Band FELT They Didn’t EARN Mega-Stardom When COVER SONG Hit #1…So They DISOWNED IT-Professor of Rock
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- Опубліковано 16 чер 2024
- No way in hell was Jim Kerr and Simple Minds going to record today’s featured song… (a future #1 hit from an iconic 80s’ film.) Don’t You (Forget About Me) for the movie The Breakfast Club. They wanted nothing to do with it. They didn’t care if it was a lock. It was band policy… they only recorded songs they wrote themselves. End of story. In fact, they turned down this track six times. Finally, the songwriters Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff, desperate for them to sing it, had the movie’s director, John Hughes arrange a private screening… Simple Minds consented to watch The Breakfast Club and after that, they recorded the track. Turns out they rocked it. But stubborn as ever, they disowned it when it went Top 10 around the world. Come on, would these guys ever like this song? You know the rest of us sure did. Stick around for a great story NEXT on the Professor of Rock.
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#classicrock #80smusic #vinylstory #simpleminds
Hey music junkies, Professor of Rock, always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time., if you remember THAT YEARLY landmark decision of which character from pop culture you would be for Halloween You’ll dig this channel of musical nostalgia. Make sure to subscribe below right now. and click the notification bell so you know when our newest interviews and videos drop. Also, We also have a Patreon you'll want to check out. There you’ll find an additional catalog of exclusive content and you can even become an honorary producer to help us curate this music history.
So it’s time for another edition of our series The New Standards. This show takes an in-depth look into songs that transcend genre, decade, and fads - songs that are monumental touchstones in our culture and society. On previous episodes we have covered Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley, Careless Whisper by Wham!, and Take On Me by A-ha.
Oh man, for today’s installment, we’ve got a GREAT one. This song was absolutely massive back in the day and has only gotten bigger in the years since. It’s Simple Minds with Don’t You (Forget About Me) from the soundtrack of the 1985 pop culture classic, The Breakfast Club.
So Simple Minds is the all-time biggest-selling band coming out of Scotland… but despite a rich discography spanning 40-plus years, this band just does not get the recognition they deserve. I mean, they’ve been recording material consistently since 1978, have released 19 studio albums, scored 24 UK Top 40 hits, and garnered massive international acclaim along the way… But except for Don’t You (Forget About Me) and their 1985 album Once Upon A Time, they remain one of the most underappreciated bands in the US…. In fact, before their #1 soundtrack hit, Simple Minds didn’t have one charting single on the Billboard Hot 100. And only a handful have followed since then.
Don’t You (Forget About Me) of course propelled them to rightful superstar status in the States, even if their career was already 6 albums into the making. Generally speaking, American audiences had a lot of catching up to do at this point. There was a wealth of Simple Minds’ standout tracks just waiting to be discovered in the rest of their catalog. Ironically, many die-hard Simple Minds fans resented the band’s commercial success, as is so often the case. - Розваги
Poll: What is your pick for the greatest cover song of the rock era?
Gary Jules' version of "Mad World"
Zep doing Willie Dixon You Shook Me
Nazareth - Love Hurts
I Can See Clearly Now Hothouse Flowers
Elvis covering Hound Dog.
I had moved to Portland, ME, Judd Nelson’s hometown. I walked down the stairway of my apartment building and noticed Judd Nelson looking up through the glass at me. I am by no means a Hollywood Starlet. I did say hello to him and he responded with a smile and those big hound dog eyes. I kept walking but returned a half hour later and he was still there. The whole time, Don’t You Forget About Me had been playing in my head, and yes, I had bought some expensive earrings at a store. I still have one of them. The fact I lost one was not lost on me. But then again, I was a teen in the 80’s and I ran into Judd Nelson a few times after that, again. Oh the 80’s were so cool!
John Hughes gave us such a gift with the amazing soundtracks that he put together. 💜
Absolutely!!!
At any bar back in the day, even the school pub, you would hear this song on a regular basis. This song could easily be one of those songs that defined the 80's
For sure. Top 5 for sure.
The School pub?
@@knockshinnoch1950 college pub
They have pubs on college campuses?
@@100hookerWashington state university is a pub that thinks it’s a school
In my 53.9 years, I have never heard a song and movie so perfectly matched. When you think of the movie, you think of the song, and vice versa. Both are great.
