I'm an 80's child myself and feel so grateful to have grown up listening to so many great bands & songs. Seeing the new generation enjoy & appreciate this era of music warms my heart. :)
@@Shrykespeare Is that a challenge ? I'm sure that there is definitely seomething that you don't know. I'm also an 80's child and deeply into 80's music up until today and I still find stuff every now and then that I didn't know before.
I was born in 1966 and I had 2 great parents who filled my life with great music! My dad rock and roll and my mom Motown but the 80s were my favorite decade of music and I am introducing my grandchildren to this great music!
In the U.S. this genre was called New Wave in reference to a second British wave of artists that hit in the 80's ( the first had come in the 60's led by the Beatles). But in the UK this genre was called The New Romantics and they were all inspired by David Bowie (men wearing makeup was a direct nod to Bowie). Other New Romantic bands were Adam Ant, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Soft Cell, Visage and of course, Duran Duran. Let's just say the 80's would not be the 80's without Bowie. He is right up there with the likes of MJ, Prince and Madonna.
Actually Human League was originaly part of the post punk movement of Synth Britannia. New Romantics came out of the Blitz Kids which was influenced by a mix of Glam Rock and Synth Britannia.
@@chernobyl68 Visage was a side gig of Midge Ure from Ultravox and Steve Strange and Rusty Egan. Fade to Grey is the big hit. It was actually 'developed' by Billy Currie from Ultravox and Chris Payne when they were out with Gary Numan's first tour. The song developed over time from there. As a note: Strange and Egan opened a club originally called Billy's Club then moved the club to a larger space and renamed it Blitz, The New Romantics movement were originally called the "Blitz Kids" after the club. Blitz in London and the Rum Runner Club in Birmingham were the epicenter of New Romantic. Fade to Grey was recorded originally to specifically play in Blitz. This is an oversimplification, but you should be able to get the DNA of it all from there.
The lyrics were inspired after lead singer Philip Oakey read a photo-story in a teen-girl's magazine. Oakey has pointed out that it is not a love song, but "a nasty song about sexual power politics." Originally it was sung just from the man's side of the story but was changed later to be a back and forth between both sides of the relationship.
Just like Rob, I was really taken aback with that first verse when listening to it as an adult. Adding the woman's viewpoint to the song was a very wise decision. Otherwise, the song would have come off as super toxic. I like how the woman disregards the bait and points out that she knew she would have found a better place with or without the guy. Too many guys confuse work and pleasure. Even if he could successfully argue that she owed him a favor, a relationship is a whole other thing. The song presents an awkward situation, but the woman in the song rises above it and moves forward. They successfully walked a tightrope with this song.
@@berniemargolis4288 I don't see her rising above anything. She discards him and justifies it by saying "I was going to be a big star anyway". He is naturally angry and retaliates with threats to destroy her career. Seems pretty toxic on all sides to me.
@@antonyware9887 I was 16 when this came out in 1981, it's actually classified as New Wave - Synth-Pop, which is the sound. New Romantic is the fashions they wore. The Human League might be New Romantic in what they wore...kinda like Adam Ant, Flock of Seagulls, Boy George, and David Bowie back in the day.
@@karencrookshank4971 where’ve you got that from ? The Oxford dictionary definition would disagree with you. Accents change roughly every 11 miles in England .
@@karencrookshank4971linguists would adamantly disagree with you there. Everybody has an accent. Dialect is what words you use, an accent is how you say them.
Every decade has had their sound, and special moments, but the 80's.............. They were something different, there was nothing like it before, it was such a great time to grow up in. Being a teenager in the 80's, there will never be another like it.
There were so many different styles of music during the 80's. I continue to tell my kids nearly every artist had their own sound and there were so many popular genres. A buffet of music!
@@BGNOLA Yep... "Circus of Death" was another one from the original line up I loved from that period, and "Black hit of space" (if onl;y for the line "...then I reached for the arm which was less than one micron long but weighed more than Saturn".).. they donm't write 'em like that any more!
“99 Luftballons” by Nena is another 80’s essential. They have the English version but I still prefer the original German version even if I don’t understand lol.
Nena was the best! My brother and I were huge fans. Check out the 2018 video with closed captions English translations. th-cam.com/video/oIO5lfJ9dhs/w-d-xo.html
If we're going to Germany, Nina Hagen, maybe Wir Leben Immer Noch (I know it's a sort of cover of Lena Lovich's Lucky Number, but Nina Hagen is a force of nature).
I always got Nena mixed up with Frida (from ABBA) when she did her solo thing. She had a good one too called "Something's Going On" . Also, another one from the 80's with this vibe was T'Pau "Heart and Soul"
They were in need of a "HIT" so they went to the HOTTEST producers at the time & "Jam & Lewis" made them one! Phil also said that they band was in need of money, so they went to the Minneapolis HIT-men!
@@LibraKing3121 and Jam and Lewis were very candid with them. Two band members left because they weren't needed or couldn't really play instruments, then the two girls in the group had problems because Jam and Lewis brought in a session singer to do backing vocals because the female group members couldn't hit the notes. That led the group to leave with only a few songs completed for that album. It was a huge deal and blow up. I think the band later said the song Human was their biggest hit but that album was the worst because it didn't have their sound.
@@MichaelCDavis1 it's no secret that Joanne & Suzanne can't sing. I saw them about 4-5 years ago and Joanne (the brunette) didn't even approach the mic & we were pretty sure it was off any way. Also I saw them about 12-13 years ago and the blonde Joanne sang "Just be good to me" ~ S.O.S. Band & she BARELY got away with it. A karaoke singer at best is how you would describe it. ... Also when I saw them years later her "solo" had been nixed from the set-list .
Back in 82, my date and I sang this song with the radio on the way to the prom. I found out she passed a couple of years ago after a losing a long battle with cancer. RIP, Amy.
