Blobby got the theme pick this month, so he threw out some choices, and I kind of steered him in a direction. And that direction would be songs released on soundtracks, and as Blobby stated: “music that appears / appeared initially on soundtracks. not cast offs from other albums that ended up on a soundtrack.” I think I can manage this one. At least better than last month’s.
All I have to do is say “The Breakfast Club”, and you can probably guess what song I’m talking about. Because nothing else musically in that movie from 1985 was memorable.
Probably like many youth of that era, I identified with the movie. But that’s for another post. Back to the song.
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” was written by songwriting duo Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff, who both wrote stuff for many other movies in the 1980s. Originally, Keith Forsey wanted Bryan Ferry (of Roxy Music) to sing the song. Which didn’t happen. Then Annie Lennox. And Cy Curnin (of The Fixx). Chrissie Hynde (of the Pretenders) was interested in the song, but she eventually said no. She suggested her husband Jim Kerr, the lead singer of Simple Minds. Kerr wasn’t so keen on the idea: the song was not their style (I’d personally argue that one. It feels a lot like “Sanctify Yourself” and “All The Things She Said” and “Alive And Kicking“… and the list goes on.); he didn’t want to perform anything the band didn’t write; and he didn’t like the song. The other Simple Minds members convinced Kerr to do the song, hoping it would help them break into the American market. Which, guess what, it did.
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” as performed by Simple Minds:
This is one of those songs on my “play it at my wake” list. Mostly because I’m a sadist. 😉
Until next time...
There was also a thing where it was supposed to be Billy Idol singing it too. I was never a fan of the song – or the movie. Honestly, it was the biggest let down of the first ‘Pitch Perfect’. ….Anna Kendrick’s bad-acting crying at the end of a sub-par movie – and to think she’s an Academy Award Nominee with such fake sobs.
Yes. I have opinions.
Unlike Mr. Blobby, I loved the film and still enjoy the tune. It was definitely released at “that” time in my life.
Many Simple Minds fans (like me) feel it was the beginning of the end. I never really liked any of the CDs after that song. I am going to disagree and agree with you, it was like the songs you named that came after but it wasn’t their style before, I think due to people leaving the band. I still like the song, but I don’t see what all the fuss was about regarding the movie.