09
2005

Simply RedSimplified

Simplified is the ninth studio album by Simply Red, released in October 2005. It features new, rearranged recordings of some of the band’s classic tracks, and four new songs: “Perfect Love”, an alternate version, “My Perfect Love”, a cover of Leon Russell’s “A Song for You”, and “Smile”. Simplified was certified Gold in the UK.

Buy Now
2005

Tracklist

1. Perfect Love

Your perfect love
Your perfect love

Oh boy, what a fight
We fought and the thing is
We were both right
Ok I’m crazy but maybe

Quiero Tenerte
Quisiera Odiarte
Quiero besante
Quiero Olvidarte

Both of us, what a sight
In the morning screaming
Believing it could be so right
‘Cause you know that your mine baby, yes you are

Still you’re in my dreams
Not constantly
Not constantly

Your perfect love
Your perfect love
Your perfect love
Your perfect love

Through the day and the night
Dreaming of you baby
Here with a love that feels so right
I know its hazy but maybe

Yo Quiero Amarte
Quiero Olvidarte
Debi Sacarte
Pero no puedo

But believe me enough
To be eternally
Eternally

Your perfect love
repeat

Yo Quiero amarte
Yo Quiero Verte
Debi Sacarte
Quiero Olvidarte

Words and music by Hucknall
Published by EMI Songs Ltd
Produced by Andy Wright, Mark Jaimes and Danny Saxon.
Additional production by Hucknall
Mixed by Johnny Wow
Recorded at Metropolis Studios by Gavin Goldberg and Dave Bloor, and at Home by Andy Scade and Michael Zimmerling

2. Something Got Me Started

Something got me started
You know that I will love you
Lately since we parted
I truly know that I need you

I’d give it all up for you
(Yes I would)

Totally broken-hearted
Guilty of what I did to you
Lately since we parted
I truly know that I need you

I’d give it all up for you
(Yes I would)

You’ve got to help me, help me, help me

Words Mick Hucknall
Music Mick Hucknall & Fritz McIntyre
EMI Songs Ltd/So What Ltd

3. Holding Back The Years

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

Words Mick Hucknall
Music Mick Hucknall & Neil Moss
Published by EMI Songs Ltd
Produced by Andy Wright, Mark Jaimes and Danny Saxon
Additional production by Hucknall
Mixed by Johnny Wow
Recorded at Metropolis Studios by Gavin Goldberg and Dave Bloor, and at Home by Andy Scade

4. More

We used to meet, from time to time
Up in the mountain…

You’ve had your flings
I’ve had mine
You’ve grown your wings
I’ve flown mine

The only way out is to
Give you more love
More of my love
More and more and more and more and more of my love
Not a girl of my dreams
But two hearts and two minds
The strain that brings
Is ours until the end of time
The only way out was to
Give you more love
I’m gonna give you my love
More of my love
More of my love
Give you my love
Please take all of my love
More of my love
More and more and more and more and more of my love

The only way out was to
Give you more love
I’m gonna give you my love
More of my love
More of my love
Give you more love
Please take all of my love
More of my love

to fade

Words and music by Hucknall
Published by EMI Songs Ltd
Produced by Hucknall
Mixed by Johnny Wow
Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling, with Andy Scade

5. A Song For You

I’ve been so many places in my life and time
I’ve sung a lot of songs I’ve made some bad rhymes
I’ve acted out my life in stages
With ten thousand people watching
But we’re alone now and I’m singing this song to you

I know your image of me is what I hope to be
I’ve treated you unkindly but darlin’ can’t you see
There’s no one more important to me
Baby can’t you see through me
Cause we’re alone now and I’m singing this song to you

You taught me precious secrets of the truth withholding nothing
You came out in front when I was hiding
Now I’m so much better and if my words don’t come together
Listen to the melody cause my love is in there hiding

I love you in a place where there’s no space or time
I love you for my life you’re a friend of mine
And when my life is over
Remember when we were together
We were alone and I was singing this song to you

