Don't You Want Me...Human League, 1981.
Angsty 80's songs, from the soundtrack of my life, is my theme for the A-Z challenge this year.
I have to admit that the initial angst I felt from this song was caused by the video. You see, I spent a lot, and I mean a lot, of time watching MTV in the early eighties. I was a preteen with working parents who had far too much free time. The first issue the Human League posed was that no, I didn't want them. I could not have told you what song I was hoping Nina Blackwood would announce, but this was not it. (Nor was Take the L out of Lover...and It's Over, and boy was that on a lot too.) The other problem I had was the video itself, in that I did not understand it. In fact, I just checked it out again and am still confused.
I did eventually grow to accept the song, perhaps for the heartache it suggested. It was also fairly easy to sing along with (lyrics-wise), which was a double bonus. Don't you want me baby, don't you want me oh? (repeat, and repeat some more)
I wondered who was telling the more plausible version of the story. Was the cocktail waitress going to find greater success even without Mr. Modesty, or was he truly an integral part of her upswing? Was it fair for him to threaten her? Was I going to be lucky enough to get turned into someone new? Would I ever have a five year relationship?
Have never heard of this song.Great theme however, love the idea!
ReplyDeleteIn the early 8o's I WAS working as a waitress in a cocktail bar. Okay, it was a country club.
ReplyDeleteNow I will be singing that song ALL DAY......
ReplyDeleteI'm a little older than you. I only vaguely remember the video, but I remember the song felt like a power song to me. I LOVED that she may have gotten INTO something for the wrong reasons but figured it out and left to be tough on her own.
ReplyDelete(Careless Whisper, from yesterday, was popular when I was in college, so that has some wild memories, too, though I like the remake by Seether better musically)
I absolutely HATE that song. I haven't seen many videos, because The Nutritionist didn't let us watch MTV OR SNL. Can you imagine???
ReplyDeleteTina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
The song was easy to sing along with, and now it will be in my head for the rest of the night. :)
ReplyDeleteTaMara
Tales of a Pee Dee Mama
Hold up your hand and receive a virtual high five from another child of the eighties...ready...swack! Great posts!
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I played that song so many times, that my mum threatened to come upstairs and break my stereo if she heard it one more time. So it was quite funny to hear her warbling along to the tune whenever it came on the radio. :)
ReplyDeleteI got very tired of this song very fast, but unfortunately the rest of the world did not!
ReplyDeleteLOL. I always liked that song. Not for the lyrics which seemed kind of desperate - hey, another D word. But I liked the tune. Cute post.
ReplyDeleteSongs with annoying or musinderstood lyrics plague the eighties. However, the tune sticks in my brain even now. ;-)
ReplyDeletehttp://francene-wordstitcher.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm glad she dumped her domineering boyfriend and got the world at her feet. Chick had gumption. (;
ReplyDeleteI wanted to shank Mr/. Modesty, if I recall....
ReplyDeleteAgree with you about the video, and w/Ricki, above, about wanting to shank Mr. Modesty. What a tool. :-D STILL, I admit to a teen-throbby squeeze to my gut every time his voice deepened and he sang, "Don't...don't you want me?" That, and the chorus, reveal the vulnerability of the fella in a way that makes me put down the shiv. :-D
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
I saw The Human League about ten years ago in Cardiff. They were brilliant and wonderfully self depreciating. This takes me back to my school days....
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