As I left the half empty Trianon in Paris last night with the strains of "Love action" running through my head, I got to thinkin' about Prince and The Human League......

So many points in common, so much influence on Prince, could the Human League perhaps be better than Prince???

I present the facts.

1. Shite dancers. Joanne and Suzanne were recruited by Phil Oakey at the Crazy Daisy disco in Sheffield. They couldn't, and still can't, dance for toffee. Prince obviously was influenced by this when he recruited the Twinz.

2. Shite backing singers. Once again, Joanne and Suzanne's semi-tuneless shrieking obviously was going through P's mind when he took Shelby on board.

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

4 Hair 2. Phil is now bald...just like Prince and Shelby. Phil was first with this look.

5. Want. Prince likes songs with"want" in the title...I WANT to be your lover".."Why U WANT 2 treat me so bad".... All of these songs were obviously influenced by the mighty "Don't U want me baby"

6. Suzanne. The lovely Suzanne, who "sings" lead on the above was obviously one of the reasons why Prince recruited Susannah in his band.

6 Jam and Lewis. Prince used Jimmy and Terry but the HL used them better on the awesome Human...number 1 in the US I might add!

7. The Human League never made a film as bad as Graffitti Bridge.

8. The North. Sheffield is in the North of England. MPLS is in the north of the US. It snows less in Sheffield. Sheffield wins.

9. Drums. The HL used the Linn a lot. Prince stole the idea from them.

10. ....er and many other reasons.

I could go on and on but I won't.

However I hope this will make some of you fans reflect on how P wouldn't be where he is today without the Human League.....

[Edited 4/16/11 4:52am]

Yeah, you have a point

I know boredom is a terrible thing.

Try some crosswords or something...

vitriol said:

I know boredom is a terrible thing.

Try some crosswords or something...

Thanks but I'm happy here on the org!

eireboy34 said:

As I left the half empty Trianon in Paris last night with the strains of "Love action" running through my head, I got to thinkin' about Prince and The Human League......

So many points in common, so much influence on Prince, could the Human League perhaps be better than Prince???

I present the facts.

1. Shite dancers. Joanne and Suzanne were recruited by Phil Oakey at the Crazy Daisy disco in Sheffield. They couldn't, and still can't, dance for toffee. Prince obviously was influenced by this when he recruited the Twinz.

2. Shite backing singers. Once again, Joanne and Suzanne's semi-tuneless shrieking obviously was going through P's mind when he took Shelby on board.

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

4 Hair 2. Phil is now bald...just like Prince and Shelby. Phil was first with this look.

5. Want. Prince likes songs with"want" in the title...I WANT to be your lover".."Why U WANT 2 treat me so bad".... All of these songs were obviously influenced by the mighty "Don't U want me baby"

6. Suzanne. The lovely Suzanne, who "sings" lead on the above was obviously one of the reasons why Prince recruited Susannah in his band.

6 Jam and Lewis. Prince used Jimmy and Terry but the HL used them better on the awesome Human...number 1 in the US I might add!

7. The Human League never made a film as bad as Graffitti Bridge.

8. The North. Sheffield is in the North of England. MPLS is in the north of the US. It snows less in Sheffield. Sheffield wins.

9. Drums. The HL used the Linn a lot. Prince stole the idea from them.

10. ....er and many other reasons.

I could go on and on but I won't.

However I hope this will make some of you fans reflect on how P wouldn't be where he is today without the Human League.....

[Edited 4/16/11 4:52am]

yes please go on, tell us the rest.

powersoul99 said:

eireboy34 said:

As I left the half empty Trianon in Paris last night with the strains of "Love action" running through my head, I got to thinkin' about Prince and The Human League......

So many points in common, so much influence on Prince, could the Human League perhaps be better than Prince???

I present the facts.

1. Shite dancers. Joanne and Suzanne were recruited by Phil Oakey at the Crazy Daisy disco in Sheffield. They couldn't, and still can't, dance for toffee. Prince obviously was influenced by this when he recruited the Twinz.

2. Shite backing singers. Once again, Joanne and Suzanne's semi-tuneless shrieking obviously was going through P's mind when he took Shelby on board.

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

4 Hair 2. Phil is now bald...just like Prince and Shelby. Phil was first with this look.

5. Want. Prince likes songs with"want" in the title...I WANT to be your lover".."Why U WANT 2 treat me so bad".... All of these songs were obviously influenced by the mighty "Don't U want me baby"

6. Suzanne. The lovely Suzanne, who "sings" lead on the above was obviously one of the reasons why Prince recruited Susannah in his band.

6 Jam and Lewis. Prince used Jimmy and Terry but the HL used them better on the awesome Human...number 1 in the US I might add!

7. The Human League never made a film as bad as Graffitti Bridge.

8. The North. Sheffield is in the North of England. MPLS is in the north of the US. It snows less in Sheffield. Sheffield wins.

