TheClifton Davis-penned song was originally performed bythe Jackson 5,[5] but this rendition is similar toGloria Gaynor'sdisco version.[2][6][7]Jimmy Somerville's "straight ahead"[6] vocals are a strength of the song, with Andy Kellman ofAllMusic crediting him with producing a recording that "stands apart" from other versions.[2] The single proved successful on both sides of theAtlantic; reaching number 4 in the UK and number 51 in the US,[5][8] while being certified silver in the UK.[9] The track was used in theDoctor Who episode "Father's Day".[10]
The last cut on the originalvinyl side one is an emotionalballad. It was written in memory ofMark Ashton, a friend of Somerville andRichard Coles who died ofHIV/AIDS.[2][7] Mark Hooper ofThe Rough Guide to Rock writes that this cut may be Somerville's "most impassioned moment".[7] It was among the first pop songs to address AIDS.[11] "For a Friend" reached number 28 on the British charts.[5] It was featured in the soundtrack of the 2014 filmPride.[12] It was also one of the songs played atBurberry’s February 2018 show, markingChristopher Bailey’s final outing for the brand.[13]
The album cover is white with a grey five-pointed star containing two faces in profile (the group's logo). Directly above the star is the band's name in plain all capital letters. Above the band's name in red flowing script is the album title 'Red'. The title is a nod to the duo'ssocialist leanings at the time. The US issue features the cover in red.[6]
Opinions vary as to where this album stands next to its predecessor,Communards. Andy Kellman of AllMusic's retrospective review feels it "tops their respectable debut in nearly every aspect" and that the singles "Tomorrow" and "There's More to Love Than Boy Meets Girl" are "stronger than anything on the debut".[2] On the other hand, Kate Walter ofSpin said it is "weaker than [their] sizzling debut album".[6] Balancing these opinions was Mark Hooper ofThe Rough Guide to Rock who wrote that the album is "every bit as accomplished as its predecessor".[7]
Kellman's review praises the production work of Stephen Hague and calls the album "a definingEuro-dance record of the latter half of the '80s".[2] Walter credits Cole's "rickety–tickety synthesizers" and "tinglykeyboards" along with Somerville's "squeals" and "whoops" as strengths of the album but bemoans the lack of cohesion of the album's side two compared to its first half.[6]
^"Red [35 Year Anniversary Edition]".Allmusic.RhythmOne.Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved9 July 2023.Release Date | October 5, 1987 (However, the title refers to a music download, at that time the digital transfer service was not yet established. It is therefore to assumed that the published date relates to the original release.)
^Cranna, Ian (7–20 October 1987)."Albums: The Communards —Red (London)"(PDF).Smash Hits. Vol. 9, no. 19. Peterborough: EMAP National Publications, Ltd. p. 60.ISSN0260-3004. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved26 May 2023 – via World Radio History.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
^"Classifiche".Musica e dischi (in Italian).Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved28 June 2023. Set "Album" for option "Tipo", then write the name of a wanted album in the "Titolo" field and search for the artist.
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