HUMAN LEAGUE - LOUISE

Released: November 5, 1984

Charts: UK: #13 

"Louise" is a 1984 single by English synth-pop band The Human League, reaching number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. Written by Philip Oakey, Jo Callis, and Philip Adrian Wright, the song features Oakey on lead vocals, with backing vocals by Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall. The track uses analogue synthesizers played by Oakey, Callis, Wright, and Ian Burden, and was produced by Chris Thomas and Hugh Padgham. "Louise" was the third single from the album “Hysteria”.

The Human League's 1984 album “Hysteria” took three years to complete after the success of “Dare”, a long delay in the rapid-paced 1980s pop scene. While songs like “The Lebanon” and “Life on Your Own” had mixed receptions—“The Lebanon” with its blunt social commentary and “Life on Your Own” being a wintery track launched in summer—the album’s true highlight was “Louise”.

"Louise" tells a complex story of a man encountering his former lover on a bus, creating a moment that appears hopeful but is actually layered with darker themes. Although it seems to suggest a potential reconciliation, songwriter Philip Oakey reveals that it's a follow-up to “Don't You Want Me”, exploring the man's unresolved feelings and self-deception. The man fantasizes that his ex is still drawn to him, reflecting his inability to accept reality. Oakey describes the song as highlighting men's illusions of control over women, even when they’re self-deluded. Musically, "Louise" mirrors “Don't You Want Me” with its near-spoken vocals, electric piano chords, and a distinct synthesizer-driven brass solo, creating a catchy yet somber atmosphere.

The music video directed by Steve Barron, delves into the song's nuanced themes, mirroring the story and characters from “Don't You Want Me”. Filmed in black and white to convey depth, the video was seen as drab by music TV stations, but it revisits characters and props from the 1981 video, including Susan Ann Sulley’s trench coat and similar hairstyle. Oakey plays a writer navigating a canal boat, narrating scenes that unfold along the road beside the canal, where flashbacks and new interactions with the original characters take place. Notable elements include a London Routemaster bus in a stunt scene and a symbolic moment between Oakey and Catherall, referencing their real-life close relationship. Despite Barron’s detailed vision, the video’s complex, "artsy" approach led to mixed public reception, with its storyline often misunderstood. This video was Barron’s final project with the band, marking the end of a long collaboration.