FIRST TIME HEARING SIMPLY RED - HOLDING BACK THE YEARS | REACTION

[@wanessasantos545]

Mick Hucknall wrote this song at the age of 17, Holding Back The Years is about the time he decided to leave his father's house and about the mother who abandoned him when he was 3 years old. Today Mick is 60 years old and continues to sing with Simply Red

[@vickielewallen3799]

Awesome info, interesting!

[@wanessasantos545]

@@dweezil8461 He was really 17, the first version of Holding Back The Years was recorded by Mick's first band Frantic Elevators and had no chorus, Mick only composed the chorus at 24 to record on his first Simply Red album: Picture Book

[@Bamaboompa]

☝️ Rob the music and his voice are so beautiful it makes it easy to miss the PROFOUNDLY DEEP message. He wasn’t holding on to wonderful memories of his youth. He was holding on trying to get PAST it. Just a personal opinion Most lyrics were so much better then we paid a lot more attention to them.

[@ginaarendtson9478]

And nails it at 60!

[@jodaviddagoat389]

@@dweezil8461 he was 17 when he first wrote this, such an amazing song for someone so young to write even if it was about his life. Absolutely Amazing!!!

[@Hounddoggy33]

35 years after first hearing this song, it still holds up.

[@SiobhanChiffon]

Loving seeing you young people discovering all this great music.

[@lilpoohbear653]

yes!!!

[@keicbell]

Indeed! Without autotune, just talent

[@fadguru]

This 68 year old agrees! There's SOOOO much old music to "discover".

[@beverlykrebs4372]

I know! I feel SOOO blessed that I was a young adult during the 80s. I would go back in time in a heartbeat if that was possible!!!

[@ElissaStark514]

Me too! It’s awesome. Keep great music alive!!!

[@jamescrane2156]

This was in heavy rotation on MTV back in 1985 when they used to actually broadcast music videos.

[@kmj217]

It was in heavy rotation on top 40 radio stations, too.

[@NeutronDance]

I'm trying to remember

[@terriertz5134]

This song is very sad. It's about his mother abandoning him at age 3 & him hoping she'd return to have a relationship with him. He wasted years and tears wishing for her to return but she never did. Abandonment by a parent, especially a mother, will scar a person for life.

[@timtravasos2742]

Horrible

[@JeffOnTheRoads]

I’ll keep holding on. 😢

[@kathdavies1220]

Thank you for the story behind this song....awesome 👍

[@dexstewart2450]

Mine bailed at 4 - my dad raised me alone from 1962...she wasn't missed

[@terriertz5134]

@@dexstewart2450 That's so horrible. No parent should bail on a child.

[@mikehoward2340]

"Strangled by the wishes of pater...hoping for the arms of mater..." I still say those are some of the coolest lyrics in the history of music

[@gemini802]

Latin for father and mother

[@mikehoward2340]

@@gemini802 Exactly...constrained by your father's expectations and longing for your mother's nurturing

[@crhu319]

A masterpiece by a genius whose message is timeless.

[@tyger166]

This one is always sentimental for me as it's filmed in my hometown of Whitby in North Yorkshire - was there last week visiting my parents. The part with the steam train was filmed a few miles away in Goathland, which was also the station used as Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter movies.

[@kellyk5946]

I believe it also has a connection with Bran Stoker who wrote Dracula.

[@clemdane]

I've always wanted to visit Whitby

[@petertoal371]

Been to Whitby many times and of course Goathland. The message here from Mick Hucknall could be repeated many times I'm sure by young men and girls brought up in troubled families. I was born right in the middle of world war 11 and as the eldest of six children experienced the troubles my mother went through trying to keep it all together having divorced my father when I was just three years old. The great thing is, it prepares you for whatever life throws at you. I left home at 17 and my final journey brought me to Australia, the best place in the world to start again.

