(This post contains no download links!!)
The Human League, originally a more experimental synthesizer band, experienced a rift just like The Rezillos (more HERE) , with the more musicianly types forming Heaven 17 while the remaining members had to recruit some song-writing muscle quick. Enter Jo Callis (more HERE), who not only co-wrote the world-wide smash hit "Don't You Want Me Baby" but also left his indelible stamp on it. The song not only employs those male-female lead vocals (lead singer Phillip Oakley originally thought having one of the back-up singers do a duet was just a novelty) of his earlier band but it also hearkens back to their kitschy retro B-movie lyrical angle (though in this case, more like some "A Star is Born" knock-off).
It would be easy for a rockist, such as myself, to sneer off this massively-successful synth-pop tune but it is not only stamped on my brain due to its hitting the charts when I was young and impressionable but it is also a superbly well-written pop song - one that had novelty appeal at the outset but has endured even as time has set in.
If you're as fascinated with rock doc's as myself, you'll probably get hooked right into this BBC 30 minute documentary on the Human League's twisted history.
PART TWO HERE PART THREE HERE
Update1 : For an fantastic read go check out this interview with Jo Callis over at It's **** Thing.
Update 2: MRML is looking for a rip of Jo Callis' post Human League band SWALK, let us know if anyone out there has a copy of it!
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