Spy in the House of Love (song)

Last updated
"Spy in the House of Love"
Single by Was (Not Was)
from the album What Up, Dog?
B-side "Dad I'm in Jail"
ReleasedJuly 1987
February 1988 (re-release)
Genre Pop rock, funk
Length4:18
Label Chrysalis (US)
Fontana/Phonogram (UK)
Songwriter(s) David Was, Don Was
Producer(s) Paul Staveley O'Duffy
Was (Not Was) singles chronology
"Robot Girl"
(1986)
"Spy in the House of Love"
(1987)
"Walk the Dinosaur"
(1987)

"The Boy's Gone Crazy"
(1987)

"Spy in the House of Love"
(1988)

"Out Come the Freaks (Again)"
(1988)

"Spy in the House of Love" is a song by art-funk ensemble Was (Not Was). It was released in 1987, but became a large hit for the group in the U.S. and the UK in 1988.

Contents

Track listing

7" vinyl [worldwide] / Cassette [US] [1]
  1. "Spy in the House of Love" – 4:18
  2. "Dad I'm in Jail" – 1:24
12" vinyl (1) [Europe]
  1. "Spy in the House of Love (Jeffrey B. Young and Dangerous Mix)" – 6:31
  2. "Dad I'm in Jail" – 1:25
  3. "Spy in the House of Love (Streetshead Mix)" – 5:29
12" vinyl (2) [Europe] [2]
  1. "Spy in the House of Love (Jeffrey B. Young and Dangerous Mix)" – 6:31
  2. "Spy in the House of Love (Single Mix)"
  3. "Spy in the House of Love (In House Mix)"
  4. "Dad I'm in Jail" – 1:25
12" vinyl (3) [Europe] / CD [Europe]
  1. "Spy in the House of Love (Jeffrey B. Young and Dangerous Mix)" – 6:31
  2. "Walk The Dinosaur (The New York Dangerous Mix)" – 6:01
  3. "Dad I'm in Jail" – 1:25
  4. "Spy in the House of Love (Streetshead Mix)" – 5:29
12 vinyl (4) [Europe]
  1. "Spy in the House of Love (Jeffrey B. Young & Dangerous Mix)" – 6:32
  2. "Dad I'm In Jail" – 1:25
  3. "Spy in the House of Love (Streetsahead Mix)" – 5:30
  4. "Spy in the House of Love (My Name Is Young, Jeffrey B. Young, Licensed to 'ill Mix)" – 6:06
12" vinyl [US]
  1. "Spy in the House of Love (Jeffrey B. Young & Dangerous Mix)" – 6:30
  2. "Spy in the House of Love (Streetsahead Mix)" – 5:30
  3. "Spy in the House of Love (Derek B. Mix)" – 4:54
  4. "Spy in the House of Love (Single Mix)" – 4:00

Remixes

Chart positions

Chart (1987)Peak
Position
UK Singles (OCC) [3] 51
Chart (1988, reissue)Peak
Position
Ireland (IRMA) [4] 13
UK Singles (OCC) [3] 21
US Billboard Hot 100 [5] 16
US Dance Club Songs ( Billboard ) [6] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [7] 77

Related Research Articles

<i>Greatest Hits</i> (The Cure album) 2001 greatest hits album by the Cure

Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by English rock band the Cure. It was first released in Japan on 7 November 2001, before being released in the UK and Europe on 12 November and then in the US the day after. The band's relationship with longtime label Fiction Records came to a close, and the Cure were obliged to release one final album for the label. Lead singer Robert Smith agreed to release a greatest hits album under the condition that he could choose the tracks himself. The band also recorded a special studio album released as a bonus disc to some versions of the album. The disc, titled Acoustic Hits, consists of the eighteen songs from the North American release re-recorded using acoustic instruments.

