THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

825-Freeez-I.O.U.

1983-Number 2 single. In 1987 remixes of the song were made available on a 12 inch single, and charted at Number 23.

Best Bit-At 3.05. The songwriters missed a trick. With the lyrics being ‘A-E-I-O-U,’ they could have sold the rights to ‘Sesame Street,’ to teach the ‘cool kids’ their vowels.

‘Freeez’ was the brainchild of John Rocca, who was born on September 23rd, 1960, in London, England, initially starting out life in 1978 as a ‘Jazz-Funk’ band, they transitioned in to ‘Electronic’ music in the early 1980’s. Joining Rocca to work as ‘Freeez’ were, Andy Stennett, (keyboards) Peter Mass, (bass guitar) Paul Morgan, (drums) Everton McCalla, (drums) and Gordon Sullivan (guitar.) ‘Freeez’ would remain active through until 1985, releasing five Albums between 1981-1985, and 13 singles, including the ‘I-O-U’ remix, between 1980-1987. In the UK, five of those singles reached the top 40, with ‘I-O-U’ charting the highest at Number 2 in 1983. Although they never managed to break in to the American Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, three of their tracks did reach the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ top 40, with ‘I-O-U’ making the Number 1 spot.

‘Freeez’ were formed at the height of ‘Jazz-Funk,’ for other ‘Jazz-Funk’ acts on this ‘best 1000 list’ (see also best songs 1036-588 and 227.) Their first single ‘Keep In Touch’ (UK-Number 49 in 1980) which sold 35,000 copies, was self funded, and produced by John Rocca on his ‘Pink Rhythm Records’ label. Rocca left ‘Freeez’ in 1984 to pursue a solo career, leaving Peter Maas who was by now the only original member, to continue as ‘Freeez.’ Maas brought in new musicians to work alongside him, with the result being the 1985 Album ‘Idle Vice,’ the final studio Album issued under the ‘Freeez’ banner. John Rocca released three solo Albums between 1984-1996, and 12 singles between 1984-1993, which included twice hitting the Number 1 spot on the Billboard ‘Dance Club Songs’ chart with ‘I Want It to Be Real,’ in 1984, and ‘Shine” Midi Rain,’ in 1993. Rocca retired from music in late 1993, and in 1997 he became one of the founding members of the technology start up ‘Intec Telecom Systems,’ which was successfully launched on the London Stock Exchange in 2001.

‘I-O-U’ was the first of three singles released from ‘Gonna Get You,’ which was the second studio Album by ‘Freeez,’ from 1983. ‘I-O-U’ was written and produced by Arthur Baker, (see also best songs 716) with additional lyrics by John Rocca, and remixed by Baker, and Jellybean Benitez. To their British fan base ‘Freeez’ were known as a sophisticated ‘Jazz-Funk’ (‘Brit-Funk’) outfit, and their change in musical style to ‘Electronic Music’ didn’t go down well with everyone, with some of their fan base accusing them of ‘dumbing down’ in order to gain commercial success. In America where they were virtually unknown up to this point, a video was made for ‘I-O-U’ which featured children with skateboards, and ‘BMX’ bicycles, recreating the New York ‘Hip-Hop’ culture of that time, for a young audience unaware of the band’s previous music.

At the time of it’s release (to my ears) ‘I-O-U’ sounded like something fresh and new. ‘Freeez’ had moved in to ‘Electronic Music,’ and were seemingly influenced by the emergence of acts such as ‘The Human League,’ (see also best songs 1009 and 986) and ‘Soft Cell,’ (see also best songs 848) but where as those acts were making ‘Electronic/Pop’ music, ‘Freeeze’ were now among the innovators of ‘Electronic Dance Music.’ Speaking about ‘I-O-U’ John Rocca now credits it’s success to, ‘It’s hooky melody, and for the era, cutting edge production. I think there was a mixture of groundbreaking sounds, and a style that hadn’t really been done before. So, it was new at the time. And it was fleeting, as well, that particular sound came and went, which means it sort of stands out. There’s a lot of stuff like it, but not so much that was particularly successful.’

‘You tell me that you love me every day. When we’re alone I really feel in love, but when you’re out with friends I see a change, you treat me bad, I feel like second best.’