4:45 The reason the girls had such synthesized voices is that the lead singer had only a weekend to find replacements for two other members that quit the band. He ended up going downtown to a popular nightclub in Sheffield, UK where he noticed two glamorous teenage girls dancing. They recognized him since the band was already known in their part of England and joined the group. They don't have very much experience, they basically learned how to sing over the years. The girls had to even get permission to join from their parents and get an exemption from high school. The ladies and the lead singer are in the Human League till this day. And they still look amazing! I'm so glad you guys reacted to this.
The clearest memory I have of this song was shortly after my high school graduation in 1982. My cousin, best friend, and I, flew from LA to Honolulu on a World Airways DC-10 for our graduation trip. We were given headsets for the audio and movie. We were all listening to the same channel, when this song came on as we were taking off. We weren't paying attention to the lyrics, but we were definitely rocking out in our seats as we headed to Hawaii! Those were good times!
@@jlilley73 Really - Human League and Thompson Twins? I always think of Blancmange when I think of the Thompson Twins, but maybe that's becasue I bought their albums on the same day... "Living on the Ceiling" deserved to do better than it actually did!
The “synth” in synth-pop isn’t “synthetic”, it refers to the synthesisers used by bands like The Human League. If you can find them, there were some awesome dub versions of the tracks off this album (Dare) under the name League Unlimited Orchestra, which were played heavily in clubs.
That might have been the first hit from this particular lineup of Human league,but they released two albums before the girls joined the bandit correctly the original band split the others forming Heaven 17.
The lead singer Aimee Mann has had an incredible career as a singer songwriter including an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy nomination. I highly recommend checking her music out
The Human League were really a great synthetic pop UK sound they were everywhere!! 2 other great listens from them is Keep Feeling Fascination and the song Human their biggest hit!
This song was the most popular in the Dance Clubs! Working in a DJ booth in a club the DJ cut the volume while the song was playing and the entire dance floor was singing the lyrics.
The Human League was such a big band in the 80s to early 90s.. They are still out performing! Their song called "Human" is pretty awesome too.. It's got a slight touch of Soul Ballad to it. Also "Mirror Man" along with a lot of other songs from them.
This was a massive '80's hit. The lead singer Phil Oakley saw the 2 girl singers in Sheffield nightclub and hired them to join the band and the rest is history. Maybe the song is somewhat autobiographical. Check out other HL songs love action, fascination, human, mirror man, the lebanon, and hard times.
Song is not autobiographical it’s based on the relationship of the 2 main characters in the movie A Star Is Born …but that’s the extent of my Human League knowledge
Great choice. Think it's time you two had a trip down the Erasure rabbit hole! So many songs to choose from. A Little Respect, Stop, Ship Of Fools, Sometimes, Blue Savannah, Chains of Love, Drama and Chorus to name only a few!!
You have to look at the songs that have synthesizers in a way like you've never heard them before. Because you now have grown up with synthesizers in music, it doesn't affect you like it did for us when we were hearing all 70s music rock and light rock, and then for us to have sounds like this coming to us was incredible!
I think it may be two different perspectives of a relationship that soured. So much can be interpreted as to whether it could be a business relationship or a personal one or the combination of both. The catchy synths and the storytelling / lyrics I think is what made it part of pop culture. Also at the time the androgynous look and fashion showcased in the video influenced a bit of the 80's culture. Props go to the video editing and cinematic feel of the video which I think makes it stick in people's minds when have seen the video.
The parent album "Dare" was a classic 80's album and easily their best long player. The Human League had some cracking hits like this one - I'd also recommend lead singer Phil Oakey's "Together In Electric Dreams" solo effort.
This was one of my favorite song in high school, along with Dirty Laundry by Don Henley ( formerly of the Eagles). All those years I never knew the lyrics either, I just loved the beat and vocals.
I would consider Blue Monday (1983) along with West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys, 1984) as my defining songs that influenced the music genre I listen today. By the way, I'm in my late 50's 😄
The female vocal is her answer to him. She knows that she was only a waitress back then, but knew she'd make it either with or without him. Also, Janis Joplins head bobbing on you shirt with the music is awesome. She looks like she's diggin' it!
The problem is she "knows" no such thing, it's mere speculation. Maybe it would have been true, but it's a big FU to him to deny his having any impact on her career.
I've always loved that the lyrics were from both of their perspectives. What he felt and went through, and then her version. This is such a classic song!! Never get tired of hearing it!
"Don't You Want Me" Was released on 27th November 1981 by Sheffield (South Yorkshire) by British synthpop group The Human League. The band were formed in 1977 (originally called the 'The Future' and this was their most commercially successful song. Lead singer Phil Oakley founded the band with friends Martin Ware and Ian Craig Marsh. But in 1980 Martin and Ian left to form another band that was successful, that was Heaven 17. The band evolved into a new wave electro-pop band with the arrival of Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley (plus revolving guest musicians). The band went on to have further hits and still perform today on the retro music scene
Loved this band. I think their best songs are Human and Keep Feeling (Fascination). Lead singer Phil Oakley is the creative force & he did a lot of work in sound-tracts. His best is Electric Dreams from the movie of the same name. Both were huge 80’s hits.
agreed.. "together in electric dreams" by giorgio moroder and phil oakley and tears for fears' "everybody wants to rule the world" are the definitive 80's sound
I was 13 playing foosball in the rec-hall of a nice camp in Chappaqua during a retreat...then it hit me...I had [my first] crush on the guy playing across the table. This song was in the background; May 1982.
I spent most of my younger years in the 70's, but even during the 80's when I was in my 20's, I enjoyed this and their song Human. I hope Luca is feeling better.
Human League are great. The beauty of the 80's is that there were so many different styles of bands that made the hit list - just check out the Casey Kasem top 40 archives. Everything from Guns 'n' Roses to bands like Air Supply and with the Synth pop (such as The human League) also thrown in. I loved that about the 80's music scene. The variation of what were hits is incredible.
I distinctly remember the first time I heard this song. It was 1982. I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar … Which is how one of our family running gags go.
