"Don't You Want Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Human League | ||||
from the album Dare | ||||
B-side | "Seconds" | |||
Released | 27 November 1981 | |||
Recorded | 1981 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:57 (album version) 3:27 (video version) | |||
Label | Virgin | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Martin Rushent | |||
The Human League singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Don't You Want Me" on YouTube |
"Don't You Want Me" is a song by British synth-pop group the Human League (credited on the cover as the Human League 100). It was released on 27 November 1981 as the fourth single from their third studio album, Dare (1981). The band's best known and most commercially successful song, it was the best selling UK single of 1981, [5] that year's Christmas number one, and has since sold over 1,560,000 copies in the UK, making it the 23rd-most successful single in UK Singles Chart history. [6] It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982, where it stayed for three weeks.
In November 1983, Rolling Stone named it the "breakthrough song" of the Second British Invasion of the US. [7] In 2015, the song was voted by the British public as the nation's seventh-favourite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV. [8] And in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". [9]
The lyrics were inspired after the Human League lead singer Philip Oakey read a photo-story in a teen-girl's magazine. Though the song had been conceived and recorded in the studio as a male solo, Oakey was inspired by the 1976 film A Star Is Born and decided to turn the song into a conflicting duet with one of the band's two teenage female vocalists. Susan Ann Sulley was then asked to take on the role. Until then, she and the other female vocalist, Joanne Catherall, had only been assigned backing vocals; Sulley says she was chosen only through "luck of the draw". [10]
Musicians Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright created a synthesizer score to accompany the lyrics that was much harsher than the version that was actually released. Initial versions of the song were recorded but Virgin Records-appointed producer Martin Rushent was unhappy with them. He and Callis remixed the track, giving it a softer, and in Oakey's opinion, "poppy" sound. Oakey hated the new version and thought it would be the weakest track on Dare, resulting in one of his infamous rows with Rushent. [11] Oakey disliked it so much that it was relegated to the last track on side two of the album.
Before the release of the 1981 album Dare , three of its tracks—"The Sound of the Crowd", "Love Action (I Believe in Love)", and "Open Your Heart"—had already been released as successful singles. With a hit album and three hit singles in a row, Virgin's chief executive Simon Draper decided to release one more single from the album before the end of 1981. His choice, "Don't You Want Me", instantly caused a row with Oakey, who did not want another single to be released because he was convinced that "the public were now sick of hearing" the band and the choice of the "poor quality filler track" would almost certainly be a disaster, wrecking the group's new-found popularity. The band felt the track was "our sort of Des O'Connor song". [12] Virgin were adamant that a fourth single would be released and Oakey finally agreed on the condition that a large colour poster accompany the 7" single, because he felt fans would "feel ripped off" by the "substandard" single alone. [13]
The Human League often added cryptic references to their productions and the record sleeve of "Don't You Want Me" featured the suffix of "100". This was a reference to The 100 Club, a restaurant/bar in Sheffield. [14]
In a contemporary review, Record World praised its "throbbing synthesized beat and sharp hook." [15]
Today, the song is widely considered a classic of its era. In a retrospective review, Stephen Thomas Erlewine, senior editor for AllMusic, described the song as "a devastating chronicle of a frayed romance wrapped in the greatest pop hooks and production of its year." [16] Fellow new wave musician Graham Parker praised the song, saying, "I just love that catchy chorus." [17] Oakey still describes it as overrated, but acknowledges his initial dismissal was misguided and claims pride in the track.[ citation needed ] Oakey has also pointed out another misconception: that it is not a love song, but "a nasty song about sexual power politics." [18] [ better source needed ]
"Don't You Want Me" was released in the UK on 27 November 1981. The B-side was "Seconds", another track lifted straight from the Dare album. As with previous singles, a 12" version was also issued featuring the original version of "Don't You Want Me" and "Seconds" on the A-side and an "extended dance mix" lasting seven and a half minutes on the B-side. This mix is also featured on the Love and Dancing album that was released under the name of the League Unlimited Orchestra in 1982.
