01
1985

Simply RedPicture Book

Picture Book is Simply Red’s debut album that catapulted Mick and the band from working class Manchester into the public eye. Released on 11th October 1985, it quickly became an international success.

Buy Now
1985

Tracklist

1. Come to My Aid

Come to my aid, you’re sweet as everything
Come to my aid, I’d give you anything
I feel so betrayed by a people I love
Come to my aid, it’s you I’m thinking of

Prouder than wild, sad enough to sing
Come to my aid and care for social living

Chorus:
Why are we liable to die for survival
Why is our nation divided?
Come to my aid (repeat)

In the poverty stakes see just what it means
When welfare decimates you’d better care
About your fellow people

Chorus:
Why are we liable to die for survival
Why is our nation divided?
Come to my aid (repeat)

Come on board!

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

This track was a single in September 1985 and is on the Picture Book album (1985)

2. 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

3. Look at You Now

Right from the start you tried to hurt me
But look at you now, behaving like a fool
A long time ago you treated me so mean but

Chorus:
Look at you now
Look at you now

You threw me away like litter in the gutter
I had to pick myself up and find something better

Chorus:
Look at you now
Look at you now

I looked so hard, I’m looking hard now
Looking at your head

Don’t talk about birthdays, that don’t mean a thing to me
Don’t throw it in my face, it’s too sweet to sting

Chorus:
Look at you now
Look at you now

I kept on looking hard (repeat)
Looking at your head. Head!!!

Words and music Mick Hucknall
CBS Songs/So What Ltd

4. Heaven

Ev’ryone is trying to get to the bar
The name of the bar
The bar is called heaven
The band in heaven
They play my fav’rite song
They play it once again
They play it all night long

Chorus:
Heaven
Heaven is a place
A place where nothing
Nothing ever happens
Heaven
Heaven is a place
A place where nothing
Nothing ever happens

There is a party, everyone is there
Everyone will leave at exactly the same time
It’s hard to imagine that nothing at all
Could be so exciting, could be so much fun

Chorus:
Heaven
Heaven is a place
A place where nothing
Nothing ever happens
Heaven
Heaven is a place
A place where nothing
Nothing ever happens

When this kiss is over it will start again
It will not be any different, it will be exactly the same
It’s hard to imagine that nothing at all
Could be so exciting, could be so much fun

Chorus:
Heaven
Heaven is a place
A place where nothing
Nothing ever happens

Words and music Byrne/Harrison
Warner Bros Music Ltd

5. Jericho

Listen boy, I’ll tell you a thing
I’ll make you a career in the business I’m in
I’ll make you rich, I’ll make you a toy
I’ll make you turn over into my little boy
Y’see I’m going somewhere
I don’t know what I’m gonna do when I get there
I know money’s a thing – your only inspiration
And your only meaning
You must think that all I do
Is spend my time making pretty pictures of you
You can fall when I will climb
But I’ll be falling over just by having you in my mind

1st chorus
Mend that fight – oh listen to them
Kickin’ up a ball inside a jericho wall
Mend that fight – it’s all twisted through them
If you ain’t rich then you won’t go to the ball

Having mercy and licking up love
And moving through your ocean like I’ve never had enough
Y’see you ain’t all I want
You’re everything and more that I have ever hoped for
You must think that all I do
Is spend my time making pretty pictures of you
You can fall when I will climb
But I’ll be falling over just by having you in my mind

1st chorus Mend that fight – oh listen to them
Kickin’ up a ball inside a jericho wall
Mend that fight – it’s all twisted through them
I’m rich, you ain’t, so you won’t go to the ball

2nd chorus
You won’t go to the ball
You won’t go to the ball
You won’t go, you won’t go
You won’t go to the ball
(repeat)

You must think that all I do
Is spend my time making pretty pictures of you
You can fall when I will climb
But I’ll be falling over just by having you in my mind

1st chorus
Mend that fight – oh listen to them
Kickin’ up a ball outside a no. 10 wall
Mend that fight – it’s all twisted through them
I’m rich, you ain’t, so you won’t go to the ball
No more!

