{"id":82011,"date":"2023-06-06T12:21:30","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:21:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=82011"},"modified":"2023-06-06T12:21:31","modified_gmt":"2023-06-06T10:21:31","slug":"legendary-vocalist-kennie-simon-says-life-is-what-you-make-it-in-his-latest-sun-soaked-release","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2023\/06\/legendary-vocalist-kennie-simon-says-life-is-what-you-make-it-in-his-latest-sun-soaked-release\/","title":{"rendered":"Legendary Vocalist Kennie Simon Says, &#8216;Life Is What You Make It&#8217; In His Latest, Sun-Soaked Release"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Released on April 10, &#8216;Life Is What You Make It&#8217; is the latest upbeat track from Kennie Simon. Now best known as the lead singer of Hot Chocolate, a role which he assumed in 2010, Kennie Simon has incredibly been in the music business for more than 50 years.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Kennie is a prolific artist who with his band, Simon K and the Meantimers, recorded the two well recognised Northern Soul records, &#8216;Bring Your Love Back,&#8217; and &#8216;You Know I Do&#8217;, in the 1970s. In 2019 he also released his version of The Showstoppers&#8217;, &#8216;Ain&#8217;t Nothing But A House Party&#8217;, featuring MC Base. Now with his latest single, &#8216;Life Is What You Make It&#8217;, Kennie brings the reggae vibes, along with a summer feel good sound that makes you want to get up and dance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kennie worked with another talented musician, Si Mulvey, who himself is a member of the Bay City Rollers, to write the track, which he then recorded, mixed, and mastered at the world-famous Rockfield Studios in Wales, where it was engineered by Nick Brine, one of Britain&#8217;s most successful contemporary engineers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a member of Hot Chocolate, Kennie has toured across Germany, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, and many more countries. He&#8217;s also recorded a few tracks with the band, including &#8216;Another World&#8217;, and a cover of &#8216;Could Have Been A Lady&#8217;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8216;Life Is What You Make It&#8217; is just the first of several songs that Kennie and Si have produced together &#8211; keep your eyes and ears out for the next one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8216;Life Is What You Make It&#8217; is out now and can be streamed and downloaded <a href=\"https:\/\/ditto.fm\/life-is-what-you-make-it-kennie-simon\">here<\/a>. You can find out more about Kennie Simon and his music online on <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/simonkennie\/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D\" target=\"_blank\">Instagram<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/kennie.simon\" target=\"_blank\">Facebook<\/a>, <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/artist\/7nB0lmWqNglJgfxrZkdNzH?si=e9UA_pLdS1ilpgkr3ZYGVQ\" target=\"_blank\">Spotify<\/a>, and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/music.apple.com\/gb\/artist\/kennie-simon\/1455485330\" target=\"_blank\">Apple Music<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Released on April 10, &#8216;Life Is What You Make It&#8217; is the latest upbeat track from Kennie Simon. Now best known as the lead singer of Hot Chocolate, a role which he assumed in 2010, Kennie Simon has incredibly been in the music business for more than 50 years.<\/p>\n<div class='heateor_sss_sharing_container heateor_sss_vertical_sharing heateor_sss_bottom_sharing' style='width:39px;left: -10px;top: 100px;-webkit-box-shadow:none;box-shadow:none;' data-heateor-sss-href='https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82011'><div class=\"heateor_sss_sharing_ul\"><a aria-label=\"Facebook\" class=\"heateor_sss_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#0765FE;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M28 16c0-6.627-5.373-12-12-12S4 9.373 4 16c0 5.628 3.875 10.35 9.101 11.647v-7.98h-2.474V16H13.1v-1.58c0-4.085 1.849-5.978 5.859-5.978.76 0 2.072.15 2.608.298v3.325c-.283-.03-.775-.045-1.386-.045-1.967 0-2.728.745-2.728 2.683V16h3.92l-.673 3.667h-3.247v8.245C23.395 27.195 28 22.135 28 