To the amazement of the band (and especially Oakey), [19] the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number nine and rose to number one the following week, remaining there over the Christmas period for five weeks. It ultimately became the biggest-selling single to be released in 1981, and the fifth biggest-selling single of the entire decade. Its success was repeated six months later in the US, with "Don't You Want Me" peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. Billboard magazine ranked it as the sixth-biggest hit of 1982. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the same year for sales of a million copies.[ citation needed ]
After the band scored a number of hits for Warner's East West label, the song was remixed and issued by Virgin as a CD, [20] cassette [21] and 12-inch single on 16 October 1995. [22] This version featured new remixes by Hooj Choons' Red Jerry and German Eurodance duo Snap!, and would peak at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. [23] The release coincided with the issue of the group's second Greatest Hits compilation album shortly afterwards (which featured the Snap! 7 inch remix).
As of November 2012, "Don't You Want Me" was the 23rd best-selling single in the UK, with 1.55 million copies sold. [6] On 23 March 2014, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 19 thanks to a social media campaign by fans of Aberdeen Football Club. In 2017 it was reported to be the 43rd most successful single in UK chart history with sales and streams combined. [24]
In 2021, Viacom International Studios put into production a music chart programme called The 80s Greatest Hits 1980-1989 for Channel 5 [25] and asked the Official Charts Company (OCC) to provide the countdowns for the series, based on the best-selling singles for each year. When the 1981 episode was broadcast (now under the title of Britain's Favourite 80's Songs) [26] "Don't You Want Me" was placed at number one, [5] with the OCC now confirming it was the official best-selling song of 1981 with an estimated 1.15 million sales (previously the title had gone to "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, which now has been put in second place with 1.05 million sales).
In 1981, record company Virgin were becoming aware that the music video was evolving into an important marketing tool, with MTV being launched that year. Virgin commissioned a promotional video for "Don't You Want Me".
The video for the song was filmed near Slough, Berkshire, during November 1981. The video's theme is the filming and editing of a murder-mystery film, featuring the band members as characters and production staff. Because it is a "making-of" video, both crew and camera apparatus appear throughout.
The video was said by Susan Ann Sulley to be "a take on The French Lieutenant’s Woman, which was a film about making a film". [27] But director Steve Barron said he was influenced by the 1973 François Truffaut film Day for Night and had 'wanted to go one step further and try and make a film within a film within a film". [28]
The video was conceived and directed by the Irish filmmaker Steve Barron, and has at its core the interaction between a successful actress (also an assistant editor) played by Susan Ann Sulley walking out on "film director" Philip Oakey on a film set. [29]
In a 1995 interview, Catherall mentioned that the car Jo Callis was driving had to be pushed into shot as he could not drive at the time, to which Sulley added "he still can't!" [30]
The video was released in December 1981.
Weekly charts
1995 remixes
2014 re-entry
| Year-end charts
All-time charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Canada (Music Canada) [62] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [63] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI) [64] since 2009 sales | Gold | 50,000‡ |
Spain (PROMUSICAE) [65] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [66] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA) [67] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
"Don't You Want Me Baby" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Mandy Smith | ||||
from the album Mandy | ||||
B-side | "If It Makes You Feel Good" | |||
Released | May 1989 | |||
Recorded | 1989 | |||
Genre | Pop | |||
Length | 3:44 | |||
Label | PWL | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Pete Hammond | |||
Mandy Smith singles chronology | ||||
|
In 1989, British pop singer Mandy covered this song under the title of "Don't You Want Me Baby". Released as a stand-alone single from her only album, Mandy (1988), it was also Smith's final single and became her only single to hit the UK top 75, peaking at No. 59.
Chart (1989) | Peak Position |
---|---|
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [68] | 10 |
Ireland (IRMA) [69] | 30 |
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [70] | 11 |
UK Singles (OCC) [71] | 59 |
"Don't You Want Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by the Farm | ||||
from the album Love See No Colour | ||||
B-side | "Obviously" | |||
Released | 5 October 1992 [72] | |||
Genre | Dance-rock [73] | |||
Length | 4:12 | |||
Label | End Product | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | Mark Saunders | |||
The Farm singles chronology | ||||
|
British band the Farm released a cover of "Don't You Want Me" in October 1992 that reached number 18 on the UK Singles Charts making it their third-highest chart single after 1990's "All Together Now" and "Groovy Train". It was originally recorded for the NME charity album Ruby Trax .