The 2 female singers in the band were schoolgirls recruited at a dance club to be in the band. The lead singer had to go to their parents house to convince them to let them join. I think that’s why they have such unique voices, since they were not trained singers.
This song came out when I was twelve years old. I never paid attention to the lyrics until a few years ago and was blown away. I now refer to this as the murder/suicide song.
It's kind of funny, right around 5:41, Amber's still boppin' to the beat, but her expression looks so worried for how the video's story is going to end. :)
This song is another telling of "A Star is Born". There have been many versions filmed including with Judy Garland and Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper. The plot is a male star who takes an unknown female into the music business. She then becomes much more successful than the male and doesn't need him anymore. The male is upset saying don't you want me, you can't say that you don't need me anymore, etc.
Just jammed out to this in my car on Christmas Eve driving home from my sisters house after our family’s Christmas celebration. Drove my teens crazy with my loud 80’s music at 1am 😂♥️🎄
@@RobSquadReactions Do it!!! 😂 My girls know all generations music because I force it on them 🤣 But that has served them well, they each took an elective in HS called the Pop Rock History and sailed right through, their teacher was so impressed! 😂
I remember when this came out. I was 13 and I loved it. Contemporary bands Heaven 17 and ABC also came from Sheffield, UK, and they were awesome, too. And Heaven 17 was even founded by two former members of The Human League.
I've heard this song a thousand times. I was working in a ticket booth on the midway of a fair when this came out, that much is true. The ride next to me had a blaring soundsystem with a 4 song loop. This was one. I heard it dozens of times a day for 10 straight days. Funny thing is, I don't recall the other songs. I guess that speaks to the staying power of the melody. This is the first time listening to it in decades.
The Human League is a British Techno-Pop band. They have been performing and recording since 1977. The group consists of three singers, Philip Oakey (lead vocalist), and vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. When The Human League are on tour, they hire musicians to play for them. The song and music video was released in the US in 1982, and went to "Number One" on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. The music video got heavy airplay on MTV. Other hit songs/music videos by The Human League are "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", "The Lebanon", and "Human".
Yes. This was definitely an 80's hit. It's one of their most popular songs. Yes. He was talking to her like he owned her and therefore had no right to move on from him. She said yeah, I was a waitress when we met, but I was going to be a success with or without you. Meaning, don't give yourself too much credit for my success, because I believed in myself and worked hard to get here. I don't owe you my life, for you helping me. Our relationship is just over. Move on. In the video, he is literally stalking her. So, yeah..his ego wouldn't let him leave her alone.
This was one of my favorites in the 80s and I listened to the words but didn't comprehend until now. It does sound like he was fixated on this woman, she was going to leave him, and he told her she would be sorry if she did. Sounds like he might unalive her and off himself if I understood him to say that we would both be sorry if you don't come back to me. Gee, I would really want to go back to him.... Not. Reminds me of the song from the Police, I'll be Watching You. Everyone said it was a love song, but it was about a stalker constantly following some girl. People just didn't get that.
Synthetic pop wasn't a term we used for music like this back in the early eighties, but we did use the terms synth pop (short for synthesizer pop) and technopop for heavily electronic stuff like this, along with bands like early Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, Orchestral Maneuvers, Gary Numan, etc.
I grew up in the 80's it was the best decade ever for new music. They were mostly from the U.K. I was working at a clothing store in downtown Los Angeles. We had a Dj. playing Alternative and Disco music while customers would shop. I was in my 20's then and after work on the weekends, my co-workers and I would hit the clubs in Hollywood. Those were the best times in my life. The store was very trendy back then and the clubbers would shop there. Great Memories! for me. Now 67 years and retired. God bless you guys for playing songs from my past. BRILLIANT!!!
I left school in 1979 age 16 so the 80's was definitely my time. There's about 6 or 8 songs that kicked off/defined the 80's for me and this is very near the top of the list. The Human League are from my home city and I used to see the singer Phil Oakey in town from time to time just out clubbing in the late 70's. It was a great time for music and Sheffield in particular with Human League, Heaven 17 and ABC etc. Love the eighties, just didn't realise how good it really was back then.
bringing back so many memories of being a teen. I was totally into British and Canadian music. This has brought back to mind a song called "Life in a Northern Town" by The Academy. Such a great tune.
This is the song (along with the album it came from “Dare”) which turned me into a synthpop fan and continue to be to this day. This is an epic, perfect pop record which changed popular music (particularly in breaking the US market). There had not been anything that sounded like this in mainstream pop music before this. Still sounds “new” even after 40 years.
I love this song. I also love Phil Oakley’s “Together in Electric Dreams “ which would be a great reaction video. And also Cinderella “Don’t know what you got “. I’m keep asking for that one.😂
Yep, and that first song you mentioned was made for the movie "Electric Dreams", which is kind of a cult classic 80's movie, where a computer basically takes over a guy's life.
This was early early 80s like 81, it was massive and UK pop was in full Synth mode. True story before their song the band were looking to expand they’re sound and the lead singer and group went into a dance club and spotted the blonde and the dark haired chick dancing together, something along the lines of asking them to dance in one of their ,using videos and then back singers rest is history, that’s when they made they’re commercial breakthrough adding these two girls from Sheffield.. 🤘
The memories! I remember as a little girl being so proud that they came from a town just down the road from me, all other bands seemed to be American or from London! Love this. Need to try Together In Electric Dreams, the lead singer of HL sings it, it’s just perfection.
Omgosh i also havent been able to get Runaway out of my head. I know its been covered by everyone from the Beatles to Elvis to Queen but it is just the coolest song evah.
I think you're kinda right. This song is similar to "Somebody I used to know", two sides of a break up. I used to understand the lyrics like a bad relationship, but watching the video now it comes across to me more like the dude antecipating the pain.
“(Keep feelin’) fascination” is (to me anyway) the quintessential 80s song. I was born in ‘77 and that song always takes me directly back to that time growing up.
You just mentioned so many names that I have no clue about 😂. Also Joe Jackson made music? Mind blown. I always just chalked him up to be the dad of the Jackson 5. But of course he had to of made music!
