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Don't You Want Me

"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,[4] 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.[5] It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982, where it stayed for three weeks.

"Don't You Want Me"
Single by the Human League
from the album Dare
B-side"Seconds"
Released27 November 1981
Recorded1981
Genre
Length3:57 (album version) 3:27 (video version)
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Martin Rushent
The Human League singles chronology
"Open Your Heart"
(1981)
"Don't You Want Me"
(1981)
"Mirror Man"
(1982)
Music video
"Don't You Want Me" on YouTube

In November 1983, Rolling Stone named it the "breakthrough song" of the Second British Invasion of the US.[6] In 2015, the song was voted by the British public as the nation's seventh-favourite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV.[7] And in 2022, Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time".[8]

Background edit

The lyrics were inspired after 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 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".[9]

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.[10] Oakey disliked it so much that it was relegated to the last track on side two of the album.

Before the release of 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."[11] 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.[12]

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.[13]

Reception edit

In a contemporary review, Record World praised its "throbbing synthesized beat and sharp hook."[14]

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."[15] Fellow new wave musician Graham Parker praised the song, saying, "I just love that catchy chorus."[16] 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."[17][better source needed]

Chart performance and sales edit

"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),[18] 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. "Don't You Want Me" is notable as the first song featuring the revolutionary Linn LM-1 drum machine to hit number one on the UK chart and was also the first LM-1 track to top the Billboard Hot 100.[citation needed]

After the band scored a number of hits for Warner's eastwest label, the song was remixed and issued by Virgin as a CD,[19] cassette[20] and 12-inch single on 16 October 1995.[21] 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.[22] 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.[5] On 23 March 2014, the song re-entered the UK Singles Chart at number 19 and debuted at number one on the Scottish Singles Chart thanks to a social media campaign by fans of Aberdeen Football Club.[23] 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,[4] 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).

Music video edit

In 1981, record company Virgin were becoming aware that the promotional music video was evolving into an important marketing tool, with MTV being launched that year. Because it was agreed[by whom?] that the video for "Open Your Heart" had looked "cheap and nasty",[citation needed] Virgin commissioned a much more elaborate and expensive promotional video for "Don't You Want Me".

The video for the song was filmed near Slough, Berkshire, during November 1981 and has the theme of 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 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. It is loosely based on the film A Star Is Born. Near the end of the video, Wright, who also plays a film editor, has an expression on his face while the camera pulls back to reveal that the cutting room where Oakey, Wright and Sulley were working is yet another set (the camera can be seen in the mirror's reflection).

Filmed on a cold, wet winter night, the video was shot on 35mm film instead of the cheaper videotape prevalent at the time. Sulley claims that Barron was heavily influenced by the cinematography in Ultravox's video for "Vienna" (directed by Russell Mulcahy earlier that year). Barron was also influenced by François Truffaut and his film Day for Night, and, because of that, the clapperboard seen in the video bears the inscription "Le League Humaine" as a tribute to Truffaut.

The video is credited[by whom?] for making Oakey, Sulley and Catherall visual icons of the early 1980s. One car used in the video is a gold W-reg (1981–82) Rover SD1 carrying the registration plate "GCK 68W". DVLA records show that this car's last period of Vehicle Excise Duty expired on 24 April 1992.[original research?] In a 1995 interview, Catherall mentioned that the car 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!"[27]

The video was released in December 1981.

