In June 1983, the UK dance act Freeez enjoyed their biggest ever chart success when this single reached #2 in the charts:-mp3 : Freeez - I.O.U.
As the cover of the single indicates, as much prominence was given to the fact that the record was produced by Arthur Baker as it was a release by Freeez. It really was massive that summer, spending months in the charts and becoming one of the Top 20 best-selling singles in 1983. Just as importantly from the band, producer and record label perspective, it also got massive play in clubs all across the United States, thanks to its infectious and catchy chorus and repetitive but memorable beat.
At the same time as Freeez enjoyed this success, it became known that New Order had also been working with Arthur Baker to release the follow-up to Blue Monday. The band coyly dropped hints that while the new song would be a bit different from previous New Order tracks, it would somehow be familiar to many. A bit of an understatement when you listen to this:-
mp3 : New Order - Confusion
Given that it was released while I.O.U. was still in the lower regions of the British singles chart, Confusion did remarkably well to climb to #12 on its release in August 1983. Especially as it was only issued in a 12" format.
It was amazing to see so many New Order fans belatedly accept the brilliance of the disco-pop single that had driven so many of them demented in the previous months. I say this with some certainty, as I was one of them.....
This tune - and let's face it, it is two songs with the same tune - did more than just about any other to create that indie/dance crossover, and in its way was more responsible for the development of The Hacienda nightclub than any other New Order song. Including Blue Monday.
Fancy some b-sides?
mp3 : Freeez - I Dub U
mp3 : New Order - Confusion (Rough Mix)
Lay down your overcoast and dance.
6 comments:
Strange and unbeknown to you I just got Freez played on Radio Scotland a couple of weeks back.
"Get It On" with Brian Burnett?
Rats Yourself To The Zsa Zsa Hey!
I still play Confusion, it is a great record and you're right. It was the song that created the crossover. It's an absolute epic.
Confusion here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iKyPMXQb5o
Always preferred Southern Freez to this one, but still a top tune. Cheers!
One of NO's greatest moments...and I can say with some pride that I was hanging out at the Funhouse the night Arthur Baker threw down Confusion for the first time (the fact that they were in NYC and that they were working with Baker was a really badly kept secret at the time)...Had no idea the band was in the booth that night, but saw later in the video. NO really found a way of reflecting their time in NYC in the music they put out at that time. I don't think much is made of it, but it definitely was a big influence on them.
Post a Comment