The Music That Moves Me (Alphabet "S") | My Artist Playlist | Let's Rock Softly With: SIMPLY RED

Hello everyone and welcome back. As I've stated below, music is universal. If it's one thing that brings people together that they all can appreciate, it's the sound of music, rhythm, and lyrics. Most of my music choices are classics as I love the genres, rock and roll, blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues.

I love rock music. However, sometimes I listen to soft rock. The reason is that the sound is "light and airy" and pleasing to the senses. This is especially true when I'm not feeling well or have a headache. I mostly listen to music with earphones while working at my desktop computer. At times I love the loudness of rock; other times, when a sinus headache occurs, I have to turn down the volume. That's where soft rock is available to calm me.

Sock rock is a sub-genre of rock music. It's defined as music that is less abrasive and gentler sounding than traditional rock. The characteristics of soft rock can be heard in it's acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes saxophones. It's understood that the electric guitars utilized in soft rock music are usually faint and high-pitched. ¹

At some point in the late 1960s, the rock music genre split into hard rock and soft rock. Once the split occurred, soft rock caught steam and spearheaded such talented groups and artists as Cat Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Carpenters, John Denver, and Air Supply. ² There were many others who sprang up devoted to bringing their listeners the softer side of rock.

Soft rock delivers positive and upbeat lyrics. That's one of the reasons I love listening to them. The genre is a cross between folk music and rhythm and blues. Its songs tend to generally focus on themes such as love, relationships, and everyday life. ² If you hear a soft rock song whose lyrics depict struggles and issues, the tone is usually soft, while delivering the message of hope.

I definitely listened to this type of music as a break from the hard rock I have previously enjoyed. Today's music list is from one of the soft rock musicians from the alphabet "S" and consists of the following artist:

SIMPLY RED

Simply Red is a British soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1985. Its lead vocalist and songwriter, Mick Hucknall, rose to fame with the group to become a worldwide musician. Mick was previously part of the funk group The Frantic Elevators for seven years.

Once his new group was formed, it underwent several names changes before settling on Simply Red. I've always wondered how the name was chosen.

Apparently, the group was undecided what the name of the band would be. Names were tossed around such as "World Service" and "Red and The Dancing Dead".

Also, the name Just Red was considered due to Hucknall's nickname being "Red" because of his hair color.

However, common sense prevailed, and Hucknall decided the group's name would be better served and sounded nicer with the addition of the word "Simply".

The band's name was also supposedly linked to Hucknall's allegiance to being a supporter of Manchester United, whose club home shirt color is red. sup>3

The initial group member of Simply Red consisted of:

• Mick Hucknall (vocals);
• David Fryman (guitar);
• Tony Bowers (bass);
• Fritz McIntyre (keyboards and vocals);
• Tim Kellett (brass and live backing vocals); and
• Chris Joyce (drums). ³

Mick Hucknall's smooth, but lightly raspy voice sounds like a rhythm and blues and soul singer. Because of this, he is commonly referred to as "Blue-Eyed Soul". The name is given to several Caucasian artists whose music can be classified in the R&B genre.

I'd like to share with you today a few of Simply Red's songs that are among my daily playlist:

"Holding Back the Years"

This is Simply Red's most iconic song. Mick wrote it when he was just 17 years old, but the chorus didn't arrive until years later. Years ago, I learned that he wrote it after the chaos created when his mother left the family when he was very young.

"Holding Back the Years" was reissued as a single in 1986. The song rose to the No. 1 spot in the U.S. and Ireland charts. The song also rose to No. 2 in the UK. ⁴

I absolutely love this song as the lyrics resonate with circumstances surrounding my childhood.

^{Official music video for Holding Back the Years courtesy of YouTube}

Here are the lyrics and can be found here - Source:

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

Writer: Mick Hucknall, Neil Moss
Copyright: Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management