holding back the years

Simply Red kept on holding on and went on to become a worldwide smash with this song that it took years to write. Lead singer Mick Hucknall was inspired to write the song by his mother abandoning him as a child. Neil Moss helped him finish it and they recorded a version with the Frantic Elevators in 1982. Years later Hucknall and manager Elliot Rashman brought together local session musicians and called themselves Red after Hucknall's nickname. The name changed when a local promoter asked the band's name and Hucknall replied "Red, simply Red." The name stuck. The band was originally David Fryman on guitar, Fritz McIntyre on keyboards, as well as Tony Bowers, Tim Kellett, and Chris Joyce who had all been in The Durutti Column. The band got a record contract with Elektra and Fryman left after they recorded one song. He was replaced with Sylvan Richardson. 'Holding Back the Years' was the third single released from 'Picture Book' and made it to number five in the Netherlands in 1985. It was re-released a year later and became an international hit, topping charts in Ireland and the US. 

http://www.simplyred.com/

Holding back the years,

Thinking of the fear I've had for so long.

When somebody hears,

Listen to the fear that's gone.

Strangled by the wishes of pater,

Hoping for the arm of mater,

Get to me sooner or later,

Nothing ever could, yeah.

I'll keep holding on,

I'll keep holding on,

I'll keep holding on,

I'll keep holding on.

Chance for me to escape from all I know.

Holding back the tears.

There's nothing here has grown.

I've wasted all my tears,

Wasted all those years.

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.

The Frantic Elevators formed after art student Mick Hucknall saw the Sex Pistols play at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester, England in 1976. They recorded this version in 1982.