Episode 26: Human League - Dare (1981) Part 1

With Sarah off traveling the world, Brian welcomes back frequent co-host and friend of the show Colby Zell to sit in and discuss the classic offering from the new and different 1981 version of the Human League.

Part 1: Background

Pre-1981 the Human League was a fairly odd 4-piece releasing music that sometimes came close to sounding like pop, but more often than not would just be classified as some sort of 'sonic experience.' How did that band become the sextet that would conquer the world with "Don't You Want Me?" Brian and Colby tell the crazy tale of the band's transformation and reveal if this 'new look' League was able to win over the hearts and minds of the public.

Part 2: Personal History

Brian and Colby briefly discuss their own personal history with this record. Colby clues us in that even considering how huge this record was, it was another album by the League that he was listening to back in the early 80's. And Brian tries to move past the fact that he feels his mom owes him $5 from the day she picked up "Dare" for him at his local record shop.

Part 3: Track by Track

In a nice change of pace, both the US and the UK versions of "Dare" shared the same track listing, so for the first time in over a month, we don't have to worry about keeping two different sets of songs straight in our minds. Our hosts let the listeners know which songs on side 1 are 'red' songs and which are 'blue' songs - and what that means in the first place! Brian declares "fake music" the best music as Colby points out some areas where the original version of the Human League still has some influence on the songwriting of "Dare."

Side One:

The Things That Dreams Are Made Of

Open Your Heart

The Sound Of The Crowd

Darkness

Do Or Die

See the videos discussed here:

Open Your Heart (Official Video)

The Sound Of The Crowd (TOTP)

The Sound Of The Crowd (Jools Holland)

Do Or Die (OTT)

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