I.O.U. (Freeez song)

Last updated

"I.O.U."
Freeez IOU single cover.jpg
Single by Freeez
from the album Gonna Get You
B-side
  • "I Dub U"
  • "We Got the Jazz"
Released17 June 1983
Studio Unique (New York City)
Genre Electro-funk [1]
Length
  • 7:50 (12-inch version)
  • 3:49 (7-inch version)
Label Beggars Banquet
Songwriter(s) Arthur Baker
Producer(s) Arthur Baker
Freeez singles chronology
"One to One"
(1982)		"I.O.U."
(1983)		"Pop Goes My Love/Scratch Goes My Dub"
(1983)
Freeez singles chronology
"Train of Thoughts"
(1985)		"I.O.U." (remix)
(1987)		"Southern Freeez" (remix)
(1987)

"I.O.U." is a song by British musical group Freeez, released in 1983. The song was written and produced by Arthur Baker and remixed by Jellybean Benitez and Arthur Baker. The song was an international hit, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and topping the US Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80 chart, giving Freeez their only chart-topping single on any Billboard chart. It was the 20th-best-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom. [2]

Contents

In the UK, where clubbing culture had become accustomed to sophisticated jazz-funk music, I.O.U. was seen[ by whom? ] as "dumbing down" for commercial success, cashing in on the fashionable "electro" music scene. The accompanying video featured children with skateboards and BMX bicycles recreating New York hip-hop culture for a young audience unaware of the band's previous music.

In 1986, a 12-inch single was released in the US by the Criminal Records company, with new remixes. Some of these remixes were given a re-release during 1987 in the UK for the Citybeat label as "I.O.U. (The Ultimate Mixes '87)", however, it only reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.

Samples

The song has been sampled multiple times. Cutfather and Joe used a sample for their remix of Brandy's 2002 single "Full Moon"; Cheryl Cole for the song "Let's Get Down" from her 2010 album Messy Little Raindrops as does Wawa for the remix of StoneBridge's 2007 single S.O.S. Jamie xx uses a vocal sample for the song "Girl", which closes his debut solo album In Colour . In 2019, Detroit rapper Babytron of ShittyBoyz used this sample for the song "Jesus Shuttlesworth", the third track of his debut album Bin Reaper. In 2021 the international DJ/Producer Paolo Pellegrino used the sample and the chorus, and had a new song rewritten together with the singer and songwriter Shibui, also changing the title to Destiny.

Track listings

1983 releases

7-inch vinyl

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U."3:48
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I Dub U"4:38
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." 
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."Pop Goes My Love" 

12-inch vinyl

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Megamix)8:43
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I Dub U"7:37
2."We Got the Jazz"4:04
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Megamix)8:43
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Accapella Mix)4:03
2."We Got the Jazz"4:04
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U."7:50
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I. Dub. U."7:49
2."Acapella U." (not on all releases)2:50

1986 releases

12-inch vinyl

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Ultimate Club, Vocal Mix)8:00
2."I.O.U." (Ultimate Drumapella)4:10
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Gogo, Vocal Mix)6:37
2."I.O.U." (Ultimate Club, Dub Mix)6:50

1987 releases

7-inch vinyl

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Club Vocal Edit)3:55
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Shakedown Vocal Edit)3:55
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Shakedown)3:55
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Club)4:00

12-inch vinyl

Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Dub Mix)6:32
2."I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Vocal Mix)6:02
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Vocal Mix)6:37
2."I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Instrumental Mix)5:18
Side one
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Vocal Mix)6:40
2."I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Instrumental Mix)5:25
Side two
No.TitleLength
1."I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Vocal Mix)6:10
2."I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Dub Mix)6:35

Personnel

Additional personnel for 1986/87 versions

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [25] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lurkers</span>

The Lurkers are a British punk rock band from Uxbridge, West London. They are notable for being the first group ever on Beggars Banquet Records for whom they released two albums, the first of which charted in the UK Albums Chart, while five singles also charted in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't You Want Me</span> 1981 single by the Human League

"Don't You Want Me" is a song by British synth-pop group the Human League. 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, 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. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982, where it stayed for three weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moonlight Shadow</span> 1983 song by Mike Oldfield