[@joshsheffsagain4662]

Grew up in York, now live in Sheffield, and went to Whitby a couple week's ago with my parents for a post lockdown day out. Lovely walk along the beach followed by fish and chips. Not at Magpies, but at another gem we found. Was a beautiful sunny day out. Whitby is gorgeous.

[@clemdane]

@@joshsheffsagain4662 Sounds wonderful. I hope to get there someday.

[@Star_R666]

This is Blue Eyed Soul. He still has a great voice. Mick Hucknall wrote the song when he was just 17 years old, during the time he was living with his father. Hucknall’s mother abandoned him and his father when he was only three years old. According to him, the problems the family encountered as a result of his mother’s abandonment inspired the lyrics of the song. I wish Amber was with you, would have loved to see her enjoying this as well.

[@ladyjane8855]

Northern Soul was big in the UK at the time.

[@looneygardener]

Just soul. Not race related. It's a genre.

[@Star_R666]

@@looneygardener back in the day they called it blue eyed soul. From Wiki - "Blue-eyed soul (also called white soul) is rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists. The slang, coined in the mid-1960s, was invoked by music magazines in the 1960s such as Life who used it for the Righteous Brothers". Also Simply Red put out an album titled Blue Eyed Soul.

[@magnificent6668]

"Soul"/ blues is distinctively American, but influenced by Celtic/Gaelic music - it's a combination of the poor man's music of the new world, African beats and inspired by a combined misery of poverty, slavery, etc. It's not a big surprise that good artists in the genre come from the UK, or Ireland, really.

[@rockyroad7345]

I've heard this song 1000 times and it still breaks my heart every time I hear it.

[@deelawson4551]

Always loved this song! If You Don`t Know Me is a cover they did(originally Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes recorded it), they did an amazing job! His voice is Beautiful! Keep On Rockin`

[@marksterner7532]

Yes. He does a great job on that song!

[@dianefurlong2911]

This song definitely causes one to reflect and it’s a reminder to appreciate the memories

[@pastorofmuppets22]

It didn't cause any of that for me...My internets must be broken in the cloud

[@godbyelebenohnegott]

No, it doesn't. It is about leaving a life behind that doesn't make you happy and freeing yourself from nostalgia that will never amount to anything.

[@D1Gr8hansGraf]

You take a song, make the words your own and the message you get is all yours. That is the beauty of music! I happen to share your emotions as this son came out when I was fresh out of college, had just broken up with my girlfriend and my future was uncertain. At 58 and after a successful life, this song makes reminisce. 😊

[@TahoeNevada]

I literally remember the first time hearing this song. I was 15, staying at my aunts house for the summer (1986) and this came on the radio. Everything stopped for three and a half minutes.

[@colindickson8034]

It came out of the blue. Nothing like it at the time. Made you listen. Sings it just as well now live. No dancers just him. Brilliant

[@ImranKhan-xu3qn]

Fax...

[@lindagosnell6985]

Red is definitely not a new artist. He wrote that song when he was 17 back in the early 80s. One of my favorite songs ever. Thank you so much for reacting to it!

[@Uburalus]

Yeah, but Simply Red IS new to him.

[@aaronnichols9452]

He was born in 1961. He wrote the song when he was 17. It was 1978.

[@bqkmg2037]

Released in 1986

[@lindagosnell6985]

@@bqkmg2037 Thanks for providing the year! I see that I called him Red, his name is Mick. I always just shorten it to Red when I’m talking about Simply Red. 😂😂😂

[@bqkmg2037]

@@lindagosnell6985 1986 was a special year for me and lots of memories hearing that song brought me back to that.

[@CharCanuck14]

Love this song Jay. Thanks for opening your ears and heart to it. I've been saying nice things to strangers since 2017 when I was diagnosed with cancer. It made my eyes open up to so many beautiful things and people, so I thought I had nothing to lose by complimenting someone on their funky shoes, cool hair, etc. Felt great....and yes, I'm in remission so everything is wonderful!

[@bekschwitz7481]

Char, that is a blessing - both that you are in remission and that you have decided to spread kindness/compassion/support for your fellow human.