Track listing edit

1981 release edit

  • 7" vinyl (Virgin VS466)
  1. "Don't You Want Me" – 3:57
  2. "Seconds" – 4:59
  • 12" vinyl (Virgin VS466-12)
  1. "Don't You Want Me" – 3:57
  2. "Seconds" – 4:59
  3. "Don't You Want Me (Ext. Dance Mix)" – 7:30

1995 release edit

  • CD (Virgin VSCDT1557)
  1. "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 7" Remix)" - 3:43
  2. "Don't You Want Me (Snap 7" Remix)" - 3:58
  3. "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 12" Remix)" - 6:11
  4. "Don't You Want Me (Snap 12" Extended Remix)" - 6:14
  5. "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry Dub Mix)" - 7:01
  6. "Don't You Want Me (Original Version)" - 3:57
  • 12" vinyl (Virgin VST1557)
  1. "Don't You Want Me (Snap 12" Extended Remix)" - 6:12
  2. "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 12" Remix)" - 6:09
  • Cassette (Virgin VSC 1557)
  1. "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 7" Remix)" - 3:43
  2. "Don't You Want Me (Snap 7" Remix)" - 3:58
  3. "Don't You Want Me (Red Jerry 12" Remix)" - 6:11
  4. "Don't You Want Me (Original Version)" - 3:57

Charts edit

Sales and certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[57] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[58] 2× Platinum 1,200,000
United States (RIAA)[59] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Mandy Smith version edit

"Don't You Want Me Baby"
 
Single by Mandy Smith
from the album Mandy
B-side"If It Makes You Feel Good"
ReleasedMay 1989
Recorded1989
GenrePop
Length3:44
LabelPWL
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Pete Hammond
Mandy Smith singles chronology
"Victim of Pleasure"
(1988)
"Don't You Want Me Baby"
(1989)
"I Just Can't Wait (92' Remixes)"
(1992)

In 1989, English pop singer Mandy covered this song under the title of "Don't You Want Me Baby". Released as a standalone single after 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. The B-side, "If It Makes You Feel Good", featured on the album. The song was included as a bonus track on the 2009 reissue of her album.

Track listings edit

  • CD single
  1. "Don't You Want Me Baby"
  2. "If It Makes You Feel Good"
  3. "Don't You Want Me Baby" (Cocktail Mix)
  4. "If It Makes You Feel Good" (Extended Version)
  • 7" single
  1. "Don't You Want Me Baby"
  2. "If It Makes You Feel Good"
  • 12" single
  1. "Don't You Want Me Baby" (Cocktail Mix)
  2. "If It Makes You Feel Good" (Extended Version)

Charts edit

Chart (1989) Peak
Position
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[60] 10
Ireland (IRMA)[61] 30
Italy (Musica e dischi)[62] 11
UK Singles (OCC)[63] 59

The Farm version edit

"Don't You Want Me"
Single by the Farm
from the album Love See No Colour
B-side"Obviously"
Released5 October 1992 (1992-10-05)[64]
GenreDance-rock[65]
Length4:12
LabelEnd Product
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Mark Saunders
The Farm singles chronology
"Rising Sun"
(1992)
"Don't You Want Me"
(1992)
"Love See No Colour (re-mix)"
(1992)

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 Susanne Sulley in the original version. The accompanying music video features former Manchester United footballer George Best mouthing along to the chorus.[66]

Track listings edit

  • CD single
  1. "Don't You Want Me"
  2. "Don't You Want Me" (Premier mix)
  3. "Obviously"
  4. "Groovy Train" (alternative mix)
  • 7-inch single
  1. "Don't You Want Me"
  2. "Obviously"
  • 12-inch single
  1. "Don't You Want Me" (Premier mix)
  2. "Don't You Want Me" (20K mix)
  3. "Don't You Want Me" (Pickles Keef mix)
  4. "Groovy Train" (alternative mix)

Alcazar version edit

"Don't You Want Me"
 
Single by Alcazar
from the album Casino
ReleasedMay 2002
Recorded2001
GenreEurodance
Length3:27
Label
Songwriter(s)
Alcazar singles chronology
"Sexual Guarantee"
(2001)
"Don't You Want Me"
(2002)
"Not a Sinner Nor a Saint"
(2003)
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 100 chart, peaking at #30.

Music video edit

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.

