Album Information:
Album ID: 10114
About The Human League:
The Human League is a British synthpop band that was formed in Sheffield, England in 1977. Originally formed as an experimental electronic act, the band eventually developed a more pop-oriented sound that blended electronic music with catchy hooks and infectious melodies.
The original lineup of the Human League included Martyn Ware, Ian Craig Marsh, and Philip Oakey. The band's early recordings were notable for their cold, robotic sound, which was achieved with the use of synthesizers and drum machines. This early sound was influenced by the German electronic group Kraftwerk, as well as other experimental electronic acts of the era.
The band's breakthrough came in the early 1980s, when they released the album 'Dare!' The album's lead single, 'Don't You Want Me,' became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in both the UK and US. The song's catchy synth riff and memorable chorus helped to define the sound of 80s synthpop, and it remains one of the most iconic songs of the era.
Following the success of 'Don't You Want Me,' the Human League continued to release successful albums and singles throughout the 1980s. They had a string of hits, including 'Mirror Man,' 'Human,' and 'Fascination.' The band's music videos were also notable for their visual style, which often featured surreal imagery and avant-garde art direction.
In the 1990s, the band's popularity waned somewhat, but they continued to release music and tour. In 2001, Marsh and Ware left the band, leaving Oakey as the sole remaining original member. Despite this, the band continued to tour and release albums, and in 2011, they released the album 'Credo,' which was their first album of new material in a decade.
Today, the Human League is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential synthpop groups of all time. Their innovative use of synthesizers and drum machines helped to pave the way for the rise of electronic dance music, and their catchy, melodic songs continue to be loved by fans around the world.
About the album Dare!:
Dare! is the third studio album by English electronic band The Human League. It was released on October 16, 1981, by Virgin Records, and has since become a seminal album in the history of synth-pop and new wave music.
The opening track, 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of,' sets the tone for the album with its infectious groove and catchy synth hooks. The band’s signature sound throughout Dare! is a blend of synth-driven pop, electronic experimentalism, and icy, detached vocals. Lead singers Phil Oakey and Susan Ann Sulley's distinctive vocal styles blend together seamlessly, creating a unique dynamic within the band.
One of the album's most recognizable tracks is 'Don't You Want Me,' which became a chart-topping hit and a classic 80s anthem. This song features the iconic opening synth riff that has become an instantly recognizable staple of 80s music and is sure to get anyone on the dance floor.
Other standout tracks on Dare! include 'Love Action (I Believe in Love),' 'Seconds,' and 'Open Your Heart.' 'Love Action' is a powerful track with a driving bassline and soaring chorus that showcases the band's ability to craft pop songs with intelligent lyrics. 'Seconds' is a haunting track that talks about the threat of nuclear war and is a testament to the band's ability to tackle serious themes within their music. 'Open Your Heart' is a synth-driven ballad that showcases the band's more introspective side.
Overall, Dare! is a masterclass in synth-pop and new wave music, with slick production, innovative instrumentation, and captivating vocals. It stands as one of the greatest albums of the 80s and continues to influence and inspire musicians and fans alike to this day.
Members:
The Human League is a British synth-pop band formed in 1977. Over the years, the band has had several members, but its most prominent members include:
1. Phil Oakey: Phil Oakey is the lead vocalist and one of the founding members of The Human League. He was born on October 2, 1955, in Sheffield, England. Before forming The Human League, Oakey was a computer programmer, but he switched to music after seeing a concert by David Bowie. Oakey is known for his distinctive, androgynous appearance, as well as his distinctive voice. Oakey has remained with the band throughout its various lineup changes, and he has also pursued a solo career parallel to The Human League.
2. Joanne Catherall: Joanne Catherall is one of the two female vocalists in The Human League. She was born on September 18, 1962, in Sheffield, England. Catherall was working as a hairdresser when she met Phil Oakey, who invited her to join the band in 1980. Since then, Catherall has been an integral part of The Human League's sound and image.
3. Susan Ann Sulley: Susan Ann Sulley is the other female vocalist in The Human League. She was born on March 22, 1963, in Sheffield, England. Like Joanne Catherall, Sulley was working as a hairdresser when she was invited to join the band by Phil Oakey in 1980. Sulley's high-pitched, melodic voice is an essential part of The Human League's sound.