2nd chorus
You won’t go to the ball
You won’t go to the ball
You won’t go, you won’t go
You won’t go to the ball
(repeat)

Outro:
Yeah, if you ain’t got nothing
You’ll never go there
(repeat)
I tried to make you see
I tell you I’d had enough
Money was a thing, money was a thing
Money was a thing that I believed in
(repeat)

WEA
Released: February 1986
YZ63 7″
1. Jericho
2. Jericho (The Musical)
YZ63R 7″ Limited Edition Red Vinyl
YZ63T 12″
1. Jericho (Extended Remix)
2. Jericho (The Musical)
3. Money’s Too Tight (live)
4. Heaven (live)

Words and music Mick Hucknall
CBS Songs/So What Ltd

6. Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)

I been laid off from work
My rent is due
My kids all need
Brand new shoes

So I went to the bank
To see what they could do
They said son – looks like bad luck
Got-a hold on you

Chorus:
Money’s too tight to mention
I can’t get an un-em-ploy-ment ex-ten-sion
Money’s too tight to mention

I went to my brother
To see what he could do –
He said bro-ther like to help you
But I’m unable to
So I called on my fa-ther fa-ther
Oh my fa-ther
He said

Chorus:
Money’s too tight to mention
Oh mo-ney mo-ney mo-ney mon-ey
Mo-ney’s too tight to mention
I can’t even qual-i-fy for my pension

We talk a-bout rea-gan-on-ics
Oh lord down in the con-gress
They’re passing all kinds – of bills
From down cap-it-ol hill – (we’ve tried them)

Chorus:
Money’s too tight to mention
(spoken) cut-back!
Mo-ney mo-ney mo-ney mon-ey
We’re talk-in’ a-bout mon-ey mon-ey
We’re talk-in’ a-bout mon-ey mon-ey
We’re talk-in’ ‘bout the dollar bill
Now what are we all to do
When the mon-ey’s got a hold on you?
Mo-ney’s too tight to mention
Oh mon-ey mon-ey mon-ey mon-ey
Mo-ney’s too tight to mention
A-mero – mon-ey oh yeah
We’re talk-in’ a-bout mon-ey mon-ey
We’re talk-in’ a-bout mon-ey mon-ey
We’re talk-in’ a-bout mon-ey mon-ey
We’re talk-in’ a-bout mon-ey mon-ey…

Words and music John & William Valentine
Windswept Pacific Music Ltd

7. 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 and music John & William Valentine
Windswept Pacific Music Ltd

8. (Open Up the) Red Box

Why don’t you look at the price I’m paying
Walk in, take a look inside
I’ve moved back the tables and the chairs to the wall
The valuable thing I’ve had to hide

Open up the red box
Come on open it up
Open up the red box
Come on open it up

Peer in, looking for that crasher again
You ruined Terry’s party last night
An overweight greasy little man with a mouth
That opens more than now and again

Open up the red box
Come on open it up
Open up the red box
Come on open it up

Something good must have happened to you
If you would let it happen to you
If you could let it happen to you
Something good would have happened

Lopez I hate you for the state you’re in
Lopez your hair it washes out, it washes in
You ropey little fat boy Lopez
Come on get lost

Open up the red box
Come on open it up
Open up the red box
Come on open it up

Something good must have happened to you
If you would let it happen to you
If you could let it happen to you
Something good would have happened

I’m out of my head

WEA
Released: August 1986
YZ75 7″
1. Open Up The Red Box
2. Look At You Now
YZ75B 7″ Limited Edition Box Sleeve
YZ75F 7″ Limited Edition Double pack containing YZ70
YZ75T 12″
1. Open Up The Red Box (Extended Remix)
2. Look At You Now
3. Heaven (The Movie – live)
YZ75TF 12″ Limited Edition Double pack containing EKR9P

Words and music Mick Hucknall
CBS Songs/So What Ltd

9. No Direction

Singing hymns on roads and pavements
Hungry jims, no-one saves them
Walkin’ north, talkin’ south
With firm intention
And I don’t know what I’m talking about
It’s firm intention

Chorus:
In this dreary life, with no direction
What this cause says about my life
And no direction. No direction!!!

To enter a place like an alien
To leave a place like an alien
What’s this calling? What’s this calling?
Firm intention
Better feel it, better believe it
Firm intention

Chorus:
In this dreary life, with no direction
What this cause says about my life
And no direction. No direction!!!