16Z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Twitter\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_twitter\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?via=essentiallypop&text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more&url=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011\" title=\"Twitter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_twitter\" style=\"background-color:#55acee;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-4 -4 39 39\"><path d=\"M28 8.557a9.913 9.913 0 0 1-2.828.775 4.93 4.93 0 0 0 2.166-2.725 9.738 9.738 0 0 1-3.13 1.194 4.92 4.92 0 0 0-3.593-1.55 4.924 4.924 0 0 0-4.794 6.049c-4.09-.21-7.72-2.17-10.15-5.15a4.942 4.942 0 0 0-.665 2.477c0 1.71.87 3.214 2.19 4.1a4.968 4.968 0 0 1-2.23-.616v.06c0 2.39 1.7 4.38 3.952 4.83-.414.115-.85.174-1.297.174-.318 0-.626-.03-.928-.086a4.935 4.935 0 0 0 4.6 3.42 9.893 9.893 0 0 1-6.114 2.107c-.398 0-.79-.023-1.175-.068a13.953 13.953 0 0 0 7.55 2.213c9.056 0 14.01-7.507 14.01-14.013 0-.213-.005-.426-.015-.637.96-.695 1.795-1.56 2.455-2.55z\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Tumblr\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_tumblr\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tumblr.com\/widgets\/share\/tool?posttype=link&canonicalUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011&title=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more&caption=\" title=\"Tumblr\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg aheateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_tumblr\" style=\"background-color:#29435d;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-2 -2 36 36\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M20.775 21.962c-.37.177-1.08.33-1.61.345-1.598.043-1.907-1.122-1.92-1.968v-6.217h4.007V11.1H17.26V6.02h-2.925s-.132.044-.144.15c-.17 1.556-.895 4.287-3.923 5.378v2.578h2.02v6.522c0 2.232 1.647 5.404 5.994 5.33 1.467-.025 3.096-.64 3.456-1.17l-.96-2.846z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Linkedin\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011\" title=\"Linkedin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_linkedin\" style=\"background-color:#0077b5;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\"><path d=\"M6.227 12.61h4.19v13.48h-4.19V12.61zm2.095-6.7a2.43 2.43 0 0 1 0 4.86c-1.344 0-2.428-1.09-2.428-2.43s1.084-2.43 2.428-2.43m4.72 6.7h4.02v1.84h.058c.56-1.058 1.927-2.176 3.965-2.176 4.238 0 5.02 2.792 5.02 6.42v7.395h-4.183v-6.56c0-1.564-.03-3.574-2.178-3.574-2.18 0-2.514 1.7-2.514 3.46v6.668h-4.187V12.61z\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Reddit\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_reddit\" href=\"https:\/\/reddit.com\/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011&title=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more\" title=\"Reddit\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_reddit\" style=\"background-color:#ff5700;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-3.5 -3.5 39 39\"><path d=\"M28.543 15.774a2.953 2.953 0 0 0-2.951-2.949 2.882 2.882 0 0 0-1.9.713 14.075 14.075 0 0 0-6.85-2.044l1.38-4.349 3.768.884a2.452 2.452 0 1 0 .24-1.176l-4.274-1a.6.6 0 0 0-.709.4l-1.659 5.224a14.314 14.314 0 0 0-7.316 2.029 2.908 2.908 0 0 0-1.872-.681 2.942 2.942 0 0 0-1.618 5.4 5.109 5.109 0 0 0-.062.765c0 4.158 5.037 7.541 11.229 7.541s11.22-3.383 11.22-7.541a5.2 5.2 0 0 0-.053-.706 2.963 2.963 0 0 0 1.427-2.51zm-18.008 1.88a1.753 1.753 0 0 1 1.73-1.74 1.73 1.73 0 0 1 1.709 1.74 1.709 1.709 0 0 1-1.709 1.711 1.733 1.733 0 0 1-1.73-1.711zm9.565 4.968a5.573 5.573 0 0 1-4.081 1.272h-.032a5.576 5.576 0 0 1-4.087-1.272.6.6 0 0 1 .844-.854 4.5 4.5 0 0 0 3.238.927h.032a4.5 4.5 0 0 0 3.237-.927.6.6 0 1 1 .844.854zm-.331-3.256a1.726 1.726 0 1 1 1.709-1.712 1.717 1.717 0 0 1-1.712 1.712z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Whatsapp\" class=\"heateor_sss_whatsapp\" href=\"https:\/\/api.whatsapp.com\/send?text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more%20https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011\" title=\"Whatsapp\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#55eb4c;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-6 -5 40 40\"><path class=\"heateor_sss_svg_stroke heateor_sss_no_fill\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" d=\"M 11.579798566743314 24.396926207859085 A 10 10 0 1 0 6.808479557110079 