We were alone and I was singing this song to you
We were alone and I was singing this song to you

Words and music by Leon Russell
Published by Skyhill Publishing
Produced by Hucknall
Mixed by Johnny Wow
Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling, with Andy Scade

6. Your Mirror

I’ve got to stand up for myself
This society don’t care about nobody else
I’ve got to be strong
Even if I know that this feeling is wrong
I’ve got to not care
Even if I know that this world is meant to
Share

Wait a minute. This is wrong
Even the birds still sing their faithful song
And your beauty lies within you
Look in the mirror baby
Look in the mirror baby

What you gonna do when your friends have
Gone away
And deserted you
You’ll have to be strong
24 hours can seem so long
You’re taught to not care
And then not realise this world is meant to
Share

Wait a minute. It’s wrong
Even the birds still sing their faithful song
And your beauty lies within you
Look in the mirror baby
Look in the mirror baby

We’ve got to stand up for ourselves
Even if a leader so cold wants to glory himself
We’ve got to be strong
Even if our reasons seem wrong
We’ve got to not care
Even if the world that we know may not even
Be here

Hold it! It’s wrong
Even the birds still sing their faithful song
And your beauty lies within you
Look in the mirror baby
Look in the mirror baby

Words and music Mick Hucknall
EMI Songs Ltd/So What Ltd

7. Fairground

Driving down an endless road
Taking friends or moving alone
Pleasure at the fairground on the way

It’s always friends that feel so good
Let’s make amends like all good men should
Pleasure at the fairground on the way

Walk around, be free and roam
There’s always someone leaving alone
Pleasure at the fairground on the way

And I love the thought of coming home to you
Even if I know we can’t make it
I love the thought of giving hope to you
Just a little ray of light shining through

Love can bend and breathe alone
Until the end it finds you a home
Don’t care what the people may say

It’s always friends that feel so good
Let’s make amends like all good men should
Pleasure at the fairground on the way

And I love the thought of coming home to you
Even if I know we can’t make it
I love the thought of giving hope to you
Just a little ray of light shining through

Words and music Mick Hucknall
EMI Music Publishing Ltd/So What Ltd
Fairground contains a sample of “Give It Up” by The Goodmen courtesy of Fresh Fruit Records
Original source “Fanfarra” by Sergio Mendez courtesy of Elektra Entertainment Group

8. My Perfect Love

Oh boy, what a fight
We fought and the thing is
Usually we were both right
Ok I’m crazy but maybe
I hope that turning the page somehow
Reveals a note that will claim you forever

Both of us, what a sight
In the mall there screaming
Believing it could be so right
‘Cause you know that you’re mine baby
Gotta get back home to you somehow
And take the blame for screaming much louder

Still you’re in my dreams
Ok not constantly, baby
But believe me enough
To be eternally, endlessly
Stirred but never shaken
Well turned, but never burned
By your love

Your perfect love
(your perfect love)
Your perfect love
(your perfect love)
Your perfect love
(your perfect love)
Your perfect love

Through the day and the night
Thinking of you lady
Here with a love that feels so right
I know it’s hazy but maybe
We’ve got to make it work out somehow
To keep a love that will last us forever

Still you’re in my dreams
Ok, not constantly, baby
But believe me enough
To be eternally, endlessly
Stirred but never shaken
Well turned but never burned
By your love

Your perfect love
(repeat to end)

Words and music by Hucknall
Published by EMI Music Ltd
Produced by Hucknall
Mixed by Johnny Wow
Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling, with Andy Scade

9. Smile

You make me smile glow and shine
You make me glad to be alive
With love its easy to survive

The girl that I lost when I was blue
Has confirmed my heart grows stronger when there’s you

‘Cos you make me smile
You make me smile

True love won’t find a better way
Fake love best plan its getaway
New love won’t find a better place to stay

The woman that I love you always knew
My heart loves longer and stronger when there’s you