Bro just say you’re 54
@@richiemazze5141 but........I'm not
agreed
Thats becouse the soug was used in all the promotional
53.9 Lol
The movie and the song were 10/10. That movie captured a timeless story that works to this day. For adults, it's pure nostalgia. For teens of all eras, it is an instant arrow to the heart that turns into nostalgia later.
I often catch myself thinking these movies couldn't be made today. *Especially* 16 Candles 🙈🙈🙊. But they are also cultural GenX landmarks. I'd love to know how professors are teaching them.
Just my opinion, but I think the movie flops without the song. I never felt the case was made for the commonality of these misfits, but that the song at the end of the movie sealed the deal.
@@user-handlethetruth Any feelgood song would have worked because the movie struck a cord. The movie is full of iconic scenes, quotable/memeable dialog and relatable themes. That the song was written for the movie and happened to be a smash hit was just better. Would you say Ferris Beuller's day off was only good because of "twist and shout" or "Oh yeah"? Breakfast Club survives by its own merits. The song was just a perfect end to a perfect movie. If the feeling wasn't there, the song would have felt out of place.
Also, the movie was never about creating some artificial circumstance. People get along with people from other backgrounds that they wouldn't expect to all the time, even teens. Things like that really do happen. But there was a lot more to connect with than just that, including: relating to one or more of the characters, expression of angst, the relief of finding someone who will listen, making friends, going against society's expectations and more.
Well said ! When this movie came out, I had no plans to go and see it. The song was everywhere though. Again, not my kind of music, but it is well written and very catchy. After the movie came to HBO (all we had back in the mid 80`s) I watched it, and I liked it, and saw the absolute truth in it. You can bet your ass they never spoke to each other after that Saturday detention. I loved the principle in the movie ! That guy was perfect , and he was everyone`s principle at one time or another. Great vid. Professor !!
Don't You Forget About Me was the first song I ever heard on my first Sony Walkman. It's always going to be one of my favorite 80s songs. Alive And Kicking, All The Things She Said and Sanctify Yourself are all excellent songs.
Love all the songs you listed.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 They sure had quite the run between ‘85-‘86.
All great songs!! That’s so cool that you remember the first song you heard on your Walkman!
@@polytheneprentiss1534 I got it at a Service Merchandise store. They disappeared in the late 90’s.
Sitting in the backseat on long drives, listening to that album over a d o e again on my Sony Walkman. The Walkman died .ong ago, ut I still have my cassette
Simple Minds is incredible. I love to sing Alive and Kicking at the top of my lungs. As loud as possible. I love Simple Minds way before they sang Don't you forget about me came out. Their early albums are amazing. I will always love this band. And the band Big Country.
Simpleminds are my favourite but like you Big Country and the very talented Stuart Adamson were very good
SHA!
F****** nay dude they were all kick ass You know I was telling somebody last night the '70s the '80s the '90s oh my god they were the best the best rock the best music the best movies the the best of everything we didn't have AIDS until late herpes any of that we had so much f****** fun
“Alive and Kicking” is sincerely one of my faves. 🙌
My favorite band(along with XTC) since Life in a Day! Don’t You Forget About Me… meh.
Your sheer enthusiasm for music is absolutely infectious, professor. I've been a rock junkie for decades, and reintroducing to classics that, at the time, I may have shunned due to my narrow-minded teen brain telling me I'm strictly a headbanger, is simply awesome. When you know and understand the history and meaning of certain songs, it just seems to make them all the more enjoyable. Thank you for the work you do man.
Simple Minds was not my style of music in my youth or now, but every time hear this song I get smile on my face and it takes me back to the 80's. I can not imagine a group doing a cover that could go toe to toe with the feeling Simple Minds version gives.
It’s a song that takes you back.
The closest one would probably be Naked Eyes, “always something there to remind me”.
Their earlier records were infinitely better, Theme for great cities, the American, Sweat in bullet, Love song, Celebrate.
I saw their 1981 concert in Liverpool before they turned into a pop band
I couldn't agree more! Their not my cup of tea. But no one else could do that song as well as they did!
Hats off to Chrissy Hynde for recognizing this was a good song. She's an American badass, the Elvis of female singer, an amazing talent. How about a video on Back On The Chain Gang?
Or Middle of the Road, Brass in Pocket? Anything really, it’s The Pretenders.
One of my early 80s memories watching FMTV catching those super early music videos: Back On The Chain Gang was one of them!!!
Well, that may be a hard sell, as he only does a female led group/singer about every 15+ videos, so you may be waiting awhile. I know he loves what he loves and it's his time, and his videos, but I really wish he'd do even twice as many female singers than he does now.