Track listing edit

  • CD single
  1. "Almighty Radio Edit" – 3:27
  2. "Almighty Club Mix" – 7:25
  3. "Project Eden Remix" – 7:34
  4. "Earth Club Anthem" – 10:24
  5. "Wild Cowboys Radio Mix" – 3:38

Charts edit

Chart (2002) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[67] 37
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[68] 21
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[69] 18
Italy (Musica e dischi)[70] 34
Japan (Japanese Singles Chart)[citation needed] 3
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[71] 83
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[72] 30
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[73] 76
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[74] 30

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "The 50 Best Albums of 1981". Spin. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  2. ^ Harvel, Jess. "Now That's What I Call New Pop!". Pitchfork Media. 12 September 2005.
  3. ^ "New Wave Music Songs". AllMusic.
  4. ^ a b "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  5. ^ a b Lane, Daniel (27 June 2013). "Daft Punk's Get Lucky becomes one of the UK's biggest selling singles of all-time!". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Anglomania: The Second British Invasion". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  7. ^ Westbrook, Caroline (25 July 2015). "The Nation's Favourite 80s Number One: 12 more classic 80s chart-toppers which didn't make the cut". Metro. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  8. ^ Dolan, Jon; Lopez, Julyssa; Matos, Michaelangelo; Shaffer, Claire (22 July 2022). "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  9. ^ Interview – Smash Hits Magazine – December 1981
  10. ^ Martin Rushent speaking on UK Channel 4 Documentary "Top 10 Electro Pioneers" BBC – 27 November 2001
  11. ^ TOP OF THE POPS ( THE STORY OF 1981 ), archived from the original on 12 December 2021, retrieved 24 December 2019
  12. ^ . League-online.com. Archived from the original on 9 August 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  13. ^ Smash Hits Magazine December 1981
  14. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. 20 February 1982. p. 1. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  15. ^ Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "Dare! – The Human League | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  16. ^ Himes, Geoffrey. ""GP: Rock's Last Angry Man Reflects on Life after the Rumour," by Geoffrey Himes". homepages.uni-regensburg.de. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  17. ^ Human League Interview – Eamon Holmes GMTV 2001
  18. ^ "Rolling Stone 1983". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 February 2011.
  19. ^ Virgin Records 1995 cat: VSCDT 1557/724389318524
  20. ^ Virgin Records 1995 cat: VSC 1557
  21. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 14 October 1995. p. 27.
  22. ^ British Hit Singles and Albums (Guinness 19th Edition) Guinness World Records Limited; 20Rev Ed edition ISBN 978-1904994107 (2 June 2007)
  23. ^ a b "The Human League's Don't You Want Me tops Official Scottish Singles Ch". Officialcharts.com. 23 March 2014. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  24. ^ The UK's Official Chart 'millionaires' revealed Official Charts 19 September 2017
  25. ^ "Viacom International Studios UK". viacomstudiosuk.com. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  26. ^ "Britain's Favourite 80's Songs". Channel 5. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  27. ^ The Beatbox, RTE Television, February 1995 (promotion for "Tell Me When")
  28. ^ a b . Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  29. ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  30. ^ . Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  31. ^ (in French). Infodisc.fr. 23 June 2012. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  32. ^ . Irish Recorded Music Association. 2008. To use, type "Don't You Want Me" in the "Search by Song Title" search bar and click search. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved 12 April 2013.
  33. ^ "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995".
  34. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Human League" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  35. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Human League" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  36. ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  37. ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". VG-lista. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  38. ^ Brian Currin. "South African Rock Lists Website – SA Charts 1969 – 1989 Acts (H)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  39. ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  40. ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  41. ^ "The Human League – Don't You Want Me". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  42. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  43. ^ "The Human League – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
  44. ^ a b The Human League. "The Human League – Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
  45. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Human League – Don't You Want Me" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  46. ^ "Official Charts > Human League". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  47. ^ "Official Charts > Official Singles Chart Top 100: 23 March 2014 – 29 March 2014". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  48. ^ "The Official Top 50 best-selling songs of 1981". Official Charts.
  49. ^ "National Top 100 Singles for 1982". Kent Music Report. 3 January 1983. Retrieved 22 January 2023 – via Imgur.
  50. ^ . collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  51. ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1982". Top40.nl.
  52. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1982 - The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  53. ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1982 - The Springbok Music Chart". SA Rock Charts. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  54. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1982/Top 100 Songs of 1982". www.musicoutfitters.com.
  55. ^ "The UK's biggest selling singles of all time". Official Charts Company. from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  56. ^ "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  57. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". Music Canada. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  58. ^ "British single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
  59. ^ "American single certifications – Human League – Don't You Want Me". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  60. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Mandy Smith". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 237. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  61. ^ "The Irish Charts – All there is to know > Search results for 'Mandy' (from irishcharts.ie)". Imgur.com (original source published by Fireball Media). Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  62. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 7 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Mandy Smith".
  63. ^ "Official Charts > Mandy Smith". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  64. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 3 October 1992. p. 19.
  65. ^ Breihan, Tom (5 June 2020). "The Number Ones: The Human League's "Don't You Want Me". Stereogum. Retrieved 22 July 2023. Here's the Farm's video for their dance-rock cover of "Don't You Want Me," a top-20 UK hit in 1992...
  66. ^ "The Farm are all together now but for how long?". Metro. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  67. ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". australian-charts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  68. ^ "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". ultratop.be. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  69. ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  70. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 5 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Alcazar".
  71. ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  72. ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  73. ^ Steffen Hung. "Alcazar – Don't You Want Me". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  74. ^ "Dance Club Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 1 April 2013.[dead link]