9. Drums. The HL used the Linn a lot. Prince stole the idea from them.

10. ....er and many other reasons.

I could go on and on but I won't.

However I hope this will make some of you fans reflect on how P wouldn't be where he is today without the Human League.....

[Edited 4/16/11 4:52am]

yes please go on, tell us the rest.

Er, well, ok.....................yes! Love action is a song about voyeurism!

We know Prince likes this theme...Alphabet Street, Dance 4 me etc etc etc.

The Human League got there first.

I rest my case????

This is amusing.

But I saw the new album "Credo" in HMV the other day. Is it any good? Might give it a blast on Spotify if it's on there.

I always heard similarities in "Shortberry Strawcake" and Human League's "(Keep Feeling) Fascination".

Anyone else?

Militant said:

This is amusing.

But I saw the new album "Credo" in HMV the other day. Is it any good? Might give it a blast on Spotify if it's on there.

They played one song from the new album yesterday...sonded very " Human Leaguey"..no doubt Prince will stealing ideas from Credo very soon.

Nah, I just like Human League. Gonna see them next week.. was it good?

eireboy34 said:

Militant said:

This is amusing.

But I saw the new album "Credo" in HMV the other day. Is it any good? Might give it a blast on Spotify if it's on there.

They played one song from the new album yesterday...sonded very " Human Leaguey"..no doubt Prince will stealing ideas from Credo very soon.

I just listened to it. Started off good and then lost steam a few tracks in.

I don't see Prince taking any ideas from this, TBH. The good stuff on "Credo" kinda reminds me of stuff Prince has done before anyway.

xLiberiangirl said:

Nah, I just like Human League. Gonna see them next week.. was it good?

OK....they seemed in a rush to get the show over with.

Joanne even yawned at one moment!

Phil was on something...God knows what.

Still great to hear some of the classics again!

As much as I love both artists I really can't compare the 2. In some aspects of their artistry there may be similarities, but come on, Prince will wipe the floor with the Sheffield band.

Human League's 'Don't You Want Me' video has an Alien poster hanging on the wall.

Prince's 'Chocolate Box' video apes Blade Runner.

Both are Ridley Scott films.

HL did theirs 28 years before Prince did his.

Good god, you might be onto something...

eyewishuheaven said:

Human League's 'Don't You Want Me' video has an Alien poster hanging on the wall.

Prince's 'Chocolate Box' video apes Blade Runner.

Both are Ridley Scott films.

HL did theirs 28 years before Prince did his.

Good god, you might be onto something...

Um I think the word Prince used was Wanna not want lmao Really?

eireboy34 said:

As I left the half empty Trianon in Paris last night with the strains of "Love action" running through my head, I got to thinkin' about Prince and The Human League......

So many points in common, so much influence on Prince, could the Human League perhaps be better than Prince???

I present the facts.

1. Shite dancers. Joanne and Suzanne were recruited by Phil Oakey at the Crazy Daisy disco in Sheffield. They couldn't, and still can't, dance for toffee. Prince obviously was influenced by this when he recruited the Twinz.

2. Shite backing singers. Once again, Joanne and Suzanne's semi-tuneless shrieking obviously was going through P's mind when he took Shelby on board.

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

4 Hair 2. Phil is now bald...just like Prince and Shelby. Phil was first with this look.

5. Want. Prince likes songs with"want" in the title...I WANT to be your lover".."Why U WANT 2 treat me so bad".... All of these songs were obviously influenced by the mighty "Don't U want me baby"

6. Suzanne. The lovely Suzanne, who "sings" lead on the above was obviously one of the reasons why Prince recruited Susannah in his band.

6 Jam and Lewis. Prince used Jimmy and Terry but the HL used them better on the awesome Human...number 1 in the US I might add!

7. The Human League never made a film as bad as Graffitti Bridge.

8. The North. Sheffield is in the North of England. MPLS is in the north of the US. It snows less in Sheffield. Sheffield wins.

9. Drums. The HL used the Linn a lot. Prince stole the idea from them.

10. ....er and many other reasons.

I could go on and on but I won't.

However I hope this will make some of you fans reflect on how P wouldn't be where he is today without the Human League.....

[Edited 4/16/11 4:52am]

Point taken about want/wanna but still a bit of a coincidence don't ya think??

eireboy34 said:

As I left the half empty Trianon in Paris last night with the strains of "Love action" running through my head, I got to thinkin' about Prince and The Human League......

So many points in common, so much influence on Prince, could the Human League perhaps be better than Prince???

I present the facts.

1. Shite dancers. Joanne and Suzanne were recruited by Phil Oakey at the Crazy Daisy disco in Sheffield. They couldn't, and still can't, dance for toffee. Prince obviously was influenced by this when he recruited the Twinz.

