Simply Red

The music of Simply Red is defined by a distinctive fusion of pop and soul, with a lead vocal that has remained the central pillar since its inception. The characteristic sound, with influences evoking the warmth of classic soul, was built from its early steps. Their debut album, Picture Book, released in 1985, already showed this direction, including the hit "Money's Too Tight (to Mention)", a reinterpretation that resonated internationally, reaching charts in several countries. Another key track from that period, "Holding Back the Years", initially didn't have a major impact, but a later reissue in 1986 propelled it to the top, demonstrating how a song could find its moment.

The group experienced notable growth, with several albums achieving great popularity. A New Flame, from 1989, included a version of "If You Don't Know Me by Now" that became a resounding success. Then, Stars, released in 1991, established itself as one of the best-selling albums in the UK, generating singles that were also well-received, although its performance in the United States was more moderate in comparison. Throughout their career, they have managed to place ten songs in the top ten of the UK singles charts, and two of them, "Holding Back the Years" and "If You Don't Know Me by Now", reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.