Holding Back The Years by Simply Red spent eleven weeks in the Dutch Top 40, peaking at number 3 (week 4 of 1986). It entered in week 50 of 1985 and was last in the chart in week 9 of 1986. On points it is number 50 in the 1986 year chart. In the collection it is on the album Recollections (2025).
In the Dutch Top 40
All weeks (11)
- week 50, 1985 24 new
- week 51, 1985 12 ▲ 12
- week 1, 1986 10 ▲ 2
- week 2, 1986 7 ▲ 3
- week 3, 1986 4 ▲ 3
- week 4, 1986 3 ▲ 1
- week 5, 1986 5 ▼ 2
- week 6, 1986 9 ▼ 4
- week 7, 1986 16 ▼ 7
- week 8, 1986 24 ▼ 8
- week 9, 1986 31 ▼ 7
On the album
Also by Simply Red in the Top 40
All 14 records- 3If You Don't Know Me By Now198912 weeks
- 4Sunrise200318 weeks
- 4The Right Thing19879 weeks
- 5Something Got Me Started19918 weeks
- 6Fairground199515 weeks
- 9It's Only Love19897 weeks
- 12Fake200311 weeks
- 15Stars19916 weeks
Source: top40.nl
Frequently asked questions
About Holding Back The Years by Simply Red, one sentence per question.
What was the peak position of Holding Back The Years in the Dutch Top 40?
Number 3, in week 4 of 1986.
How long was Holding Back The Years in the Top 40?
Eleven weeks, from week 50 of 1985 to week 9 of 1986. That adds up to 306 points (41 minus the position per week).
When did Holding Back The Years enter the Top 40?
In week 50 of 1985, at number 24.
How does Holding Back The Years rank in the year charts?
On points across all weeks: number 50 in the 1986 year chart.
Which album is Holding Back The Years on?
In the collection on Recollections by Simply Red (2025).
Can I listen to Holding Back The Years?
Yes, the play button on this page plays the record on Spotify (4:28); the recording was released on 21 November 2025.