@@dallasj244 Agreed, but I tend to like almost every video the "Professor" is putting out (with the exception of the Bee Gees) so, we grew up at the same time, listening to the same FM radio.... which means he loves the Pretenders!
Elvis? Not quite. Actually, not even close.
Breakfast Club was the prominent poster on my daughter’s wall. Think I’ll call her and offer her a movie night this week. What a blessing she lives nearby…❤🎶
Such an exciting band, Alive and Kicking was my favorite song by them but Don't You Forget About Me is so iconic due to it's masterful use in such an iconic movie.
So true. Love Alive and Kicking. What about their other songs? What's your top 5?
Hmm, I'd have to give that a little thought but my Top 3 are the two mentioned here and Sanctify Yourself
Alive and Kicking is a masterpiece!
Alive and kicking was the song that got me into Simple Minds. My favourite song though, is Soul Crying Out
@@ProfessorofRock
Belfast Child
Hunter and the hunted
Love song
Waterfront
I TRAVEL
Crazy to think of how many timeless hits were spawned from movies back in the 80s. I mean a TON. This song defines the 80s, much like the movie did. Very diverse, yet all genres were incredibly great! Take me back professor!!!
This makes me want to give Breakfast Club a rewatch. Undeniable movie classic.
Movin' in Stereo....okay not original to the movie but still a deep memory of the time
I’m 52 and don’t think of myself as particularly nostalgic, but, man, this song and The Breakfast Club take me right back to 1985. Still, to this day, when I think about (or see) that movie, I ask myself which character I’m most like, and which one I’d like to be. Then I remember, I’m an adult! And I have kids! But the magic of that movie is that we can always aspire to be the best of what those characters offer, no matter how old we are. Your heart doesn’t die when you become an adult, as long as you keep it open to new possibilities.
John Hughes was a genius and he is sorely missed by all who had the fortune to see his movies on theatre.
MTV also contributed to the success of this song as it was in heavy rotation. Simple Minds truly knocked this song out if the park. 80’s music was just amazing.
I love the song now, but I admit it was in SUCH heavy rotation, I got totally sick of it. It got to be a joke that it would be on as soon as I put MTV on!
What a crazy story about how many people and how many times they had to be cajoled to record this incredible song. It was indeed a perfect song for The Breakfast Club. At least eventually they came to appreciate it as much as we do. Thanks for telling this story. Have an excellent day, Adam.
This was a wild story and I had no idea of any of this!
Me neither, @@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980. That's why I love this channel ― I'm always learning something new. Hope you have a great rest of the day!
Call Me the Breeze by Lynyrd Skynyrd (to me anyway)
More than any other of the songs from Hughes' films, this one captured what it felt like to be a teen, with all the levels and layers that encompassed. A perfect song in my book.
It's still got that energy. Timeless.
This is a tune that was GREAT to play on FM Radio. The ol' Professor isn't kidding when he says it got an "Obscene amount of airplay"... And I'm proud to have been one of the DJ's who made sure it got PLAYED! In fact, I still have my copy of the album that I treated very carefully and played on the air!
I can understand the band's take on the song. This band has done SO MANY awesome songs through their career. Favorites, at least to me, like "Alive & Kicking", "Ghostdancing", "Up On The Catwalk", "Promised You A Miracle", "All The Things She Said", "Sanctify Yourself", "Someone, Somewhere (In The Summertime)"...... I could go on and on. As good as "Don't You (Forget About Me)" was, it is kind of a shame that most of America only knows them for that song! Would love to hear you cover a song like "Ghostdancing" or "Alive & Kicking". Thanks for the great video and flashback to 1985!
Great list of great songs! The first song I loved from Simple Minds was "The American".
I saw them live with Iggy Pop and The Pretenders back in the day (when Chrissie Hynde was married to Jim Kerr)
Interview with Jim coming soon. Have you ever seen them Live?
Wow! So cool!
@@ProfessorofRock Can't wait for the interview. Sadly, I have never seen them live :( Unless you count the Live Aid performance I watched on UA-cam, LOL
@@ProfessorofRock In Manchester about 12 years ago supported by OMD.
Thus Song is ABSOLUTELY timeless. There are a few songs I LOVE to catch, randomly on the radio at their start...this one is #1. Always will be!!🖤
It defined the 80s!
What are the other two?
As an 80s kid, this song has been on my playlist for decades. I still love it to this day!
