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RECOLLECTIONS
Simply RedHolding Back The Years
‘Holding Back The Years’ was the first song Mick Hucknall ever wrote, in his bedroom of his father’s house aged 17, after he had saved up to buy an acoustic guitar and learned three chords. It was originally performed by Mick’s first band The Frantic Elevators in the late 70s, but the chorus line of ‘I’ll keep holding on’ wasn’t added until several years later.
The track was released as the third single on Simply Red’s debut album Picture Book in 1985, and won the band their first US Number One. 40 years on it remains one of Simply Red’s best loved songs – a timeless track with personal, emotive lyrics inspired by Mick’s own childhood.
RECOLLECTIONS
SINGLE CREDITS
Words and music John & William Valentine
Windswept Pacific Music Ltd
LYRICS
Holding back the years
Thinking of the fear I’ve had so long
When somebody hears
Listen to the fear that’s gone
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Hoping for the arms of mater
Get to me the sooner or later
Holding back the years
Chance for me to escape from all I’ve known
Holding back the tears
Cause nothing here has grown
I’ve wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
And nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could yeah
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
So tight
I’ve wasted all my tears
Wasted all of those years
And nothing had the chance to be good
Cause nothing ever could oh yeah
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
Holding, holding, holding
That’s all I have today
It’s all I have to say
Holding Back The Years (Official Video)
LISTEN
Holding Back The Years (Live from Santiago)
LIVE PERFORMANCES
IMAGE GALLERY
BUY RECOLLECTIONS
Simply Red’s latest release, ‘Recollections’, features 40 new recordings of Simply Red classic songs, to celebrate their incredible 40 year legacy, and is available to buy now.
The album includes beautiful but faithful versions of ‘Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)’, ‘Holding Back The Years’, ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, ‘Stars’, ‘Fairground’ and 35 other fan favourites.
‘Recollections’ is available in three physical formats – a 4 LP vinyl, a 3 CD (both featuring all 40 tracks), and a cut-down double vinyl featuring 20 of their top tracks. All formats include a special booklet containing iconic and rare photos from 1985 onwards.
