Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) (2024 Remaster)
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" is a song by the Scottish rock band Simple Minds, released as a single in 1985. It was written and composed by the producer Keith Forsey and the guitarist Steve Schiff, for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club. Simple Minds initially declined to record it, preferring to record their own material, but accepted after several other acts also declined.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" became a breakout hit for Simple Minds, an iconic song and a 1980s anthem. The single reached No. 1 in the United States and Canada, becoming Simple Minds' biggest hit in the United States. It also reached No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart and reached the top ten in charts around the world.
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" was written by Steve Schiff and Keith Forsey for the 1985 film The Breakfast Club. Forsey and Schiff were inspired by a scene in which an introvert and a school bully bond while no one else is watching. Forsey said, "It was: don't forget, when we're back in the classroom, you're not just a bad guy and we've got other things in common."
Simple Minds initially declined to record "Don't You (Forget About Me)", as they felt they should only record their own material. The guitarist, Charlie Burchill, said they felt it did not suit them as "we had delusions of being ultra-hip". Their manager, Bruce Findlay, believed it would be successful in the United States. He arranged a private screening of The Breakfast Club in an effort to change their minds, but they still declined. The singer, Jim Kerr, said later: "We couldn't give a toss about teenage American schoolkids."
Forsey offered "Don't You (Forget About Me)" to Bryan Ferry, who declined as he was working on his 1985 album Boys and Girls. Ferry said later: "It was just bad timing ... Keith Forsey sent me a demo of the song and it sounded like a hit to me." The record label, A&M, suggested Corey Hart, who had a hit at the time with "Sunglasses at Night", but Forsey did not think he was the right singer. Billy Idol also declined.
Kerr's wife, the songwriter Chrissie Hynde, liked the song and urged him to record it. Simple Minds agreed to try it after spending a few days with Forsey and becoming friends. They were impressed by Forsey's work in German experimental music, such as Amon Düül II, and his work with Giorgio Moroder, including "I Feel Love".
Kerr added the "hey hey hey" to the introduction and the "la la la" to the ending, intending to write new lyrics, but Forsey insisted on keeping them. Burchill added power chords, and said later: "It was almost a caricature – I associated powerchords with American AOR. But it worked." The Financial Times wrote that the chords "[helped] turn Forsey's sweet paean to teenage longing into a rousing, stadium-sized anthem".
Simple Minds did not anticipate the song's success. In 2016, Burchill said: "When I listen to it now, it’s obviously a brilliant, well-crafted pop song. I’m embarrassed we dissed it so much."