"Moonlight Shadow" is a song written and performed by English multi-instrumentalist Mike Oldfield, released as a single in May 1983 by Virgin Records, and included on his eighth album, Crises, of the same year. The vocals were performed by Scottish vocalist Maggie Reilly, who had collaborated with Mike Oldfield since 1980. It is Oldfield's most successful single, reaching number one on numerous charts around Europe. In the UK, it reached number four during a nineteen week chart run and was subsequently listed by the Official Charts Company as the 29th best-selling single of 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)</span> 1983 single by The Icicle Works

"Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)", given the reversed title "Whisper to a Scream (Birds Fly)" in some markets, is a song by the British band The Icicle Works. It was released in 1983 as the first single from the band's 1984 debut eponymous album The Icicle Works, and re-released in March 1984. The song was written by Ian McNabb, the band's lead singer, and produced by Hugh Jones.

Freeez were an English electronic music group, initially known as one of the UK's main jazz-funk bands of the early 1980s before transitioning to an electro style. Initiated by John Rocca, Freeez consisted of various musicians, originally with Rocca and others such as Andy Stennett (keyboards), Peter Maas and Paul Morgan or Everton McCalla (drums). They had an international hit with "IOU", and a UK top 10 with "Southern Freeez".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Rocca</span> British singer (born 1960)

John Rocca is an English dance music performer, remixer, percussionist, and record producer, most well known for his band Freeez.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Will Save the Day</span> 1988 single by Whitney Houston

"Love Will Save the Day" is a song recorded by American singer Whitney Houston from her second multi-platinum studio album Whitney (1987). The song was released in May 1988 by Arista Records as the album's fifth single. The song did not have a music video but still was successful, climbing into the US Top Ten. "Love Will Save the Day" is the fastest-tempoed song on the album Whitney. Written by Toni C, produced by John "Jellybean" Benitez, it is one of the uptempo singles on the album that also included "I Wanna Dance with Somebody " and "So Emotional."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gambler (song)</span> 1985 single by Madonna

"Gambler" is a song by American singer Madonna from the soundtrack album to the 1985 film Vision Quest. The song was written solely by Madonna, while the production was handled by John "Jellybean" Benitez at her request. It was released as the second single from the film's soundtrack album on October 4, 1985, by Geffen Records. "Gambler" was never released as a single in the United States, at the request of Madonna's own Sire Records. The music video of the song is an excerpt from the film.

<i>Now Thats What I Call Music</i> (original UK album) 1983 compilation album by Various Artists

Now That's What I Call Music is the first album from the popular Now series that was released in the United Kingdom on 28 November 1983. Initial pressings were released on vinyl and audio cassette. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the album and series, the album was re-released on CD for the first time in 2009. Alternative longer mixes of "Only for Love", "Double Dutch" and "Candy Girl" were included in place of the original shorter single mixes from 1983. A double vinyl re-release followed for Record Store Day on 18 April 2015. In July 2018, the album was newly remastered and re-released on CD, vinyl and cassette to commemorate the release of the 100th volume of the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidewalk Talk</span> 1984 single by John Benitez

"Sidewalk Talk" is a song by American record producer John "Jellybean" Benitez from his first extended play, Wotupski!?! (1984). It was released on October 21, 1984, by EMI Records as the first single from the EP. The song was written by Madonna and produced by Benitez. They had initially met in 1983 and Benitez worked as a producer on Madonna's self-titled debut album. When he started work on his debut EP, Wotupski!?!, Madonna wrote "Sidewalk Talk" for him. The song features bass and electric guitars, synthesizers, piano, and drums. Lead vocals are by Catherine Buchanan with additional chorus vocals by Madonna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe (Blu Cantrell song)</span> 2002 single by Blu Cantrell

"Breathe" is a song by American singer Blu Cantrell from her second studio album, Bittersweet (2003). A remixed version featuring Sean Paul was released as a single in February 2003, several months after the album version was released in November 2002. The album version of this song was produced and co-written by Ivan Matias and Andrea Martin. The remix featuring Sean Paul was produced by Ivan Matias, Andrea Martin, and Mark Pitts. The song peaked at 70 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became a hit in Europe, most notably in the United Kingdom, where it topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in August 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Alive (Love and Rockets song)</span> 1989 single by Love and Rockets

