13
2023

Simply RedTime

“Time” is the Simply Red’s thirteenth studio album, released on 26th May 2023 through Warner Music. It was produced by Andy Wright, preceded by the singles “Better with You”, “Shades 22” and “Just Like You” and followed by the single “It Wouldn’t Be Me”, which included a new “Single Mix” of the song.

The band performed at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire on 5 June 2023 to celebrate the album’s launch, and continued their tour of Europe in mid-2023.

Buy Now
2023

Tracklist

1. Better With You

I didn’t know, what I was doing’

what you were feeling, and when did we know?

I recall a crowded smoky room,

and you and me had had enough of the fumes.

Better with you Honey for the things that we’ll never regret.

Better with you Honey as we did the things we’ll never forget.

Better with you. Better with you. Better with you. Better with you. Always.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

You didn’t show, so then my heart was aching,

where did you go? You seemed lost for sure,

but I recalled the bar you took me in,

and there you were standing with your gin-soaked friends.

Better with you Babe before the booze got you out of your head.

Better with you honey for the things that we’ll never regret.

Better with you. Better with you. Better with you. Better with you. Always.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER.

IT’S SO GOOD TO BE TOGETHER…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

2. Just Like You

I don’t know why, I see the birds up in a blue sky but I do. I don’t know why, you say you love me in the way you say you do.

But I know why I love, Yes I know why my Love
Why? It’s all because of human beings just like you. Just like you. Why? It’s all because of human beings just like you. Just like you.

What do I spy? the hidden evil that is lying takes you to. Why do I cry? when I tremble at loving kindness shining through.
But I know why I love, Yes I know why my Love

Why? It’s all because of human beings just like you. Just like you. Why? It’s all because of human beings just like you. Just like you.

But I know why I love, (because of you). But I know why I love, (because of you).

Why? Just like you. Why? It’s all because of human beings just like you. Just like you…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

3. Let Your Hair Down

Baby you know, more than you show, come on over and be with me you’re someone I’d like to get to know.
See how it shines, long wavy and fine. Plenty of love is here on show, all to make you mine.

Let your hair down. Let your hair down. Let your hair down.

Rolling fingers through your hair. Any way you wanna do.

I just wanna get close to you.
Let your hair down. Let your hair down…

Any way you win, let me come back in. Sweet talking finds a way so let the fun begin.

Let your hair down. Let your hair down. Let your hair down.

Rolling fingers through your hair. Any way you wanna do.
I just wanna get close to you.
Let your hair down. Let your hair down…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

4. Shades 22

Shades on a rainy day. Bittersweet falling. Still, I’ll hit the beach today. My memory is calling.

Shades on a rainy day. I’m playing like the sun is shining. Shades on a rainy day, my game, my life is hiding.

My life is hiding. Hiding.

Shades on a rainy day. Bittersweet falling. Still, I’ll hit the beach today. My memory is calling.

Shades on a rainy day. I’m playing like the sun is shining. Shades on a rainy day, my game, my life is hiding.

My life is hiding. Hiding. My life is hiding. Hiding…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

5. It Wouldn't Be Me

I dream about her much, and her tender touch.
Yet my friends keep telling me, Let her go let her go let her go let her go her own way. Let her go let her go let her go let her go her own way.

But I just can’t let it be. To give up now just wouldn’t be me.

She lives outside of town and she ain’t around,
oh I wish that she could be. To let her know let her know let her know that I care for her so.
Let her know let her know let her know I’m in love with her so.

And if I can help her see. To give up now just wouldn’t be me.

I know she cares, but I know she’s scared
of what she used to be.

Let her know let her know let her know she’s a wonderful girl.
Let her know let her know let her know what a wonderful girl.

I hope you’ll trust in me. To give up now just wouldn’t be me.

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

6. Never Be Gone

She said kiss you all, sends you her love. May the pain in her heart, soon be gone. She’ll miss you all, high on above. And now we must start…

To learn to love. Without Her. Without Her. Thrust in the Rainbows of Time, she will never be gone.
Never be gone. Trust in The Rainbows of Time She will never be gone

What are we worth, some say a lot. Some others will say we are lost and the Earth a mere dot.
But I thank you all, for all we have done. She’d like to end it by saying…

She will never be gone. Never be gone. Never be gone. Thrust in the Rainbows of Time, she will never be gone.
Never be gone. Trust in the rainbows of time she will never be gone.

Trust in the rainbows of time she will never be gone…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

7. Too Long At The Fair

It seems the World is really sending you psycho. Too long at the fair, yeah. You’re still wonderful, marvellous, and I really do care, yeah.

It seems the world is having a nervous breakdown. Too long at the fair, yeah. The World was wonderful, marvellous, till Adam and Eve rolled in there, yeah.

Where do we go, where do we go, Where do we go from here? Too long at the fair. Too long at the fair.