My sister first heard an instrumental version of this song when it first came out, had me listen, and we both fell in love with it. It was weeks before we even knew it had words. I bet even most 80s folks don't know that it was instrumental first!
I was 17 when this was released 1981, so this was a real "banger" to me. And the band came from Sheffield, which is about 20 miles up the road from me. This sing was definitely a floor filler. ❤🇬🇧
Yes it’s synth pop which basically means the music is mainly synthesizers driven instead of guitars and piano it’s sort of the new wave sound what it encapsulated !
such a huge hit. they had a lot of cool songs. I like "the sound of the crowd" by them. I don't think you guys ever reacted to Micky by Toni Basil. that'd be cool.
You guys keep reminding me of how MANY good songs from the 80s there are as i keep marathoning through your vids which are great! You guys do know you're hitting the cords of all of us 80s peeps right?...Thank you 💕
Great reaction as always. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Luke 2:7-14 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
My first record ever bought at 15 years old in the UK. I know EVERY WORD. Bought on a 45 disk with a middle that you could remove. Those lyrics were as it was in those days of the 80´s sadly. So lucky to have been a part of that 80´s bop as a teenager! Just stumbled across you guys, love it!
I'm an 80's child myself and feel so grateful to have grown up listening to so many great bands & songs.
Seeing the new generation enjoy & appreciate this era of music warms my heart. :)
Just a tad jealous that you got to be an 80s child.
@@RobSquadReactions better being a 60s child!
@@RobSquadReactions I was an 80s child. There's NOTHING I don't know about 80s music. (And I"m happy to share that knowledge with y'all.)
@@Shrykespeare Is that a challenge ? I'm sure that there is definitely seomething that you don't know. I'm also an 80's child and deeply into 80's music up until today and I still find stuff every now and then that I didn't know before.
I was born in 1966 and I had 2 great parents who filled my life with great music! My dad rock and roll and my mom Motown but the 80s were my favorite decade of music and I am introducing my grandchildren to this great music!
In the U.S. this genre was called New Wave in reference to a second British wave of artists that hit in the 80's ( the first had come in the 60's led by the Beatles). But in the UK this genre was called The New Romantics and they were all inspired by David Bowie (men wearing makeup was a direct nod to Bowie). Other New Romantic bands were Adam Ant, Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Soft Cell, Visage and of course, Duran Duran. Let's just say the 80's would not be the 80's without Bowie. He is right up there with the likes of MJ, Prince and Madonna.
Amen.
never heard of Visage, have to check them out
Actually Human League was originaly part of the post punk movement of Synth Britannia. New Romantics came out of the Blitz Kids which was influenced by a mix of Glam Rock and Synth Britannia.
@@chernobyl68 Visage was a side gig of Midge Ure from Ultravox and Steve Strange and Rusty Egan. Fade to Grey is the big hit. It was actually 'developed' by Billy Currie from Ultravox and Chris Payne when they were out with Gary Numan's first tour. The song developed over time from there.
As a note: Strange and Egan opened a club originally called Billy's Club then moved the club to a larger space and renamed it Blitz, The New Romantics movement were originally called the "Blitz Kids" after the club. Blitz in London and the Rum Runner Club in Birmingham were the epicenter of New Romantic. Fade to Grey was recorded originally to specifically play in Blitz.
This is an oversimplification, but you should be able to get the DNA of it all from there.
@@chernobyl68 Additionally, the base line for Visage's Fade to Grey was the inspiration for U2's Adam Clayton bass line on New Years Day.
The lyrics were inspired after lead singer Philip Oakey read a photo-story in a teen-girl's magazine. Oakey has pointed out that it is not a love song, but "a nasty song about sexual power politics." Originally it was sung just from the man's side of the story but was changed later to be a back and forth between both sides of the relationship.
I always wondered if this song was influenced by the Stratton murder. She was killed by her ex-husband who saw his "creation" getting away from him.
Just like Rob, I was really taken aback with that first verse when listening to it as an adult. Adding the woman's viewpoint to the song was a very wise decision. Otherwise, the song would have come off as super toxic. I like how the woman disregards the bait and points out that she knew she would have found a better place with or without the guy. Too many guys confuse work and pleasure. Even if he could successfully argue that she owed him a favor, a relationship is a whole other thing. The song presents an awkward situation, but the woman in the song rises above it and moves forward. They successfully walked a tightrope with this song.
The only thing they both agree on is that she was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar. 😁
@@berniemargolis4288 I don't see her rising above anything. She discards him and justifies it by saying "I was going to be a big star anyway". He is naturally angry and retaliates with threats to destroy her career. Seems pretty toxic on all sides to me.
@@headlibrarian1996 How is it toxic to tell a domineering man that you mean what you say abut leaving him?
The 80s was the soundtrack of our lives.
This is "NEW WAVE", and they are English, so they have accents, nothing was done to their voices.
I wouldn’t have classed this sound as New Wave more New Romantic. I see New Wave as feeding off the Punk era I think this was a bit later
@@antonyware9887 I was 16 when this came out in 1981, it's actually classified as New Wave - Synth-Pop, which is the sound. New Romantic is the fashions they wore. The Human League might be New Romantic in what they wore...kinda like Adam Ant, Flock of Seagulls, Boy George, and David Bowie back in the day.
English people don’t have accents when speaking their own language. We have dialects.
@@karencrookshank4971 where’ve you got that from ? The Oxford dictionary definition would disagree with you. Accents change roughly every 11 miles in England .
@@karencrookshank4971linguists would adamantly disagree with you there. Everybody has an accent. Dialect is what words you use, an accent is how you say them.
The 80’s was the MTV era and getting your music promoted very much depended upon having a cinematic video that would be played on MTV
Their song' Human' is such a beautiful ballad.
Yeah, that’s my favorite from them.
A Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis Classic!
Every decade has had their sound, and special moments, but the 80's.............. They were something different, there was nothing like it before, it was such a great time to grow up in. Being a teenager in the 80's, there will never be another like it.