Those 5 well casted characters resonated with alot of our former high school days. But, then when you add into the mix Simple Mind's most thought-provoking gem of song it takes that iconic movie to a whole new level! Pure brilliance! Ty Professor!!❤
I bought the soundtrack a few months after watching TBC and can still remember my first time listening to the cassette on my walkman, lying on the couch in the dark, 15 years old-what a moment. The release of Once Upon a Time a few months later cemented my fandom; they became my favorite band with my favorite song and my favorite album for the rest of high school. Thanks for the story, professor!
Fantastic! This is the one song I listen to over and over again (the live aid version). It always takes me back to the 80s and a flood of memories from that time. Their performance was as good as it ever gets.
Live Aid was one of the best parts of 1985
This is my new favorite channel. Thank you for all the hard work and great musical history lessons. Much love.
This is why I keep coming back to your videos. I grew up to this song and it shaped my teenage years indelibly along with the likes of our recently departed Sinaed, Prince, along with a ragtag collection of bands like UB40, Tomtom Club, and the unforgettable Jane's Addiction. But for all the knowledge of that time period I never once caught on that this song was not original Simple Minds material! It fit in well with songs before and after, as it should considering it was written with them in mind. Thank you for sharing this and for bringing it to life in such a vivid way.
What an electrifying track. Those boys hit a grand slam home-run with their rendition. ⚾ They're a great band - one of my favourites.
Great stuff, the older I get the more I appreciate their music. Always good to hear when they come on 1st wave on Sirius when I’m in the car. Waterfront and Glittering Prize are my favourites
Well done you hit it out of the park explaining the significance of this one song!
I'm so glad they did this song! Every time I hear it, I go right back to that time as a teenager. I love Simple Minds!!!❤
I love this song so much. I had no idea that they rejected it. Or any of the back story. I had "Once Upon A Time" on cassette tape. I danced to "Don't You Forget About Me", many times growing up. I love The Breakfast Club. I've seen it many times. It never gets old. Thankfully I have it on DVD. Thank you.
My favorite band ever! Thanks for featuring it, PoR. Lots to discover about them. The most recent 3-4 albums -especially the last 2!- are worth the time and attention. First-timers: give Live in the City of Light a listen to get acquainted with their early work.
One of my favorite songs of my life in the 80's as a young man - had just graduated high school a year before this came out, and could still relate to the movie - and this song perfectly. It definitely is the leading sound track of the 80's, for those who were young and lived those times.
'Don't You (Forget About Me)' to this day remains one of my all-time favorite "crank up the radio, and belt it out at the top of your lungs" songs. And as much as I love Billy Idol's music (and his later-in-life version of this song), I can't imagine him doing a version of it in the mid-80's with the spectrum of resonance that Jim Kerr and Simple Minds gave it.
What a great song and a great movie. The 80s were such an awesome time to grow up. Thanks for bringing the memories every day Professor.
👏🏾
What a great episode. As always, fantastic background details before this wonderful song was recorded. That being said, Alive and Kicking is my favorite Simple Minds song. Thank you.
I remember seeing the flic in Rochester NY and NO ONE stood up to leave the theatre when this song came on at the end. It was weird because the tune was neither dark, not bright but it most definitely encapsulated the emotion the flic was attempting to convey; It forced me to feel several emotions all at once, perhaps because this was my era. Doesn’t happen a lot but im sure others felt the same since applause after a movie doesn’t happen too often either.
Nicely done Simple Minds and thanks Chrissy.
The ‘la, la la la la’ was clearly a place keeper, but it is like reading a book vs seeing a movie. You fill in your own details and remember your own experiences, making the song universally unique and meaningful to the listener.
Classic song. I was a teen when this song came out, and on the weekends, me and my friends would often times go rollerskating - and we always skated to the biggest hits of the time. One of our friends had to move to another town and she had the DJ play this song and dedicate it to us. And, because of that song, I never did forget about her. I saw Simple Minds in concert years later, in the mid-90's, and it is still one of my favorite concert experiences to this day.
Great memories!
Hey thanks! When you get to be my age, you get a lot of memories to pull from. LOL
@@bartbluemusic Haha! We all get older every day…
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 for sure.
