FEATURE:
Too Good to Be Forgotten: Songs That Are Much More Than a Guilty Pleasure
Simply Red - Stars
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I am including this particular songs as…
Simply Red’s album, Stars, turns thirty in September. The fourth album from the band, it spawned five singles - including the top-ten hits, Stars, and For Your Babies. The album was a massive success, particularly in the U.K. It has been certified twelve-times platinum. The album was on the shortlist of nominees for the 1992 Mercury Prize (it lost out to Primal Scram’s Screamadelica). I think that the band get a reputation as being a little bit lame or cheesy, perhaps. Maybe it is an age thing, but I feel there is a generational shift when it comes to Simply Red. I have seen Stars’ title track called a guilty pleasure. Even though it has a natural sing-along quality, there are many who feel it is a bit sickly and naff. I really like Simply Red and, though I do not like all of their songs, I have plenty of time for the classics! Think about the Stars album and it opens with two cracking tracks: Something Got Me Started, and Stars. The title song became the first single from the album to make the U.K. top-ten, reaching number-eight in December 1991. Although Stars is a big song that many of us know, there are a lot of people that dismiss it and think that it is this guilty pleasure. Grabbing from Wikipedia, and Stars has gained some positive assessment:
“AllMusic editor Jon O'Brien called the song "wistful dreamy". Billboard described it as a "midtempo crooner". Writing for CultureSonar, Ellen Fagan wrote, "This exquisite ballad references a couple who love one another but are unlikely to walk off into the sunset together for various reasons. Because of that, both are destined to walk away reeling. The video released with the song is a vintage '80s masterpiece of surrealism; the whole package emerges as a mournful tune with a yearning, otherworldly feel." Dundee Courier noted it as a "slowie".Music & Media commented that "the title track of their new album has numerous allusions, including references to Mick Hucknall's own road to fame and to the stars in the European flag. This soulful pop song confirms the position of the red-headed singer at the top, close to the galactic stars."
Pop Rescue stated that Hucknall "hits those notes with perfection in the chorus, resulting in a wonderfully warm and catchy track." Karla Peterson from The Press-Courier called it "swooning" and said the track is "one of the most open-hearted love songs Hucknall has ever written." In 2014, Luke Turner from The Quietus noted that the song itself "holds up wonderfully." He added that "there's not a huge amount going on, but that's what makes it work: piano, terrific drums, layers of vocals, and a load of bonus hints of chorus snuck in amongst the verses." In his review of the Stars album, Richard Paton from Toledo Blade described "Stars" as a "soulful groove". Johnny Dee from Smash Hits said the song is "superb".
Maybe there are other Simply Red songs that are held in less warm regard and affection. Perhaps it also the case of Simply Red dividing people, whereas Stars might be a song that most can get behind. I would disagree. I have seen plenty of unfair criticism for a song that is incredibly strong and accomplished. From Mick Hucknall’s soulful performance to the stunning performance from the band, Stars’ title cut is one of the best songs from the early-‘90s. Nearly thirty years after it was released into the world, and the brilliant Stars still elicits emotions and reaction. I can understand why some are not massive fans of Simply Red, as there are songs in their catalogue that are not brilliant. Whilst I do struggle with some of their numbers, I feel Stars is one of their very best songs - and one that warrants celebration. Plenty of people have lauded the track, though there are plenty who have been unkind and see it as this guilty pleasure. If you have been a bit negative about Stars and think that it is a song that is overrated, then give it another spin and…
LET it work its magic.