The original lineup of the Human League from '78-'79 is very different: "Being Boiled" is a good example.
Agreed love your comment
There were so many different styles of music during the 80's. I continue to tell my kids nearly every artist had their own sound and there were so many popular genres.
A buffet of music!
@@BGNOLA Yep... "Circus of Death" was another one from the original line up I loved from that period, and "Black hit of space" (if onl;y for the line "...then I reached for the arm which was less than one micron long but weighed more than Saturn".).. they donm't write 'em like that any more!
"Being a teenager in the xx's, there will never be another like it." Says every generation.
“99 Luftballons” by Nena is another 80’s essential. They have the English version but I still prefer the original German version even if I don’t understand lol.
YES!!!!!
Nena was the best! My brother and I were huge fans. Check out the 2018 video with closed captions English translations. th-cam.com/video/oIO5lfJ9dhs/w-d-xo.html
If we're going to Germany, Nina Hagen, maybe Wir Leben Immer Noch (I know it's a sort of cover of Lena Lovich's Lucky Number, but Nina Hagen is a force of nature).
I always got Nena mixed up with Frida (from ABBA) when she did her solo thing. She had a good one too called "Something's Going On" . Also, another one from the 80's with this vibe was T'Pau "Heart and Soul"
Good call I think Amber would like that song..
You gotta do "Human" by Human League. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis killed production on that track.
My favorite song by them
They were in need of a "HIT" so they went to the HOTTEST producers at the time & "Jam & Lewis" made them one! Phil also said that they band was in need of money, so they went to the Minneapolis HIT-men!
Awesome song
@@LibraKing3121 and Jam and Lewis were very candid with them. Two band members left because they weren't needed or couldn't really play instruments, then the two girls in the group had problems because Jam and Lewis brought in a session singer to do backing vocals because the female group members couldn't hit the notes. That led the group to leave with only a few songs completed for that album. It was a huge deal and blow up. I think the band later said the song Human was their biggest hit but that album was the worst because it didn't have their sound.
@@MichaelCDavis1 it's no secret that Joanne & Suzanne can't sing.
I saw them about 4-5 years ago and Joanne (the brunette) didn't even approach the mic & we were pretty sure it was off any way.
Also I saw them about 12-13 years ago and the blonde Joanne sang "Just be good to me" ~ S.O.S. Band & she BARELY got away with it. A karaoke singer at best is how you would describe it.
... Also when I saw them years later her "solo" had been nixed from the set-list .
Back in 82, my date and I sang this song with the radio on the way to the prom. I found out she passed a couple of years ago after a losing a long battle with cancer. RIP, Amy.
Love Amy. Love to you.
RIP. Good memories.
4:45 The reason the girls had such synthesized voices is that the lead singer had only a weekend to find replacements for two other members that quit the band. He ended up going downtown to a popular nightclub in Sheffield, UK where he noticed two glamorous teenage girls dancing. They recognized him since the band was already known in their part of England and joined the group. They don't have very much experience, they basically learned how to sing over the years. The girls had to even get permission to join from their parents and get an exemption from high school. The ladies and the lead singer are in the Human League till this day. And they still look amazing! I'm so glad you guys reacted to this.
great!
Learnt something new
The clearest memory I have of this song was shortly after my high school graduation in 1982. My cousin, best friend, and I, flew from LA to Honolulu on a World Airways DC-10 for our graduation trip. We were given headsets for the audio and movie. We were all listening to the same channel, when this song came on as we were taking off. We weren't paying attention to the lyrics, but we were definitely rocking out in our seats as we headed to Hawaii! Those were good times!
Yeah this song BLEW -UP the radio back then. I remember so clear.
Im seeing this band live for the 2nd time in a couple of weeks. They are fantastic live. I love them!!!
Great song! Another really good one from around the same time HOLD ME NOW by THE THOMPSON TWINS. Total 80's vibe!
Yes! I always pair the two bands in my mind.
Don't forget Lay Your Hands On Me and Doctor! Doctor! by the Thompson Twins .. loads of great songs!
@@jlilley73 Really - Human League and Thompson Twins? I always think of Blancmange when I think of the Thompson Twins, but maybe that's becasue I bought their albums on the same day... "Living on the Ceiling" deserved to do better than it actually did!
Would love to do Thompson Twins!!!!
@@alandent2746 i will have to check out "Living on the Ceiling" cool!!!
The “synth” in synth-pop isn’t “synthetic”, it refers to the synthesisers used by bands like The Human League. If you can find them, there were some awesome dub versions of the tracks off this album (Dare) under the name League Unlimited Orchestra, which were played heavily in clubs.
This was definitely an era of techno rock. 80’s kind of a duel between synth and all the hair bands/metal.
Thank you! I was like what in the world is synthetic pop?? 😄
@@sallyh5413 Right!?!
Lol while you are right in terms of the type of music, what is the end product of something that has been synthesised?
Dude, I grew up in the 60's, 70's, 80's & 90's music. Your wife is always spot on!
LOVE Human League. They had such a unique sound and their first hit "Keep Feeling Fascination". They were so cool back in the 80's
That might have been the first hit from this particular lineup of Human league,but they released two albums before the girls joined the bandit correctly the original band split the others forming Heaven 17.
They had many hits before “Keep Feeling Fascination” including Empire State Human, Open Your Heart, Sound of the Crowd etc.
I think "Love Action" is their BEST song. I LOVE the synths on that track! Brilliant, simply brilliant!
An AMAZING 1 Hit Wonder for an 80's song is "Voices Carry" by Till Tuesday. It would be a GREAT Female Friday song!!
Til' Tuesday had more than one Hit in the 80's they weren't a One Hit band.
@@xoxxobob61 I apologize I know that one but I absolutely LOVE them!
Amiee's vocals on Rush's "Time Stand Still" are a great addition.
The lead singer Aimee Mann has had an incredible career as a singer songwriter including an Academy Award nomination and a Grammy nomination. I highly recommend checking her music out
Love that song. Great video too.