[@CharCanuck14]

@@bekschwitz7481 Aaaw, thanks Bek....very sweet of you. I have a t-shirt that I wear to my oncologist's office that says "Cancer blew sunshine up my arse". Life is short - let's be kind and compassionate towards all living things.

[@ramblingbill9101]

God bless - go in peace, sweetheart.

[@BilgePump]

Well Char, you’re wonderful. If only this world had more people like you.

[@CharCanuck14]

@@BilgePump Thank you Bilge and Rambling Bill! Sometimes a few kind words can re-energize me when I start to feel tired and drained. Cheers from Ontario, Canada.

[@jackie_jrml]

One of the best 80’s songs! Would love Amber’s thoughts on this one. Soooo good. He still sounds unreal today!!

[@UnexpectedTurnOfEvents]

The first time around, when my English wasn't good enough to understand the lyrics well, I loved this song for the feel of it, but now I realize just how beautiful, and sad, it is. A painful past is such a heavy chain... It pulls us back whenever we try to move forward, yet breaking it feels like losing a part of who we are.

[@Sunny-bychoice]

A painful past is such a heavy chain... It pulls us back whenever we try to move forward, yet breaking it feels like losing a part of who we are. This broke my heart into a million pieces.

[@ImranKhan-xu3qn]

@@Sunny-bychoice agree I've had so many losses sometimes you just get depressed but just remember you can't change the past but you can change the future...

[@garya7893]

The only thing wrong with it is its too short I could listen to this for hours

[@beverlyastorga6825]

Right? It's beautiful.

[@pastorofmuppets22]

Slayer's songs are a bit longer 😁

[@jodaviddagoat389]

Me too

[@suzanneforgione1018]

Me too, such a beautiful song 🎶 ❤️

[@chrismaggio7879]

Yess.... constant background music.

[@Scooter730]

His voice.....just phenomenal. So glad you checked this one out. Another great band from that time is Level 42

[@JeansDolls]

Beautiful… when you think he wrote this at 17, it’s mind blowing!

[@davidnelson7149]

The video was filmed at the town of Whitby in England on the North Yorkshire coast. Bram Stoker stayed there and was inspired to write his book Dracula. In the novel, Dracula landed on the beach at Whitby from a shipwreck. He took the form of a black dog.

[@justmeok0]

What I love about your channel is that you come across as so humble, honest and sincere thank you 😊 well done 👍

[@pretzeltime3900]

Simply Red hit the charts in 1985. I remember being in Germany when I first bought “Picture Book” and have loved it ever since. He has one of those unforgettable soulful voices that never gets old. Great pick for your reaction video

[@blastingweevil2968]

Mick Hucknalls voice sounds just as good today as it did when he released this he is an amazing talent.

[@elizabethklaver7404]

I spent a lot of lonely nights listening to this song and his others while my husband at the time was military and far away.

[@ImranKhan-xu3qn]

Hope your good,

[@nickfiorenza5930]

Thank your husband for his service. My dad served 27 years in the military. I am a army brat. This song really brings tears to my eyes. God bless.

[@hayleyjohnson9505]

This is a band that has many hits. STARS is one you definitely need to listen to next!

[@Sawdoff2]

Such a great voice and still sounds the same today. So much soul. His rendition of If You Don't Know Me By Now is beautiful.

[@corvus1374]

Mick's voice is so beautiful.

[@suzanneforgione1018]

Words can’t express how much I love this song. So beautiful. ❤️❤️

[@rogerkelly7988]

This song was played on the radio constantly in the mid 80s what a voice great reaction thanks

[@Tempirance1]

This song is monumental to so many people.

[@kylekerwin4993]

Your eyes said it all on the opening line. This song still and will continue to send chills right to the very core of yourself. Every single time. Great reaction to this timeless classic.

