Simply Red Appreciation Thread! PS Dont laugh!
 

This is a thread dedicated to the English Pop/Soul band lead by the fantastic Mick Hucknall.
I was pretty shocked to find there was nothing on Simply Red on these forums. I guess it's not exactly cool to like/listen to their music but you cant take away the fact Mick Hucknall is an excellent soul singer.

Albums I have are 'Stars' & 'Life' along with the 'Greatest Hits' album although I have been meaning to get the 'Picture Book' album for some time now. I have always liked him for years, but pretty much kept it under wraps until now:shycouch:... I dont usually dig artists like Simply Red, but theres something about those long car journeys when you were young, with the 'Stars' album my mum constantly had in the car player. Whenever I hear songs like 'Something Got Me Started' or 'Stars', it triggers memories and has massive nostalgic value for me.

I read they are on their final tour at the moment and plan to break up at the end of the year/start of 2010 which is a shame.

Anyway, Ill post a collection of my favourite Simply Red songs(I do concede the videos are a bit gay). If theres any other Simply Red fans out there (closeted or not), Id love to hear from you!

My favourite album so far is actually 'Life' but the 'Stars' album is very strong also.

This is the first Simply Red song I ever heard, probably when I was very young, the earliest I can remember is 7 years old. From the minute that opening piano kicks in to the fantastic saxophone solo, its an instant classic.


By far, the most memorable track from the 'Stars' album.


This is the most beautiful song Mick Hucknall ever wrote/sang. Also has characterists of the perfect love song; "I don't believe in many things, but in you, I do". Love the lingering latin guitar sound as well.


My favourite track off the 'Life' album. Very reflective song with the interesting lyric "Love is not only for the human". Best line from the song though, "Looking through our eyes is the burden of our lives".


This, surprisingly was Simply Red's only No.1 single in the UK. This is another massive childhood song. Not a day went by that I didnt hear this song. Not as good as his other songs such as 'Lives & Loves' which I couldnt find a video for :(, but a great pop song.


One of my top Simply Red songs. "So now we've got our independance, what are we gonna do with it?". Very good lyrics in this song.


I really like this reggae like song from the 'Life' album. Much of the reason I prefer the 'Life' album to 'Stars'.


I have this song on the greatest hits comp, its one of those songs you've known forever but didn't know it was Simply Red who sang it. One of my ultimate chillout songs.


Another one of my top Simply Red tracks, pretty much everybody can still relate to the themes in this song, even nearly 25 years after it was first released. "I've been laid off from work, my rent is due, my kids all need brand new shoes".

I will tell you straight off that these are one of the most hated bands around for lots of reasons. Some very valid and some not. I will state though that I like a hell of a lot of their music and think it's some of the best white soul around.

Fave Tracks:

It's Only Love.
Sunrise.
Thrill Me.
Enough.

I don't have their first two albums ;)

Yeah man, there a very good pop band in my eyes. Much of the reason they are hated is because there not 'cool to like'. I'm not a big fan of pop music but its not like these guys are totally lacking of any talent whatsoever. Mick Hucknall has a fantastic voice.
Im really surprised your a fan of Simply Red though.

What do you make of the 'Life' album? I just read up on 'Blue' which is the album after & he does a cover of Neil Young's 'Mellow My Mind' from 'Tonights The Night' album!! Gonna have to get that one right away. 'Thrill Me', I didnt dig that much at first, but its a real grower, I think.

hmmmm.....i like it, where should i start?

I really liked Simply Red, until Martha Reeves said that Mark Hucknall sounded like just like a black woman singing, following his performance on a music show that she also appeared on.

I could never get that image out of my mind, no matter how hard I tried ... It ruined everything for me.

Really? I didnt think youd like it. I'd say the 'Stars' album, & also 'Life'. I can get you hooked up with them if you like?
*Mick Hucknall & dont let idiots put you off great music.

yeah, sure

Theyre one of the select few R&B/Soul groups that dont bore me to tears, love all their singles and for anyone who hasnt heard it, Mick's solo album Tribute to Bobby is really good too.

-johnnytwohats

I love Simply Red and Mick Hucknal is a great soul singer (for a white guy)
He also writes some great songs, 'Holding back the years' and 'For your babies' are great songs and I also like some of the more up tempo stuff, 'Stars' 'Something got me started' etc. He also did some decent reggae covers, 'Night nurse' was a good attempt at the Gregory Isaacs classic.