Help me figure out which song this is....

I heard this song on the radio the other night that I liked. It's definitely circa '84. I would say the singer is most definitely from the UK. He sounded similar to Roddy Frame, ......that type of thing. The song opens with this catchy, repetative 1-4-5 pattern with a simple synth-horn riff. The chorus sounds like the guy is saying "red, red, red, red, red, red..." and then it goes back into that synth riff again. I know this is not too much information, but some of you guys are really good at this. Any ideas??

 

"Love Plus One" by Haircut 100. It was a big hit in the early 80s, but the group was consigned to "one-hit wonder" status.

Update: he's actually singing "Ring, ring, ring...". I always thought it was "Ray, ray, ray...". Lyric sites: another reason to love the internet.

 

Ken, I'm leaning towards XTC - "Red".

Prix, here is a sample of XTC - Red from my Web space.

Is this the song?

The album - XTC - GO2 was released in October of 1978.

 

XTC - Red

You better watch your tape boys
It's the tint that angers the beast
Got their sails in the sunset
they've already got the east

Red red red
Don't you let them make you
Don't let them make you see... red

You better watch your lead boys
it's already in your veins
Did you ever see the colour
iron turns when it rains

It's not a gross infatuation
It's not a fear, it's not a crush
It's not any special nation
But even now they make me blush

 

Haircut 100 - Love Plus One
I, I went off to the right
Without saying goodbye, goodbye
Where does it go from here?
Is it down to the lake I fear?
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Then I call
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
La la love plus one
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
When I call love
Give love some soul
If I may be quite so bold
Where does it go from here?
Is it down to the lake I fear?
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Then I call
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
La la love plus one
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
When I call love
Love plus one

 

Haircut 100 - Love Plus One excerpt.

First charted on Billboard July 17, 1982.

 

DAMN! You guys are good!!!! What other forum ANYWHERE can you type in some vague data and find the EXACT song you were looking for??? The song was indeed "Love Plus One" by Haircut 100. THANKS GUYS!!

 

I'm glad you discovered which song it was. This is one of my favorite 80's tracks, I can't believe I couldn't help you figure out the song. I've must have been slacking off!

 

Yeah, it's a rippin' tune. I love that style of early '80s music, Big Country, Aztec Camera, Eyeless In Gaza, Dexy's Midnight Runners, etc. Do you have the Haircut 100 album with that song on it on cd? I'm trying to figure out if I should go for the original pressing or the import remaster with 5 bonus trax.


PS-I liked your old avatar better.

 

I don't have either version on cd, just an old cassette.

I quite like my new avatar, but don't worry, George will return.

 

Your new avatar is evil! Any idea where I can find an mp3 of that song? I am dying to hear it!

 

I like the Radiohead avatar.

I remember that HC100 song, but I can't remember why I'm confusing it with that other song, Pure Energy, by I can't remember whom.

 

I was looking for an mp3 of the song and I ran across this pretty funny review for the video:

http://www.altreel.com/music-videos/reviews/h/haircut-100_love-plus-one.shtml

 

That would be Information Society.

 

Did you know Haircut 100's Pelican West album was an all-digital recording?

 

You can find it on any file sharing network. I've got an Mp3 and the quality sucks (as usual). I need to find a good 80's compilation with this track on it.

Thanks for the compliment about my avatar! You should see the full image before I cropped it. The bear is holding a sickle (grim-reaper style). He's standing on a raft in the middle of red-water.

 

I remember hearing that somewhere. It's been so long since I've heard that album all the way through. My cousin was a big Haircut 100 fan back in the day.

 

Wow, I didn't know that. I guess I'll get it on cd then.