External links edit

  • "Don't You Want Me" at Discogs (list of releases)
  • "Don't You Want Me" at The Black Hit of Space.dk
  • The Human League - Don't You Want Me on YouTube

want, other, uses, disambiguation, song, british, synth, group, human, league, credited, cover, human, league, released, november, 1981, fourth, single, from, their, third, studio, album, dare, 1981, band, best, known, most, commercially, successful, song, bes. For other uses see Don t You Want Me disambiguation 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 4 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 5 It topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the US on 3 July 1982 where it stayed for three weeks Don t You Want Me Single by the Human Leaguefrom the album DareB side Seconds Released27 November 1981Recorded1981GenreSynth pop 1 new pop 2 new wave 3 Length3 57 album version 3 27 video version LabelVirginSongwriter s Jo Callis Philip Oakey Philip Adrian WrightProducer s Martin RushentThe Human League singles chronology Open Your Heart 1981 Don t You Want Me 1981 Mirror Man 1982 Music video Don t You Want Me on YouTubeIn November 1983 Rolling Stone named it the breakthrough song of the Second British Invasion of the US 6 In 2015 the song was voted by the British public as the nation s seventh favourite 1980s number one in a poll for ITV 7 And in 2022 Rolling Stone ranked it as one of the 200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time 8 Contents 1 Background 2 Reception 3 Chart performance and sales 4 Music video 5 Track listing 5 1 1981 release 5 2 1995 release 6 Charts 6 1 Weekly charts 6 2 Year end charts 6 3 All time charts 7 Sales and certifications 8 Mandy Smith version 8 1 Track listings 8 2 Charts 9 The Farm version 9 1 Track listings 10 Alcazar version 10 1 Music video 10 2 Track listing 10 3 Charts 11 See also 12 References 13 External linksBackground edit nbsp Don t You Want Me sample source source Problems playing this file See media help The lyrics were inspired after 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 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 9 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 10 Oakey disliked it so much that it was relegated to the last track on side two of the album Before the release of 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 11 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 12 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 13 Reception editIn a contemporary review Record World praised its throbbing synthesized beat and sharp hook 14 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 15 Fellow new wave musician Graham Parker praised the song saying I just love that catchy chorus 16 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 17 better source needed Chart performance and sales edit 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 18 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 Don t You Want Me is notable as the first song featuring the revolutionary Linn LM 1 drum machine to hit number one on the UK chart and was also the first LM 1 track to top the Billboard Hot 100 citation needed After the band scored a number of hits for Warner s eastwest label the song was remixed and issued by Virgin as a CD 19 cassette 20 and 12 inch single on 16 October 1995 21 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 22 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 5 On 23 March 2014 the song re entered the UK Singles Chart at number 19 and debuted at number one on the Scottish Singles Chart thanks to a social media campaign by fans of Aberdeen Football Club 23 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 