Fairground (song)

1995 single by Simply Red

"Fairground"

Single by Simply Red
from the album  Life
B-side|

* "Stars" (live)
* "The Right Thing" (live)

Released| 18 September 1995 (1995-09-18)
Genre|

* Dance
* pop

Length|

* 4:23 (single and video version)
* 5:34 (album version)

Label| EastWest
Songwriter(s)|

* Mick Hucknall
* René ter Horst
* Gaston Steenkist
* Sérgio Mendes

Producer(s)|

* Mick Hucknall
* Stewart Levine

Simply Red singles chronology
| "Your Mirror"
(1992)  | "Fairground"
(1995)  | "Remembering the First Time"
(1995)

|
|

Music video
"Fairground" on YouTube

"Fairground" is a song by British soul and pop band Simply Red, released on 18 September 1995 by East West Records as the first single from the band's fifth album, Life (1995). Co-written and co-produced by frontman Mick Hucknall, the song makes extensive use of a sample of the Goodmen's 1993 hit "Give It Up". It became Simply Red's first and only No. 1 single on the UK Singles Chart, staying at the top for four weeks in September and October 1995, and was a chart hit in mainland Europe and Australia, but it failed to generate long-term success in North America. The accompanying music video for "Fairground" was directed by Michael Geoghegan and filmed in Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Lancashire.

## Background and release

[edit]

When "Fairground" reached number one on the UK Singles Chart, it had already been released to UK radio stations for almost a month, via satellite with the first promotional copies following a few days later. The single was placed in heavy rotation on top-40 radio stations, which resulted in it reaching the top of the airplay charts. When the single was released to the public on 18 September 1995, it had already been the most played record on British radio.[1]

## Composition

[edit]

Producer Andy Wright has said that for "Fairground", Mick Hucknall wanted to do a Brazilian, carnival-style track. Whilst Mick was at the dentist for two hours, Andy had the idea to sample a record that he knew of: "Give It Up" by the Goodmen,[2] which in turn samples "Fanfarra (Cabua-le-le)" by Sérgio Mendes.[3] To round out the track, Fritz McIntyre played the house-style piano element, Ian Kirkham used the EWI (electronic wind instrument) to play the clarinet-style part, and Andy Wright made the wobbly, dreamy sound heard in the verses.[4]

## Critical reception

[edit]

Swedish Aftonbladet noted the "hot rhythms and odd harmonies" of the song, adding that the album "would have needed even more such songs".[5] AllMusic editor William Ruhlmann said that Mick Hucknall "opts for a Latin-tinged sound that ends up evoking Herb Alpert more than Milton Nascimento". Another AllMusic editor, Jon O'Brien, deemed the song "a mesmerizing fusion of tribal rhythms and ambient chillout pop".[6] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as an "expectedly romantic soul tune", writing, "Fueled by his now instantly familiar voice, the track combines old-school warmth with street-smart percussion that is largely derived from samples of 'Give It Up' by the Goodmen. At the core are wonderfully soothing lyrics and a melody that permanently sticks to the brain upon impact."[7] Tom Ewing of Freaky Trigger commented that it "surprised people at the time, and on the verses at least it's their strangest-sounding single. Driving down an endless road... it begins, and that's not at all a bad description of the lonesome vibe here – the odd combination of flowing, tumbling Latin percussion and Hucknall's ruminative vocal, working together to create something genuinely arresting, even haunting."[8] Pan-European magazine Music & Media named it Single of the Week, remarking that it is "totally different from Hucknall's previous singles but still very much him thanks to the one-in-a-million voice and the trademark composition." They added that "the fairground attraction" of the single is its "percussive arrangement and clubiness."[9]

Music Week gave 'Fairground' a top score of five out of five and named it Single of the Week, writing, "No wonder radio has leapt on this, a charmingly-delivered song which couples instant commerciality in the tune stakes with a hip tribal backing. Headed straight for the summit."[10] Music Week editor Alan Jones said, "Despite its heavily syncopated underpinning, it is a stylish and straightforward pop song with Mick Hucknall's usual high calibre vocal and an instantly commercial chorus."[11] Paul Moody from NME commented, "This time, after five years at the hairdressers, he gives us a Latino-shuffle that's already conquered all known radio stations and is about to invade every Top Five on the planet. Quite dull."[12] People Magazine's reviewer wrote that the "energetic" song "combines soulful abandon with tribal ecstasy."[13] David Gaskey from The Rice Thresher named it "an innovative, futuristic jazz/pop song inspired by a popular fairground outside of Milan."[14] James Hamilton from the Record Mirror Dance Update found it "attractive".[15] Mark Sutherland from Smash Hits stated that Hucknall "still has a lovely singing voice". However, he felt the song "sort of tinkles along merrily without really going anywhere."[16] Another Smash Hits editor, Helen Lamont, noted that it has a "a dance feel", describing it as "very mellow and very soulful and very, very laid-back."[17]

## Chart performance

[edit]

