Five Good Covers presents five cross-genre reinterpretations of an oft-covered song.
It’s hard to think about The Breakfast Club – perhaps the best thing to come out of the ’80s after parachute pants – without recalling one of Simple Minds’ biggest hits: “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” Who can forget the cult classic’s memorable closing scene, Judd Nelson’s triumphant fist-pump into the air? Although Simple Minds had already released a few popular tracks overseas, it wasn’t until 1985, when “Don’t You” appeared in The Breakfast Club, that the Scottish New Wave pop rock band finally entered America’s consciousness.
“Don’t You” defined more than just The Breakfast Club – it defined the ’80s. Echoing vocals, synthy background melodies, and a light beat intermingling with electronic keyboard chords turned this track into a surefire hit back in the day and ensured that it would be a beloved classic now, more than 25 years since its release. In fact, pop punk veterans Yellowcard honored both the movie and the song for their impact on pop culture with a cover performance at the 2005 MTV Movie Awards. In our own little tribute to this iconic hit, we’ve compiled five (other) good covers of “Don’t You.” Listen and download below.
New Found Glory – Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds cover)
As one of the best bands to emerge from the golden age of ’90s alternative rock, New Found Glory seems a fitting cover artist for this song, a product of one of the ’80s’ greatest bands. The pop punk band turns up just about everything in their super-charged version of “Don’t You.” Wailing guitars, strong vocals, and an abundance of drumming transform the soft-spoken original into an upbeat, head-bang-worthy track.
Stella Starlight Trio -Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds cover)
Stella Starlight Trio’s take on “Don’t You” proves the song sounds good no matter what the genre. The group jazzes it up – literally – with smooth lead vocals, a muted electric guitar, and a wandering bass. A lightly-tapped cymbal keeps up the soft beat and clinches that laid-back feel.
Self Preservation Society – Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds cover)
Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, Tristan Newsome – of the one-man band Self Preservation Society – brings a little rough and rugged to his rendition of “Don’t You.” Newsome plays it straight on his acoustic guitar, singing above his strums with a folky tone and a hard-to-ignore honesty.
Nicole Mason – Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds cover)
Young singer/songwriter Nicole Mason does justice to her fellow Scottish musicians by serving up a chill and slightly trippy take on “Don’t You.” The Glasgow-based 21-year-old’s soft singing and echoing electric guitar-work are simple trappings to the light drumbeat upholding the track.
Marcello Mischiatti – Don’t You (Forget About Me) (Simple Minds cover)
Italian acoustic pop musician Marcello Mischiatti creates a bright and upbeat version of “Don’t You” with quickly plucked arpeggios and lighthearted, slightly-accented vocals. The string-tapping accompanying each chord provides a built-in beat to a clean and simple cover.
Check out more from Simple Minds on their website.
Always loved this song. Really enjoyed Life of Agony’s version even if it didn’t add a whole lot.
G’day, thanks for including me on this list, I really appreciate it! Cheers, Tristan
Heard Bouncing Souls cover this song way back when, was epic.