4 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 Music video editIn 1981 record company Virgin were becoming aware that the promotional music video was evolving into an important marketing tool with MTV being launched that year Because it was agreed by whom that the video for Open Your Heart had looked cheap and nasty citation needed Virgin commissioned a much more elaborate and expensive promotional video for Don t You Want Me The video for the song was filmed near Slough Berkshire during November 1981 and has the theme of 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 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 It is loosely based on the film A Star Is Born Near the end of the video Wright who also plays a film editor has an expression on his face while the camera pulls back to reveal that the cutting room where Oakey Wright and Sulley were working is yet another set the camera can be seen in the mirror s reflection Filmed on a cold wet winter night the video was shot on 35mm film instead of the cheaper videotape prevalent at the time Sulley claims that Barron was heavily influenced by the cinematography in Ultravox s video for Vienna directed by Russell Mulcahy earlier that year Barron was also influenced by Francois Truffaut and his film Day for Night and because of that the clapperboard seen in the video bears the inscription Le League Humaine as a tribute to Truffaut The video is credited by whom for making Oakey Sulley and Catherall visual icons of the early 1980s One car used in the video is a gold W reg 1981 82 Rover SD1 carrying the registration plate GCK 68W DVLA records show that this car s last period of Vehicle Excise Duty expired on 24 April 1992 original research In a 1995 interview Catherall mentioned that the car 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 27 The video was released in December 1981 Track listing edit1981 release edit 7 vinyl Virgin VS466 Don t You Want Me 3 57 Seconds 4 5912 vinyl Virgin VS466 12 Don t You Want Me 3 57 Seconds 4 59 Don t You Want Me Ext Dance Mix 7 301995 release edit CD Virgin VSCDT1557 Don t You Want Me Red Jerry 7 Remix 3 43 Don t You Want Me Snap 7 Remix 3 58 Don t You Want Me Red Jerry 12 Remix 6 11 Don t You Want Me Snap 12 Extended Remix 6 14 Don t You Want Me Red Jerry Dub Mix 7 01 Don t You Want Me Original Version 3 5712 vinyl Virgin VST1557 Don t You Want Me Snap 12 Extended Remix 6 12 Don t You Want Me Red Jerry 12 Remix 6 09Cassette Virgin VSC 1557 Don t You Want Me Red Jerry 7 Remix 3 43 Don t You Want Me Snap 7 Remix 3 58 Don t You Want Me Red Jerry 12 Remix 6 11 Don t You Want Me Original Version 3 57Charts editWeekly charts edit Chart 1981 1982 PeakpositionAustralia Kent Music Report 28 4Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 29 1Canada Top Singles RPM 30 1France SNEP 31 13Ireland IRMA 32 1Israel IBA 33 1Italy Musica e dischi 34 7Netherlands Dutch Top 40 35 5New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 36 1Norway VG lista 37 1South Africa Springbok Radio 38 2Spain PROMUSICAE 39 4Sweden Sverigetopplistan 40 3Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 41 4UK Singles OCC 42 1US Billboard Hot 100 43 1US Hot Dance Disco Billboard 44 3US Top Tracks Billboard 44 4West Germany Official German Charts 45 51995 remixes Chart 1995 PeakpositionJapan Japanese Singles Chart Tokyo citation needed 100UK Singles OCC 46 162014 re entry Chart 2014 PeakpositionScotland OCC 23 1UK Singles OCC 47 19 Year end charts edit Chart 1981 RankUK Singles OCC 48 1Chart 1982 RankAustralia Kent Music Report 49 28 37Canada Top Singles RPM 50 8Netherlands Dutch Top 40 51 49New Zealand Recorded Music NZ 