It was the first and only single by the group to reach No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart.[18] It spent four weeks at the top and 14 weeks in the top 40.[18] As of October 2018, the single has sold 718,463 copies according to the Official Charts Company.[19] The track also reached No. 1 in Ireland[20] and Italy[21] and peaked within the top 10 in more than 10 countries, including Australia, Germany, New Zealand and Zimbabwe.[22][23] A remix by Soulshock and Karlin was included on the US single release and received moderate success on R&B radio but failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 14 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100.[24]

In 2012, "Fairground" was ranked No. 47 in NME's list of the "50 best-selling tracks of the 90s", adding: "Shamelessly lifting the clattering samba percussion from The Goodmen's 'Give It Up' (but giving due credit), Mick Hucknall greeted his post-'Stars' future with a mid-tempo ballad that sounded like an on-the-money dance track. Everyone got on board the rollercoaster and Hucknall had a new diamond for his gnasher."[25]

## Music video

[edit]

A music video was produced to promote the single, directed by Irish filmmaker Michael Geoghegan.[26] The video (which uses the shorter single version) shows Mick Hucknall driving in his Jaguar XK140 to and singing at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, Lancashire, that had been closed for the day and had been invaded by a group of his friends and opened up again. The majority of the video was shot on the Pepsi Max Big One and around the park, and some scenes are shot on the Promenade showing the Illuminations in 1994. Filming credits go to the single cameraman, Steven Young. The video was later made available on Simply Red's official YouTube channel in 2009 and was upgraded to HD in celebration of the album Life's 25th anniversary in October 2020. It had generated more than 23 million views as of early 2025.[27]

## Track listings

[edit]

* UK CD1 and Japanese CD single[28][29]

1. "Fairground" (single edit) – 4:23
2. "Fairground" (extended single mix) – 5:32
3. "Stars" (live) – 4:12
4. "The Right Thing" (live) – 4:31

* UK CD2 and Australasian CD single[30]

1. "Fairground" (single edit) – 4:23
2. "Fairground" (extended single mix) – 5:32
3. "Fairground" (In the Garden mix) – 5:32
4. "Fairground" (Too Precious remix) – 7:50
5. "Fairground" (Rollo and Sister Bliss remix) – 9:42

* UK and Australasian cassette single[31]

1. "Fairground" (single edit) – 4:23
2. "Fairground" (extended single mix) – 5:32

* European CD single[32]

1. "Fairground" (single edit) – 4:23
2. "Fairground" (In the Garden mix) – 5:32

* US CD single[33]

1. "Fairground" (single edit)
2. "Fairground" (Rollo and Sister Bliss remix)
3. "Fairground" (Too Precious remix)
4. "Fairground" (Soul Power mix)
5. Snippets ("Hillside Avenue", "You Make Me Believe", "Never Never Love")

* US cassette single[34]

1. "Fairground" (single edit)
2. Snippets ("Hillside Avenue", "You Make Me Believe", "Never Never Love")

|

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (1995)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[22] | 7
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[35] | 5
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[36] | 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[37] | 10
Denmark (IFPI)[38] | 16
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[39] | 2
France (SNEP)[40] | 26
Germany (GfK)[41] | 5
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[42] | 8
Ireland (IRMA)[20] | 1
Italy (Musica e dischi)[21] | 1
Italy Airplay (Music & Media)[43] | 1
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[44] | 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[45] | 5
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[46] | 6
Poland (Music & Media)[47] | 1
Scotland (OCC)[48] | 1
Spain (AFYVE)[49] | 6
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[50] | 17
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[51] | 6
UK Singles (OCC)[18] | 1
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[24] | 14
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[52] | 25
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[23] | 2

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (1995)  | Position

|

Australia (ARIA)[53] | 69
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[54] | 25
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[55] | 65
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[56] | 17
France (SNEP)[57] | 92
Germany (Media Control)[58] | 54
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[59] | 55
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[60] | 30
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[61] | 33
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[62] | 55
UK Singles (OCC)[63] | 7

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[53] | Gold  | 35,000^
Germany (BVMI)[64] | Gold  | 250,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] | Platinum  | 718,463[19]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Label(s)  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

