"Louise" | ||||
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Single by The Human League | ||||
from the album Hysteria | ||||
B-side | "The Sign" | |||
Released | 5 November 1984 | |||
Format | 7", 12" Vinyl Single | |||
Recorded | AIR Studios | |||
Length | 4:05 | |||
Label | Virgin Records | |||
Writer(s) | Philip Oakey, Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright | |||
Producer(s) | Chris Thomas and Hugh Padgham | |||
The Human League singles chronology | ||||
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"Louise" is a song by the British synthpop group The Human League. It was released as a single in the UK on 5 November 1984 and peaked at number thirteen in the UK Singles Chart. It was written jointly by lead singer Philip Oakey with fellow band members Jo Callis and Philip Adrian Wright. The song features a lead vocal by Oakey and female vocals by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, analogue synthesizers by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis, Philip Adrian Wright and Ian Burden. The producers were Chris Thomas and Hugh Padgham. Although enjoying modest success when released as a single, it appeared on Melody Maker's list of 50 top singles of 1984.
"Louise" was the third single released from Hysteria, the Human League’s follow up album to the international multi platinum selling Dare. Like the rest of Hysteria, it was recorded during the hugely expensive and turbulent sessions by the band at AIR Studios during 1983/4. Dare producer Martin Rushent had quit earlier, after repeatedly falling out with Oakey and production had been handed to Chris Thomas and Hugh Padgham, with final finishing taking place at Town House Studios.
"Louise" is essentially a male song with female backing; and was expected to be Hysteria’s answer to "Don't You Want Me". The vocal is accompanied by electric piano-style chords (another similarity to "Don't You Want Me"), all underpinned by a catchy lolloping bassline, and adorned by a prominent brass solo (also played on a synthesiser).
Despite the fact that many reviews of Hysteria identified Louise as a stand out track with Melody Maker's Colin Irwin speculating that it could be a potential number one single for the Human League, the song was not Virgin Records first choice as a single release from the album. That went to "The Lebanon".