FIRST TIME EVER LISTENING TO SIMPLY RED - HOLDING BACK THE YEARS (REACTION!!!) 

To people that keep informing me that my analysis and interpretation was incorrect lol thank you I realize that but I prefaced with saying that it was more of an inference and I stated I wanted to focus more predominantly on then music than the lyrics. Bless.

This ginger boy filled stadiums around the world. All his songs are great.

This is in the same genre as Sade, Maxwell, Sweetback. All sultry, silky smooth singers. If this was butter then I'm toast

One of my favorites of Simply Red. He was abandoned by his mother when he was young and always wished for her to return but she never did. Such a great voice. Good reaction Jay Rah.

This guy's voice is beautiful isn't it?

Hi bro greetings from across the pond 😊🇬🇧 Si Simply Red we’re formed in Manchester, England in 1985 by lead singer Mick Hucknall. He was 17 when he wrote this and it reflects a troubled childhood where he saw his mom abandon him when he was just 3 yrs old and subsequently raised by a tyrannical dad 😕 This was their 3rd single from their DEBUT album and provided them with their 1st No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the States! They also hit the top in the States with their cover of a song called If You Don’t Know Me By Now which was first recorded by a sick group outta Philadelphia called Harold Melvin And The Blue Notes, they reached No.3 on BBH100. Simply Red then hit the top with their version AND WON the Grammy for best R & Song for 1989!! Their version can also be found in the 2000 Movie American Psycho and 1991’s Class Action. You deffo wanna check that out, the music vid is just perfect for the tone of the arrangement, shot in black ‘n’ white in a smoky jazz club kinda setting 😊 SR are touring in ‘23 although the did disband around 2010 only to reform in 2015. The majority of their songs are originals with a major contributor (I wouldn’t say he’s the only contributor) but most of their songs are written or co-written by Hucknall. Another really great cover they did was You Make Me Feel Brand New, do yourself a HUGE FAVOUR BRO and take a look at them singing it LIVE in Sydney Australia around about 2009/2010, it is STUNNING!! Mick Hucknall is that rare breed who sounds AS GOOD LIVE sometimes better than the original studio recording! That live recording in Sydney, Australia of that song is so good on so many levels, his vocals are just sublime and his mike control and mike placement is a masterclass in live performance. Hope you get to see it, I’m sure you will love it 😊🇬🇧🇺🇸

10 PERIOD!!! Mick had some PIPES!!!!

The beat gets you at first making you not pay attention to the vocals...THEN they DROP!!! EPIC!!!

Mick Hucknall's voice was stunning from SR's first hit, 'Money's too tight to mention' onwards. And yes, he looks so unlikely to sound so soulful! That first hit's still worth a listen - so are several more songs, such as Something got me started and their cover of If you don't know me by now.

Oh how I love this song. Other songs by them: If you don't know me by now, Stars, Something got me started .....all great, however, I think this will always be their masterpiece.

The lead singer Mick Hucknall wrote the song when he was 17 years old and it was about when his Mother left the family when he was a young boy. There is a lot of real life heartache in the Lyrics when he says "Hoping for the Arms of "Mater" which is British slang for "Mother".

I can't begin to explain how it makes me feel to see someone so affected and impacted by great music. Wow is all I can say.

It's almost unbelivable to this day that the 80s are over, feels like yesterday to me! Simply Red is quite a discovery even for me as a kid in '86...just touches you right inside!!!

Mick Hucknall is still going strong & you can find whole concerts on YT. Couldn’t believe he sounded so great. You’ll love it for both the soul/jazz vibe

Beautiful ain't it?? Beautiful passionate music to my ears so much soul!! Fantastic reaction Jay!! AMAZING 😊💓🤘✌️ Jay, I love your passion!!

Your face and smile says it all. Top 10 of all time for me.

You have great taste in music! 😍 really enjoyed watching you react to this masterpiece! 🔥🔥🔥

Simply Red was ALWAYS 1 of my Official Go To bands for those nights alone home with your Lady... Such an overlooked band from back in the day.... Gotta Love Em. Peaceout!! Love All Y'all!!

I saw Simply Red in Haydock, Liverpool in the early 2000s. They were not disappointing. Mick Hucknall is the genius behind the group, writing a large proportion of the songs and covering particular songs that he liked, usually with different arrangements. Another early song is 'Money To Tight To Mention', faster, but still very meaningful.

Worth going enthusiastically down the Simply Red rabbit hole. Such an unusual and talented artist.