52 8South Africa Springbok Chart 53 16US Billboard Hot 100 54 6All time charts edit Chart PositionUK Singles OCC 55 27US Billboard Hot 100 56 179Sales and certifications editRegion Certification Certified units salesCanada Music Canada 57 Platinum 100 000 United Kingdom BPI 58 2 Platinum 1 200 000 United States RIAA 59 Gold 1 000 000 Shipments figures based on certification alone Sales streaming figures based on certification alone Mandy Smith version edit Don t You Want Me Baby nbsp Single by Mandy Smithfrom the album MandyB side If It Makes You Feel Good ReleasedMay 1989Recorded1989GenrePopLength3 44LabelPWLSongwriter s Philip Oakey Jo Callis Philip Adrian WrightProducer s Pete HammondMandy Smith singles chronology Victim of Pleasure 1988 Don t You Want Me Baby 1989 I Just Can t Wait 92 Remixes 1992 In 1989 English pop singer Mandy covered this song under the title of Don t You Want Me Baby Released as a standalone single after 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 The B side If It Makes You Feel Good featured on the album The song was included as a bonus track on the 2009 reissue of her album Track listings edit CD single Don t You Want Me Baby If It Makes You Feel Good Don t You Want Me Baby Cocktail Mix If It Makes You Feel Good Extended Version 7 single Don t You Want Me Baby If It Makes You Feel Good 12 single Don t You Want Me Baby Cocktail Mix If It Makes You Feel Good Extended Version Charts edit Chart 1989 PeakPositionFinland Suomen virallinen lista 60 10Ireland IRMA 61 30Italy Musica e dischi 62 11UK Singles OCC 63 59The Farm version edit Don t You Want Me Single by the Farmfrom the album Love See No ColourB side Obviously Released5 October 1992 1992 10 05 64 GenreDance rock 65 Length4 12LabelEnd ProductSongwriter s Jo Callis Philip Oakey Philip Adrian WrightProducer s Mark SaundersThe Farm singles chronology Rising Sun 1992 Don t You Want Me 1992 Love See No Colour re mix 1992 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 Susanne Sulley in the original version The accompanying music video features former Manchester United footballer George Best mouthing along to the chorus 66 Track listings edit CD single Don t You Want Me Don t You Want Me Premier mix Obviously Groovy Train alternative mix 7 inch single Don t You Want Me Obviously 12 inch single Don t You Want Me Premier mix Don t You Want Me 20K mix Don t You Want Me Pickles Keef mix Groovy Train alternative mix Alcazar version edit Don t You Want Me nbsp Single by Alcazarfrom the album CasinoReleasedMay 2002Recorded2001GenreEurodanceLength3 27LabelRCA Records BMGSongwriter s Jo Callis Philip Oakey Philip Adrian WrightAlcazar singles chronology Sexual Guarantee 2001 Don t You Want Me 2002 Not a Sinner Nor a Saint 2003 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 100 chart peaking at 30 Music video edit 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 Track listing edit CD single Almighty Radio Edit 3 27 Almighty Club Mix 7 25 Project Eden Remix 7 34 Earth Club Anthem 10 24 Wild Cowboys Radio Mix 3 38Charts edit Chart 2002 PeakpositionAustralia ARIA 67 37Belgium Ultratop 50 Flanders 68 21Finland Suomen virallinen lista 69 18Italy Musica e dischi 70 34Japan Japanese Singles Chart citation needed 3Netherlands Single Top 100 71 83Sweden Sverigetopplistan 72 30Switzerland Schweizer Hitparade 73 76US Hot Dance Club Play Billboard 74 30See also editList of Billboard Hot 100 number one singles of 1982References edit The 50 Best Albums of 1981 Spin 12 April 2021 Retrieved 23 May 2021 Harvel Jess Now That s What I Call New Pop Pitchfork Media 12 September 2005 New Wave Music Songs AllMusic a b The Official Top 50 best selling songs of 1981 