[@heyou702pc]

There is a live version of him in Cuba 2005. It is a bit slower with classical strings and classical guitar. It's so good. His voice is still amazing after all these years. Loved your reaction today and I really missed Amber ❤

[@kmach1000]

Love that concert!

[@dess8287]

They were a great band back in the 80s. There's only one original member left *Mick Huckhall* the lead singer and songwriter. They're from Manchester, England. Hard to believe that Mick Huckhall actually started off in a punk rock band. This type of music most people label it as *Blue Eyed Soul* which I definitely understand why. You should check *If You Don't Know Me By Now* by *Simply Red.* Another couple of bands to see on the *Blue Eyed Soul* list *Righteous Brothers* the songs *Unchained Melody* and *You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'.* Then maybe go down the rabbit hole of *Hall and Oats* songs that'll have ya jammin' to again and again *Rich Girl, Sara Smile, Man Eater, Kiss On My List, Method Of Modern Love, She's Gone, I Can't Go For That( No Can Do)* 1 and *One on One.* Love Peace and Happiness Y'all!!

[@Tarmaccyclocross]

There never was a band just him and session artists

[@noahswann]

Hucknall was one of the few at the Sex Pistols gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall.

[@wendellburkhart8297]

This song brings back so many memories . And what a voice.

[@skydogfan4671]

Mick has one of the greatest voices of all time. One of my favorites by them is a little know song called Turn it up.

[@sattamassagana4575]

The whole “picture book “album is a banger.No weak songs.

[@TahoeNevada]

Next, you gotta check out their track, Money’s Too Tight To Mention. Then, their cover of If You Don’t Know Me By Now.

[@irenestrmnss4331]

Red had soooooo many good hits. Love his voice and sounds

[@inkoinfinity2]

This is one of the most soulful songs ever written

[@sabrinamarkos7099]

This is so true my friend, you're so right. At 65 years old, I still am emotionally charged by this song. And I have a blessed life. Don't waste time my friends; whoever and wherever you are.👍🏾🤗🎵👵🏿

[@stephskipcain4599]

Down the rabbit hole now... I'm watching all your videos. I had the biggest crush on Simoly Red when I was 13! I'M 45 now & this song is still just beyond amazing!

[@okpainter9700]

This is a Brain Worm song for me . Every time I hear it , it hangs in my head for DAYS. lol I just go ahead and put it on replay for an hour or so and wallow in it 🎸☮️💚

[@i43pammy30]

Simply amazing! by Simply Red Thank you!

[@SuddenRain777]

His mother left him & his father when he was a child, leaving him devastated. Now records under his name Mick Hucknall

[@jackwells8107]

"Never thought we'd have 12 thousand subscribers," he said, as I'm watching this two months later and you got nearly 85K subscribers. Congrats.

[@deannaseder-massengale8484]

FYI - the opening scene where you said it looks like Scotland is actually Whitby Abbey overlooking the harbor village of Whitby, North Yorkshire, England! I've actually stood on that exact headland and looked down into Whitby. Looking at it listening to Simply Red (who used to be a very popular group/band in the 80s/early 90s. Thanks for sharing! 🥰🇬🇧

[@michellelane6527]

When people could actually sing. Now look at when he's older. He does it with a Orchestra look it up and you will be amazed he sounds the same

[@annother3350]

He doesnt look the same though!

[@fayesouthall6604]

@@annother3350 mick just needs to sing. He’s not aged well, like many of us !

[@JShirk-po8ln]

He does this live many years later and it's fantastic!

[@helenatyeo6840]

I love stars ...his voice is amazing my sister just saw him in concert .

[@zoesmith9682]

I was so lucky to hear this sung live in concert at Wembley (U.K.) back in the early 90’s . Mick Hucknall is an amazing singer and songwriter you should definitely check out his other work!

[@drummerseb]

I've listened to this song maybe a 1000 times and I always have chills with that high note and the 'i say' line... So much emotion

[@kf9346]

Thanks for reminding me about Simply Red! That voice ...! The first few times I heard this song when it came out, I thought it was a song from the 70s. There is a unique quality of this song where it feels nostalgic every time you hear it, but at the same time, makes you feel like you're hearing it for the first time.

