Thursday, September 8, 2011

Simple Minds: Don't You (Forget About Me)

I think that most anyone from my generation will identify Simple Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” with the Brat Pack and the 1985 movie “The Breakfast Club” – you know, that movie that stared Martin Sheen’s other son. As for my 15 year old daughter who heard it on the radio this last weekend, she recognized it as the music for the TV promo for “Psych’s” 2011 season. Hence, it’s my TV Thursday song.


This song written by Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff for “The Breakfast Club” was first offered to The Fixx – who refused to record it – then to Brian Ferry who also said no – and to Billy Idol who turned the down the songwriters, but would later cover it in 2001.

The next right of refusal was extended to Simple Minds who initially passed on the song as well, but later rethought their position and recorded it during a three hour session. It turned out being a good move for the band as the song charted on the UK charts for two solid years.


It also was a number one record in the US, The Netherlands, and Canada. It was a top five hit in Italy, Belgium, Germany, New Zealand, Ireland, as well as #2 on the European Top 100 charts. It placed #1 on two different US charts – the Hot 100 and the Top Rock Tracks.


Even though the song was the biggest one of Simple Minds’ career, it was one they began to loathe. While it was on the movie soundtrack, it was omitted from the band’s 1985 LP “Once Upon A Time.” It finally showed up on Simple Mind’s 1992 compilation LP: “Glittering Prize 81/92.”



12 Inch Dance Mix



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