4. Ian Craig Marsh: Ian Craig Marsh was one of the founding members of The Human League, along with Phil Oakey and Martyn Ware. He was born on November 11, 1956, in Sheffield, England. Marsh played synthesizers and keyboards in The Human League, and he was responsible for much of the band's early sound and style. Marsh left the band in 1980 to form Heaven 17 with Ware.
5. Martyn Ware: Martyn Ware was one of the founding members of The Human League, along with Phil Oakey and Ian Craig Marsh. He was born on May 19, 1956, in Sheffield, England. Ware played synthesizers and keyboards in The Human League, and he was responsible for much of the band's early sound and style. Ware left the band in 1980 to form Heaven 17 with Marsh.
Track List for Dare!:
Sure, I can do that for you! Here are all the tracks in the album Dare! by The Human League, in order, along with their playtime and a brief description of each:
1. 'The Things That Dreams Are Made Of' - 4:18
This upbeat synthpop track sets the tone for the rest of the album with its catchy melody and playful lyrics about chasing your dreams.
2. 'Open Your Heart' - 3:56
Featuring lead vocals by Joanne Catherall, 'Open Your Heart' is a love song with a classic synthpop sound and a memorable hook.
3. 'The Sound of the Crowd' - 3:55
One of The Human League's biggest hits, 'The Sound of the Crowd' features a driving rhythm and catchy chorus that encourages listeners to join in and become part of the crowd.
4. 'Darkness' - 3:58
A slower, more melancholy track, 'Darkness' features moody synths and introspective lyrics about uncertainty and fear.
5. 'Do or Die' - 5:22
This dancefloor-ready track features multiple vocalists and a bouncy, pulsing beat that urges listeners to take chances and live life to the fullest.
6. 'Get Carter' - 1:03
A short instrumental interlude featuring a sample from the soundtrack of the classic British film of the same name.
7. 'I Am the Law' - 4:09
With its pulsating bassline and driving beat, 'I Am the Law' is a defiant anthem about standing up for yourself and seizing control of your life.
8. 'Seconds' - 4:57
A haunting ballad with a slow, steady rhythm, 'Seconds' features emotive vocals and lyrics about the passage of time and the importance of making the most of every moment.
9. 'Love Action (I Believe in Love)' - 4:59
Another iconic synthpop hit, 'Love Action' is a joyous celebration of the power of love, with a euphoric chorus that's impossible not to sing along to.
10. 'Don't You Want Me' - 3:57
Perhaps the most famous song on the album, 'Don't You Want Me' is a synthpop classic with an instantly recognizable synth riff and a dramatic storyline about a doomed romance.
Overall, Dare! is a quintessential album of the '80s synthpop era, with catchy hooks, pulsing rhythms, and lyrics that speak to the universal themes of love, dreams, and self-empowerment.
Discography for The Human League:
Here is the complete discography for The Human League:
Albums:
- Reproduction (1979)
- Travelogue (1980)
- Dare (1981)
- Hysteria (1984)
- Crash (1986)
- Romantic? (1990)
- Octopus (1995)
- Secrets (2001)
- Credo (2011)
Singles:
- Being Boiled (1978)
- Empire State Human (1979)
- Only After Dark (1980)
- Total Panic (1980)
- The Sound of the Crowd (1981)
- Love Action (I Believe in Love) (1981)
- Open Your Heart (1981)
- Don't You Want Me (1981)
- Mirror Man (1982)
- (Keep Feeling) Fascination (1983)
- The Lebanon (1984)
- Life on Your Own (1984)
- Louise (1984)
- Human (1986)
- I Need Your Loving (1986)
- Love Is All That Matters (1986)
- Heart Like a Wheel (1990)
- Soundtrack to a Generation (1990)
- Tell Me When (1994)
- One Man in My Heart (1995)
- Filling Up with Heaven (2001)
Other releases:
- Holiday '80 EP (1980)
- Fascination! (EP) (1983)
- The Dignity of Labour (EP) (1983)
- Boys and Girls (1981)
- Don't You Want Me Baby? (1982) - VHS
- Human League Greatest Hits (1988) - VHS
- Greatest Hits (1995) - CD
- The Very Best of the Human League (2003) - CD
- Live at the Dome (2005) - DVD
Note: Release dates may differ depending on the country of origin.