Yes Sir 1986. I remember it well. One night I was in the West Village on a Saturday night after leaving Club Tunnel. I was walking to my car heard this song playing in a bar. Stopped by the door looked down and found a $100.00 bill waiting for me to take it and drink up. Yes. And this song is classic

This was one of the best reactions I've seen to this song, and honestly it is the *appropriate* reaction! I feel like I'm supposed to stand up and applaud when this song ends. What a masterpiece.

I so appreciate your reactions. You feel the music. Thank you.

Mick has one of those once in a lifetime voices. This came out the year after I was supposed to graduate from high school and has played somewhere deep in my subconscious ever since. What a SHINING example of soul. 💜💚💛✌️

A day old and 0 dislikes says all ya gots to know about this jam. Eternal.

And he wrote at age of 17, and still today in his 69’s . So glad I grew up with his music

Great job as usual.

He has such a beautiful voice. great reaction.

In my day. When you came across a song like this, you spread the word.We shared our finds with others.New songs ,New artists,Movies whatever. My friend was asking everyone in our circle Have Y'all heard Simply Red?Have y'all heard Simply Red? This guys voice is phenominal. He still sounds the same.He has something special, for sure.

If you like smooth and hypnotic, I think you'd really enjoy reacting to Sade's songs No Ordinary Love, Cherish the Day and Keep Looking...their as smooth as a baby's behind!

Gorgeous groove. Love it !

⚜️ I haven't seen you this sonically enthralled in quite some time. I never tire of listening to this song.

Totally unique - no band sounds like this together! Especially with Mick´s singing. Great stuff!

Amazing band!!! Please do your self a favor and listen to their album Stars!! You will love it!!! Very jazzy and soulful!!!

Bro, I’ve been listening to these guys since 1986. Mick Hucknall’s vocals NEVER disappoint. DIVE down this rabbit hole. You won’t regret it.

This song is so specific to a time in my life, everytime I hear it, I am instantly transported. Sometimes hearing it makes me smile, sometimes it makes me cry. Great reaction, you noticed some interesting nuances 😊 Check out their song Sunrise, it's completely different from this track, but very smooth groove, as well.

I absolutely love your reaction to this song!! 🤗💕💋💋💋The look on your face at the end 😂🤣This is one of my favorite artists and songs ever. Simply Red's lead singer is Mick Hucknal and songs I definitely recommend - something got me started, if you don't know me by now, stars, say you love me, fairground... There are so many more 💛 These are real musicians with real talent, heart & soul. Your ear for music is phenomenal! 🔥I love your personality, you're just 💛💙💛Stay safe & healthy, love ya 💗

Sade “ Bullet proof Soul” And her live performance “Somebody Broke My Heart “ and “Cherish The Day “

❣❣❣ **********EVERY SOUL HAS A COLOR, AND THIS ONE, IS SIMPLY RED********** ❣❣❣

You're so right about soul. It knows no ethnicity, it belongs to all of us and it lives in all our hearts.

And he still sounds fantastic in his 60’s I was lucky enough to to hear this when he first came out. “ if you don’t know me my now” was his next one. Still singing a lot .but so many great songs!

"Something got me Started" is my favorite of theirs, it's so upbeat and catchy, love it! "Stars" is another great track.

I like the way you analyze music. You make me appreciate the music I grew up listening to even more with a new spirit. You are a breath of fresh air. Keep doing your thing Brother Jay Rah Peace!

can't wait until till next February when I'm going to see them live again. just a fantastic singer and group.

I officially call it The '80s has the best music ever..

Great reaction! Mick Hucknall is one of the best vocalists in the world. He carefully picked musicians for his band. Please keep reacting to Simply Red. I think you will like If You Don't Knoe Me By Now.

He wrote this when he was 17. Hoping for the arms of Mater. (Mother)

So so so glad you were able to experience this!

I was really excited when I got the notification that you were reacting to this song...I knew immediately that you were going to be blown away.

Man, of all the music reaction channel out there, I appreciate your taste in music the most! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you check out a band called Galactic, the song “Change My Ways Part 1&2”. I guarantee you will dig it!! Keep groovin bruh!!

Trumpet guy is unexpected and also fucking awesome! Then leeds into some of the best high notes ever sung.

Your dead right. Soul has no colour, it’s from inside and this guy has it, he still sings these songs flawless to this day and he’s pushing 60+

He's STILL knocking them dead on tour!😅

Lmao Jay Rah you a trip. As soon as I saw the title, I knew you were gonna eat this one-up man.

The 80's were an awesome time for music. Gen-X, that middle child of American generations, produced/created some of the most substantive music of the 20th century. We are greatly under appreciated. IJS.🎼🎤🎶

Favorite song of all time

I have Simply Red's greatest hits CD, and a number of his videos and I can listen to him over and over again. He's as good on stage as in the studio. Mick Hucknell has lots of videos out on You Tube. My favorite is his concert in Russia where he sings, "Stars". The audience is with him all the way. I loved your reaction of pure joy and your knowledgeable comments about his and his band's music. More, please!

so good!! I know I'm not bringing anything new to the review at all, but damn this is a time machine song!!