You're channel is just fantastic. I've been checking it out for about a year now. And I absolutely love it. It's also nice to see someone who's love and passion for music matches my own. Please, keep it up. Your videos are very entertaining and quite informative. Just last week I purchased an album - yes, vinyl - that I once held so dear, and thought of you. It was K-Tel's 'The Rock Album'. I first saw the commercial in 1980 when I was about eleven years old. Keeping in mind, this was before MTV - when you really didn't know what bands looked like (other than the picture(s) on the album(s)) - so, when I saw all those bands, heard the quick snippets of music blaring from the television, and K-Tel told me the album was in stores now(!), I simply couldn't wait. I got my very first job delivering newspapers, until I made enough money to pay for the record, then I promptly quit (until Blizzard of Oz was released about a year later. Then I got another paper route). When I listened to 'The Rock Album' recently, not only did it bring me back to all sorts of memories connected to all of those great songs, but it also got me thinking about those K-Tel records. They were quite popular back in the late 70's and very early 80's. Me and my friends all had them. I had 'The Rock Album' (Boston, Styx, Foreigner). One of my friends had 'Star Power' (Firefall, The Baby's, Little River Band). Another friend had 'Spotlight' (Hall and Oates, Commodores, Nick Glider). We loved them. We'd trade them with each other. There were a bunch of hit songs on each album, in varying genres. They were great. It got me wondering if you'd ever film an episode on your channel featuring those wonderful albums. For some reason (nostalgia, most likely!), I find them so endearing. Anyway, thank you for reading this and thank you for all your hard work.
I also loved those compilation albums! My older brother would always buy those albums for me for all occasions!
My husband and I worked at the movie theater when this dropped and I can remember seeing it on the big screen. Awesome show and song. Brings me back to my youth🎉
You nailed this one, Professor...the Breakfast Club rocks the 80's milieu: the hair, the plot, the cliques, soundtrack and effusive optimism.
Great video. Funny that you mention this. As a huge Simple Minds fan who has been buying their albums for 40 years, I gotta say - Don't You is the one song in their catalog that I very seldom listen to, mainly because the song is not representative of who they are as a band. I absolutely don't blame them for feeling the way they did about it. They have so many songs they actually wrote that are so much better. Case in point: the Good News From The Next World album, which is fantastic!
I bought Good News when it came out and played the heck out it. One of my favorites.
I totally agree with you
BUT IM THE EXACT OPPOSITE
obviously the song does not reflect how the band approach’s music
I’m fine with this situation HOWEVER I’d love the band to send me just the royalties for it
Fwiw, Alive And Kicking is one of my favorite songs of all time.
That piano break is just incredible. It gets me in the feels every dang time.
Any time I watch this movie I always think back to my high school years and wishing that I could go back and relive those years. Then, about two weeks ago, I managed to visit the grave of John Hughes and then to watch your video about a song being used in one of his movies is just fantastic.
They have so many classic songs!! Like many I really like Alive and Kicking and a few others.
DYFAM is an ICONIC 80s song from an equally iconic movie.
Damn do I miss the 80s. Thank you Professor for my daily dose of nostalgia and music knowledge.
The Breakfast Club WAS the 80s it seems.
It was the last decent decade... The 90s started out great, but by 1997 the greatness was replaced by mediocre...
This is my favorite song of all time.
It was playing when my girlfriend, who I was deeply in love with, well, her new boyfriend I didn’t know about tried to beat me up in my car. Long story short, I ran over him and put him in the hospital, they’re still together 39 years later. They never forgot about me. :)
Now THAT. Is my kind. Of love story. ….happy ending and all. Sux for you tho. AS YOU WALK ON BY………
WILL YOU CALL MY NAME……?????
Oof! So sorry.
I've never gotten so many chills watching a video on UA-cam and it was every time a part of that song came on, or a clip from the movie featuring the song was played, particularly with Bender raising his fist. I'm glad the band finally came to accept it. While they didn't write it, they were the band who crafted themselves to be the ones to deliver it like no one else could, I don't think any of us would remember it if any of those other artists had done it; that makes them an absolute and instrumental part of the creative force behind the song that made it magical and a foundational element of my childhood being exciting and happy.
I'm a huge Simple Minds fan, but never knew this crazy story. Thanks for sharing!
Its just another aspect of how important music was in the lives of 80's people in that Hollywood put so much thought into movie soundtracks. So many scenes are iconic because of the genius use of music, and it seemed one elevated the other in a way we don't really see anymore.❤
We have to thank John Hughes for creating such a fantastic soundtrack to an iconic 80s movie.
It's because in general, both music and movies suck today. Could you imagine the debacle that would occur if you combined today's crappy music and movies?