‘Cos you make me smile

The colour of my blood is truly justified
That was me, it was me, I never lied
My blood flows through you and my heart goes to you when you cried

It’s no good to bluff or never wonder why
Who to be, who to be I’ve never tried
It’s enough to know you and to love you baby is my pride
Loving you forever is a must and from now on my love will never be denied

‘Cos you make me smile

Words by Hucknall
Music by Hucknall and Kirkham
Published by EMI Music Ltd / Copyright Control
Produced by Hucknall
Mixed by Johnny Wow
Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling, with Andy Scade

10. Sad Old Red

I walk on stone, it leads me home
We don’t have streets, just pure concrete
I’m not glad when I get home
I’m sad old red, I don’t wanna be alone

I go whiter in the face, my feet begin to shake
I go upstairs to that heavenly place
I’m not glad when I get home
I’m sad old red, I don’t wanna be alone

Chorus:
Sad old red, sat at home
Sad old red, living on his own
Sad old red, sat at home
Sad old red, let me take you home

It’s a cubic room, two holes peep through
Shadows on the wall of trees so tall
I think of her again, the joy she used to bring
Lay there in bed, two words she said
She said “oh red” (repeat)

Sad old red, that’s what I am
All the time, every night
Sad old red

Words and music Mick Hucknall
CBS Songs/So What Ltd

11. For Your Babies

You’ve got that look again
The one I hoped I had when I was a lad
Your face is just beaming
Your smile got me boasting, my pulse roller- coastering
Any way the four winds that blow
They’re gonna send me sailing home to you
Or I’ll fly with the force of a rainbow
The dream of gold will be waiting in your eyes

You know I’d do most anything you want
Hey I, I try to give you everything you need
I can see that it gets to you
I don’t believe in many things
But in you I do

Her faith is amazing
The pain that she goes through contained in
The hope for you
Your whole world has changed
The years spent before seem more cloudy
Than blue
In many ways your baby’s controlling
When you haven’t laid down for days
For the poor no time to be thinking
They’re too busy finding ways

You know I’d do most anything you want
Hey I, I try to give you everything you need
I’ll see that it gets to you
I don’t believe in many things
But in you I do

You know I’d do most anything you want
Every day I, try to give you everything you
Need
We’ll always be there for you
I don’t believe in many things
But in you I do

Words and music Mick Hucknall
EMI Songs Ltd/So What Ltd

12. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye

Ev’ry time we say goodbye I die a little
Ev’ry time we say goodbye I wonder why a little
Why the Gods above me who must be in the know
Think so little of me they allow you to go

When you’re near there’s such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere waiting to sing about it
There’s no love song finer
But how strange The change from major to minor
Ev’ry time we say goodbye.

When you’re near there’s such an air of spring about it
I can hear a lark somewhere waiting to sing about it
There’s no love song finer
But how strange The change from major to minor
Ev’ry time we say goodbye.

Words and music Cole Porter
Chappell Music Ltd

Album Credits

Musicians: Sarah Brown, Anthea Clarke, Dave Clayton, Simon Hale, Geoff Holroyde, Mark Jaimes, Suzuki John, Dee Johnson, John Johnson, Ian Kirkham, Pete Lewinson, Steve Lewinson, Chris de Margary, Roachie, Kevin Robertson, Danny Saxon, Kenji Suzuki, Andy Wright, Gota Yashiki

Perfect Love: Produced by Andy Wright, Mark Jaimes & Danny Saxon. Additional production by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Metropolis Studios by Gavin Goldberg & Dave Bloor & at Home by Andy Scade & Michael Zimmerling. Guest vocals by Danae Blanco Villanueva courtesy of Tumi Music Ltd.

Something Got Me Started: Produced by Andy Wright, Mark Jaimes & Danny Saxon. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Metropolis Studios by Gavin Goldberg & Dave Bloor & at Home by Andy Scade.

Holding Back The Years: Produced by Andy Wright, Mark Jaimes & Danny Saxon. Additional production by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Metropolis Studios by Gavin Goldberg & Dave Bloor & at Home by Andy Scade.

