense of pride in their home and has revealed the beauty in his life. The melancholic melody reflects the intensity and depth of emotions of the lyrics and pulls the listener into the world of the song.
In conclusion, the song Something for You is a soulful and emotional ballad that speaks of the power of love in our lives. It acknowledges the pain and suffering we sometimes endure for the ones we love but also celebrate the joys that love can bring.
Line by Line Meaning
Anyone would cry over you
It's understandable that people would be upset if they lost you
Too bad if they do
But that's their problem
But baby I could try if you want me to
I'm willing to help you through any tough times
To help you let yourself go
So you can relax and feel free to be yourself
Any man would die for you
You're highly valued by many people
But they're mad if they do
Though it may be extreme or foolish to go to such lengths for you
But baby let me get closer to you
Let me strengthen our connection
So I can let you know
And express how you've impacted me
I got something for you
I have a special gift for you
The joy of letting you know what you have done for me
The happiness of telling you how you've positively affected my life
Loving you has smiled on the face of a lonely man
My love for you has made me happy after a period of loneliness
Loving you has pride in the place of our home again
Our relationship has brought back a sense of pride into our home
Smile on the face of a lonely man
My happiness after a period of loneliness
Pride in the place of our home again
Our home now has a sense of pride and happiness
Smile on the face
A happy expression
Pride in the place
A strong sense of happiness and confidence in our home
When I get tired I'm gonna try
Even when I feel exhausted, I'll still make an effort
Let you wonder why
Just so you can wonder why I still try
Any man would die
Many people value you highly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: JOE SAMPLE, MICK HUCKNALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mickysangeleyes
my second favourite SR song - Enough is number one - coincidentally both written by Mick and the fabulous Joe Sample, what a team.
@rafaeldav4864
My 2 favorite too
@rafaeldav4864
My 2 favorite too
@paulocesartellesfraga9200
Linda música.. só que pouco divulgada.
@rodrigotelles3890
Muito Groove... excelente música.
@ALEXANDERNEVERMIND1958
THIS SONG, ITS DOES ITS JOB. I LOVE IT.
@esthersfeelgoodchannel45
Looooove this song Thanks :-)
@letzgopedro6449
Great song but its not on Spotify, iTunes or Apple Music
@theantitryhard5703
Pedro Morataya It is on Spotify :)
@theantitryhard5703
https://open.spotify.com/track/5HtZllQX7ELoXuWOLEC0R3?si=GtwBKWG6RtqdvufPl2iwlA