20.73576436351046\"><\/path><path d=\"M 7 19 l -1 6 l 6 -1\" class=\"heateor_sss_no_fill heateor_sss_svg_stroke\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\"><\/path><path d=\"M 10 10 q -1 8 8 11 c 5 -1 0 -6 -1 -3 q -4 -3 -5 -5 c 4 -2 -1 -5 -1 -4\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"heateor_sss_email\" href=\"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82011\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault();window.open('mailto:?subject=' + decodeURIComponent('%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more').replace('&', '%26') + '&body=https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011', '_blank')\" title=\"Email\" rel=\"noopener\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#649a3f;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"-.75 -.5 36 36\"><path d=\"M 5.5 11 h 23 v 1 l -11 6 l -11 -6 v -1 m 0 2 l 11 6 l 11 -6 v 11 h -22 v -11\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"#fff\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Bluesky\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_bluesky\" href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/intent\/compose?text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more%20https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011\" title=\"Bluesky\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_bluesky\" style=\"background-color:#0085ff;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"-3 -3 38 38\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M16 14.903c-.996-1.928-3.709-5.521-6.231-7.293C7.353 5.912 6.43 6.206 5.827 6.478 5.127 6.793 5 7.861 5 8.49s.346 5.155.572 5.91c.747 2.496 3.404 3.34 5.851 3.07.125-.02.252-.036.38-.052-.126.02-.253.037-.38.051-3.586.529-6.771 1.83-2.594 6.457 4.595 4.735 6.297-1.015 7.171-3.93.874 2.915 1.88 8.458 7.089 3.93 3.911-3.93 1.074-5.928-2.512-6.457a8.122 8.122 0 0 1-.38-.051c.128.016.255.033.38.051 2.447.271 5.104-.573 5.85-3.069.227-.755.573-5.281.573-5.91 0-.629-.127-1.697-.827-2.012-.604-.271-1.526-.566-3.942 1.132-2.522 1.772-5.235 5.365-6.231 7.293Z\" fill=\"#fff\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a aria-label=\"Threads\" class=\"heateor_sss_button_threads\" href=\"https:\/\/www.threads.net\/intent\/post?text=%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more%20https%3A%2F%2Fessentiallypop.com%2Fepop%2Fwp-json%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fposts%2F82011\" title=\"Threads\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg heateor_sss_s__default heateor_sss_s_threads\" style=\"background-color:#000;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box\"><svg width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\" viewBox=\"-100 -100 648 712\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M331.5 235.7c2.2 .9 4.2 1.9 6.3 2.8c29.2 14.1 50.6 35.2 61.8 61.4c15.7 36.5 17.2 95.8-30.3 143.2c-36.2 36.2-80.3 52.5-142.6 53h-.3c-70.2-.5-124.1-24.1-160.4-70.2c-32.3-41-48.9-98.1-49.5-169.6V256v-.2C17 184.3 33.6 127.2 65.9 86.2C102.2 40.1 156.2 16.5 226.4 16h.3c70.3 .5 124.9 24 162.3 69.9c18.4 22.7 32 50 40.6 81.7l-40.4 10.8c-7.1-25.8-17.8-47.8-32.2-65.4c-29.2-35.8-73-54.2-130.5-54.6c-57 .5-100.1 18.8-128.2 54.4C72.1 146.1 58.5 194.3 58 256c.5 61.7 14.1 109.9 40.3 143.3c28 35.6 71.2 53.9 128.2 54.4c51.4-.4 85.4-12.6 113.7-40.9c32.3-32.2 31.7-71.8 21.4-95.9c-6.1-14.2-17.1-26-31.9-34.9c-3.7 26.9-11.8 48.3-24.7 64.8c-17.1 21.8-41.4 33.6-72.7 35.3c-23.6 1.3-46.3-4.4-63.9-16c-20.8-13.8-33-34.8-34.3-59.3c-2.5-48.3 35.7-83 95.2-86.4c21.1-1.2 40.9-.3 59.2 2.8c-2.4-14.8-7.3-26.6-14.6-35.2c-10-11.7-25.6-17.7-46.2-17.8H227c-16.6 0-39 4.6-53.3 26.3l-34.4-23.6c19.2-29.1 50.3-45.1 87.8-45.1h.8c62.6 .4 99.9 39.5 103.7 107.7l-.2 .2zm-156 68.8c1.3 25.1 28.4 36.8 54.6 35.3c25.6-1.4 54.6-11.4 59.5-73.2c-13.2-2.9-27.8-4.4-43.4-4.4c-4.8 0-9.6 .1-14.4 .4c-42.9 2.4-57.2 23.2-56.2 41.8l-.1 .1z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/a><a class=\"heateor_sss_more\" aria-label=\"More\" title=\"More\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" style=\"font-size: 32px!important;border:0;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block!important;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align: