# Simple Minds' Song Turned Down by Many

> Simple Minds' 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' was rejected by multiple artists before becoming a hit.
- Title: Simple Minds' Song Turned Down by Many · American Songwriter
- Summary: Simple Minds' 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' was rejected by multiple artists before becoming a hit. Simple Minds recorded 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' after…
- Keywords: simple minds, don't you forget about me, the breakfast club, john hughes, bryan ferry, the fixx, 1985, film soundtrack, uk post-punk, music, culture, Simple
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/remembering-when-one-of-the-biggest-movie-hits-of-the-80s-got-turned-down-by-everyone-including-the-band-that-finally-recorded-it-in-1985
- Author: Jim Beviglia
- Published: 2026-10-19T10:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: simple minds, don't you forget about me, the breakfast club, john hughes, bryan ferry, the fixx, 1985, film soundtrack, uk post-punk, music, culture
## The Song's Origin
Songwriters Keith Forsey and Steve Schiff created 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' for John Hughes' 1985 film The Breakfast Club.

> Don’t You (Forget About Me)
## Initial Rejection
Simple Minds refused to record the song after receiving a demo cassette from Forsey at a show.
## Multiple Artists Turned Down
Bryan Ferry, Billy Idol, and The Fixx rejected the song despite Forsey's efforts to pitch it.
## Final Recording
Simple Minds recorded the song in hours after Chrissie Hynde convinced Jim Kerr it was high-quality.
## US Success
The song became a No. 1 hit in the US after the film The Breakfast Club gained popularity.
## Key takeaway

Simple Minds recorded 'Don’t You (Forget About Me)' after being rejected by several artists, including Bryan Ferry and The Fixx, leading to its success as a No. 1 hit in the US.