Watch that feeling, watch that feeling
Or I’ll grab it, or I’ll grab it
Watch that feeling, watch that feeling
Or I’ll grab it, or I’ll grab it

Chorus:
In this dreary life, with no direction
What this cause says about my life
And no direction.

No direction!!!

Words Mick Hucknall
Music Mick Hucknall & Dave Fryman
CBS Songs/So What Ltd

10. Picture Book

Many types came to see the picture
Many types came to see the picture
Only he had the right to come
Only he is long gone

Will or win or wicked it’s written in it
(repeat)

Quivering in mutual aggression
Women sing remembering affection
Only he had the right to come
Only he is long gone

Will or win or wicked it’s written in it
(repeat)

Chorus:
Here by the side of the book
(we beseech thee, we beseech thee)
Here by the side of Piero’s spirit

Words Mick Hucknall
Music Mick Hucknall & Fritz Mcintyre
CBS Songs/So What Ltd

Album Credits

Mick Hucknall – Vocals
Fritz McIntyre – Keyboards & Vocals
Chris Joyce – Drums & Percussion
Tony Bowers – Bass
Sylvan – Guitar
Tim Kellett – Trumpet

Produced by Stewart Levine
Engineered and Mixed by Femi J
Assistant Engineer Chris Dickie

Iain Dickson – Tenor Sax on Jericho, Sad Old Red and Heaven
Ronnie Ross – Baritone Sax on Jericho, Sad Old Red and Heaven
Francis Foster – Congas on Come To My Aid and Look At You Now
David Fryman – Guitar and Vocals on Open Up The Red Box

Recorded at Soundpush studios, Blaricum, Holland and RAK studios, London, England
Mixed at Air Studios, London, England
Digitally remastered by Bernie Grundman at Bernie Grundman Mastering, Los Angeles in 1992
Produced by Stewart Levine for Oliverea Productions Ltd
Front cover photograph – Simon Fowler
Back cover photographs – Malcolm Heywood
Sleeve Design – Peter Barrett
Worldwide Representation – Elliot Rashman and Andy Dodd for So What Arts Ltd
All tracks used by kind permission of the publishers

Picture Book contained the singles ‘Holding Back The Years’ (which gave the band their first US number 1) and a cover of the Valentine Brothers’ ‘Money’s Too Tight (to Mention)’. The album appeared in the top 30 album charts in twelve countries, and went platinum in four countries, including the US and the UK.

Picture Book also helped earn Simply Red a 1987 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, while “Holding Back the Years” was nominated for Best Pop Performance, establishing Simply Red as a noteworthy and standout talent from very beginning of their career.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

The most accomplished debut of its year… With the most prodigious voice this side of Motown and a burning socialist heart, here he infuses everything with a passion that he’s rarely matched since.

Nick Duerden Q Magazine, 1996

Listen

Listen to Picture Book album as well as some B-Sides & Rarities

HOLDING BACK THE YEARS (REMASTER)

The official 4K remaster of ‘Holding Back the Years’, the smash hit from Simply Red’s debut studio album Picture Book.

Videos

View a mix of live and official Simply Red videos.

Holding Back The YearsMontreux Jazz Festival, 2023
Holding Back The YearsLive In Montreux, 1986
Open Up The Red BoxOfficial Video
Red BoxMontreux Jazz Festival, 1986
Come To My AidOfficial Video
Come To My Aid & InfidelityLive at Montreux Jazz Festival 1992
JerichoOfficial Video
JerichoLive at Sydney Opera House
Money's Too Tight (To Mention)Official Video
Money's Too Tight [To Mention]Live In Hamburg, 1992

The Story Of Simply Red

Part 1 – Picture Book / Men And Women

Single Artwork

Come To My Aid
Come To My Aid Single Artwork
Jericho
Jericho Single Artwork
Money’s Too Tight (To Mention)
Money’s Too Tight (To Mention) Single Artwork
Holding Back The Years
Holding Back The Years Single Artwork
Open Up The Red Box
Open Up The Red Box Single Artwork

Album Artwork

The Picture Book album artwork was designed by Peter Barrett with photos by Simon Fowler & Malcolm Heywood.