An uncredited female singer sings lead vocal on the second verse, as sung by Susan Ann Sulley in the original version. The accompanying music video features former Manchester United footballer George Best mouthing along to the chorus. [74]
"Don't You Want Me" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Alcazar | ||||
from the album Casino | ||||
Released | May 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2001 | |||
Genre | Eurodance | |||
Length | 3:27 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Alcazar singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Don't You Want Me" on YouTube |
"Don't You Want Me" was recorded as a Eurodance song by Swedish band Alcazar, released internationally in 2002. The song was included in the European version of their debut album, Casino (2000) together with a few others. It was recorded in Stockholm at first, but when the band wanted it for a new pan-European single, a new version was made.
The single was released in Australia as a follow-up to the successful single "Crying at the Discoteque". The white 12-inch was released in Europe and distributed to DJs to get maximum airplay at the disco arenas.
"Don't You Want Me" is Alcazar's biggest hit in the United States with 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at #30.
The accompanying music video for "Don't You Want Me" was filmed at Filmhuset in Stockholm, and was directed by Jesper Ganslandt. The video takes place in "Circus Alcazar" and is filled with horses, ducks, an evil parrot, acrobats, the Alcazar ballet (including a dog in a pink ballerina dress) and Annikafiore's boyfriend juggling with fire in the background. The video shoot took almost 23 hours.
Chart (2002) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [75] | 37 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [76] | 21 |
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) [77] | 18 |
Hungary (Single Top 40) [78] | 13 |
Italy ( Musica e dischi ) [79] | 34 |
Japan (Japanese Singles Chart)[ citation needed ] | 3 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [80] | 83 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan) [81] | 30 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) [82] | 76 |
US Hot Dance Club Play ( Billboard ) [83] | 30 |
The Human League are an English synth-pop band formed in Sheffield in 1977. Initially an experimental electronic outfit, the group signed to Virgin Records in 1979 and later attained widespread commercial success with their third album Dare in 1981 after restructuring their lineup. The album contained four hit singles, including the UK/US number one hit "Don't You Want Me". The band received the Brit Award for Best British Breakthrough Act in 1982. Further hits followed throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, including "Mirror Man", "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", "The Lebanon", "Human" and "Tell Me When".
Philip Oakey is an English singer-songwriter who is the frontman and co-founder of the synth-pop band The Human League. Aside from the Human League, he has enjoyed an extensive solo music career and has collaborated with numerous other artists and producers.
Dare is the third studio album by English synth-pop band The Human League, first released in the United Kingdom in October 1981 and then subsequently in the US in mid-1982. The album was produced by Martin Rushent and recorded between March and September 1981, following the departure of founding members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh, and saw the band shift direction from their previous avant-garde electronic style toward a more pop-friendly, commercial sound led by frontman Philip Oakey.
"Stay with Me Tonight" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League, released in January 1996 by East West Records as a single from their second compilation album, Greatest Hits (1995). It was jointly written by Philip Oakey and producer Ian Stanley, features lead vocals by Oakey; with backing by co-vocalists Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall. Post production by re-mixers 'Space Kittens'.
Joanne Catherall is an English singer who is one of two female vocalists in the English synth-pop band The Human League.
"Human" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League, released as the lead single from their fifth studio album, Crash (1986). The track, which deals with the subject of infidelity, was written and produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The song topped the charts of the United States, becoming the band's second single to top the Billboard Hot 100 after their 1981 single "Don't You Want Me". It also went to number one in Canada while reaching number five in Germany and number eight in the band's native United Kingdom.
Hysteria is the fourth studio album by the English synth-pop band the Human League, released on 7 May 1984 by Virgin Records. Following the worldwide success of their previous studio album Dare (1981), the band struggled to make a successful follow-up and the sessions for Hysteria were fraught with problems. The album title itself is taken from the problematic recording period. Producers Martin Rushent and Chris Thomas both left the project which would eventually be finished by producer Hugh Padgham.
Love and Dancing is a remix album by English synth-pop band The Human League, released in July 1982 by Virgin Records. Issued under the band name "The League Unlimited Orchestra" as a nod to Barry White's disco-era Love Unlimited Orchestra, the album was principally the idea and work of producer Martin Rushent and contains dub-style, largely instrumental remixes of songs from the band's multi-platinum selling album Dare (1981), along with a version of the track "Hard Times", which had originally been the B-side of the single "Love Action ". Rushent was inspired by hip hop turntablist Grandmaster Flash and created Love and Dancing on a mixing board. He created vocal effects by cutting up portions of the Dare tape and manually gluing them together. In total, over 2,600 edits feature on the album.