www officialcharts com Retrieved 12 May 2021 a b Lane Daniel 27 June 2013 Daft Punk s Get Lucky becomes one of the UK s biggest selling singles of all time Official Charts Company Retrieved 19 March 2019 Anglomania The Second British Invasion Rolling Stone Retrieved 29 April 2019 Westbrook Caroline 25 July 2015 The Nation s Favourite 80s Number One 12 more classic 80s chart toppers which didn t make the cut Metro Retrieved 27 July 2015 Dolan Jon Lopez Julyssa Matos Michaelangelo Shaffer Claire 22 July 2022 200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time Rolling Stone Retrieved 30 October 2022 Interview Smash Hits Magazine December 1981 Martin Rushent speaking on UK Channel 4 Documentary Top 10 Electro Pioneers BBC 27 November 2001 TOP OF THE POPS THE STORY OF 1981 archived from the original on 12 December 2021 retrieved 24 December 2019 Human League Biography League online com Archived from the original on 9 August 2007 Retrieved 18 September 2010 Smash Hits Magazine December 1981 Hits of the Week PDF Record World 20 February 1982 p 1 Retrieved 2 March 2023 Stephen Thomas Erlewine Dare The Human League Songs Reviews Credits Awards AllMusic Retrieved 29 March 2014 Himes Geoffrey GP Rock s Last Angry Man Reflects on Life after the Rumour by Geoffrey Himes homepages uni regensburg de Retrieved 24 June 2020 Human League Interview Eamon Holmes GMTV 2001 Rolling Stone 1983 Rolling Stone Retrieved 21 February 2011 Virgin Records 1995 cat VSCDT 1557 724389318524 Virgin Records 1995 cat VSC 1557 New Releases Singles Music Week 14 October 1995 p 27 British Hit Singles and Albums Guinness 19th Edition Guinness World Records Limited 20Rev Ed edition ISBN 978 1904994107 2 June 2007 a b The Human League s Don t You Want Me tops Official Scottish Singles Ch Officialcharts com 23 March 2014 Retrieved 29 March 2014 The UK s Official Chart millionaires revealed Official Charts 19 September 2017 Viacom International Studios UK viacomstudiosuk com Retrieved 12 May 2021 Britain s Favourite 80 s Songs Channel 5 Retrieved 12 May 2021 The Beatbox RTE Television February 1995 promotion for Tell Me When a b Forum ARIA Charts Special Occasion Charts Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts 1980s Australian charts com Hung Medien Archived from the original on 6 October 2014 Retrieved 29 June 2016 The Human League Don t You Want Me in Dutch Ultratop 50 Retrieved 14 April 2013 Results RPM Library and Archives Canada Collectionscanada gc ca Archived from the original on 26 September 2015 Retrieved 23 June 2012 InfoDisc Tout les Titres par Artiste in French Infodisc fr 23 June 2012 Archived from the original on 20 September 2013 Retrieved 23 June 2012 The Irish Charts Search charts Irish Recorded Music Association 2008 To use type Don t You Want Me in the Search by Song Title search bar and click search Archived from the original on 2 June 2009 Retrieved 12 April 2013 Israel Singles Charts 1987 1995 Classifiche Musica e dischi in Italian Retrieved 4 June 2022 Select Singoli in the Tipo field type Human League in the Artista field and press cerca Nederlandse Top 40 The Human League in Dutch Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 14 April 2013 The Human League Don t You Want Me Top 40 Singles Retrieved 14 April 2013 The Human League Don t You Want Me VG lista Retrieved 14 April 2013 Brian Currin South African Rock Lists Website SA Charts 1969 1989 Acts H Rock co za Retrieved 23 June 2012 The Human League Don t You Want Me Canciones Top 50 Retrieved 14 April 2013 The Human League Don t You Want Me Singles Top 100 Retrieved 14 April 2013 The Human League Don t You Want Me Swiss Singles Chart Retrieved 14 April 2013 Official