Love this and Human. i bought both ep's back in the day. Big club hit, but commercially not sure. First time seeing them perform it here though and love the look!!
@roddy76to86 Actually most radio stations (especially in the US) wouldn't even touch this song with a ten foot pole back in the day for its political message (even though Phil himself said the song wasn't intended to be so).
The lyrics were an attempt to make a political statement on the Lebanese civil war which had been exacerbated by Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon of 1982. The song tells the story of a man who joins a militia to help his community and ends up fighting in the civil war.
It's amazing to hear this song revisited today. It's just as lyrically poignant (and musically similar) to anything U2 had done during this same time period...and this is The Human League - the same band whose drippy "Don't You Want Me" had been played to death in 1982-83! Brilliant song in every way - bravo to the band for such a great song that is lasting through the ages!
the Summer when this was a hit, I remember that the jukebox of my local beachside bar would actually *move* about an inch everytime someone put this song on, so strong and vibrating was the bassline. Those were the days!
their best song
99elsol 3 weeks ago in playlist More videos from cinqo7
You could also apply this to the "Troubles" in Northern Ireland as well.
alphavilleusa 1 month ago
Love this and Human. i bought both ep's back in the day. Big club hit, but commercially not sure. First time seeing them perform it here though and love the look!!
mojorisingyou 3 months ago
JOANNE CATHERALL FIT FOR A DATE
tom6lillie5 3 months ago
Joanne Catherall <3
clarity4clarity 4 months ago in playlist clarity4clarity's favourites
ik wil terug naar de jaren tachtig
TheGostridder 4 months ago
Damn i like this song, but the lyrics make me sad. Lebanon Suffered a lot from civil war. I'm Lebanese btw
mrzabalight 4 months ago
The way the blonde is dancing just makes me freaking crazy! Phil was so damn lucky dude to have been there among the gals!
Vadim710906 5 months ago
Shoud have been a classic stuff! It is, and it proves to be a number 1 always I hear it.
Vadim710906 5 months ago
oh my god... I LOVE PHILIP :)
tinkerbellys 9 months ago
FOR THE RETURN OF THE 80'S!!!
sonnydaytona 11 months ago
somber lyrics,great song, completely underrated in its day.
markamarkam 1 year ago 2
I wish I was young again.....
INSHIOR 1 year ago
@INSHIOR
age is just a number.... you are still young
IZED11 1 year ago 2
This is great! So is theire new song Night People! What happened to English bands they used to be so good!
furakkueroru 1 year ago
The girl mentioned in the song is Miss Lebanon, winner of the the 1970 Miss Universe contest.
73carolandme 1 year ago
Collin Farrel in Alexander
nacho8libre 1 year ago
Ah, tocava na FM d Lins.....
AlbinoIncoerente 1 year ago
great great greeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeat!!
jasteern 1 year ago
Great, very underrated song
berlinmitte10117 1 year ago
college flashback! underated band
fredlinne 1 year ago
lol @ Phil Oakey's mullet :D
tsartodd 1 year ago
I think 1984 was the year Phil Oakey decided to go for the 'Rough around the edges' look!
TheJaking87 1 year ago
This song sounded great in 80s and still does today.
cyphertek 1 year ago
When this song came out I was living in South America. This was a huge hit there. The lyrics are so strong and sad.
jonessekid 1 year ago
When this song came out I was living in South America. This was a huge hit there.
jonessekid 1 year ago
what is the year ? 1982 ?
shaharmos 1 year ago
@shaharmos No 1984
JoeyDPro2009 1 year ago
An underrated classic from the League!
Terrific quality, thanks!
NoirExile 1 year ago
tomorrow LIVE in Belgium; looking forward to finally seeing them !!!!
gothicphilosopher 1 year ago
SUPERBE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
gothicphilosopher 1 year ago
Joanne is a godess!
lolerzol 1 year ago
I am agree totally with you prasinos37, the best years of 80's and 90's and today's music like raggeaton is stupid...
ozzi4everbol 1 year ago
80s music....the very best!!
daphnemarie74 1 year ago
simplesmente perfeito! baixo, vocal, backing vocal, teclados, tudo ótimo! um anos 80 fora de´serie!
ISKANDERUM 2 years ago
Greatest bass line ever ?!?...Best song of the 80s...probably...
essertpitay 2 years ago 4
what an edge this song has
goldstrom3 2 years ago
underrated song... why didnt this song be a bigger hit..
earlymtv 2 years ago 26
@earlymtv
It was a hit in Holland as I remember.
psaras65 1 year ago
@earlymtv
Blinkered synth fans didn't like guitars !
roddy76to86 6 months ago
@roddy76to86 Actually most radio stations (especially in the US) wouldn't even touch this song with a ten foot pole back in the day for its political message (even though Phil himself said the song wasn't intended to be so).
senorverde09 2 months ago
Bollocks to the politics of it! What were the names of the two very sexy attracive ladies? please anyone
Ripper36068 2 years ago
hi, the blonde is joanne catherall and the brunette suzanne sully,,,,,, i think!
nobbletwist 2 years ago 2
correct, and what a band they were!!
goldstrom3 2 years ago
@goldstrom3 The Human league, awesome band
gosst60 1 year ago
beats dont you want me hands down!! mind you that was great too!!
goldstrom3 2 years ago
It's the opposite!
ajittffcure 2 years ago
Joanne and Susan!!
panospaneron 2 years ago
The lyrics were an attempt to make a political statement on the Lebanese civil war which had been exacerbated by Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon of 1982. The song tells the story of a man who joins a militia to help his community and ends up fighting in the civil war.
anthonybeaino 2 years ago
It's amazing to hear this song revisited today. It's just as lyrically poignant (and musically similar) to anything U2 had done during this same time period...and this is The Human League - the same band whose drippy "Don't You Want Me" had been played to death in 1982-83! Brilliant song in every way - bravo to the band for such a great song that is lasting through the ages!
BobCubTAC 2 years ago
An absolute masterpiece.
Love you Phil xx
MirandaJune 3 years ago 4
guenisimo
dreamworks49 3 years ago
brilliant 80s music.95 percent of today's music is ridiculous.
prasinos37 3 years ago 25
@prasinos37
Green?
psaras65 1 year ago 2
@psaras65 always have been,where are you friend?
prasinos37 1 year ago
@prasinos37
Stin Ollandia :-)
psaras65 1 year ago
@prasinos37
I agree with you !!!
When I hear artists like Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber I wish to drop off radio from my apartmant....
tzt898 1 year ago
the Summer when this was a hit, I remember that the jukebox of my local beachside bar would actually *move* about an inch everytime someone put this song on, so strong and vibrating was the bassline. Those were the days!
solopaola 3 years ago 5
Awesome this song... 1984, 80's good times. Thanks!!!
Ultramar0270 3 years ago 11
Masterpiece of the 80s!!
Love the guitar.
Thanks.
Gongosama 3 years ago 11