It seems democracy’s suffering a major shakedown. So long at the fair, yeah. Democracy is wonderful, marvellous, but do you really care? Yeah.

Where do we go, where do we go, Where do we go from here? Too long at the fair. Too long at the fair…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

8. Slapbang

You were slap bang in the middle of love, you made your rap bang with your sleeves pulled up.

Doo doo doo. Doo doo doo. Slapbang. Doo doo doo.

Never before have I seen. Someone who could be such a dream in a dreary old world.
Slapbang. Slapbang.

And so I’m slap bang in the middle of love, you made the rap bang when the juice was dried up,

Doo doo doo. Doo doo doo. Slapbang. Doo doo doo.

Never thought someone could be, as sweet and as lovely as you in a cynical world. Slapbang. Slapbang…

Now I’m slap bang in the middle of love. Slap bang in the middle of love. Slap bang in the middle of love…

Slapbang

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

9. Hey Mister

Hey Mister where’d you find your troubled mind? I thought we’d had it pretty easy. Yeah Mister when you’re done with your complaining,
remember lifeboats of struggling humans straining…

To stay alive. Just to survive. Hey mister. Oh Mister. Hey mister. Ooo Mister.

Hey Mister see my Daddy as a child. He never had it pretty easy Hey Mister when you’re done with your complaining, do something about our system failing.

Try getting bombed, with everything wrong. Hey Mister. Oh Mister. Hey Mister. Ooo Mister.

Food Tokens just surviving on a string. Misters can be spoiled by the cult of gaining. Yeah Mister when you’re done with your complaining, do something about our system failing.

On a gravy train. In a world of Acid rain. Hey mister. Oh Mister. Hey mister. Ooo Mister.

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

10. Just Like You (Part 2)

I don’t know why,
I see the birds up in the blue sky but I do.

I don’t know why,
You say you love me in the way you say you do.

But I know why I love,
YesI know why I love.

I don’t know why,
I see the birds up in the blue sky but I do.

I don’t know why,
You say you love me in the way you say you do.

But I know why I love,
Yes I know why I love.

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

11. Butterflies

Well she’s the one for me cos she makes me believe in love! Yeah!
She’s cool with her Daddy and she’s all I’m thinkin’ of. Mmm.

Floatin’ along in the clear blue skies, floatin’ along with the Butterflies.

What about the Butterflies? What about the clear blue skies? What about the air we breathe? What about you and me?
What about the Butterflies? What about the clear blue skies? What about the air we breathe? What about you and me?
Will we survive?

A little older now but you know it don’t mean a thing! Yeah!
I’m clear in the attic and my legs still do their thing. Mmm.

And when the ending comes I will always be your love. Yeah!
No need to remember cos you’re all I’ll be thinking of. Mmm.

Floatin’ along with love in my eyes, floatin’ along with the Butterflies.

What about the Butterflies? What about the clear blue skies? What about the air we breathe? What about you and me?

What about the Butterflies? What about the clear blue skies? What about the air we breathe? What about you and me?…

Floatin’ along with love in my eyes, floatin’ along with the Butterflies.

What about the Butterflies? What about the clear blue skies?

What about the air we breathe? What about you and me?…
Will we survive?

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

12. Earth In A Lonely Space

We’re Earth in a lonely space. Too far to say hello, And ever expanding. Earth in a lonely space. There’s more to explore on the inside, Instead of running off And ruining the outside.

Until a new World has dawned This is all we have, And I can’t say much more, Much brighter than that.

So look at what you have And try to make it brighter, Look at what you have And try to make it brighter, Look at your heavy load And try to make it lighter. Ah oh…

Earth is a lonely place. Lost from who you know, And love’s understanding. Earth is a lonely space. Hurting and burning on the inside, While being perfectly normal On the outside.

Until a new day has dawned This is all we have, And I can’t say much more, much brighter than that.

So look at what you have And try to make it brighter, Look at what you have And try to make it brighter, Look at what you have And try to make it brighter Look at your heavy load And try to make it lighter. Ah oh…
Look at what you have And try to make it brighter, Look at what you have And try to make it brighter, Look at your heavy load And try to make it lighter. Ah oh…

Words and music: Mick Hucknall

Publishing company: BMG Rights Management UK Ltd

Album Credits

Time
Release Information
Released: May 2023

Standard CD

Deluxe CD with 3 extra tracks:
13. Better With You (BBC Live Session)
14. You Make Me Feel Brand New (BBC Live Session)
15. My Love (BBC Live Session)