Singles Chart Top 100 Official Charts Company Retrieved 14 April 2013 The Human League Chart history Billboard Retrieved 29 March 2014 a b The Human League The Human League Awards AllMusic Retrieved 23 June 2012 Offiziellecharts de The Human League Don t You Want Me in German GfK Entertainment charts Retrieved 18 February 2019 Official Charts gt Human League The Official UK Charts Company Retrieved 27 October 2016 Official Charts gt Official Singles Chart Top 100 23 March 2014 29 March 2014 The Official UK Charts Company Retrieved 27 October 2016 The Official Top 50 best selling songs of 1981 Official Charts National Top 100 Singles for 1982 Kent Music Report 3 January 1983 Retrieved 22 January 2023 via Imgur Item Display RPM Library and Archives Canada collectionscanada gc ca Archived from the original on 11 August 2016 Retrieved 27 April 2017 Top 100 Jaaroverzicht van 1982 Top40 nl Top Selling Singles of 1982 The Official New Zealand Music Chart Recorded Music NZ Retrieved 29 June 2016 Top Selling Singles of 1982 The Springbok Music Chart SA Rock Charts Retrieved 9 February 2020 Top 100 Hits of 1982 Top 100 Songs of 1982 www musicoutfitters com The UK s biggest selling singles of all time Official Charts Company Archived from the original on 24 June 2018 Retrieved 5 July 2018 Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart Billboard Retrieved 10 December 2018 Canadian single certifications Human League Don t You Want Me Music Canada Retrieved 9 April 2012 British single certifications Human League Don t You Want Me British Phonographic Industry Retrieved 11 April 2023 American single certifications Human League Don t You Want Me Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved 2 June 2015 Pennanen Timo 2021 Mandy Smith Sisaltaa hitin 2 laitos Levyt ja esittajat Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1 1 1960 30 6 2021 PDF in Finnish Helsinki Kustannusosakeyhtio Otava p 237 Retrieved 5 July 2022 The Irish Charts All there is to know gt Search results for Mandy from irishcharts ie Imgur com original source published by Fireball Media Retrieved 27 October 2016 Classifiche Musica e dischi in Italian Retrieved 7 June 2022 Set Tipo on Singoli Then in the Artista field search Mandy Smith Official Charts gt Mandy Smith The Official UK Charts Company Retrieved 27 October 2016 New Releases Singles Music Week 3 October 1992 p 19 Breihan Tom 5 June 2020 The Number Ones The Human League s Don t You Want Me Stereogum Retrieved 22 July 2023 Here s the Farm s video for their dance rock cover of Don t You Want Me a top 20 UK hit in 1992 The Farm are all together now but for how long Metro Retrieved 23 November 2021 Steffen Hung Alcazar Don t You Want Me australian charts com Retrieved 18 September 2010 Alcazar Don t You Want Me ultratop be Retrieved 18 September 2010 Steffen Hung Alcazar Don t You Want Me finnishcharts com Retrieved 18 September 2010 Classifiche Musica e dischi in Italian Retrieved 5 June 2022 Set Tipo on Singoli Then in the Artista field search Alcazar Steffen Hung Alcazar Don t You Want Me dutchcharts nl Retrieved 18 September 2010 Steffen Hung Alcazar Don t You Want Me swedishcharts com Retrieved 18 September 2010 Steffen Hung Alcazar Don t You Want Me hitparade ch Retrieved 18 September 2010 Dance Club Songs Billboard Retrieved 1 April 2013 dead link External links edit Don t You Want Me at Discogs list of releases Don t You Want Me at The Black Hit of Space dk The Human League Don t You Want Me on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Don 27t You Want Me amp oldid 1183848901, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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