#OKGramps @@Jreb1865
One of those first songs I remember _needing_ to hear. I would have a cassette tape poised and ready to record it off the radio. Replayed it so much once I got it, eventually the cassette distorted and started sounding funky and slow. (Glad I eventually checked out their other music, too.)
I know exactly what you mean by needing to hear a song. This was one of mine too.
I can imagine that feeling.
One of my favorite songs! And i love playing need-it, got-it with your LPs in the background
Man I LOVE your channel because it seems all the songs and artist once meant a lot to me. Believe it or not, Simple Minds were my favorite band at the time "Don't You Forget" came out. I had purchased "New Gold Dreams 81, 82, 83" and was blown away by "Someone, Somewhere in Summertime" and "Promised You a Miracle". Very Ironic that the song was offered to Billy Idol because I had a friend in biology class who swore that the song was sung by Billy Idol. Great stuff as always and thank you for the great memories.
This is such a great song, I think the bass lines are my favorite part of the song. This was my favorite song for a few weeks during high school, i listened to it all day everyday. I also really liked the video. I remember watching it on the bus to school in the morning and just taking in the moment for what it was.
The pulsating bass is certainly a main driver of the song.
This past Sat. night, Matchbox 20 closed their 5th encore (!) with a cover of this song...an amazing ending to a wonderful show! Timeless tune!
That must have been killer!
Stunning song! Top of the 80s'
Great video!
The 80's really truly were the peak era of popular music and movie crossovers. Everything Kenny Loggins did, this song, Huey Lewis with Power of Love for BTtF and SO much more. I don't know that we'll ever get that kind of synergy between the arts again. Even if we could, lawyers and egos would certainly get in the way these days...
You are so right. We haven't had a great movie soundtrack in years.
ESPECIALLY 1985 and John Hughes. Movie soundtracks were 🔥
Let’s be honest, EVERYTHING has gone down hill since the 80’s 😢
@@moobutt I agree 100%
Just listening to this and singing along.... and an hour later you put this up 🙂 Awesome song. One of my top 5.
I’m glad they embraced it. It’s more than just a song they covered.
That song is the Gen X Anthem.
If one had to pick only one (out of a ton of great songs) song to represent the great 80's, I would argue that song all day. It's forever tied to a movie that is an iconic snapshot into the 80's. As an 80's teen myself, this song was always on radio, at dances, etc. Yep, it's great!
That would be mine as well, Mark.
Everybody wants to rule the world, would certainly be in the same conversation of songs that were the epitome of the 80’s. What do you think?
Great breakdown and information as usual!! Thank you!!!!
Loved this episode PoR! Simple Minds was a huge part of my high school years. And John Hughes?? Absolute genius. Thanks for this one PoR!
Deeply personal song for me... After high school graduation in '85, my best friend and I went to Disney World. Upon going back home to Ohio and needing to get a job, lamenting the girl I really wanted to get to know deeply in school, and this song came on the radio. I only saw her 1 more time after soon graduation, and she was engaged. :(
How sweet. Thanks for sharing this.
I had heard it was originally written for Billy Idol who turned it down. When I listen to the song I can hear the Idol growl to it. I enjoyed Simple Minds in the day and was fortunate enough to score a great copy of "New Gold Dream" lp on gold vinyl. Good to hear they are still alive and kicking.
Billy Idol eventually recorded his own version for one of his compilation albums. You can check it out here on YT
I imagine it might sound similar to Eyes Without a Face.
This song resonates with me more and more as I've gotten older and begun to lose friends that I grew up with. Gone but never forgotten.
I must say, nothing brings back high school memories more than this song! NEVER GROW UP!
I felt the same about this song as I did with "Take My Breath Away", by Berlin, and "If You Leave", by OMD. It's a song that is not as good as many other songs the band recorded, and in every case it will be the song that they're known for. That said, to me, this was the best of those three anyway.
True.
For me, it is probably because these bands make music I would never listen to and the popular ones crossed over into the kind of music I would.
My younger sister loved the Molly Ringwald trilogy, so, like it or not, I watched parts of all three on a regular basis. As such, I heard this song a lot. Now, I admit to being a metal head, but this song really embodies the 80s. It's just so hard to believe no one wanted to record it and Simple Minds almost wanted to disown it!