Was (Not Was) is an American band founded in 1979 in Detroit, Michigan, by David Weiss and Don Fagenson, who adopted the stage names David Was and Don Was. Their song catalog features an eclectic mix of pop and rock styles, often featuring guest musicians from across the musical spectrum. The band's most popular period was during the 1980s and early 1990s, with their highest-charting hit, the song "Walk the Dinosaur", released in 1987 as the lead single from their 1988 album What Up, Dog?, becoming a worldwide top-40 hit and peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The band went on indefinite hiatus in the mid-1990s, but has returned sporadically since the turn of the millennium. Their most recent release was the 2008 album Boo!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Think I'm in Love with You</span> 2000 single by Jessica Simpson

"I Think I'm in Love with You" is a song written and produced by Cory Rooney and Dan Shea for Jessica Simpson's 1999 debut album, Sweet Kisses. It contains a sample of singer-songwriter John Mellencamp's "Jack & Diane" (1982) and was released as the album's third and final single in mid-2000; in Japan, it was issued as the album's second single in February 2000. The single reached the top 10 in Australia and Canada and the top 20 in Iceland, New Zealand, Scotland and the United Kingdom. In the United States, it peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<i>What Up, Dog?</i> 1988 studio album by Was (Not Was)

What Up, Dog? is a 1988 album by Was. It became the group's breakthrough album worldwide and was ranked #99 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Best Albums of the 1980s. The cover illustration was credited to Christoph Simon and Karen Kelly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Mean the World to Me (Toni Braxton song)</span> 1994 single by Toni Braxton

"You Mean the World to Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Toni Braxton. It was written and produced by Antonio "L.A." Reid, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Daryl Simmons for her self-titled debut album (1993). Selected as the album's fourth single, it was released on CD on April 21, 1994, by LaFace and Arista Records. It peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, while reaching the top ten of the Canadian Singles Chart. The music video for "You Mean the World to Me" was directed by Lionel C. Martin.

<i>Ross</i> (1978 album) 1978 studio album by Diana Ross

Ross is the ninth studio album by American singer Diana Ross, released in September 1978 by Motown Records. The album served as a new album and a compilation, as it was a mixture of old and new songs. Side A consisting of four new tracks recorded in 1978, and Side B of material recorded by Ross between 1971 and 1975, but remixed and/or extended by Motown in-house producer Russ Terrana specifically for the Ross album. Ross peaked at number 49 on the US Pop Albums chart, and number 32 on Black Albums. The album failed to chart in the UK. Its final US sales figures stood at around 150,000 copies. The cover illustration was by Rickey Ricardo Gaskins. A different album also titled Ross was released on the RCA label in 1983.

<i>Diana Extended: The Remixes</i> 1994 remix album by Diana Ross

Diana Extended: The Remixes is a remix album released by American soul singer Diana Ross in 1994. The album includes six tracks that were reworked by some of the biggest names in the industry at the time, covering Ross' career as a solo artist and as a member of The Supremes, with Frankie Knuckles updating "Someday We'll Be Together" from 1969. The album also contains a remix of "Chain Reaction", originally released during Ross' time at RCA. The seventh track is "You're Gonna Love It", a track from the album The Force Behind the Power. The version on Diana Extended: The Remixes is a short remix available previously on a 12" single.

<i>Suddenly</i> (Billy Ocean album) 1984 studio album by Billy Ocean

Suddenly is the fifth studio album by British singer Billy Ocean, released on 12 September 1984 by Jive Records. It featured his first major US pop hit single "Caribbean Queen ", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to that, his biggest success on the US charts had been a number-22 placing for "Love Really Hurts Without You" in 1976, which was one of a number of UK hits he had achieved by the release of this album. Despite these earlier hits, Suddenly became Ocean's first charting album in the United Kingdom, reaching number nine on the UK Album Chart. It also reached number nine in the US, and spawned two additional US top-five singles in the title track and "Loverboy", while a fourth single, "Mystery Lady", reached the US top 40. "Caribbean Queen" and "Suddenly" also reached the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.

<i>All in the Name of Love</i> 1987 studio album by Atlantic Starr

All in the Name of Love is the eighth studio album by R&B band Atlantic Starr released in March 1987 by Warner Bros. Records. The album peaked at number 4 on the US Top R&B Albums chart and number 18 on the Billboard 200. All in the Name of Love was also certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walk the Dinosaur</span> 1987 single by Was (Not Was)

"Walk the Dinosaur" is a song by Was, released in 1987, from their album What Up, Dog?