More: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling with Andy Scade.

A Song For You: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling with Andy Scade.

Your Mirror: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Andy Scade & Michael Zimmerling.

Fairground: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Andy Scade & Michael Zimmerling.

My Perfect Love: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling with Andy Scade.

Smile: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling with Andy Scade.

Sad Old Red: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling with Andy Scade.

For Your Babies: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Andy Scade & Michael Zimmerling.

Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye: Produced by Hucknall. Mixed by Johnny Wow. Recorded at Home by Michael Zimmerling with Andy Scade.

Mick Hucknall says “Simplified is an unusual amalgam of two ideas. One half ‘unplugged’ with orchestral renditions of previously recorded songs and the other, some original songs with a Latin flavour”.

The band performed and filmed a special show in Cuba at El Gran Teatro, Havana, to coincide with the release of the album.

Listen

Simplified

Watch

Cuba! Starring Simply Red – Recorded Live at El Gran Teatro, Havana

The Story Of Simply Red

Part 7 – Simplified / Stay

Album Artwork

Tour Dates

26 August 2005 
Havanna, Cuba: Gran Teatro De La Habana

27 August 2005 
Havanna, Cuba: Gran Teatro De La Habana

29 June 2006
Cardiff, UK : Cardiff Arena

30 June 2006
Southampton, UK : Beaulieu National Motor Museum

1 July 2006
Leeds, UK : Harewood House

4 July 2006
Switzerland, Montreux : Montreux Jazz Festival

6 July 2006
Maidstone, UK : Leeds Castle

7 July 2006
Werchter, Belgium : TWClassic

8 July 2006
Weert, Holland : Bospop

10 July 2006
Salzburg, Austria : Arena

11 July 2006
Zurich, Switzerland : Live at Sunset Festival

13 July 2006
Bath, UK : The Rec

14 July 2006
Petworth UK : Petworth House

15 July 2006
Warwick, Uk : Warwick Castle

17 July 2006
Liverpool, UK : Big Top Arena

18 July 2006
Liverpool, UK : Big Top Arena

20 July 2006
Norwich, Uk: Blickling hall

21 July 2006
Hull, UK: Kingston communications Stadium

24 July 2006
Lake Como, Italy: Villa Erba

27 July 2006
Catanzaro, Italy: Arena Magna Grecia

28 July 2006
Ostuni, Italy: Muvi Festival

29 July 2006
Lucca, Italy: Piazza Napoleone

31 July 2006
Monte Carlo, Monaco: Sporting Club

1 August 2006
Monte Carlo, Monaco: Sporting Club

3 August 2006
Leoben, Austria: Hauptplatz

4 August 2006
Pula, Croatia: Roman Arena

5 August 2006
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Krizanke Theatre

10 August 2006
Tallinn, Estonia: Saku Arena

11 August 2006
Riga, Latvia: Riga Arena

12 August 2006
Vilnius, Lithuania: Siemens Arena

14 August 2006
Warsaw, Polard: Torwar

15 August 2006
Berlin, Germany: Museumsinsel

17 August 2006
Freiburg, Germany: Brauereihof

18 August 2006
Bonn, Germany: Museumsplatz

19 August 2006
Dresden, Germany: Junge Garden

21 August 2006
Glensenkirchen, Germany: Ampitheatre

22 August 2006
Hanover, Germany: Parkbuhne

24 August 2006
Losheim, Germany: Strandbad

25 August 2006
Heilbronn, Germany: Wertweisenpark

26 August 2006
Coburg, Germany: Schlossplatz

28 August 2006
Bratislava, Slovakia: Incheba Expo Arena

30 August 2006
Belgrade, Serbia: Pioneer Hall

31 August 2006
Sofia, Bulgaria: Winter palace Of Sports

5 September 2006
Porto, Portugal: Rosa Mota Pavillion

6 September 2006
Lisbon, Portugal: Atlantico Pavillion

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