TOUR DATES

Simply Red toured their first album extensively in 1985-1986.

01 November 1984
Manchester, UK : Tropicana
This was Simply Red’s first gig!

30 November 1984
Bedford, UK : College

08 December 1984
Sheffield, UK : The Leadmill

25 January 1985
London, UK : Goldsmith College

30 January 1985
Cannes, France : Midem

02 February 1985
Leicester, UK : Leicester Poly

20 February 1985
London, UK : University Malet St

22 February 1985
Lancaster, UK : Sugar House

02 March 1985
Leicester, UK : The Pit, Leicester University

07 May 1985
London, UK : Goldsmiths College

24 May 1985
Leicester, UK : Leicester Polytechnic

25 May 1985 27 May 1985
London, UK : Hammersmith Odeon
These gigs were supporting James Brown.

15 June 1985
Manchester, UK : Manchester International

25 June 1985
Leeds, UK : Leeds Warehouse

29 June 1985
Sheffield, UK : Leadmill

05 July 1985
Tring, UK : Tring Marquis, Pendley Manor

07 July 1985
London, UK : Ronnie Scotts

02 August 1985
Manchester, UK : Platt Fields Park

07 August 1985
London , UK : ICA Theatre

18 October 1985
London, UK : University Malet St

20 October 1985
Guildford, UK : Civic Centre

26 October 1985
Glasgow, UK : Scottish Exhibition Centre

27 October 1985 28 October 1985
Birmingham, UK : NEC
Supporting UB40

30 October 1985 31 October 1985
London, UK : Brixton Academy
Supporting UB40

03 November 1985
Brighton, UK : Brighton Conference Centre
Supporting UB40

04 November 1985
London, UK : Wembley Arena
Supporting UB40

13 November 1985
Sheffield, UK : Sheffield University

14 November 1985
Leeds, UK : Leeds University

15 November 1985
Liverpool, UK : Liverpool University

17 November 1985
Leicester, UK : Leicester Polytechnic

18 November 1985
Nottingham, UK : Rock City

19 November 1985
Birmingham, UK : Power House

21 November 1985
London, UK : Hammersmith Palais

22 November 1985
Cardiff, UK : Cardiff University

24 November 1985
Bristol, UK : Bristol Studio

25 November 1985
Manchester, UK : Free Trade Hall

27 November 1985
Newcastle, UK : Tiffany’s

28 November 1985
Edinburgh, UK : Coasters

29 November 1985
Aberdeen, UK : The Venue

01 December 1985
Dundee, UK : Dance Factory

02 December 1985
Glasgow, UK : Rooftops

06 December 1985
Oxford, UK : Oxford University

30 January 1986
Cannes, France : Midem

01 February 1986
Bologna, Italy : Teatro Tenda

02 February 1986
Rome, Italy : Teatro Tenda Pianeta

03 February 1986
Florence, Italy : Teatro Tenda

04 February 1986
Milan, Italy : Rolling Stone

05 February 1986
Turin, Italy : Teatro Tenda

06 February 1986
Zurich, Switzerland : Volkhaus

09 February 1986
Munich, Germany : Alabamahalle

10 February 1986
Frankfurt, Germany : Music Hall

11 February 1986
Bochum, Germany : Zeche

12 February 1986
Aachen, Germany : Metropol

13 February 1986
Hamburg, Germany : Markthalle

15 February 1986
Amsterdam, Holland : Paradiso

16 February 1986
Groningen, Holland : Oosterpoort

17 February 1986
Utrecht, Holland : Musikcentrum

18 February 1986
Enschede, Holland : Technical High School

19 February 1986
Arnhem, Holland : Musis Sacrum

20 February 1986
Rotterdam, Holland : De Doelen

22 February 1986
Gent, Belgium : Vooruit

02 April 1986
Toronto, Canada : El Mocambo

03 April 1986
New York, USA : The Ritz
This show was recorded by MTV and Westwood One.

04 April 1986
Boston, USA : The Paradise Club

08 April 1986
Santa Clara, USA : One Step Beyond

09 April 1986
San Francisco, USA : Wolfgangs

11 April 1986
Hollywood, USA : The Palace

29 April 1986
Paris, France : Olympia

30 April 1986
Leuven, Belgium : Manhattan

02 May 1986
Warwick, UK : Warwick University

04 May 1986
London, UK : Town and Country Club,

05 May 1986
Manchester, UK : Apollo

06 May 1986
Edinburgh, UK : Coasters

10 May 1986
Montreux, Switzerland : Montreux Pop Festival
This concert was called new bands night and was shown on TV throughout Europe. Mick sang “Holding Back the Years” and “Jericho” and in the words of the presenter “completely blew away the crowd”. After this perfomance was shown “Holding Back The Years” went to number 2 in the UK charts.

