The Breakfast Club is one of those old-school movies that never really went away. It’s streaming on Netflix right now, and for a good reason. The 1985 teen film follows five students from different high school cliques who are stuck in detention together.
The story is good, the cast is solid, and it’s full of moments people still talk about. Still, what really brings it all home is the music, especially that one song at the end. “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” plays as the kids leave detention. That final scene with Bender raising his fist in the air is hard to forget, and the song ties it all together.
Molly Ringwald introduced ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ to The Breakfast Club
Today in Rock History
May 18, 1985
Simple Minds reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Don’t You (Forget About Me)”, a new wave classic featured in the hit teen film The Breakfast Club. pic.twitter.com/IOTgdiFdhO— Rock History Live! (@KTrain939913) May 17, 2025
Before the song became a classic, it almost didn’t happen. The band Simple Minds wasn’t sure they wanted to perform it. The song was written by Keith Forsey, and it took a little convincing to get the group on board. Somewhere along the way, Molly Ringwald stepped in. She was just sixteen at the time, but she was already starring in John Hughes’ movies.
Molly said she suggested the band to director John Hughes. He was always big on music in his movies, and her suggestion fit right in with the kind of sound he liked to use. That small move ended up playing a part in one of the most memorable moments in film history.
Molly Ringwald revealed her first reaction to the song
The song starts out simple but grabs attention quickly. Once the beat kicks in, there’s no mistaking what it is. In a 2025 documentary about the band called Simple Minds: Everything is Possible, Molly talked about how she felt the first time she heard it. She said it had a raw, edgy feel that stood out.
The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became a hit on its own. People still listen to it today, from fans of the movie to lovers of classic ‘80s sound. It’s played in throwback playlists, used in shows, and shows up at events even now.