THE STORY BEHIND DON’T YOU WANT ME BY THE HUMAN LEAGUE

In the early 1980s, Don't You Want Me by The Human League emerged as a massive synth pop hit. It was released as a single from their 1981 album Dare. Lead singer Philip 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 by luck of the draw. Until then, she and the other female vocalist, Joanne Catherall, had only been assigned backing vocals. Musicians Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright created a synth score to accompany the lyrics but was much harsher than the version that was actually released. producer Martin Rushent and Callis remixed the track giving it a softer, and in Oakey's opinion,poppy sound. At first oakey did not want it to be released as a single due to him still being displeased with the changes that were made in production but ultimately agreed. Little did he know that it would go on to become the band's biggest hit.

[RazielMagic]

When a song still catches you 35 years later
It’s amazing

[kymelieleonard]

80s! The complete BOMB!!!! They don't make music like this no mo'

[Ekorslk]

“Human” is my all time favorite Human League song

[lasvegasotis]

I was 8 when this came out, remember hearing it on the radio, brings back memories of growing up in the 80's.

[jaymiequintana]

Imagine only being a teenager and your part of a band that's going platinum.

[rahsaanthomas]

"But don't forget it's me who put you where you are now
And I can put you back down, too."

[GenericUsername]

I wasn't alive then but this song is my favourite from the 80s ❤

[whitsundaydreaming]

Their November 24 concert proved that Oakey still has all the talent he ever did.

[mwmann]

The song that was playing the exact moment i met my wife. In 1982. At Cafe Dallas in Dallas Texas. A disco/pop/rock singles club. Me 27, her 18.

[pauleyles]

I'm a mega big Human League fan. Little does Queen Joanne Catherall ❤️ know this. But she is largely responsible 4 the best night ever of my life. I've got a signed photo of my life time special hero IE Queen Joanne Catherall ❤️. Which I've had 40 years.

[ScottRandolph-dddr]

🎉 1981....l was in highschool. This is my favourite song of theirs. Met them in a reunion concert a couple of years ago. Retro music greetings from coastal Mississippi ❤

[Arselpang]

One of the best songs from the 80's. This is a gem that i never get tired of listen to.

[michaelvaughn]

Initially, The Human League was just a male only band, and the 2 ladies weren't members

[TheCaptain]

Was 17 when this came out great song then n still is .

[carlosserrano]

I came from a family of musicians but when I heard that song for the first time and my encounter with a Synthesizer (Juno-6) at 12 years old, I said to myself, this is the sound, I want to sound like that, this song was my inspiration for electronic music.

[michaelvaughn]

I remember first hearing the cut when I was in 7th grade. It sounded really cool😎

[opiateutopia]

It's said that the band's dislike for the song is the reason it's the last song on the album. Hoped to tuck it away at the end to draw less attention to it

[Mr.Bryanmay]

I miss the 80s. This band was one of my favorites. Long live the Human League.

[Bumblebastian]

Ah the good ol' days when my mom would play this song in the car

[TammyRichardson-zl]

My FAVORITE FROM THEM IS, IM ONLY HUMAN❤