Simply Red is a British soul and pop band that has sold over 50 million a
lbums worldwide and has had five number-one albums in the UK. The band is led by singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall, who is known for his distinctive voice and red hair.
But how did Simply Red become one of the best-selling pop and soul groups of all time?
Here is a brief overview of their history, achievements, influences, style, and albums.
History
Simply Red was formed in Manchester in 1985 by Mick Hucknall, who had previously been in a punk group called The Frantic Elevators. The band’s name was inspired by Hucknall’s hair colour and his love of Manchester United. The original line-up consisted of Hucknall on vocals, David Fryman on guitar, Tony Bowers on bass, Fritz McIntyre on keyboards, Tim Kellett on trumpet, and Chris Joyce on drums.
The band’s debut album, Picture Book, was released in 1985 and featured their first hit single “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)”, a cover of a song by The Valentine Brothers. The album also included “Holding Back the Years”, a re-recorded version of a song that Hucknall had written with The Frantic Elevators. “Holding Back the Years” became a worldwide smash hit and reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1986.
The band’s second album, Men and Women, was released in 1987 and featured more soulful and funky songs, such as “The Right Thing” and “Infidelity”. The album also marked the departure of Fryman and the arrival of new guitarist Sylvan Richardson. The band’s third album, A New Flame, was released in 1989 and featured their second US number one hit “If You Don’t Know Me by Now”, a cover of a song by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. The album also included “It’s Only Love” and “A New Flame”.
The band’s fourth album, Stars, was released in 1991 and became their most successful album to date. It sold over 10 million copies worldwide and was the best-selling album in the UK for two consecutive years. It featured original songs written by Hucknall, such as “Stars”, “Something Got Me Started”, “For Your Babies”, and “Thrill Me”. The album also showcased the band’s new line-up, which included Heitor T.P. on guitar, Shaun Ward on bass, Gota Yashiki on drums, Ian Kirkham on saxophone, and Tim Vine on keyboards.
The band’s fifth album, Life, was released in 1995 and continued their commercial success. It featured more upbeat and dance-oriented songs, such as “Fairground”, which became their first UK number one single. The album also included “Never Never Love”, “We’re in This Together”, and “So Beautiful”. The band’s sixth album, Blue, was released in 1998 and featured more experimental and diverse songs, such as “Say You Love Me”, “The Air That I Breathe”, “To Be Free”, and “Thank You”.
The band’s seventh album Love and the Russian Winter was released in 1999 and featured more pop-oriented songs, such as “Ain’t That a Lot of Love”, “Your Eyes”, “The Sky Is a Gypsy”, and “More Than a Dream”. The band’s eighth album, Home, was released in 2003 after a four-year hiatus. It featured more soulful and jazzy songs, such as “Sunrise”, “Fake”, “You Make Me Feel Brand New”, and “Home”. The band’s ninth album, Simplified, was released in 2005 and featured acoustic versions of some of their classic songs, such as “Holding Back the Years”, “Stars”, “For Your Babies”, and “Smile”.
The band’s tenth album, Stay, was released in 2007 and featured more contemporary songs, such as “So Not Over You”, “Stay”, “Oh! What a Girl!”, and “Good Times Have Done Me Wrong”. The band announced their disbandment in 2010 after a farewell tour. However, they reformed in 2015 for a 30th anniversary tour, which included 35 European dates and a new album called Big Love. The band’s eleventh album, Blue Eyed Soul, was released in 2019 and featured more soulful and funky songs, such as “Thinking of You”, “BadBootz”, “Sweet Child”, and “Tonight”. The band’s twelfth album, Time, was released in 2023 and featured more contemporary and acoustic songs, such as “Better With You”, “Earth in a Lonely Space”, “Time”, and “The Sky Is a Gypsy”.
Achievements
Simply Red have achieved remarkable success in their career, both commercially and critically. They have won several awards, including three Brit Awards for Best British Group in 1992, 1993, and 1996, two Ivor Novello Awards for Songwriters of the Year in 1991 and 1992, and an MTV Europe Music Award for Best Group in 1996. They have also received three Grammy Award nominations: for Best New Artist in 1987 and for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for “Holding Back the Years” in 1987 and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” in 1990.
They have had ten songs reach the top 10 in the UK Singles Chart, including two number one hits: “Fairground” in 1995 and “Sunrise” in 2003. They have also had two number one hits on the US Billboard Hot 100: “Holding Back the Years” in 1986 and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” in 1989. They have had five number one albums in the UK: Men and Women in 1987, A New Flame in 1989, Stars in 1991 and 1992, Life in 1995, and Blue Eyed Soul in 2019. Their album Stars is one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history, with over four million copies sold.
They have sold over 50 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best-selling pop and soul groups of all time. They have also performed for millions of fans around the world, with sold-out tours across Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and South America. They have played at prestigious venues such as Wembley Stadium, Royal Albert Hall, Madison Square Garden, Sydney Opera House, and Tokyo Dome.