The Human League were really a great synthetic pop UK sound they were everywhere!! 2 other great listens from them is Keep Feeling Fascination and the song Human their biggest hit!
Yeah both of those songs were/are great.
Fascination is my favorite by them, Human was so huge because it was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and they were riding high off Janet.
I thought synth pop was short for synthesizer pop, am I wrong? What is synthetic pop??
@@sallyh5413 that's exactly what it means
@@sallyh5413 what I think they're thinking about is what they did to Brittany Spears voice all the time
This song was the most popular in the Dance Clubs! Working in a DJ booth in a club the DJ cut the volume while the song was playing and the entire dance floor was singing the lyrics.
The Human League was such a big band in the 80s to early 90s.. They are still out performing! Their song called "Human" is pretty awesome too.. It's got a slight touch of Soul Ballad to it. Also "Mirror Man" along with a lot of other songs from them.
This was a massive '80's hit. The lead singer Phil Oakley saw the 2 girl singers in Sheffield nightclub and hired them to join the band and the rest is history. Maybe the song is somewhat autobiographical. Check out other HL songs love action, fascination, human, mirror man, the lebanon, and hard times.
It must me the most commonly mis-spelt (and pronounced) name in pop, but his name is Phil Oakey, not Oakley.
They were school girls at the time.
Song is not autobiographical it’s based on the relationship of the 2 main characters in the movie A Star Is Born …but that’s the extent of my Human League knowledge
@@philalvarez4137 So true! I still do it even though I know his name. I correct myself of course but still...
Don't forget "Love Action"
Great choice. Think it's time you two had a trip down the Erasure rabbit hole! So many songs to choose from. A Little Respect, Stop, Ship Of Fools, Sometimes, Blue Savannah, Chains of Love, Drama and Chorus to name only a few!!
I want to like this 10 times!! Love Erasure.
one of my favorite 80's is ABC "the look of love "
Saw them live 2 years ago, they were great. They have just finished a UK tour. Love Action is just one of many worth a reaction to.
You have to look at the songs that have synthesizers in a way like you've never heard them before. Because you now have grown up with synthesizers in music, it doesn't affect you like it did for us when we were hearing all 70s music rock and light rock, and then for us to have sounds like this coming to us was incredible!
This song was inspired by the movie “A Star is Born”. The music genre is New Wave.
Isn't it synth pop? The Pretenders is new wave.
@@Blisteryn Yes, they’re also considered a Synth Pop group.
@@Blisteryn most New Wave bands are synth pop, but not all synth pop bands are New Wave, if that makes sense.
There is so much stuff that you didn't hear in America from this side off the water and the same from your side we haven't heard.
I think it may be two different perspectives of a relationship that soured. So much can be interpreted as to whether it could be a business relationship or a personal one or the combination of both. The catchy synths and the storytelling / lyrics I think is what made it part of pop culture. Also at the time the androgynous look and fashion showcased in the video influenced a bit of the 80's culture. Props go to the video editing and cinematic feel of the video which I think makes it stick in people's minds when have seen the video.
Loving the songs you play most of them bring back so many memories of when I was at school
I was stationed in England when this song came out....They played it on the radio what it seemed like every 10 minutes. It was called Tecno-pop.
The parent album "Dare" was a classic 80's album and easily their best long player. The Human League had some cracking hits like this one - I'd also recommend lead singer Phil Oakey's "Together In Electric Dreams" solo effort.
This was one of my favorite song in high school, along with Dirty Laundry by Don Henley ( formerly of the Eagles). All those years I never knew the lyrics either, I just loved the beat and vocals.
It was and still is a huge hit! It never goes out of style. You should go down the NEW ORDER rabbit hole afterwards. Start with the song Blue Monday!
I would consider Blue Monday (1983) along with West End Girls (Pet Shop Boys, 1984) as my defining songs that influenced the music genre I listen today. By the way, I'm in my late 50's 😄
@@davidwong4 I'm 55 !🤫
The female vocal is her answer to him. She knows that she was only a waitress back then, but knew she'd make it either with or without him.
Also, Janis Joplins head bobbing on you shirt with the music is awesome. She looks like she's diggin' it!
The problem is she "knows" no such thing, it's mere speculation. Maybe it would have been true, but it's a big FU to him to deny his having any impact on her career.
I've always loved that the lyrics were from both of their perspectives. What he felt and went through, and then her version. This is such a classic song!! Never get tired of hearing it!
"Don't You Want Me" Was released on 27th November 1981 by Sheffield (South Yorkshire) by British synthpop group The Human League. The band were formed in 1977 (originally called the 'The Future' and this was their most commercially successful song.
Lead singer Phil Oakley founded the band with friends Martin Ware and Ian Craig Marsh. But in 1980 Martin and Ian left to form another band that was successful, that was Heaven 17. The band evolved into a new wave electro-pop band with the arrival of Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley (plus revolving guest musicians). The band went on to have further hits and still perform today on the retro music scene
Loved this band. I think their best songs are Human and Keep Feeling (Fascination). Lead singer Phil Oakley is the creative force & he did a lot of work in sound-tracts. His best is Electric Dreams from the movie of the same name. Both were huge 80’s hits.
agreed.. "together in electric dreams" by giorgio moroder and phil oakley and tears for fears' "everybody wants to rule the world" are the definitive 80's sound
I was 13 playing foosball in the rec-hall of a nice camp in Chappaqua during a retreat...then it hit me...I had [my first] crush on the guy playing across the table. This song was in the background; May 1982.
The best part of these lyrics is when she says "That much is true". A superb put down in four words. 🙃🙃
That's exactly right.
But even then I knew I'd find a much better place, either with or without you...
A classic....no doubt...grew up with ..this...glad young people have discovered this...like I did..
I spent most of my younger years in the 70's, but even during the 80's when I was in my 20's, I enjoyed this and their song Human. I hope Luca is feeling better.
The wavering 'synth' sound running in the background is actually Jo Callis playing a guitar running through the Synclavier.