middle;display:inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82011\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault()\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#ee8e2d;width:35px;height:35px;margin:0;display:inline-block!important;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 4px;vertical-align:middle;display:inline;background-repeat:repeat;overflow:hidden;padding:0;cursor:pointer;box-sizing:content-box;\" onclick=\"heateorSssMoreSharingPopup(this, 'https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82011', '%20-%20Pop%20essentials%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20more', '' )\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewBox=\"-.3 0 32 32\" version=\"1.1\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"display:block;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M18 14V8h-4v6H8v4h6v6h4v-6h6v-4h-6z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"heateorSssClear\"><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":82012,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"Released on April 10, 'Life Is What You Make It' is the latest upbeat track from Kennie Simon. Now best known as the lead singer of Hot Chocolate, a role which he assumed in 2010, Kennie Simon has incredibly been in the music business for more than 50 years.","jetpack_seo_html_title":"Legendary Vocalist Kennie Simon Says, 'Life Is What You Make It' In His Latest, Sun-Soaked Release","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,9,21453,21445,21446],"tags":[31062,31060,31061,11720,77,370,116,79,10677],"class_list":["post-82011","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","category-new-releases","category-new-singles","category-reviews","category-single-reviews","tag-hot-chocolate","tag-kennie-simon","tag-life-is-what-you-make-it","tag-lisa-hafey","tag-new-release","tag-new-single","tag-review","tag-single","tag-single-review"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Kennie-Simon.png?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5yMhl-lkL","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":93192,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2025\/11\/kerry-kenny-band-release-finbar-the-next-single-from-their-celtic-rock-album-brutal-best\/","url_meta":{"origin":82011,"position":0},"title":"Kerry Kenny Band Release &#8216;Finbar&#8217;, The Next Single From Their Celtic Rock Album, &#8216;Brutal Best&#8217;","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"04\/11\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Caoimhe is a woman driven half to insanity while thinking about a man named 'Finbar'. Such is the power he has over her, she loses herself to dancing, at first in a bar, and then later, in a field, in front of a bonfire. Beautifully channelled by Kerry Kenny, the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-Band.png?fit=1200%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-Band.png?fit=1200%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-Band.png?fit=1200%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-Band.png?fit=1200%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-Band.png?fit=1200%2C1048&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":93126,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2025\/10\/the-kerry-kenny-band-isnt-messing-about-with-pining-time-remix-an-essentially-pop-premiere\/","url_meta":{"origin":82011,"position":1},"title":"The Kerry Kenny Band Isn&#8217;t Messing About With &#8216;Pining Time (Remix)&#8217;: An Essentially Pop Premiere","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"24\/10\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Essentially Pop is pleased to premiere the new release from Kerry Kenny Band, 'Pining Time (Remix)'. An upbeat retro-sounding song, it also features a fun video that sees her running through the streets of New York, every bit like a superhero.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-scaled.jpg?fit=866%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-scaled.jpg?fit=866%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-scaled.jpg?fit=866%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Kerry-Kenny-scaled.jpg?fit=866%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":94917,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2026\/03\/simon-orton-brings-a-little-light-to-emotional-healing-with-latest-country-single\/","url_meta":{"origin":82011,"position":2},"title":"Simon Orton\u00a0Brings &#8216;A Little Light&#8217; To Emotional Healing With Latest Country Single","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"24\/03\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"An independent artist who was raised on a farm in Queensland, Australia, Simon Orton takes inspiration from real life with his new single, 'A Little Light', which was released on the 6th of February.