Simply Red - Holding Back The Years (Official 4K Remaster)

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

The song was a huge success for the group and quickly rose to the top of charts across the world. The single is one of two Simply Red songs (the other being their cover of "If You Don't Know Me by Now") to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Remastered from the original 35mm film negative by James Wong (insta: @jmhwong)

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Lyrics

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, oh
Holding back the years
Chance for me to escape from all I know
Holding back the tears
'Cause 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, oh
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on, so tight
Alright, oh now
Well, 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
Oh
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
I'll keep holding on
Holding
Holding
Holding
Holding, la-la-la, la, la-la
I said, ooh, yeah
That's all I have today
It's all I have to say

Simply Red have over a billion hits on YouTube, have sold over 60 million albums worldwide, 5 going to number one in the UK. Their 1991 classic Stars was the best-selling album for two years running in Britain and Europe. They have had two US Billboard chart toppers with classic singles Holding Back The Years and If You Don’t Know Me By Now. Every Simply Red studio album has been a UK top ten (with previous release Big Love reaching number 4 in 2015). Hucknall has been the songwriter and bandleader since the beginning in 1985.

#SimplyRed #HoldingBackTheYears #PictureBook

[marjoriesuchovsky]

This is music, not the trash, sex, drug music there is today. Simply Red kept it simple.

[Rob]

I went to the Blackpool Opera House with my Mum when I was a teenager. Nobody would go with her to see Simply Red, so I volunteered. That was twenty five years ago and now that my Mum has been gone a year Simply Red is really our music.

[woodychadwick]

I'm an old man now, all my life I've liked this song. It is so flowing. Everything else is not.

[DJWildstyle]

Beautiful song. My wife of 18 years died on 3/3/18 from a long and painful illness. She was 39 years old. We got married when we were 20 years old. Three children. I will see you soon baby. For now im here to take care of the kids like i know you would.

[rosorio]

This song is as smooth as glass. Close your eyes lay back and remember someone special.

[bernicemiller]

As long as songs like this exist, I'LL KEEP HOLDIN ON!!!

[frankdonaldson]

The 80s were the time to grow up in. MTV and all these wonderful groups.

[playitpurple]

All this time on the radio I thought it was a black man singing this🤧but like wow it’s this guy this little red headed boy has SOUL❤️👏

[bleesedbythebest]

back when we didn't care who sung the music it just hit are souls!!🔥🔥🔥

[joewj]

This guys voice is incredible, piercing.

[KyleGavinMom]

To my adored son;
Losing you took the roar out of my lion heart, the sun out of my sky...I am not capable of understanding why you were taken away so young, I cannot express to the universe enough how meaningful, amazing and good you were, now everyday is cruel...it’s brutal, your absence is like an elephant on my chest...I miss you, Oh god, I miss you so much!
I have accepted life gets no better than the 20 amazing years, I was blessed with you. I promise to honor your life and one day sweet boy, I will hold you again...I know you are with me because I wouldn’t still be here if you weren’t. Lifetimes of Love...Mom💔
•Kyle David StrIckland•
6/17/97~1/21/18
...you used to beg me to stop singing this song in my high pitch aggravating singing, the memories are bittersweet...every thing has a nostalgia of you...😢

[toniprince]

I wish that someone could turn back time as I wish these times could go back. I loved them!

[agnesenid]

Holding back the I wasted all my tears, wasted all those years, nothing had the chance to be good...
what a reality to face...

[VENNOMHIM]

I was born in 83.... And through the grace of God.... After all these years I'm holding on.

[marksnexus]

I miss the 80s. Was a way different time then... ❤️

[gacherumuriithi]

people....this is what we call music, I declare!!

[SeanBrooks]

Oh now here's a classic. Yes Sir!

[burns]

This is one of THE great vocal performances...period.

[noeperez]

This is what you call real music it will be on my playlist for ever

[nostradamusus]

Just beautiful! This song deserved the Grammys.