United Kingdom  | 18 September 1995  |

* CD
* cassette

| EastWest | [66]
United States  | 26 September 1995  | Contemporary hit radio | [67]
3 October 1995  | Rhythmic contemporary radio  | [68]
Japan  | 10 October 1995  | CD  | EastWest Japan  | [69]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Masterton, James (24 September 1995). "Week Ending September 30th 1995". Chart Watch UK. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
2. ^ "Fairground". simplyred.com. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
3. ^ "Headliner Magazine Issue 31". issuu. November 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
4. ^ "Fairground, Simply Red - Andy Wright". www.andywrightmusic.com. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
5. ^ "Simply Red Life". Aftonbladet. 6 October 1995.
6. ^ "Simply Red – 25: The Greatest Hits". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
7. ^ Flick, Larry (30 September 1995). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 39\. p. 87. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
8. ^ Ewing, Tom (17 July 2013). "Simply Red – "Fairground"". Freaky Trigger. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
9. ^ "New Releases: Singles - Single of the Week" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 37\. 16 September 1995. p. 10. Retrieved 27 February 2018.
10. ^ "Reviews: Singles – Single of the Week" (PDF). Music Week. 9 September 1995. p. 49. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
11. ^ Jones, Alan (2 September 1995). "Talking Music" (PDF). Music Week. p. 10. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
12. ^ Moody, Paul (23 September 1995). "Singles". NME. p. 45. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
13. ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Life". People. 30 October 1995. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
14. ^ Gaskey, David (19 January 1996). "Simply Red tries something new". The Rice Thresher. p. 7. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
15. ^ Hamilton, James (30 September 1995). "Dj directory" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). p. 11. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
16. ^ Sutherland, Mark (13 September 1995). "Singles". Smash Hits. p. 59. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
17. ^ Lamont, Helen (11 October 1995). "Albums: Best New Album". Smash Hits. p. 65. Retrieved 18 February 2025.
18. ^ a b c "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
19. ^ a b Garner, George (23 October 2018). "Hitmakers: Mick Hucknall reveals the secrets of Fairground". Music Week. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
20. ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Fairground". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
21. ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 43\. 28 October 1995. p. 25. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
22. ^ a b "Simply Red – Fairground". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
23. ^ a b * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
24. ^ a b "Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. 2 December 1995. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
25. ^ "50 best-selling tracks of the '90s". NME (21 May 2012). 21 May 2012. Retrieved 10 October 2018.
26. ^ "Simply Red Fairground VIVA VHS". Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2020 - via YouTube.
27. ^ "Simply Red - Fairground (Official Video)". YouTube. 4 May 2009. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
28. ^ Fairground (UK CD1 liner notes). Simply Red. EastWest Records. 1995. EW 001 CD1, 0630-12272-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
29. ^ Fairground (Japanese CD single liner notes). Simply Red. EastWest Japan. 1995. AMCE-881.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
30. ^ Fairground (UK CD2 & Australasian CD single liner notes). Simply Red. EastWest Records. 1995. EW 001 CD2, 0630-12273-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
31. ^ Fairground (UK & Australasian cassette single cassette notes). Simply Red. EastWest Records. 1995. EW 001 C, 0630-12274-4.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
32. ^ Fairground (European CD single liner notes). Simply Red. EastWest Records. 1995. 0630-12275-9.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
33. ^ Fairground (US CD single liner notes). Simply Red. EastWest Records America. 1995. 64356-2.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
34. ^ Fairground (US cassette single sleeve). Simply Red. EastWest Records America. 1995. 4-64356.`{{cite AV media notes}}`: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
35. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
36. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
37. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
38. ^ Danish Singles Chart. 20 October 1995.
39. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 42\. 21 October 1995. p. 23. Retrieved 17 March 2018.
40. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
41. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
42. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (7.10.1995 – 13.10.1995)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 7 October 1995. p. 26. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
43. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 45\. 11 November 1995. p. 33.
44. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 44, 1995" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
45. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
46. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
47. ^ "Major Market Airplay – Week 37/1995" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 37\. 16 September 1995. p. 27. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
48. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
49. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
50. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
51. ^ "Simply Red – Fairground". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
52. ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. 25 November 1995. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
53. ^ a b "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1995". ARIA. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
54. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1995" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
55. ^ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
56. ^ "1995 Year-End Sales Charts: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 12, no. 51/52. 23 December 1995. p. 14. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
57. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1995" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
58. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1995" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
59. ^ "Árslistinn 1995". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1996. p. 25. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
60. ^ "Single top 100 over 1995" (PDF) (in Dutch). Top40. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
61. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
62. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1995" (in German). Retrieved 9 May 2019.
63. ^ "Top 100 Singles 1995". Music Week. 13 January 1996. p. 9.
64. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Simply Red; 'Fairground')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
65. ^ "British single certifications – Simply Red – Fairground". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
66. ^ "Simply Red: Fairground" (PDF). Music Week. 16 September 1995. p. 2 (of PDF). Retrieved 27 June 2021.
67. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1113\. 22 September 1995. p. 38. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
68. ^ "Selected New Releases" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1114\. 29 September 1995. p. 36. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
69. ^ "フェアグラウンド | シンプリー・レッド" [Fairground | Simply Red] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 4 September 2023.

* v
* t
* e

Simply Red singles

Picture Book|

* "Money's Too Tight (to Mention)"
* "Holding Back the Years"

Men and Women|

* "The Right Thing"
* "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye"

A New Flame|

* "It's Only Love"
* "If You Don't Know Me by Now"
* "A New Flame"
* "You've Got It"

Stars|

* "Something Got Me Started"
* "Stars"
* "For Your Babies"
* "Thrill Me"
* "Your Mirror"

Life|

* "Fairground"
* "Remembering the First Time"
* "Never Never Love"
* "We're in This Together"

Greatest Hits|

* "Angel"

Blue|

* "Night Nurse"
* "Say You Love Me"
* "The Air That I Breathe"

Love and the Russian Winter|

* "Ain't That a Lot of Love"

Home|

* "Sunrise"
* "Fake"
* "You Make Me Feel Brand New"

Simplified|

* "Perfect Love"

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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