[@warrenpeterson6065]

I am old now and am forever "Holding Back The Years" ... I have loved and will "Never Never Love Again" ... as "It's Only Love" ... even if "You Say You Love Me" ... It's just a "Mirror" of the past ... but, "Something Got Me Started" ... because "You Make Me Feel So New" ... "You've Got it" ... It's "Sunrise" and we've talked all night ... It's "The Right Thing" ... Let me create "A Song For You" ... I swear I did not fall "For Your Babies ... "If you don't know me by now" ... "Home" and "Stars" ... "So Not Over You!" All Simply Red Songs ... All Beautiful.

[@michaelgilbert197]

Oooh love this this song! Simply Red has a few other good ones..... "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" and "You Don't Know Me By Now" are a couple of really good ones off the top of my head!! 😎

[@AgentJamesLee]

You have a great name.

[@stormatsunup]

Hi Rob~ This Band, Lead Singer Mick Huckhall out of Manchester England. In the 80's a lot of the great music came out of England. Known as the 2nd British Invasion. They had a lot of ( sometimes unexpected ) Heart & Soul. Glad you enjoyed it. We had the best music ~! Groove On in Kindness and Love ~! Now I'm going out to make someone smile today ~;-)

[@robinjordan3922]

Yes make someone smile today. Hearing this old jam made me smile!

[@verovancouver]

Beautiful song❣️ Very true, makes me emotional too.

[@cjarchie7874]

Most people miss the lyrics but they are so profound! "Strangled by the wishes of Pater... Hoping for the arms of Mater" as in paternal and maternal. So Strong! When you understand the lyrics the video becomes so clear. And many people think he is day dreaming about the pretty teacher. But it is his father in the grave yard with the teacher. That's why she looks at him that way in the class room.

[@sisuboy]

The events that led to Mick writing a song about it to ease his pain is intense and sad.

[@doloresburns3301]

Love Simply Red... especially If You Don't Know Me By Now. Enjoyed your reaction

[@rogeroran2911]

Try If You Don’t Know Me By Now from them.

[@emilycrouse2416]

Hope and helplessness and heartache expressed so perfectly.

[@stephanietip]

I think Rome Life pretty much turned most of us on to you.I was one of your first subscribers..I saw the split screen of him talking about hounding you until you caved.You looking like"WTF IS THIS,then turning into WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS BEFORE"while Rome Life danced with his broom.lol

[@rodb9275]

Yup. I came here back then because of Rome Life too. And I am so glad. I enjoy this channel even more than I enjoy Rome Life!!! lol

[@NOLAgenX]

James brought me here a few weeks ago too. Love both channels!

[@skinnybuddha74]

Came because of James, stayed because of Jay... Amber adds a nice touch too.

[@crystalnelson2388]

Bring Back so Many Memories 1985 and Still one of My Favorites 👏🏾❤️

[@steelpaine9932]

This is so emotional, my Mom loved this song, she passed a few years ago and I hear these old songs and it's just cry I miss her so much. I do try to keep in moment and 100% agree, make great memories NOW!

[@markhagerman1837]

Sending love and comfort 🤗😊

[@jakeclark66]

Song about having to leave home and “holding back the years” to delay doing so. There’s a whole LOT going on underneath this song Mick has discussed over the years. What a journey this man’s life has been.

[@emilycrouse2416]

Yes, this song brings back memories of a troubled and heart aching childhood. This songs encapsulates the feeling perfectly

[@janelouise20]

Loved seeing your expressive face and reaction to this song . . . both of you are so perceptive, but I appreciated hearing your comments on this one today. My father just died this week, and this song tugs at my heart strings. If only we could go back in time and re-live some of the best moments. I feel blessed to have some special memories though, and I'll keep holding onto them. Blessings to you!

[@carollittle1059]

His vibrato!

