"I.O.U." is a song by British musical group Freeez, released in 1983. The song was written and produced by Arthur Baker and remixed by Jellybean Benitez and Arthur Baker. The song was an international hit, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart and topping the US Billboard Dance/Disco Top 80 chart, giving Freeez their only chart-topping single on any Billboard chart. It was the 18th-best-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom.
"I.O.U." | ||||
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Single by Freeez | ||||
from the album Gonna Get You | ||||
B-side |
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Released | 17 June 1983 | |||
Studio | Unique (New York City) | |||
Length |
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Label | Beggars Banquet | |||
Songwriter(s) | Arthur Baker | |||
Producer(s) | Arthur Baker | |||
Freeez singles chronology | ||||
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Freeez singles chronology | ||||
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In the UK, where clubbing culture had become accustomed to sophisticated jazz-funk music, I.O.U. was seen[by whom?] as "dumbing down" for commercial success, cashing in on the fashionable "electro" music scene. The accompanying video featured children with skateboards and BMX bicycles recreating New York hip-hop culture for a young audience unaware of the band's previous music.
In 1986, a 12-inch single was released in the US by the Criminal Records company, with new remixes. Some of these remixes were given a re-release during 1987 in the UK for the Citybeat label as "I.O.U. (The Ultimate Mixes '87)", however, it only reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song has been sampled multiple times. Cutfather and Joe used a sample for their remix of Brandy's 2002 single "Full Moon"; Cheryl Cole for the song "Let's Get Down" from her 2010 album Messy Little Raindrops as does Wawa for the remix of StoneBridge's 2007 single S.O.S. Jamie xx uses a vocal sample for the song "Girl", which closes his debut solo album In Colour. In 2019, Detroit rapper Babytron of ShittyBoyz used this sample for the song "Jesus Shuttlesworth", the third track of his debut album Bin Reaper. In 2021 the international DJ/Producer Paolo Pellegrino used the sample and the chorus, and had a new song rewritten together with the singer and songwriter Shibui, also changing the title to Destiny.
7-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." | 3:48 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I Dub U" | 4:38 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Pop Goes My Love" |
12-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Megamix) | 8:43 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I Dub U" | 7:37 |
2. | "We Got the Jazz" | 4:04 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Megamix) | 8:43 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Accapella Mix) | 4:03 |
2. | "We Got the Jazz" | 4:04 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." | 7:50 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I. Dub. U." | 7:49 |
2. | "Acapella U." (not on all releases) | 2:50 |
12-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club, Vocal Mix) | 8:00 |
2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Drumapella) | 4:10 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Gogo, Vocal Mix) | 6:37 |
2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club, Dub Mix) | 6:50 |
7-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Club Vocal Edit) | 3:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Shakedown Vocal Edit) | 3:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Shakedown) | 3:55 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Club) | 4:00 |
12-inch vinyl
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Dub Mix) | 6:32 |
2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Vocal Mix) | 6:02 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Vocal Mix) | 6:37 |
2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Instrumental Mix) | 5:18 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Vocal Mix) | 6:40 |
2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Shakedown Instrumental Mix) | 5:25 |
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Vocal Mix) | 6:10 |
2. | "I.O.U." (Ultimate Club Dub Mix) | 6:35 |
Additional personnel for 1986/87 versions
Weekly charts edit
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Year-end charts edit
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Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United Kingdom (BPI)[23] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |