Don’t You (Forget About Me) has been one of the most popular songs during the 1980s. Originally recorded by the new wave band Simple Minds, it was meant to be the theme song for movie The Breakfast Club which starred some of the most famous teen stars that time. This hit was probably included in New Found Glory’s From the Screen to Your Stereo Part II album.

The song was written by Ketih Forsey and Steve Schiff. You’d be surprised to know that this classic theme song almost did not make it to the radio because two of the original artists intended to record it (Bryan Ferry and Billy Idol) refused. Then the writers pitched it to Simple Minds who also refused to do the song. It was only after the band’s record label persuasion that Simple Minds finally decided to accept.

Fortunately, the song became a huge hit. It became the band’s only number one hit in the United States and reached the Top Ten of the UK charts. It was even propelled to fame with the release of the movie The Breakfast Club. This was Simple Mind’s most famous song to date.

The thought of remaking a slow, serene, and haunting song from the 1980s by a pop-punk band that has more shouting than singing in their songs is a very interesting idea. For sure, the result would be unexpected.

The cover version of the song was quite different. New Found Glory succeeded in making it unique and interesting. It is unlike the original version. Most notable is the absence of the eerie effect caused by the original singer’s vocals. The words felt like shouted (there was even a growl at some point), which is expected from a pop-punk band. This version is more hip, youthful and current.

It was great that the band did not make any major changes with the song’s melody. People would expect a band like New Found Glory to not make drastic changes in a song’s melody. What’s expected from them is loud, upbeat and fun music. And they did deliver that. By sticking to the original score, they were able to retain the spirit of the song but still make it their own.

Frankly speaking, there is no evident purpose in re-recording the song. Aside from being hip and more current, nothing new is given. There was not much to anticipate for instead of loud singing. There was even a growl at the bridge, which, surprisingly, is very good. It did not make the song sound weird nor it seemed awkward. Hats off to the band for pulling it off.

Though I don’t dislike the song, I’m not shouting praises and raves either. You’d think that because of the fun vibe in the song, it was done out of pure fun, which is something a band should really be all about to come up with an effective song whether it’s an original or just a cover.