In
1981,
The Human League released Don’t You Want Me, a synth pop anthem that became one of the most iconic tracks of the early
80s. The song told a dramatic back and forth story between two voices, set to a catchy electronic beat that helped define the
new wave sound of the era. But it was the
music video that helped propel the song into global success.
Styled like a mini movie with noir inspired scenes, the video told the story of a complicated relationship between a director and a rising star. It captured the stylish and cinematic look of early
MTV and showed how storytelling could live inside a pop video.
Watch video here:
Don’t You Want Me was a massive hit and gave The Human League their first number one single in the US. The video’s polished visuals and duet driven
drama made it a staple in the early rotation of music television.
Fun fact: The band originally did not want to release the song as a single at all, but it became the UK’s biggest selling track of 1981.