Human League are great. The beauty of the 80's is that there were so many different styles of bands that made the hit list - just check out the Casey Kasem top 40 archives. Everything from Guns 'n' Roses to bands like Air Supply and with the Synth pop (such as The human League) also thrown in. I loved that about the 80's music scene. The variation of what were hits is incredible.
And I, for one, just drank it in, and lived to dance every weekend away. Today when I look back, I realize how very fortunate we were.
I met my bride in 1982 and we graduated HS in 1984, this was our song, all these years later we are going strong. About the music, it was new-wave.
The single "Human" is another classic hit of them. That's really word it.
I had SUCH A CRUSH on the ladies in this group back when I was 11. Oh man.
I distinctly remember the first time I heard this song. It was 1982. I was working as a waitress in a cocktail bar …
Which is how one of our family running gags go.
The 2 female singers in the band were schoolgirls recruited at a dance club to be in the band. The lead singer had to go to their parents house to convince them to let them join. I think that’s why they have such unique voices, since they were not trained singers.
This song came out when I was twelve years old. I never paid attention to the lyrics until a few years ago and was blown away. I now refer to this as the murder/suicide song.
It's kind of funny, right around 5:41, Amber's still boppin' to the beat, but her expression looks so worried for how the video's story is going to end. :)
This is the shorter version. They played the long version in the clubs, and it was one of those songs that drove everyone onto the dance floor!
Yeah this was a horrible version to react to.
THIS SONG MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME ONE OF THE GREATEST SONG EVERRRRR
Great 80’s throwback!! Their song called “Human” was another chart topper of theirs! 💜💙👍
I go out dancing at " goth nights " and they spin this, we all dance and sing along!
Their "Mirror Man" and "(Keep Feeling) Fascination" were great songs as well!! Susan Ann Sulley on co-lead vocals
Yup, even back in the 80s we were telling folks, "don't get so big you can't smell your own stank!" 😂😂😂
Yep
This song is another telling of "A Star is Born". There have been many versions filmed including with Judy Garland and Lady Gaga/Bradley Cooper. The plot is a male star who takes an unknown female into the music business. She then becomes much more successful than the male and doesn't need him anymore. The male is upset saying don't you want me, you can't say that you don't need me anymore, etc.
🤦♂️
The first version of A Star is Born is nothing like that, though.
Sounds like a variation on My Fair Lady, which was adopted from Pygmalion, which was adapted from the myth of....Pygmalion.
No, it was about Dorothy Stratten and her life and death.
We just saw Human League on the 80s Cruise in March. Their voices are still spot on and they looked great! It was the best concert of the week to me!
Just jammed out to this in my car on Christmas Eve driving home from my sisters house after our family’s Christmas celebration. Drove my teens crazy with my loud 80’s music at 1am 😂♥️🎄
Go mom! 😀👍👏
Yes! Go mom!
I want to be you when my kids are teens!
@@RobSquadReactions Do it!!! 😂 My girls know all generations music because I force it on them 🤣 But that has served them well, they each took an elective in HS called the Pop Rock History and sailed right through, their teacher was so impressed! 😂
lol My daughter just calls it old people music .. She is in her 20s
The genre is called synth-pop because of the heavy use of synthesizers and drummachines. So glad you liked it 😀 I was 17 when this came out
“(Keep Feeling) Fascination” and “Love Action” are both excellent Human League songs!
I remember when this came out. I was 13 and I loved it. Contemporary bands Heaven 17 and ABC also came from Sheffield, UK, and they were awesome, too. And Heaven 17 was even founded by two former members of The Human League.
I've heard this song a thousand times. I was working in a ticket booth on the midway of a fair when this came out, that much is true. The ride next to me had a blaring soundsystem with a 4 song loop. This was one. I heard it dozens of times a day for 10 straight days. Funny thing is, I don't recall the other songs. I guess that speaks to the staying power of the melody. This is the first time listening to it in decades.
The Human League is a British Techno-Pop band. They have been performing and recording since 1977. The group consists of three singers, Philip Oakey (lead vocalist), and vocalists Joanne Catherall and Susan Ann Sulley. When The Human League are on tour, they hire musicians to play for them. The song and music video was released in the US in 1982, and went to "Number One" on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart. The music video got heavy airplay on MTV.
Other hit songs/music videos by The Human League are "(Keep Feeling) Fascination", "The Lebanon", and "Human".
Yes. This was definitely an 80's hit. It's one of their most popular songs.
Yes. He was talking to her like he owned her and therefore had no right to move on from him.
She said yeah, I was a waitress when we met, but I was going to be a success with or without you. Meaning, don't give yourself too much credit for my success, because I believed in myself and worked hard to get here. I don't owe you my life, for you helping me. Our relationship is just over.
Move on.
In the video, he is literally stalking her. So, yeah..his ego wouldn't let him leave her alone.
This was one of my favorites in the 80s and I listened to the words but didn't comprehend until now. It does sound like he was fixated on this woman, she was going to leave him, and he told her she would be sorry if she did. Sounds like he might unalive her and off himself if I understood him to say that we would both be sorry if you don't come back to me. Gee, I would really want to go back to him.... Not. Reminds me of the song from the Police, I'll be Watching You. Everyone said it was a love song, but it was about a stalker constantly following some girl. People just didn't get that.
This is the ultimate 80s song
Synthetic pop wasn't a term we used for music like this back in the early eighties, but we did use the terms synth pop (short for synthesizer pop) and technopop for heavily electronic stuff like this, along with bands like early Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, Orchestral Maneuvers, Gary Numan, etc.
...also the larger umbrella term New Wave.
The band's best known and most commercially successful song, it was the biggest selling UK single of 1981 and the Christmas Number 1.
I'm trying to think what was the band called that former members of thl started and had a massive hit with
@@hod2116 Heaven 17
@@hod2116 Heaven 17 and you're probably thinking of Temptation...
@@hod2116 Keyboard players Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh both left the band in 1980 to form Heaven 17. Biggest hit here in the UK was 'Temptation'.
