“Fairground” by Simply Red
This song, as illustrated by its music video and as well as the track’s verse, is largely centered on the singer having a good time with his friends. And the titular “fairground” is a symbolic location, as in the place where they are actually enjoying themselves. In other words, the actual site of the “fairground” isn’t what’s important but rather what it represents, which is the narrator spending quality time along with his buddies.
Song’s Addressee
Now the addressee is someone whom he similarly cares about but is not physically present with him and his friends. But clearly this is an individual whom the singer thinks about regularly. In fact the way the narrative plays out seems to be as if he regularly promises to meet up with this person, despite knowing that he “can’t make it”, for the thought of the two of them being together brings him much joy. Likewise expressing such a sentiment to the addressee also gives him “hope”.
So it reads as if the narrator is promising to hook up with this person eventually, and the prospect of such makes the both of them happy.
Primary Sentiment of “Fairground”
And this brings us back to the overall sentiment of the tune as mentioned above, which is the singer valuing those whom he considers to be friends. So it can be said that his presently enjoying the company of his buddies at the “fairground” makes him also remember one of them who is not around. And basically what he is telling said person is that even though they are not together at the moment, he still loves them and is looking forward to being with them soon.
“And I love the thought of coming home to you
Even if I know we can’t make it
Yes, I love the thought of giving hope to you
Just a little ray of light shining through”
Facts about “Fairground”
East West Records released this song on 18 September 1995 as the lead single from Simply Red’s fifth album “Life”.
Simply Red’s frontman/lead singer Mick Hucknall co-wrote and co-produced “Fairground” with the other producer being his regular collaborator, Stewart Levine.
And the other co-writers are Sergio Mendes, Gaston Steenkist and DJ Zki. They are credited as “Fairground” relies heavily on a sample of a track they wrote which was released in 1993 entitled “Give It Up” by The Goodmen. In fact Hucknell actually mentions “good men” in the lyrics.
“Fairground” represents the only time in which Simply Red has been able to top the UK Singles Chart. Furthermore, the track also went to be certified Platinum in the UK. It also reached number one in Greece, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. And overall it charted in over 20 nations.
On 7th October, 1996, East West Records released Simply Red’s very first compilation album. “Fairground” was one of the songs included on that album. The following songs also appeared on the album:
