I.O.U. (Freeez song)
1983 single By Freeez
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"I.O.U." is a song by British musical group Freeez, released in 1983. The song was written and produced by Arthur Baker and remixed by Jellybean Benitez and Baker. The song was an international hit, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart, making the top ten in many European charts and topping the US Billboard Dance/Disco chart. It was the 20th-best-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom.[2]
- "I Dub U"
- "We Got the Jazz"
| "I.O.U." | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Freeez | ||||
| from the album Gonna Get You | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | 17 June 1983 | |||
| Studio | Unique (New York City) | |||
| Genre | Electro-funk[1] | |||
| Length |
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| Label | Beggars Banquet | |||
| Songwriter | Arthur Baker | |||
| Producer | Arthur Baker | |||
| Freeez singles chronology | ||||
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| Freeez singles chronology | ||||
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The accompanying video featured children with skateboards and BMX bicycles recreating New York hip-hop culture.
In 1986, a 12-inch single was released in the US by the Criminal Records company, with new remixes. Some of these remixes were given a re-release during 1987 in the UK for the Citybeat label as "I.O.U. (The Ultimate Mixes '87)", however, it only reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
Samples
The song has been sampled multiple times. Cutfather & Joe used a sample for their remix of Brandy's 2002 single "Full Moon"; Cheryl Cole for the song "Let's Get Down" from her 2010 album Messy Little Raindrops as does Wawa for the remix of StoneBridge's 2007 single "S.O.S". Jamie xx uses a vocal sample for the song "Girl", which closes his debut solo album In Colour. In 2019, Detroit rapper BabyTron of ShittyBoyz used this sample for the song "Jesus Shuttlesworth", the third track off his debut album Bin Reaper. In 2021, DJ/producer Paolo Pellegrino sampled "I.O.U." in a song rewritten together with singer Shibui, titled "Destiny".[2]
Track listings
1983 releases
7-inch vinyl
- UK: Beggars Banquet / BEG 96
- Germany, Netherlands: Virgin / 105 535
- US: Streetwise / SWRL-1110
- Australia: Powderworks / POW 0146
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." | 3:48 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Dub U" | 4:38 |
- Japan: Victor / VIPX-1742
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pop Goes My Love" |
12-inch vinyl
- UK: Beggars Banquet / BEG 96(T)
- Germany, France: Virgin / 600 902
- Australia: Powderworks / POWT 0146
- Spain: Beggars Banquet / F-600902
- Canada: Vertigo / SOVX 2327
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Megamix) | 8:43 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Dub U" | 7:37 |
| 2. | "We Got the Jazz" | 4:04 |
- UK: Beggars Banquet / BEG 96TA
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Megamix) | 8:43 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Accapella Mix) | 4:03 |
| 2. | "We Got the Jazz" | 4:04 |
- US: Streetwise / SWRL 2210 (some with second track on side two)
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." | 7:50 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I. Dub. U." | 7:49 |
| 2. | "Acapella U." (not on all releases) | 2:50 |
1986 releases
12-inch vinyl
- US: Criminal / CRIM 00007
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club, Vocal Mix) | 8:00 |
| 2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Drumapella) | 4:10 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Gogo, Vocal Mix) | 6:37 |
| 2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club, Dub Mix) | 6:50 |
1987 releases
7-inch vinyl
- UK: City Beat / CBE 709
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Club Vocal Edit) | 3:55 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Shakedown Vocal Edit) | 3:55 |
- Sweden: City Beat / BB 7105
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Shakedown) | 3:55 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Club) | 4:00 |
12-inch vinyl
- UK: City Beat / CBE 1209
- France: Virgin / 80291
- Germany: Virgin / 608 897
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Dub Mix) | 6:32 |
| 2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Vocal Mix) | 6:02 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Vocal Mix) | 6:37 |
| 2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Instrumental Mix) | 5:18 |
- Sweden: City Beat / BB 8105
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Vocal Mix) | 6:40 |
| 2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Instrumental Mix) | 5:25 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Vocal Mix) | 6:10 |
| 2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Dub Mix) | 6:35 |
Personnel
- John Rocca – vocals, hand percussion, bongos, congas
- Peter Maas – bass guitar, vocals
- Everton McCalla – drums, vocals
- Tina B – vocals
- Andy Stennett – piano
- Fred Zarr – piano
- Cosa – bongos, congas
- Arthur Baker – music and lyrics, production, mix, remix
- John "Jellybean" Benitez – mix
- John Robie – mix, remix
Additional personnel for 1986/87 versions
- Richard Scher – co-production
- Graeme Durham – editor
- Tim Palmer – editor
- Arthur Baker – remix
- Jay Burnett – remix
- John Rocca – remix
- Latin Rascals – remix
- Raul Soto – remix
Charts
Weekly charts
|
Year-end charts
|
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[29] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||