I.O.U. (Freeez song)

I. O. U. is a 1983 song written and produced by Arthur Baker and performed by the British group Freeez. It was mixed with the assistance of Jellybean. The song was the group's only major hit, which is why they are considered a one-hit wonder. It appeared on the album of the same name.

Background

After producing the electro-funk album Planet Rock for Afrika Bambaataa, Baker left Tommy Boy Entertainment to form his own label Streetwise Records with Maurice Starr in 1982. In the course of working on the soundtrack to the film Beat Street, he composed I. O. U. in a taxi on the way to recording sessions with Freeez. The song was recorded in 1982 at Unique Studios in New York. The rhythm was created on the Roland TR-808 and numerous tracks programmed on the Fairlight CMI gave the song its melody. The single and album of the same name were released on Streetwise rather than the Beggars Banquet label to which Freeez were signed. The collaboration with Freeez as the first British band brought Baker to the attention of other formations from the United Kingdom, such as New Order or the Pet Shop Boys, for whom he subsequently remixed or produced alongside American bands such as New Edition.

Content of the song

IOU is the abbreviation "I owe you", which is also used on promissory notes. The man who loves the woman feels indebted to the woman and implores her to stand by him and love him. He professes his love to her and wants her to love him back. He has doubts about her love when they are with other people and wants her to confess to him and be open with him about their love. The refrain a, e, i, o, u that occurs in the song represents the five vowels in the English language.