Michael Des Barres & Holly Knight - Obsession (Single version)

From '' Obsession ''
Label: A&M Records ‎-- SP-17262
Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
Country: US
Released: 1983

Tracklist
A Obsession (Extended Version)
B Obsession (Single Version)

Written-By -- Holly Knight, Michael Des Barres

Executive-Producer -- Danny Goldberg
Producer -- Mike Chapman

Notes
(From the original motion picture soundtrack "A Night In Heaven" SP-4966)

------

Original version

"Obsession" was originally written and recorded as a duet by songwriter Holly Knight and musician Michael Des Barres in 1983.
This version was prominently featured in the 1983 film A Night in Heaven, most notably in a scene in which Christopher Atkins bumps and grinds in Lesley Ann Warren's face in sync with the rhythm of the song.
The song was featured on the film's soundtrack, but did not receive enough attention to warrant much radio play or a place on any Billboard charts.
That version was also featured in the theatrical trailer to the 1986 film 9½ Weeks, starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger.

Animotion version

The Los Angeles-based synth-pop band Animotion recorded a version of the tune for their self-titled debut album, released in 1984.
This version became a massive success, and it remains Animotion's biggest hit.

Animotion's version is a mainstay on 1980s compilations and is featured in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as part of the New Wave radio station Wave 103.
It has also been used as the theme song for WWF Saturday Night's Main Event (aired on NBC) and FashionTelevisionChannel, as well as MTV's House of Style.
It was featured in the 2000 comedy film Lucky Numbers and documentary "What the Bleep Do We Know!?".

The song has been used as the opening theme for the internationally syndicated Canadian program FT - FashionTelevision since it premiered in 1986. It has recently been featured in the films El Cantante and Adventureland, the TV show Weeds, Nip/Tuck and was featured in the trailer for Hot Tub Time Machine and the movie itself. The song was played some in the 1990s Fox network comedy TV series Get a Life, in the episode entitled "Girlfriend 2000".

Contrary to popular belief, the song was never covered by The Human League and has often been falsely attributed to them (according to the AllMusic Guide, The Human League were in fact a musical influence for Animotion)

Various artists have covered the song, including The Azoic in 2004.

Sugababes version

English girl group Sugababes covered "Obsession" for their fourth studio album Taller in More Ways (2005).
Group member Heidi Range initially recorded it as a demo with Ashley Hamilton, although the Sugababes later decided to record it as a group. It was produced by Dallas Austin, one of the album's primary producers.
The cover is similar to the original and had a polarizing effect on critics; some criticised it as mediocre, while others called it one of the album's standout tracks. The Sugababes performed it on their tours in support of Taller in More Ways and Overloaded: The Singles Collection (2006).

#anightinheaven
#ost

[glamnesianouveaux]

I had NO idea Animotion's was a cover and I have loved their version since 1985. What a

[MidnightVisions]

Holly Knight wrote so many songs that ended up in the top of the charts, she definitely did not get the public recognition she deserved.

[taurus]

I prefer this version. 🙌🏽 Been listening since seventh grade and haven’t stopped yet.

[boomod]

NEVER EVER had i realized this song was one that had been remade -- the cover version just became such a huge, memorable .. ambassador of the 80s, with one of those see-once-never-forget videos like the Safety Dance or Take On Me that will be locked in this brain forever. As for this version, the musical sounds, the instruments... it just SCREAMS out that it belongs in an 80s gritty cop movie, some scene where we see cars driving in drizzle at night, or they show up at the abandoned factory setting where the bad guys are hiding out, and infiltrate the building section by section, closing in on them as someone is trying to rush a group of people to package the cocaine faster, or get the counterfit money loaded on the van now else they'll miss the drop... Hell, i can almost feel the instrumental version of this one playing in over a dozen scenes from To Live and Die in LA alone... As for the singing, female and duet part is excellent, but guy solo part just feels like... robotic reading of text that they had to twak and fiddle with to match tempos as best as possible. The first images that come to mind are that of a cigarette smoking William Shatner type experience... " Im a rocket man. Rocket man. Burning out his fuse out here.. Alone" delivery of this guys parts....

[Rep]

Kicks total ass... had no idea Animotion's version was a cover.

[GirlieQ]

This is great! I did not know about this original version.

[chrislaustin]

WOW, I had no clue Animotion's version was a cover, and while not altogether shocking, the fact that the original came out just 1 year before is mind blowing. Normally a song might not have been popular in a certain generation, and then given 10, 20 years, it may connect with a new group of people more open to the lyrics or the music in general(or the music is changed altogether).

Both of these versions are so similar, yet so very different, I might actually say I prefer this version over Animotion's cover. And that version is one of my favorite 80's tunes, and nothing can top that classic video, but this version is more "obsessed" in the way it's sung(at least the male side). It's so crazy how one version topped the charts, and is an 80's icon, while the other is mostly unknown to the masses and pretty much released almost on top of one another.

[ConcernedCitizen]

I have never heard this version before, but I do think that this is a very good version.

[astonmartin]

I never knew this was the original version. I was looking for it because of the trailer for 9 1/2 weeks

I love the cover but this is better

[ForTheLoveofMando]

OMG, I never knew this song existed pre-Animotion?! OMG

[williamdaniels]

Shocked! Didn't know it was a cover! One of the best 80s songs

[RageTVHTX]

had no idea this version existed! I vaguely remember now seeing the previews on TV for the movie A Night In Heaven and hearing this in it. Wow

[stylistmatt]

Love this version…9 1/2 weeks trailer!!

[wiscorpio]

I've wanted to hear their version of it. It sounds new wavy and b-movie-ish. Holly Knight later formed Device and hit with "Hanging On A Heart Attack". Martha Quinn said that to be her 1st time working with a male vocalist, this would precede it.

[RAYRADDIO]

OMG! Thanks for uploading this! I've been looking for it for years. :D

[SniffyPoo]

interesting, had no idea this existed all these years

[geecali]

It's always good to hear the original and listen to later versions to compare. So many people remade this song. Just like jambalaya, a ton of people remade it, then even got turned to Spanish.

[caveman]

I remember this from the movie "A Night in Heaven" with Christopher Atkins and I think Leslie Ann Warren? Great post! Thanks for the memories : )

[fmbighair]

Like a buttefly, a wiod butterfly i will collect and capture you ... What a lyric lol...

[Alimoo]

I remember Micheal Des Basses from MacGyver, (1985-1992) he played Murdoc