Greatest Hits is a compilation album by the English synth-pop band The Human League, released on 31 October 1988 by Virgin Records. It contains 13 singles released by the band, spanning from their debut single to their most recent album at the time, as well as lead singer Philip Oakey's collaboration with Giorgio Moroder, "Together in Electric Dreams" (1984). The album reached No. 3 in the UK.
Susan Ann Sulley, formerly known as Susanne Sulley and Susan Ann Gayle, is an English singer. She is one of the two female vocalists in the synth-pop band The Human League, contributing co-lead vocals on the conflicting duet "Don't You Want Me" with the band's founding member and lead singer Philip Oakey.
"Tell Me When" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League, released in December 1994 by East West Records as the first single from their seventh album, Octopus (1995). Written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and Paul C. Beckett, the song was produced by Ian Stanley. It peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, while reaching number four on the UK Dance Chart. In the US, it peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 15 on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart and number eight on the Cash Box Top 100. The music video for the song was directed by Andy Morahan and filmed in the Czech Republic.
"All I Ever Wanted" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League. It is taken from the Secrets album of 2001 and was released as its first single. It is currently their most recent single released on a major label. It follows the standard Human League style of baritone lead vocals of Philip Oakey with choruses and incidentals jointly shared between female co-vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. It was released in July 2001 and stalled at number 47 in the UK Singles Chart.
"The Sound of the Crowd" is a song by the British synth-pop group The Human League. It became the band's commercial breakthrough, reaching #12 on the UK singles chart in May 1981.
"Open Your Heart" is a song by the British synth-pop group The Human League. It was released as a single in the UK in October 1981 and peaked at number six in the UK singles chart. It was written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey and keyboard player Jo Callis. The song features a lead vocal by Oakey and female backing vocals by Susanne Sulley and Joanne Catherall, analogue synthesizers by Jo Callis, Philip Adrian Wright and Ian Burden. Drum machines, sequencing and programming were provided by producer Martin Rushent.
"Love Action (I Believe in Love)" is a song by the English synth-pop band the Human League, released as a single in the UK in July 1981. It became the band's first Top 10 success, peaking at number three in the UK singles chart.
"I Don't Depend on You" is a disco-influenced song by the British synth-pop group the Human League released under the pseudonym The Men. It was released as a single in the UK in July 1979, but failed to chart. It was written by Philip Oakey, Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh; was produced by Colin Thurston and featured guest backing vocalists Katie Kissoon and Lisa Strike.
"Mirror Man" is a 1982 song by the British synth-pop group The Human League. It was released as a single in the UK on 12 November 1982 and peaked at number two in the UK Singles Chart. It was written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey with keyboard players Jo Callis and Ian Burden, and produced by Martin Rushent.
"Filling Up with Heaven" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League, released as the third and final single from their seventh full-length studio album, Octopus (1995). It was jointly written by lead singer Philip Oakey and producer Ian Stanley. The song was released on 5 June 1995 by East West Records in a variety of vinyl and CD single formats. These included various third-party remixes of "Filling Up with Heaven" and "John Cleese; Is He Funny?", including mixes by Hardfloor.
"Louise" is a song by English synth-pop band the Human League. It was released as a single in the UK on 5 November 1984 and peaked at number thirteen in the UK Singles Chart. It was written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey with fellow band members Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright. The song features a lead vocal by Oakey and female vocals by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, analogue synthesizers by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis, Philip Adrian Wright and Ian Burden. The producers were Chris Thomas and Hugh Padgham. Although enjoying modest success when released as a single, it appeared on Melody Maker’s list of 50 top singles of 1984.
"Sexual Guarantee" is a song by Swedish band Alcazar. It was released as the fourth single from their debut studio album, Casino (2000), and samples Chic's 1979 hit "My Forbidden Lover". The song charted across Europe, reaching the top 20 in Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands.
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(help)Here's the Farm's video for their dance-rock cover of "Don't You Want Me," a top-20 UK hit in 1992...