The week of July 5, 1986, found Billy Ocean holding on to the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘There’ll Be Sad Songs.’ At #2, a week before its own one-week stint at #1, was Simply Red’s ‘Holding Back the Years.’
This was the first of two #1 hits for the English pop/soul band. Their second, a cover of ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now,’ topped the chart in 1989.
‘Holding Back the Years’ was written by lead singer Mick Hucknall about his childhood after being abandoned by his mother at age 3. The bulk of the song was completed years earlier when Hucknall was fronting a different band, minus the “I’ll keep holding on” chorus.
The hits are all I’ve ever heard from Simply Red, which might be just fine. I wonder if they’re worth checking out further. Any fans out there?
Holding back the years
Thinking of the fear I’ve had so long
When somebody hears
Listen to the fear that’s gone
[Bridge]
Strangled by the wishes of pater
Hoping for the arms of mater
Get to me the sooner or later, oh
[Verse 2]
Holding back the years
Chance for me escape from all I’ve known
Holding back the tears
‘Cause nothing here has grown
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ve wasted all my tears
Wasted all those years
Nothing had the chance to be good
Nothing ever could yeah, oh well
[Chorus]
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
So tight
[Pre-Chorus]
Alright
Oh, now
Well, 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
Oh
[Chorus]
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
I’ll keep holding on
Holding, holding, holding
[Outro]
Oh, la-la, la-la, la-la
I say, ooh, well
That’s all I have today
It’s all I have to say
Meet Me In Montauk 