Black Vinyl

Red Vinyl

Gold Vinyl

Turquoise Vinyl

Credits
VOCALS / GUITAR / HARMONICA: MICK HUCKNALL

DRUMS: ROMAN ROTH

PROGRAMMED DRUMS: ANDY WRIGHT / GAVIN GOLDBERG

BASS: STEVE LEWINSON / MAREK BERO / GAVIN GOLDBERG / ANDY WRIGHT / MARK JAIMES / MICK HUCKNALL

PERCUSSION: DAN WESTERN / GEOFF HOLROYDE

GUITARS: KENJI SUZUKI / MARK JAIMES / GAVIN GOLDBERG / ANDY WRIGHT / MICK HUCKNALL

KEYBOARDS / ORGAN / PIANO: DAVE CLAYTON / ANDY WRIGHT / GAVIN GOLDBERG / DANNY SAXON

SAXOPHONE / WOODWIND / EWI / BRASS: IAN KIRKHAM

TRUMPET: KEVIN ROBINSON

BASSOON: GAVIN GOLDBERG

HARP: ANDY WRIGHT

STRINGS: GAVIN GOLDBERG / DANNY SAXON / ANDY WRIGHT

SYNTHS & BONGOS: MARK JAIMES / DANNY SAXON / ANDY WRIGHT

WURLITZER: GAVIN GOLDBERG / ANDY WRIGHT

BV’s: MICK HUCKNALL / ANDY WRIGHT / DANNY SAXON

PROGRAMMING: ANDY WRIGHT / GAVIN GOLDBERG / MARK JAIMES / DANNY SAXON

ALL SONGS WRITTEN BY MICK HUCKNALL

PUBLISHED BY BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (UK) LTD.

PRODUCED & RECORDED BY ANDY WRIGHT AT HOME STUDIOS, SOUTHCROFT (UK) & THE QUBE, LONDON (UK): APRIL ’21 – MARCH ’22

WITH ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION & MIXING BY GAVIN GOLDBERG

ENGINEERED BY ANDY WRIGHT / GAVIN GOLDBERG & LEWIS CHAPMAN

MIXED BY GAVIN GOLDBERG AT THE QUBE, LONDON (UK)

MASTERED BY JP CHALBOS AT LA SOURCE MASTERING, PARIS

WORLDWIDE MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATION:QUIETUS MANAGEMENT LTD.

ART DIRECTION & DESIGN: STUART CROUCH CREATIVE

PHOTOGRAPHY: BOB KING / SIMON FOWLER / CHRISTIE GOODWIN / VINCENT BARKER

Time

Watch

Simply Red – Live at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (2023)

Album Artwork

Tour Dates

14th December 2022
Roma, Italy – Palalottomatica

15th December 2022
Padova, Italy – Kioene Arena

16th December 2022
Assago, Italy – Mediolanum Forum

16th June 2023
Sønderborg, Denmark – Mølleparken

18th June 2023
Werchter, Belgium – Festivalpark

21st June 2023
Pula, Croatia – Pula Arena

23rd June 2023
Lyon, France – Theatres Romains De Foureviere

25th June 2023
Nîmes, France – Arena of Nîmes

27th June 2023
Trani, Italy – Piazza Duomo Trani

28th June 2023
Macerata, Italy – Sferisterio

1st July 2023
Lucca, Italy – Piazza Napoleone

3rd July 2023
Marostica, Italy – Piazza Castello

4th July 2023
Nichelino, Italy – Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi

7th July 2023
Weert, Netherlands – Bospop

8th July 2023
Berlin, Germany – Zitadelle Spandau

9th July 2023
Halle (Saale), Germany – Freilichtbühne Peißnitz

11th July 2023
Kiel, Germany – Sparkassen-Arena Kiel

12th July 2023
Mönchengladbach, Germany – SparkassenPark Mönchengladbach

14th July 2023
Bonn, Germany – Kunst!Rasen Bonn/Gronau

15th July 2023
Mainz, Germany – Zitadelle Mainz

16th July 2023
Lörrach, Germany – Marktplatz Lörrach

19th July 2023
Rosenheim, Germany – Mangfallpark Süd

20th July 2023
Regensburg, Germany – Thurn u. Taxis Schlossfestspiele

21st July 2023
Fulda, Germany – Domplatz

23rd July 2023
Stuttgart, Germany – Schlossplatz

25th July 2023
Salem, Germany – Schloss Salem

28th July 2023
Füssen, Germany – Barockgarten am Festpielhaus

30th July 2023
Klam, Austria – Burg Clam

2nd August 2023
Calella de Palafrugell, Spain – Jardins de Cap Roig esculrures

4th August 2023
Murcia, Spain – Plaza De Toros De Murcia

5th August 2023
Chiclana de la Frontera, Spain – Poblado de Sancti Petri

9th August 2023
Zofingen, Switzerland – Heitere Square

10th August 2023
Schaffhausen, Switzerland – Stars in Town AG

17th September 2023
Bottesford, United Kingdom – Victoria Park, Leicester

25th November 2023
London, United Kingdom – The London Palladium

MAILING LIST SIGN UP

Sign up to the mailing list for all the latest Simply Red news and updates.

Sign Up Now

BY REGISTERING, I AGREE TO THE TERMS & CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY

12.   Blue Eyed Soul
Album Archive