John Caddell joined Mario this morning for The Story Behind The Song. John picked an absolute belter and a classic for us with "Don`t You Forget About Me by Simple Minds.

Simple Minds had been on the scene for a considerable time and had a big following in the UK when this song was released. It is one of the few songs by Simple Minds that they actually didn’t write themselves. The story goes that Keith Forsey who wrote the song with Steve Schiff first offered it to Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music but he turned it down. It was also offered to Billy Idol who also turned it down! Off to Simple Minds it went and they said yes!

They recorded it off about four hours in a shabby recording studio in London and thought no more of it.  It went on of course to be released on the Breakfast Club soundtrack, started picking up massive radio airplay, and they were subsequently asked to make a video.  The bassist was sacked from the band following an argument with lead singer Jim Kerr over how little screen time the rest of the band had in the video.  So he was unemployed, with a Number 1 record in America!

Some things are never that simple…but a damn good song this simply is!

To listen to the full chat hit the Listen button at the top of this page.