Influences
Simply Red have been influenced by a variety of musical genres and artists, ranging from soul, funk, reggae, jazz, blues, rock, pop, and new romantic. Some of their main influences include Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Clash, David Bowie, Roxy Music, Joy Division, The Police, Prince, U2, and Bob Marley.
They have also influenced many other artists, who have cited them as an inspiration or covered their songs. Some of these artists include Adele, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith,
Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, James Morrison, and John Legend
Style
Simply Red have been described as a pop and soul band, with elements of funk, reggae, jazz, blues, rock, and new romantic. They have been praised for their catchy melodies, smooth grooves, rich arrangements, and Hucknall’s expressive vocals. They have also been criticised for their lack of originality, innovation, and edge, and for their tendency to cover other artists’ songs.
Some of their signature songs include:
- “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)”: A cover of a song by The Valentine Brothers that features a funky bass line, a brass section, and a social commentary on the economic situation of the 1980s.
- “Holding Back the Years” is a ballad that Hucknall wrote with The Frantic Elevators that features a soulful melody, a string section, and a personal reflection on his childhood and relationships.
- “Something Got Me Started” is a dance-pop song that features a catchy chorus, a saxophone solo, and an upbeat mood.
- “Stars” is a pop-soul song that features a smooth groove, a guitar riff, and a romantic lyric.
- “Fairground” is a dance-pop song that features a sample from The Goodmen’s “Give It Up,” a carnival-like atmosphere, and a festive vibe.
- “Sunrise” is a pop-soul song that features a sample from Hall & Oates’ “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” a disco beat, and a sunny mood.
Albums
Simply Red have released 12 studio albums so far, each with its own style and theme. Here is a brief summary of each album:
- Picture Book (1985): Their debut album that introduced their pop-soul sound and featured their first hit singles “Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)” and “Holding Back the Years.”
- Men and Women (1987): Their second album that explored more soulful and funky influences and featured their hit singles “The Right Thing” and “Infidelity.”
- A New Flame (1989): Their third album, which showcased more mature and sophisticated songs and featured their hit singles “It’s Only Love” and “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.”
- Stars (1991): Their fourth album, which became their most successful album to date and featured their hit singles “Stars,” “Something Got Me Started,” “For Your Babies,” and “Thrill Me.”
- Life (1995): Their fifth album, which incorporated more upbeat and dance-oriented songs and featured their hit singles “Fairground,” “Never Never Love,” “We’re in This Together,” and “So Beautiful.”
- Blue (1998): Their sixth album, which experimented with more diverse and eclectic songs and featured their hit singles “Say You Love Me,” “The Air That I Breathe,” “To Be Free,” and “Thank You.”
- Love and the Russian Winter (1999): Their seventh album returned to more pop-oriented songs and featured their hit singles “Ain’t That a Lot of Love,” “Your Eyes,” “The Sky Is a Gipsy,” and “More Than a Dream.”
- Home (2003): Their eighth album, which revisited more soulful and jazzy songs and featured their hit singles “Sunrise,” “Fake,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” and “Home.”
- Simplified (2005): Their ninth album, which presented acoustic versions of some of their classic songs and featured their hit singles “Perfect Love,” “Something Got Me Started,” “A Song for You,” and “Smile.”
- Home (2003): Their tenth album, which revisited more soulful and jazzy songs, featured their hit singles “Sunrise,” “Fake,” “You Make Me Feel Brand New,” and “Home.”
- Simplified (2005): Their eleventh album, which presented acoustic versions of some of their classic songs and featured their hit singles “Perfect Love,” “Something Got Me Started,” “A Song for You,” and “Smile.”
- Stay (2007): Their twelfth album featured more contemporary and acoustic songs, such as “So Not Over You”, Stay,” and “Oh! What a Girl!”, and “Good Times Have Done Me Wrong”.
- Big Love (2015): Their thirteenth album, which marked their comeback after a five-year hiatus and featured more soulful and romantic songs, such as “Shine On,” “The Ghost of Love,” “Love Gave Me More,” and “Big Love.”
- Blue Eyed Soul (2019): Their fourteenth album, which explored more soulful and funky influences and featured more upbeat and dance-oriented songs, such as “Thinking of You,” “BadBootz,” “Sweet Child,” and “Tonight.”
- Time (2023): Their fifteenth album, which featured more contemporary and acoustic songs, such as “Better With You,” “Earth in a Lonely Space,” “Time,” and “The Sky Is a Gipsy.”
Simply Red are one of the best-selling pop and soul groups of all time, with a career that spans over four decades. They have created a distinctive sound that combines various musical genres and influences and have delivered memorable songs that have touched millions of fans around the world. They have also proven their longevity and versatility by adapting to changing trends and tastes and reinventing themselves with each new album. They are a band that deserves respect and recognition for their achievements, influences, style, and albums.
