Remembering the First Time

AllMusic editor William Ruhlmann complimented the song as "promising".{{cite web|first=William|last=Ruhlmann|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/life-mw0000176774|title=Simply Red - Life|publisher=AllMusic|access-date=17 February 2020}} Swedish Expressen wrote that it "is like browsing a tribute book about modern soul music; - Chic guitar, Dr. Dre synth, house piano and a breath-taking wind instrument arrangement that is sent down from the sky with Federal Express."Expressen. 6 October 1995. Caroline Sullivan from The Guardian noted the song's "oscillating keyboard note".Sullivan, Caroline (13 October 1995). "Your essential guide to the week's CD releases". p. 14. The Guardian. Kevin Courtney from Irish Times named it a "pseudo funky pop choon".Courtney, Kevin (13 October 1995). "Rock". Irish Times. A reviewer of Music Week gave it top score with five out of five, stating that it "is bound to follow in the footsteps of its successor, with the same up-beat melody and a refrain to stir heartstrings nationwide."{{cite magazine|title= Reviews: Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 25 November 1995 |page= 14 |access-date= 15 May 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-11-25.pdf}}

Calvin Bush from Muzik complimented Mick Hucknall for picking the right remixer for the track, writing, "Here, Dave Valentine's Self Preservation Society bin Mick's vocals, put their heads down and happily march to acid house land aimed with lancing beats and smokescreen strings".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.muzikmagazine.co.uk/issues/muzik009_february_1996.pdf|title=Singles|magazine=Muzik|date=1 February 1996|page=74|access-date=5 April 2020}} Dele Fadele from NME wrote, "'Remembering the First Time' is down to earth and direct, when it could have been more metaphorical."{{cite magazine|first=Dele|last=Fadele|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/53568884737/|title=Long Play|magazine=NME|date=7 October 1995|page=49|access-date=14 March 2024|author-link=Dele Fadele}} In a 2014 retrospective review, Pop Rescue described it as "upbeat", with some piano and bassline "carrying Mick's vocals along."{{cite web|url=https://poprescue.com/2014/11/28/pop-rescue-life-simply-red-cd-1995/|title=Review: "Life" by Simply Red (CD, 1995)|publisher=Pop Rescue|date=28 November 2014|access-date=8 March 2020}} Brad Beatnik from the Record Mirror Dance Update gave it four out of five, saying "it might not be as immediate" as 'Fairground', but "is still a convincing combination of club class and commercial hooks."{{cite magazine|first= Brad |last= Beatnik |title= Hot Vinyl |magazine= Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental insert) |date= 2 December 1995 |page= 9 |access-date= 15 May 2021 |url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1995/Music-Week-1995-12-02.pdf}} Jordan Paramor from Smash Hits gave it two out of five, saying it "sounds exactly the same" as its predecessor.{{cite magazine|first=Jordan|last=Paramor|url=https://sites.google.com/view/smash-hits-remembered-1994-5/home/1995/444-6th-december-19th-december-1995|title=Singles|magazine=Smash Hits|date=6 December 1995|page=56|access-date=17 February 2025}}

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• EW015CD1

1. "Remembering the First Time" (radio disco mix) (4:36)
2. "Remembering the First Time" (album version) (4:42)
3. "Enough" (live) (5:45)
4. "A New Flame" (live) (4:35)

• EW015CD2

1. "Remembering the First Time" (Extended Cool Disco Mix) (5:30)
2. "Remembering the First Time" (SPS Mambo Mix) (9:00)
3. "Remembering the First Time" (Satoshi Tomiie Classic 12-inch mix) (8:51)
4. "Remembering the First Time" (Too Precious 12-inch dub) (7:14)
5. "Remembering the First Time" (Remembering the Ambient Times)

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• 0630-13394-0 German 33rpm 12-inch single

:A1. "Remembering the First Time" (Satoshi Tomiie Classic 12-inch mix) (8:50)

:A2. "Remembering the First Time" (7-inch Cool Disco Mix) (4:34)

:B1. "Remembering the First Time" (A&G Division's Full Testament) (12:06)

• EW015C cassette

1. "Remembering the First Time" (radio disco mix) (4:36)
2. "Remembering the First Time" (Too Precious 12-inch mix) (7:14)

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{{Reflist}}

{{Simply Red singles}}

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Category:1995 singles

Category:1995 songs

Category:East West Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Michael Geoghegan

Category:Simply Red songs

Category:Songs written by Mick Hucknall