[@kayeneal-dr8dv]

First, Rob I love your outlook on life. This is my fav Simply Red song. First heard it in 1987, I'm 71 years old now and I still love it.

[@babyfry4775]

Soooo good. Love this song. He was abandoned by his mother. Tough life for a young kid. He has a great soulful voice. Good reaction!

[@andyskurna1407]

This song is one of the most poignant coming of age songs ever written. This young man reflects on the pressure of feeling Dad's (pater's) constant disapproval/disappointment and Mom's (mater's) comforting embrace, along with finding his place within the pecking order of his peers, and his awakening sexuality...all this as he walks away from the past and moves on to the next phase of his life. I like Jay's comment about how "smooth" his voice is, while to me, it is a smooth as it is sharp, like a finely honed sword blade.

[@duckbilledmonfrogga]

Omg, Dude, I know!!! What an amazing song and voice! I remember blasting this and crying so hard as a kid, in the 80s. I felt every bit of this song, while in a living hell.

[@ohfour-seven6228]

Wonderful song. Money's Too Tight to Mention was their first hit and is phenomenal, another must hear for you.

[@anaRamirez-vs9st]

Love love love, thank you so much for reaching us with this song. It sublimely touches my soul too.. 💙

[@thaddeuswilson654]

Heard this on the plane ride back to the states in 86. Dad introduced me to this one. I was 13, loved it then, live it now.

[@aidansmith6464]

I am glad another man admits to grief.Great honest music channel guys.xx

[@mariakawiti4508]

Thankyou for this beautiful Simply Red video!!!

[@brendadickenson6743]

I love him! Try his song,, “ if you don’t know me by now!” And he still sings fantastic.

[@sisuboy]

You Make Me Feel Brand New, gorgeous!, and Stars.

[@charlesbarton3032]

You will not believe that voice and soul coming out of this man

[@hongfang2508]

Pater and Mater mean Dad and Mom. He has regrets about his life growing up and is trying to move on. This song put Simply Red on the map when it splashed hard on AM and FM radio,

[@lorddread1498]

This is a great song and Simply Red have great music.

[@LiQuiD451]

so nostalgic ! its an awesome song, if you dont know me by now is another really great one by them. i also liked the right thing and a song for you.

[@jerryhicks5940]

I love this song. I remember being at the beach early in the morning listening to this song. So soulful!!

[@jasonhumphries1271]

Great reaction beautiful song a fave of mine since the 80,s much luv 👍

[@reallygoodstuff]

One of the best ever voices in pop music !

[@suzettephinn7829]

I've been listening to simply red alot for last couple of weeks. Love!!!

[@TracyfromNC]

Always love seeing you younguns find the music I enjoyed growing up with.

[@daisydot5441]

One of the best white soul singers ever. Have seen the band several times they are amazing. This is my favourite.

[@smcowe]

The genre for this song is… beautiful music…

[@ViciousGreeneyed]

That's the song of my life. So many years past, and it's still THE song of my life.

[@valeriewestgarth5935]

I’m so proud of all the UK talent we’ve exported. I’m a Londoner and obviously biased I’m also in my seventies and adored Motown. Love music from wherever it comes from.

[@littlebeebs1]

Love your reaction and I love your kindness. You and Amber are so pure , sweet and kind . I constantly compliment strangers for that very reason. I want to make people happy, even if I don’t know them . Y’all are making us all smile even though you don’t know us . Thank you for giving me those good chillbumps of listening to one of my favorite songs of all time , but it’s like the first time listening to it when I watch a reaction from y’all . Big hugs 🥰

[@capttheo1]

She would love that trumpet! Make sure she hears it.

[@charlesreeves3959]

His voice is amazing!!!

[@happymethehappyone8300]

NEW RADICALS "YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

[@jojomart]

I love that you're so excited to have 12K subscribers 8 months ago ... and now you have 214K !!! You guys rock!!

[@CrisNunya]

I SO identify with the lyrics and emotion of this song right now