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shake Your Head</span> 1983 song by Was (Not Was)

"Shake Your Head" is a song by American pop rock group Was. It was originally released in 1983 by Geffen on their second album, Born to Laugh at Tornadoes (1983). In 1992, it was re-recorded and remixed by house music producer Steve "Silk" Hurley, and features actress Kim Basinger alongside a re-recorded Ozzy Osbourne on vocals. It appears on the group's third compilation album, Hello Dad... I'm in Jail (1992), and was released as a single in June 1992 by Fontana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cupid (112 song)</span> 1997 single by 112

"Cupid" is a song by R&B group 112, released in May 1997 as the third and final single from their self-titled debut album. Slim sings lead on the song. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, their third top 40 hit on both charts. It was certified platinum by the RIAA for selling 1,000,000 copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CeCe Peniston discography</span>

American recording artist CeCe Peniston entered the music industry as a backup vocalist on the Overweight Pooch's album Female Preacher, released in July 1991 on A&M Records. Shortly before that, she was featured on the B-side to 12-inch single "I Can't Take the Power" by male rapper Marvelous JC. Besides her vocal performance on the Pooch's only charting track, "I Like It", she was given a credit for co-writing two compositions; "Kickin' Da Blues" and the titular "Female Preacher". Soon after, the singer pursued a solo career. By now, Peniston has released four studio albums including one as a member of The Sisters of Glory, two remix collections, one live album, four compilations and one live extended play (EP). Her singles discography features twenty-nine physical releases, twenty-one digital-only, seven promotional recordings and twenty-six other appearances; regardless of their format. She has also been included on one video album and has made fourteen music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hit by Love</span> 1994 single by CeCe Peniston

"Hit by Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter CeCe Peniston, released in July 1994 as the fourth single from her second album, Thought 'Ya Knew (1994). The song was her fifth number-one hit on the US Billboard Dance Club Play chart. Issued in Europe with "I'm Not Over You" on B-side, it peaked at number 33 on the UK Singles Chart and number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm in the Mood (CeCe Peniston song)</span> 1993 single by CeCe Peniston

"I'm in the Mood" is a song by American singer and songwriter CeCe Peniston, released in December 1993 by A&M Records as the first commercial single from her second studio album, Thought 'Ya Knew (1994). The composition scored the singer her fourth number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and also entered the top 10 of the Billboard Hot R&B chart, peaking at number seven. On the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100, the song peaked at number 32 and 28, respectively. In Europe, "I'm in the Mood" made number 16 on the UK Top 75, as well as entering the top 30 in the Netherlands and Switzerland. The music video was directed by Antoine Fuqua. In a 2011 interview for Boy Culture, TypePad's blogging service, Peniston disclosed that she had actually expected a better reception of the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Not Over You</span> 1994 single by CeCe Peniston

"I'm Not Over You" is a song by American singer-songwriter and former beauty queen CeCe Peniston, originally recorded for her second album, Thought 'Ya Knew (1994), which was released on A&M Records. The single achieved number two on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and number ten on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On the Billboard Hot 100, the song charted at number forty-one. The B-side of the single included "Searchin'", which was previously released only for promotional purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jody (song)</span> 1986 single by Jermaine Stewart

"Jody" is a song by American singer Jermaine Stewart, released in 1986 as the third single from his album Frantic Romantic. It was written by Stewart, Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, and produced by Walden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuddly Toy (song)</span> 1989 single by Andrew Roachford

"Cuddly Toy" is a song by British band Roachford. It was the second single taken from their self-titled debut studio album, and was their first chart hit single. It was recorded at CBS Recording Studios, Whitfield Street, London over a three-day period between Saturday 19 March and Monday 21 March 1988. The drums were recorded in Studio 1, with the rest of the instruments recorded in Studio 2. The studio engineer was Richard Hollywood. The song was produced by Michael H. Brauer, Andrew Roachford and Fayney. It was mixed at a later date by Michael H. Brauer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Round and Around (Jaki Graham song)</span> 1984 song by Jaki Graham

"Round and Around" is the fourth solo single release from British singer Jaki Graham, following her previous single, a duet with David Grant, "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love". It was the third single taken from her debut studio album, Heaven Knows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lose Your Love</span> 1985 single by Blancmange

"Lose Your Love" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in October 1985 as the second single from their third studio album Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Stewart Levine. "Lose Your Love" reached No. 77 in the UK, which was the duo's first single to fail to reach the Top 40 since 1982's "Feel Me". In the United States, it was a dance hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart.

References

  1. "Was (Not Was) - Spy In The House Of Love (7") at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  2. "Was (Not Was) - Spy In The House Of Love (12") at Discogs". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  3. 1 2 "Was (Not Was): Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  4. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Spy in the House of Love". Irish Singles Chart.
  5. "Was (Not Was) Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. "Was (Not Was) Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard.
  7. "Was (Not Was) Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.