On this day March 27 1989 Simply Red released their soulful cover of If You Don’t Know Me by Now. Originally recorded by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in 1972 the song was reimagined by the British band with a smooth 80s production style and heartfelt vocals by frontman Mick Hucknall.
The track became a massive success reaching number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 from July 15 to 21. It also topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand and became one of the band’s most beloved and recognizable hits worldwide.
80s insight: Simply Red’s version of the song earned them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1990 and became their only number 1 single in the United States.