Picture Book set the tone for Simply Red in 1985: a Manchester band built around the voice of Mick Hucknall, tying together northern soul, pop, and a touch of reggae. The debut yielded Money's Too Tight (To Mention), a cover of The Valentine Brothers about money worries in a recession, and Holding Back the Years, which topped the American Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1986. Come to My Aid, Jericho, and Open Up the Red Box also appeared as singles. The album originally came out in October 1985 on Elektra. This edition is an LP, pressed on 180 gram vinyl for National Album Day.