I grew up in the 80's it was the best decade ever for new music. They were mostly from the U.K. I was working at a clothing store in downtown Los Angeles. We had a Dj. playing Alternative and Disco music while customers would shop. I was in my 20's then and after work on the weekends, my co-workers and I would hit the clubs in Hollywood. Those were the best times in my life. The store was very trendy back then and the clubbers would shop there. Great Memories! for me. Now 67 years and retired. God bless you guys for playing songs from my past. BRILLIANT!!!
Love Human League since the 80’s. How about doing Animotion “Obsession” - another synth pop band. “Obsession” is a great song and video.
Epitome of the best of the 80s alternative music. Still holds and still one of my faves and I’m 57!
This was a stalker song, but if you listen to the woman's verse, she was denying that the man made her.
I left school in 1979 age 16 so the 80's was definitely my time. There's about 6 or 8 songs that kicked off/defined the 80's for me and this is very near the top of the list. The Human League are from my home city and I used to see the singer Phil Oakey in town from time to time just out clubbing in the late 70's. It was a great time for music and Sheffield in particular with Human League, Heaven 17 and ABC etc. Love the eighties, just didn't realise how good it really was back then.
Top song. From my home city 😊😊😊
Just to clarify. ‘Synth pop’ isn’t synthetic, it’s synthesiser pop and Human League are definitely that! 😊
Glad you said it.
bringing back so many memories of being a teen. I was totally into British and Canadian music. This has brought back to mind a song called "Life in a Northern Town" by The Academy. Such a great tune.
Another good pop song from them is" Stiil feeling fascination"
This is the song (along with the album it came from “Dare”) which turned me into a synthpop fan and continue to be to this day. This is an epic, perfect pop record which changed popular music (particularly in breaking the US market). There had not been anything that sounded like this in mainstream pop music before this. Still sounds “new” even after 40 years.
I love this song. I also love Phil Oakley’s “Together in Electric Dreams “ which would be a great reaction video. And also Cinderella “Don’t know what you got “. I’m keep asking for that one.😂
Yep, and that first song you mentioned was made for the movie "Electric Dreams", which is kind of a cult classic 80's movie, where a computer basically takes over a guy's life.
@@sprybug Absolutely. One of my favorite movies of the 80’s. And movie that I think is under appreciated.
Human League was part of 80's New Wave.
This was early early 80s like 81, it was massive and UK pop was in full Synth mode. True story before their song the band were looking to expand they’re sound and the lead singer and group went into a dance club and spotted the blonde and the dark haired chick dancing together, something along the lines of asking them to dance in one of their ,using videos and then back singers rest is history, that’s when they made they’re commercial breakthrough adding these two girls from Sheffield.. 🤘
you guys have a nice vibe .kudos to you
Need to play "At Last" by Etta James on female Friday.. Plz love y'all so much. Always make my day.
The memories! I remember as a little girl being so proud that they came from a town just down the road from me, all other bands seemed to be American or from London! Love this. Need to try Together In Electric Dreams, the lead singer of HL sings it, it’s just perfection.
TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELS “I THINK WERE ALONE NOW” “sweet cherry wine” “Mony mony” they are excellent choices
Crystal Blue Persuasion too
Omgosh i also havent been able to get Runaway out of my head. I know its been covered by everyone from the Beatles to Elvis to Queen but it is just the coolest song evah.
I know two of those, but through covers (Tiffany for the first and Billy Idol for the last) ;p
I think you're kinda right. This song is similar to "Somebody I used to know", two sides of a break up. I used to understand the lyrics like a bad relationship, but watching the video now it comes across to me more like the dude antecipating the pain.
Rob Squad is a Human League
“(Keep feelin’) fascination” is (to me anyway) the quintessential 80s song. I was born in ‘77 and that song always takes me directly back to that time growing up.
I think y'all should give "Voices Carry" by Til Tuesday a listen. From the same part of the decade & has a similar theme.
I love your videos. Keep up the good work.. loved those vintage videos 💯👍👍👍
Need more 80’s. Kajagoogoo, Adam Ant, Culture Club, Howard Jones, Flock of Seagulls, and Joe Jackson.
They'll love Too Shy by Kajagoogoo.
They have done Flock of Seagulls- I Ran.
@@chriso6719 space age love song!
You just mentioned so many names that I have no clue about 😂. Also Joe Jackson made music? Mind blown. I always just chalked him up to be the dad of the Jackson 5. But of course he had to of made music!
I liked Adam and the Ants, the early music before he became Adam Ant and got more commercial. "Antmusic" was a great one
@@RobSquadReactions Different Joe Jackson. 🙂
My sister first heard an instrumental version of this song when it first came out, had me listen, and we both fell in love with it. It was weeks before we even knew it had words. I bet even most 80s folks don't know that it was instrumental first!
I was 17 when this was released 1981, so this was a real "banger" to me. And the band came from Sheffield, which is about 20 miles up the road from me. This sing was definitely a floor filler. ❤🇬🇧
Yes it’s synth pop which basically means the music is mainly synthesizers driven instead of guitars and piano it’s sort of the new wave sound what it encapsulated !
such a huge hit. they had a lot of cool songs. I like "the sound of the crowd" by them. I don't think you guys ever reacted to Micky by Toni Basil. that'd be cool.
We haven’t! Thank you! And I’ve seen your name a few times in the comments of our videos! Thanks for being here
@@RobSquadReactions you're welcome. I enjoy watching you guys :) Al
You guys keep reminding me of how MANY good songs from the 80s there are as i keep marathoning through your vids which are great! You guys do know you're hitting the cords of all of us 80s peeps right?...Thank you 💕
Great reaction as always. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Luke 2:7-14 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
My first record ever bought at 15 years old in the UK. I know EVERY WORD. Bought on a 45 disk with a middle that you could remove. Those lyrics were as it was in those days of the 80´s sadly. So lucky to have been a part of that 80´s bop as a teenager! Just stumbled across you guys, love it!