10 June 1986
Amsterdam, Holland : Paardesportcentrum

14 June 1986
Nuerburgring, Germany : Race Track
Festival with Ten Ten, The Damned, Fine Young Cannibals, The Waterboys, Talk Talk, The Cure and Simple Minds.

15 June 1986
Munich, Germany : Olympic Stadium
Festival with bands including Ten Ten, Inxs, The Waterboys, Talk Talk, Marillion and The Cure.

16 June 1986
Reykjavik, Iceland : Reykjvik Arts Festival

22 June 1986
Glastonbury, UK : Glastonbury Festival

29 June 1986
St Gallen, Switzerland : St Gallen Open Air Festival
With Level 42, Fergal Sharkey, The Bangles, Inxs and other bands.

05 July 1986
Torhout, Belgium : Torhout Festival

06 July 1986
Werchter, Belgium : Werchter Festival

08 July 1986
Montreux, Switzerland : Jazz Festival
This concert was filmed and shown on TV in Europe.

13 July 1986
Milan, Italy : San Siro Stadium
Festival with Simple Minds and The Waterboys.

21 July 1986
San Diego, USA : El Cortez Center

22 July 1986
San Luis Obispo, USA : The Spirit

24 July 1986
Santa Monica, USA : Santa Monica Civic Center

25 July 1986
San Francisco, USA : Fox Warfield

26 July 1986
Mountain View, USA : Shoreline Amphitheatre

28 July 1986
Portland, Oregon, USA : Starry Nights

29 July 1986
Seattle, USA : Parkers

30 July 1986
Vancouver, Canada : Expo Theatre

02 August 1986
Denver, USA : Rainbow Music Hall

04 August 1986
Minneapolis, USA : 1st Avenue Club

05 August 1986
Chicago, USA : The Parkwest

06 August 1986
Detroit, USA : St Andrews Hall

08 August 1986
Ottawa, Canada : Capitol Congress Centre

09 August 1986
Montreal, Canada : Le Spectrum

13 August 1986
Toronto, Canada : Canadian National Exhibition Hall

14 August 1986
Harrisburg, PA, USA : The Metron

15 August 1986
Hartford, CN, USA : The Agora

17 August 1986
New Haven, CN, USA : Toad’s Place

18 August 1986
Philadelphia, USA : Pulsations

19 August 1986
Washington, USA : The Bayou

21 August 1986
New York, USA : The Ritz

23 August 1986
Long Island, USA : Bay Street, Sag Harbour

24 August 1986
Hampton, USA : Hampton Beach Casino Club

25 August 1986
Rhode Island, USA : The Living Room, Providence

28 August 1986
Charlotte, USA : Kidnappers

29 August 1986
Atlanta, USA : Centre Stage

30 August 1986
Birmingham, USA : Sloss Furnace

01 September 1986
Tampa, USA : London Victory Club

02 September 1986
Hallandale, USA : The Button South

03 September 1986
Coral Gables, USA : University Patio, University of Miami

06 September 1986
Miami, USA : Café Cristal

25 November 1986
Birmingham, UK : Odeon

26 November 1986
London, UK : Hammersmith Odeon

27 November 1986
Manchester, UK : Apollo

30 November 1986 01 December 1986
Dublin, Ireland : S.F.X. Centre

02 December 1986
Belfast, Ireland : Maysfield Leisure Centre

04 December 1986
Manchester, UK : Apollo

05 December 1986
Hanley, UK : Victoria Hall

06 December 1986
Newcastle, UK : City Hall

02
1987
Men and Women

Simply Red
Men And Women

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Album Archive
02.   Men And Women