The movie The Breakfast Club was so incredibly powerful to all of us as kids back in the day - it just can't be overstated how much it spoke to us. It became our message in a bottle to the world, a snapshot of what life was like to be a teen in the mid 80's. When our high school class graduated in 1986, the song was still as powerful as ever... but in MY little town, there was a HIGH probability that the final departing song for our ceremony was going to be selected by someone who would have no real taste in music. They would probably choose something lame to send us on our way... and that kind of made my heart sink to think that. Well, the day came... it was the culmination of 12 years growing up and going through so many things with all these kids around me... and the dawn of a brand new world was just out there waiting for us... I remember the sun was beginning to set... the ceremony was ending... the clock was counting down... and then those magic words rang out... "This is the graduating class of 1986!!!" And then........... "Don't You Forget About Me" erupted over the sound system and electrified the air around us and we all just LOST IT! We just LOOOOOOSSSSSSST IT!!!!! Graduation caps flew, people cheered, tears came, we cheered, we jumped up and down, we hugged each other... and the entire world was suddenly in front of us... and I remember thinking... I will NEVER forget ALL of these special people around me... I will never forget this time... and as we all began walking off of the field and the song kept playing... deep down inside... I was hoping that no one would forget about me. It was magic. Thank you, Prof. for sharing this music and these memories... they aren't just songs... they are living parts of us. Appreciate you very much.
That song, placed where it was in the movie was a triumphant and uplifting piece! It really sealed the movie for me. All these years later and I still get the chills when it comes over the radio, especially when I'm driving!
I have an odd admiration for them wanting to perform music that was original to them. Nonetheless, I appreciate that they went through with this, as it is iconic!
Great comment as always! Have a great day RC32~
@@ProfessorofRock Likewise!
@SuperNostalgia. True!
Otherwise, we would not have gotten a decade defining song like this.
My favourite Simple Minds track is still "I Travel". They re-released it several times, but it never really charted other than in the club charts. But that song was so ahead of it's time when they released it, that it was still ahead of its time when they re-released it. Maybe it'll become a hit in some twenty years from now, when the band won't update it again to put it ahead of its time anymore, so they won't be able to release it prematurely?
One of my favorite songs. Never get tired of hearing it.
A great addition to another great sound track from a John Hughes film! These movies bring back so many memories of my childhood. They were a must-watch for any junior/senior high schooler in the 80's, especially if you wanted to bump up your "cool" factor.
I'm just curious, Professor Reader, did you choose this song and film for this episode in memory of the day John Hughs died (August 6, 2009)?
If not, what incredible timing for this episode.
And a wonderful tribute to him as well.
Thank you for the stupendous episodes you share with us.
Be Excellent to each other and Party on. 🤘🎸😎
I love "Don't You (Forget About Me)" and regard it as an 80s classic, but my favorite Simple Minds song has to be "New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)." It's pretty chill and always relaxes me whenever I listen to it.
It's so good. What about Belfast Child?
Very true. What's your top 5 from them?
@@ProfessorofRock I would have to say:
1) the aforementioned "New Gold Dream"
2) Sanctify Yourself
3) Theme for Great Cities
4) Waterfront
5) All the Things She Said
DYFAM wouldn't fall into my Top 5 only because I feel it's, like, the most overplayed song of theirs when it comes to radio stations.
@@ProfessorofRock
Alive & Kicking
Love Song
This Is Your Land
Glittering Prize
Colors Fly and Catherine Wheel
@@ProfessorofRock
Every song on "New Gold dream" and "Sparkle in the rain" is great
If I have to pick 5:
Hunter and the Hunted
East at Easter
Big Sleep
"C" Moon cry like a baby
Waterfront
I graduated high school in 1985 and this song was the theme for our senior banquet. I still have an emotional reaction when I hear it.
Outstanding take on the track as usual, Prof! Thanks!
Loved this song. Found it by watching Breakfast Club. I always wondered why they were not on top more in the US. (At least for me)
Same here. So many great songs. Thanks for watching.
They had a bunch of hidden gem songs.
This is an instance of a creation that was seemingly willed into existence by unseen forces, a cosmic accident you might say.
Honestly, I didn't know this band had such a history of longevity. I certainly didn't know this song wasn't their own. I am familiar with the band only through their hits and radio play, as is the case with far too many bands. It is important for these hits to be highlighted though, as they may spark enough interest in someone to search and consume more from artists they find pleasing. Despite not feeling deserving of the fame brough to them by this piece, it must have worked in that way for them. For their years of perseverance in recording, this was there 'gimme' reward and they would do well to accept that.
