Everyone but Simple Minds, LOL. They didn't want to record it, and it took a great deal of persuasion to get them to do it. It grew on them, but it took a while.
Cheers from someone from the same generation. I saw this movie in theater with a few friends and our band had that song on our setlists even in the 90s. Always got a huge reaction. To Andy and Alex, giving an S to this song and Rio from Duran was a joy to watch :)
Other SM songs worth a listen - All The Things She Said, Sanctify Yourself, Alive and Kicking, Promised You a Miracle. This sound WAS the mid 80's for so many people. 👍
This song was written specifically for the movie. Before it was finished, the movie producers wanted to hear how it was coming along. The song had no third verse at that time so Jim Kerr, the lead singer simply sang some "la la las" in place of the lyrics to come. The movie producers loved it exactly as it was and accepted it in that format. And that's how legends come to exist. 😃
Heh -- that's similar to how the end-credits theme from "WKRP In Cincinnati" came about. The nonsense lyrics were just supposed to be a temporary "guide vocal" to give the producers an idea of what the final theme would sound like, but the showrunners decided they actually liked the idea of a rock-and-roll end-credits theme with completely indecipherable vocals, and told him to leave it as it was. :-)
My mom’s graduating class (1985) had this as their graduation song. The movie associated with it (The Breakfast Club) is one of the best teen films ever.
My late wife graduated in 1985. I was class of 1983. If you've seen Fast Times at Ridgemont High you know exactly what high school was like back then. It came out the summer before my senior year. Things changed a good bit between that and The Breakfast Club. At my school we were all into Journey, The Cars, The Police, Van Halen, ZZ Top, Michael Jackson, Rick Springfield and Pat Benatar. When I went back to the same school a couple of years later dating my wife, they were all into Duran Duran, Culture Club, Prince, Cyndi Lauper, and Madonna. You might not think that's a big change looking back if you weren't there, but it was then, especially the clothes and hairstyles.
It was actually offered to Billy Idol before Simple Minds (having first been been offered to Bryan Ferry). Interesting that you guys caught that vibe. Billy Idol would do his own version in the early 2000's.
I was a year younger. One of the greatest periods in my life. The 80’s were something special. I’m glad I was alive & lived it. And, man did I LIVE IT!!!!!!
80's music was the nail in the coffin for rock. There were some good bands and good sounds coming out of the decade but you could see where things were headed with all this digital and synthesized crap. Take Heart for an example. They started out as a kick ass rock band then became a hair band using overblown synth sounds.
@@larky368 I disagree, as alternative and mainstream rock were absolutely massive in the 90's and early 00's, and that many of those artists didn't have significant amount of synths or electronic drums. I mean look at some of the biggest rock oriented artists of the 90's, many of which used little or no synths: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tool, Blink-182, Pantera, Foo Fighters, Third Eye Blind, Creed, Korn, etc. I look at the synths and drum trigger era of rock and pop metal as artists reacting to the new technology and an urge to experiment with it, as synths in the 70's were far less user friendly, lacking portability and were often very expensive. Once people got over the novelty of the synth dominated sound, rock oriented artists took a bit of a step back from synths. Synths may have been a part of the sound, particularly for texture, but it was far less prominent. The alternative rock explosion definitely fast tracked this.
@@thewal1ofsleepRY well said! I remember Robert Plant talking about that very thing. Saying that there were all these new toys and they just had to play with them and sometimes they went up their own asses. He said that he was Kinda embarrassed by some of his songs from that period now, but those were the times and songs are of the time they “lived” in.
@@larky368 It wasn't the nail in the coffin for rock. There was still great rock in the 80s and rock became dominant in the 90s again. But to me, it doesn't matter if a song is pure guitar driven rock or has a lot of synth. If it sounds good, it's catchy, and makes me feel good, then it's good music!
So happy to see so much love for this song!! S tier for me! The lead singer was married for a time to Chrissie Hynde, leader of The Pretenders! That's another band that needs more attention here.
@@jacksonmorganfroghin4815 They did Middle of the Road on a deep cut livestream a couple of years ago ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-8ihIqIHhNk0.html
And he was married to patsy kensit who was an actress from a kid and also was the singer of short lived 80's band eigth wonder.i think their biggest song was I'm not scared.she was Mel Gibson's girl in lethal weapon 2 and David Bowie's in absolute beginners.she married Liam Gallagher from oasis after Jim Kerr from simple minds.
