Don’t You Forget About Me: The Accidental 80s Anthem

Ahead of their headline set at Radio 2 In The Park, in Stirling, Jo Whiley tells the story of Simple Minds breakout song from the cult American ‘brat pack’ movie The Breakfast Club.

Back in 1985 Don’t You Forget About Me became one of the most iconic 80s anthems ever! Recorded for the film by the Scottish rock band Simple Minds, the song reached No 1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and several other countries, catapulting the group to international stardom. Despite not writing the track and, at first, being reluctant to cover it (it was apparently turned down by Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol) the band eventually relented and recorded it.

Now, 40 odd years on, as it surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify, we hear from frontman Jim Kerr and guitarist Charlie Burchill about how they went from refusing to record the song to embracing it - even adding the distinctive ‘La la la la’ lines that audiences in packed stadia across the globe still chant today. The programme also includes contributions from musicians KT Tunstall and Billy Idol.

First broadcast in 2025.

Produced by The Big Light in Glasgow for BBC Radio 2.