Sometimes artists are not very fond of their biggest hits despite the fact that it brought them longevity and a fun tune for all to enjoy.
Often years of hard work culminate in a big pay off for what seems like very little effort. Simple Minds don't just walk in off the street and record this incredible hit with such ease unless they have honed their craft constantly for YEARS.
....a very cooL exposé of one of the best songs ever...timeless...takes you away...transports you to that very special place in time...the 1980's...Nice job, Professor!
❤❤❤❤❤ Adam I literally felt Shivers right through my whole body when I listen to your show today❤ really really awesome❤ this was played at my oldest son Joseph Christian's graduation from JMA Armstrong High School in Salisbury New Brunswick who I named after the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr❤ totally amazing with your commentary❤ thank you brother❤ keep up the Great work! When you do your commentary it's like I'm right there with the artist experiencing and creating their music. Thank you❤
Possibly the best Soundtrack song ever, Don't You Forget About Me is a gem! I read a book a few years ago about John Hughes and the Brat Pack movies, I knew Simple Minds had turned it down multiple times and it had originally been offered to Billy Idol, but I did not know Chrissy Hynd had signed up to sing it but couldn't shoot the video because she waa pregnant.
As a song it comes on my UA-cam song list a few times a week and your right you end up singing loud I adore the song. The film I have never seen despite growing up and still loving the 80’s and other John Hughes’s films but every time I hear the song think I should watch it and after watching this great enthusiastic review as you alway do going to watch it over this weekend for sure. Thanks for another great video always love them
Thanks for doing this episode on Simple Minds. They're a favourite of mine. I was lucky enough to visit family in the UK most years growing up, so I got to listen to what was on the radio and the juke boxes there, expanding my musical exposure. I hadn't fully appreciated this song, though, as I'm not a Breakfast Club fan.
Simple Minds/Jim Kerr may not have written this song, but it was written to suit them perfectly by Forsey & Schiff. In their hands with Jims ad-libs and changes, it fits in with Simple Minds canon exactly. I discovered Simple Minds with their "New Gold Dream" album which contains so many great songs, and "Don.t you forget about me" would have fit in with a similar album given SM.s style changes from album to album.
I automatically punched the air when you identified the song......possibly the greatest ending to a film ever.... well, 80's teenage films at least.
Amen! So grand!
So did I! Iconic 80s moment right there.
I love how you bring your style to describing the film.
Great song! My favorite part is the drum fill coming back from the quiet part near the end. That is such a powerful sequence and played and recorded perfectly. 💪😎👍
Iconic song for sure. That movie and the soundtrack is about as good of a pairing as there is. Strange story behind the song and I don't get why the band didn't embrace the fame that came with it. Whatever. John Hughes was so important to my generation (I'm 58). What a great writer and director and man could he ever put a soundtrack together. Cheers from Ottawa, Canada🍁
Quite the story. Simple Minds were lucky that everyone else turned down this great tune. That said, they really nailed it! It’s become a Karaoke classic, too. Love that retro t-shirt, Adam!
They captured the feeling perfectly. 😊
One of my favorite songs & movie. This song boosted them to Stardom over night and they should be VERY grateful for this song.
Thanks a million for such a detailed insight to this great song and band.
They do deserve every thing they have worked so hard for.
It’s amazing to hear Someone from the USA for a change ❤
What's next? The Fixx?
YES!!!!!! That'd be awesome! Even my 8 yo loves the Fixx.
I interview the Fixx and three of their videos are on here. Just search them.
Haven't you ever seen my interview with Cy?
I was lucky enough to see the Pretenders & Simple Minds on tour in the summer of '84. I got a job at an ice cream stand and actually had my own money, so two friends and I made the drive to Milwaukee. I didn't get to many concerts due to living in a small town, not owning a car...you know, the usual "kid problems", but how cool that these two amazing bands were among the handful I *did* see! 💕
POR....your channel makes me appreciate music and lyrics so much more.
In a lot of ways the story of this band and song can be an allegory to growing up as a teen... seeing yourself as this unique thing independent of anything or anyone around you. Then someone offers a new thing, a new way to see something. Our arrogance keeps us from opening ourselves up to a new opportunity and friends. But running into that one person willing to take the no's and persevering (or just stuck with them overtime) do we finally try to just try and discover magic - and learn a little about ourselves as painful as it is, but it makes us better. And is this not the message of this movie? Love you John Hughes!