Hearing him sign that song even today, after all the years, he sounds exactly the same if not better. A pure masterpiece!

A priceless reaction! Keep up the great work! Your insite deserves many more subscribers.

I’ve had this song in my head since it came out back in the 80s. Good to know it still haunts folks.

I messaged Tim Kellett the trumpet player in the video and Chris Joyce the drummer.. they both replied back to me! and signed my vinyl sleeve of Holding back the years! lovely gentlemen.

This group is off the chain I went to see this group when their first album came out !! Glad to see that the new generation is now being introduced to the old schooler 🎶 that are legendary and timeless

That track is just right. It's one of those songs that makes you feel better for hearing it

They played that every 10 minutes for a few years when it came out

Beautiful tune from Simply Red dude ❤️☝️💫

Wow! I enjoyed this reaction. I came to RU-vid to listen to this song tonight. Saw your reaction down below it. I love this song. Your reaction reminds me when I heard it the first time back many many years ago when it was released. Love Simply Red. Especially this one!

I knew as soon as I saw who you were going to be reacting to, it was going to be in your wheelhouse. Keep up the good work, my man.

Your rich description is so engaging and right on. Brilliant! 👏✌🏼❤️🎶

Written by the singer at 17 years old to me unbelievable. From this because his mother left him when he was younger. He does two covers of sorts that I like. One is called Sunrise and the other is the air that breathe check out for reaction.

Please check out Simply Red's cover of "If You Don't Know Me By Now". I think you'll enjoy it.

lol great reaction...definitely going to check out his other videos.

He has a golden voice.....one of the best in my opinion. So much soul....love it!!!

Thank you for doing this song. Love his work.

The fact that you get how good Mick Hucknell (Simply Red) is .. has now gained you a new subscriber! I've seen him live twice.. Ohh.my.GAWWD!

Very good review, young man!

One of England's greatest singers with Soul personified :) SIMPLY RED named after a combination of Mick Hucknall's hair colour and his undying support as one of 250 Million worldwide fans of The "Reds"= Manchester United Football Club,,:)

Perfection! Cheers from Canada

Bredren, bredren! Your reaction is priceless! I don't know you but I know that you love muzik.

Was always a favorite of mine also...

Smooth as velvet silk!!!! Great reaction!

I’ve already commented bro giving you a brief history of SR but now that I’ve heard your full reaction especially as you SO LOVE the arrangement of this it makes it even more important for ya to just sit back and chill by watching their music vid for their cover of If You Don’t Know Me By Now, yep the song that gave them their 2ND USA NO.1 and won them the Grammy for BEST R & B SONG 1989!! Yep you hear me, a band from Manchester, England featuring a Caucasian guy with ginger hair takes BEST R & B Grammy 😊

Mick Hucknall (lead singer of Simply Red) wrote this song when he was only 17. He has since written and sung many fantastic songs. I don't know why he is so underrated - for me he is one of the greats.

you can play this song in 20 years and it will still crush

Need another Ambrosia react, my friend. One of my all time favorite groups from the 70s. I don’t think you’ve done “How much I feel”. Great song. Another example of baby-makin’ music.

He wrote this song at 17 years old ❤. Apparently his mother took off when he was only 3. Never knew why, but she missed out on an incredible child

In my humble opinion , This Is The #1 reaction to this song!

Simply Red did this song a couple years ago with a symphony and Mike sounds just as good at 60 as he did back in the 80s.

Great reaction, knew you'd love it ! Back in the days, no reserved romains whatsoever. In a 1hour pop show you could listen to Simply red, Van Halen, the Police, Prince, New Order, Kid Creole and the Coconuts ... The 80s young Sir. (Bonjour depuis la France)

I enjoyed your reaction, it was perfect.

Subscribed based on this reaction alone!

This song is about his mom leaving him when he was a child of 3 years old.

Good Irish man.. Lots more.... Just good tunes. Great music..

I know how you feel. I felt the same way the first time I heard it. Awesome!!

Zooming in on the face😂😂😂 such a great song! I'm a huge fan of Simply Red and Mick Hucknall❤

That is true pain in pure smoothness, thank you for the video.

well said mate . fantastic song must say ...oldie but a goodie

Gourgeous song michaels voice so beautiful♥️♥️🎼🎼

Perfect. It is tranquil. He can sing. This was a good one 😊

Your reaction is priceless!