"So Alive" is a song by British alternative rock band Love and Rockets, released in 1989 as the second single from their self-titled fourth album. The song reached No. 1 in Canada and charted within the top 30 in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for five weeks and was ranked No. 1 on that listing's year-end chart for 1989. The song's music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and produced by Pamela James.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Sells Sanctuary</span> 1985 single by the Cult

"She Sells Sanctuary" is a song by British rock band the Cult. It is from their second studio album, Love (1985), and was released as a single on 13 May 1985, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart in July of the same year. In March 2023, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded the song a platinum certification for sales and streams of over 600,000. In January 1993, the song was re-released as "Sanctuary MCMXCIII" and experienced chart success once more, matching its original peak on the UK Singles Chart and entering the top 10 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sound of the Crowd</span> 1981 single by The Human League

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feelin' Fine</span> 1998 single by Unique

"Feelin' Fine" is a song written by Darren Mew and originally released as a happy hardcore song in 1998 under the alias Unique. In 2003, Ultrabeat released a cover of the song with newly added lyrics as their second single; it reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beat the Clock (song)</span> 1979 single by Sparks

"Beat the Clock" is a 1979 song by the American pop and rock duo Sparks. Produced by famed disco producer Giorgio Moroder, it was released as the fourth single from the band's eighth studio album No. 1 in Heaven.

"Pop Goes My Love"/"Scratch Goes My Dub" is a single recorded for Beggars Banquet Records by British group Freeez. It was produced by Arthur Baker and featured on the album Gonna Get You. The song reached #26 in the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, the single reached #47 on the Billboard R&B singles chart and #5 in the Hot Dance Club Play chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dream of Me (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark song)</span> 1993 single by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark

"Dream of Me (Based on Love's Theme)" is a song by English electronic band Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (OMD), released in July 1993 by Virgin Records as the second single from their ninth studio album, Liberator (1993). The song uses a sample from "Love's Theme", a 1973 instrumental piece recorded by Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra. It was remixed by Gregg Jackman for release as a single and reached the top 30 in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

"Southern Freeez" produced by John Rocca was the first single released by British dance band Freeez from their debut album, also entitled Southern Freeez. The album was self-funded by member John Rocca and initially released on his Pink Rhythm record label before the group was signed to Beggars Banquet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On a Ragga Tip</span> 1992 single by SL2

"On a Ragga Tip" is a song by British breakbeat hardcore group SL2, released as a single in 1992. The song contains samples of Jah Screechy's "Walk and Skank" and Kid 'n Play's "Gittin' Funky ".

References

  1. ↑ Evans, Richard (6 August 2024). "1983.3". Listening to the Music the Machines Make: Inventing Electronic Pop 1978-1983. Omnibus Press. p. 434. ISBN   978-1-915841-45-2.
  2. ↑ "Official Top 40 Best Selling Singles of 1983". UK Official Charts.com. The Official UK Charts Company. 19 March 2021.
  3. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  4. ↑ "Freeez – I.O.U." (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  5. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 4367." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  6. ↑ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN   951-31-2503-3.
  7. ↑ "InfoDisc : Les Tubes de chaque artiste commençant par F". Infodisc.fr. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  8. ↑ "Vísir - 175. Tölublað (05.08.1983) - Tímarit.is". timarit.is. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  9. 1 2 "The Irish Charts – Search Results – I.O.U.". Irish Singles Chart.
  10. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Freeez" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  11. ↑ "Freeez – I.O.U." (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  12. ↑ "Freeez – I.O.U.". Top 40 Singles.
  13. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  14. ↑ "Freeez – I.O.U.". Singles Top 100.
  15. ↑ "Freeez – I.O.U.". Swiss Singles Chart.
  16. 1 2 "Freeez: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Freeez > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". allmusic . Retrieved 31 July 2009.
  18. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Freeez – I.O.U." (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  19. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1983" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  20. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1983" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 . Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  21. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1983" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  22. ↑ "End of Year Charts 1983". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  23. ↑ "Top 100 Singles". Music Week . 7 January 1984. p. 6.
  24. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1983" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  25. ↑ "British single certifications – Freez – I.O.U." British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 24 November 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.