As someone whose coming of age years were the 80's ('82 grad) it filled my heart with joy to hear you give it an S. For me, this and "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" define the 80's. Every time I hear these songs, the memories pour forth from the recesses of my mind and if only for a moment, I feel like I'm 18 again.
"All The Things She Said" is an absolute banger from Simple Minds. Very underrated band with some great albums. Their 5 album run (New Gold Dream, Sparkle In The Rain, Once Upon A Time, Street Fighting Years, Real Life) that sandwiched "Don't You" is incredible. They are still putting out great music today.
Simple Minds are a Scottish rock band formed in Glasgow in 1977. They have released a string of hit singles, becoming best known internationally for "Don't You", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
Scottish yes, very popular in England too. Lead singer Jim Kerr was married ro Chrissie Hyde of the Prentenders , and an English actress Patsy Kensit .... Really just useless trivia . Saw them in Glasgow .An American guy called them a British band .Still on liquids only ...😮
I graduated from high school in 1985 and The Breakfast Club was huge for my age group at the time. This song will always be connected with the movie for me.
In my opinion, if you had to pick one song to define the sound of the 80s, this is it. This is a perfect 80s song-great vocals, synth, excellent bass line, nice guitar work, banging drums right up in the mix, and boatloads of that energy that seems to drive every 80s song. A & A, you are correct-this is a no-brainer S-Tier classic.
This song was a number one hit within a couple of weeks of my college graduation and was written for “The Breakfast Club,” directed by my namesake, John Hughes. The lyrics are based on a scene in the movie.
There are songs in your lifetime, maybe five (?), that you hear for the first time and instantly know it’s going to take over the world, and we all felt that way about this one and it did - G & R’s “Sweet Child …” is another one - anyway, you just made a generation of 50-something’s very happy with that S rating. Well done.
Class of 85 here and I was nervous about what they were going to think of it. Glad they didn't trash it and could appreciate it for what it was and for the time period. It means and encapsulates so much to us 80s teens.
I'm genuinely surprised that you guys liked this much less gave it an S because this is just the quintessential 80's song and you usually don't like 80's stuff. Basically the song of my generation and I'm so glad you liked it. Thanks for mixin it up on me. LOL 🤘Rock On!🤘 Kelly
As happens in the music industry, Simple Minds didn’t want to record this track because they didn’t write it. It was by far the biggest hit of their careers.
Beau Roberts, Billy Idol eventually did do a cover of the song on a greatest hits album. So you can sort of get a idea of how his version would have been like.
"Sanctify yourself", "Alive and kicking", "All the things she said', "See the light", "Someone somewhere, (In Summertime)", "Promised you a miracle", "Love song", "Glittering prize", "Mandela Day", "This is your land"; are my recommendations for u of this great scottish band. Saluts and happy week! Stay cool, guys! I mean it!! ☀️ 🧊🍻⛱️🌊
Absolutely an S. It defined a whole generation by being the theme song in that movie. You can't hear the recording without seeing the movie in your head. They go together. Though Simple Minds was NOT a one-hit-wonder, everyone I know (except for hardcore SM fans who grew up in that era) thinks of them as if they were. And if ever you're going to be remembered for one song, THIS is the song!.
Ahhh! GenXer here... this song brings back all the feels. It was played ad nauseum back then, so most of us got sick of it. But listening to it again through a different generation is awesome!
Epic song! This was one of the absolute greatest hits of the 80's. The drum break just before the lalalala comes in! And to think that they were hesitant to do this song!
Played it thru so many times on my Walkman. I was sorry they didn't keep on working with Robin Clark. She was great on that album. I saw them later and something was off. Maybe the auditorium set up was the culprit but I felt like Jim Kerr's vocals were drowned out and I had nothing to gravitate toward as an alternative. Maybe '90 or '91 in NYC.
The song was written by producer Keith Forsey while scoring 'The Breakfast Club'. He then offered it to Bryan Ferry, Billy Idol and others before having Jim Kerr and Simple Minds who he had originally intended it for, finally agree to record it. They re-arranged it with Jim Kerr ad living and improvising the memorable La-La-La's. One of many incredible songs and albums from the band.