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-1-scaled.jpeg?fit=800%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":82033,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2023\/06\/ill-always-is-the-new-love-song-from-rnb-artists-the-turner-brothers-featuring-kelsey-d\/","url_meta":{"origin":82011,"position":3},"title":"&#8216;I&#8217;ll Always&#8217; Is The New Love Song From RnB Artists The Turner Brothers Featuring Kelsey D.","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"12\/06\/2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Released on May 3, 'I'll Always' is the new single from The Turner Brothers, and features the moving vocals of talented singer, Kelsey D.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Music&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Turner-Brothers-Featuring-Kelsey-D.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Turner-Brothers-Featuring-Kelsey-D.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Turner-Brothers-Featuring-Kelsey-D.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/The-Turner-Brothers-Featuring-Kelsey-D.jpg?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57252,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2019\/11\/timi-dakolo-releases-video-for-merry-christmas-darling-ft-emeli-sande\/","url_meta":{"origin":82011,"position":4},"title":"Timi Dakolo Releases Video For &#8216;Merry Christmas, Darling&#8217; ft. Emeli Sand\u00e9","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"18\/11\/2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Dubbed \"the golden voice of Africa\" by 16 time Grammy winner Humberto Gatica, Nigerian sensation Timi Dakolo is set to release his debut UK album, 'Merry Christmas, Darling', this Friday, 22 November, through Hafe Music\/Virgin EMI.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Christmas&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Christmas","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/archived-categories\/christmas\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Timi-and-Emeli-Satya-Zoa.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Timi-and-Emeli-Satya-Zoa.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Timi-and-Emeli-Satya-Zoa.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Timi-and-Emeli-Satya-Zoa.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Timi-and-Emeli-Satya-Zoa.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":28938,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2017\/07\/simon-baum-releases-charity-single-london-to-raise-funds-for-recent-disasters\/","url_meta":{"origin":82011,"position":5},"title":"Simon Baum Releases Charity Single &#8216;London&#8217; To Raise Funds For Recent Disasters","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"26\/07\/2017","format":false,"excerpt":"London singer songwriter Simon Baum's latest track is written in response to the recent tragedies in his home town, the attacks at London Bridge, and the fire at Grenfell Tower.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;New Artists&quot;","block_context":{"text":"New Artists","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/new-artists\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Simon-Baum-2.jpg?fit=851%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Simon-Baum-2.jpg?fit=851%2C315&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Simon-Baum-2.jpg?fit=851%2C315&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Simon-Baum-2.jpg?fit=851%2C315&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82011","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82011"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82011\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/82012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82011"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82011"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82011"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}