Mel Gaynor is on the drums..... what a feel! Awesome reaction guys.....a perfectly crafted popular song..... you mentioned Billy Idol, well apparently this was originally written for him to be his song, but he rejected it and Simple Minds barely accepted it... but it became their biggest hit.
Definitely "S" tier! The drums and the bass got my attention when it released in '85....I was 24 back then. A fabulous song bringing back memories of the great era of "synth rock" of the mid-80s. Thanks for the memories, the rating, and a really good reaction 🏆
So, I'm a GenXer, and I've always loved this song, but I felt like I listened to it for the first time today. Listening with good headphones I heard so many elements that I hadn't heard before... the drums were crazy, the guitars were amazing, the synths had so many elements, and yes I could hear the Billy Idol reference. Thank you so much for for this. I've listened to this song a million times but heard it for the first time today!
This song is such a standout for me. I loved it immediately when it first came out. Jim Kerr has such a rich baritone voice that I never tire of. It still gives me goosebumps.
Jim Kerr is an amazing voice. Yes their drummer is awesome. This is one of the best bands of 80’s every song on once upon a time the album after this is a banger. Them and Level 42 made us remember a great rhythm section makes up for many sins of 80s synth.
Fun facts: Simple Minds' lead singer, Jim Kerr was married to Chrissie Hynde, lead singer of the groundbreaking group The Pretenders and greatest female lead singer in history, from 1984-1990.
A&A, are 2 ½ years overdue for more Pretenders. “Mystery Achievement”, “Message Of Love” and “Back On The Chain Gang”!!! Two years ago they did “Brass In Pocket” and “Middle Of The Road”.
Song was co-written by Keith Forsey, who produced multiple Billy Idol albums, and who had won an Oscar a few years earlier for co-writing Irene Cara's "What a Feeling" from Flashdance. He also co-wrote "Hot Stuff" for Donna Summer with Harold Faltermeyer ("Axel F" from Beverly Hills Cop fame ). Faltermeyer would later win a Grammy with Steve Stevens (Billy Idol guitarist) for "Top Gun Anthem" which they had recorded while both worked on Billy Idol's Whiplash Smile album. Billy Idol did a cover of "Don't You" for his 2001 Greatest hits album. Faltermeyer and Forsey had both early in their careers worked for Giorgio Moroder, whose contributions to the worlds of disco, electronic, and music in general would take multiple paragraphs. The world in a connected circle.
I’m sure it’s already been stated, but Billy Idol was the artist that was initially supposed to sing this- and later recorded his own version. Truly an anthem of the 80’s. I graduated in 1985.
Don't You Forget About Me by Simple Minds is literally one of the greatest pop/rock songs of all time. Not my opinion, but a FACT!!! Always has been, always will be. Probably the greatest ending to any song EVER!
This song was actually written with Billy Idol in mind to record but he turned it down. He later said that it was one of his biggest regrets. He eventually recorded it for his greatest hits. It’s a pretty good version
Just a bit of Rock Trivia: Jim Kerr the lead singer of Simple Minds married Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders after she had a long relationship and had a child with Sir Ray Davies of the Kinks. I really love this band, not in my usual wheelhouse but such good music and I love the voice. Great musicianship all the way around, everyone keeps it in the pocket.
I remember this couple moving in above my basement hole of an apartment and the dude played this song over and over and over and surprisingly, I am still fond of this song!
I graduated HS in 1986. This song is so iconic for my generation, and will always be an “S” tier banger!! Makes me reminisce about all my classmates, and especially my close friends and gf during senior year. Always wondered if they forgot about me since I joined the military and lived on the opposite coast all my adult life..
This song makes Breakfast Club a meaningful movie. But this song didn't need the movie. The movie needed it. This really transports me to some memories of my more innocent mind.
an elephant sized rabbit hole to go down with simple minds with these worth a listen Don't You (Forget About Me) Alive And Kicking Sanctify Yourself Belfast Child All The Things She Said Promised You A Miracle Let There Be Love Mandela Day
You have to review "New Gold Dream" by Simple Minds. One of their certified bangers. I was your age when it was released. Don't you forget about me wasn't one of the bands favorite songs as it was purposley more commercial a sound to match the movie soundtrack. This is more a mainstream sound for them than most of their songs.