2. Shite backing singers. Once again, Joanne and Suzanne's semi-tuneless shrieking obviously was going through P's mind when he took Shelby on board.

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

4 Hair 2. Phil is now bald...just like Prince and Shelby. Phil was first with this look.

5. Want. Prince likes songs with"want" in the title...I WANT to be your lover".."Why U WANT 2 treat me so bad".... All of these songs were obviously influenced by the mighty "Don't U want me baby"

6. Suzanne. The lovely Suzanne, who "sings" lead on the above was obviously one of the reasons why Prince recruited Susannah in his band.

6 Jam and Lewis. Prince used Jimmy and Terry but the HL used them better on the awesome Human...number 1 in the US I might add!

7. The Human League never made a film as bad as Graffitti Bridge.

8. The North. Sheffield is in the North of England. MPLS is in the north of the US. It snows less in Sheffield. Sheffield wins.

9. Drums. The HL used the Linn a lot. Prince stole the idea from them.

10. ....er and many other reasons.

I could go on and on but I won't.

However I hope this will make some of you fans reflect on how P wouldn't be where he is today without the Human League.....

[Edited 4/16/11 4:52am]

not to mention braid hysteria, susanne was trend setter with her solitary hair braid, kids copied her hair.. tres fucking chic!

prince was inspired by this also & tried similar look a few years later. he wrote 'u got the look' in dedication to HL susanne sulley

DoffieParker said:

eireboy34 said:

As I left the half empty Trianon in Paris last night with the strains of "Love action" running through my head, I got to thinkin' about Prince and The Human League......

So many points in common, so much influence on Prince, could the Human League perhaps be better than Prince???

I present the facts.

1. Shite dancers. Joanne and Suzanne were recruited by Phil Oakey at the Crazy Daisy disco in Sheffield. They couldn't, and still can't, dance for toffee. Prince obviously was influenced by this when he recruited the Twinz.

2. Shite backing singers. Once again, Joanne and Suzanne's semi-tuneless shrieking obviously was going through P's mind when he took Shelby on board.

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

4 Hair 2. Phil is now bald...just like Prince and Shelby. Phil was first with this look.

5. Want. Prince likes songs with"want" in the title...I WANT to be your lover".."Why U WANT 2 treat me so bad".... All of these songs were obviously influenced by the mighty "Don't U want me baby"

6. Suzanne. The lovely Suzanne, who "sings" lead on the above was obviously one of the reasons why Prince recruited Susannah in his band.

6 Jam and Lewis. Prince used Jimmy and Terry but the HL used them better on the awesome Human...number 1 in the US I might add!

7. The Human League never made a film as bad as Graffitti Bridge.

8. The North. Sheffield is in the North of England. MPLS is in the north of the US. It snows less in Sheffield. Sheffield wins.

9. Drums. The HL used the Linn a lot. Prince stole the idea from them.

10. ....er and many other reasons.

I could go on and on but I won't.

However I hope this will make some of you fans reflect on how P wouldn't be where he is today without the Human League.....

[Edited 4/16/11 4:52am]

not to mention braid hysteria, susanne was trend setter with her solitary hair braid, kids copied her hair.. tres fucking chic!

prince was inspired by this also & tried similar look a few years later. he wrote 'u got the look' in dedication to HL susanne sulley

Wow! I didn't know that!

More HL rule facts....

1. HL sung "The Lebanon" - Somewhere Prince has never toured.

2. HL showed us "The sign" three years before Prince.

3. The Jam and Lewis penned "Human" was contemporary and stylish, unlike Princes "Human Body".

4. Prince may have noticed something in the water did not compute, but he was already "being boiled" by HL in 1979.

5. In 1990, HL had "got it right this time". Prince has been trying to get it right this time for last ten albums.

6. In 2001, HL sung about the Snake. The best Prince could do was show us his "snake" though his tight trousers.

HL rule!

SquirrelMeat said:

More HL rule facts....

1. HL sung "The Lebanon" - Somewhere Prince has never toured.

2. HL showed us "The sign" three years before Prince.

3. The Jam and Lewis penned "Human" was contemporary and stylish, unlike Princes "Human Body".

4. Prince may have noticed something in the water did not compute, but he was already "being boiled" by HL in 1979.

5. In 1990, HL had "got it right this time". Prince has been trying to get it right this time for last ten albums.

6. In 2001, HL sung about the Snake. The best Prince could do was show us his "snake" though his tight trousers.

HL rule!

Kudos for mentioning two Hysteria singles, that's my favourite THL album.

SquirrelMeat said:

More HL rule facts....

1. HL sung "The Lebanon" - Somewhere Prince has never toured.

2. HL showed us "The sign" three years before Prince.

3. The Jam and Lewis penned "Human" was contemporary and stylish, unlike Princes "Human Body".

4. Prince may have noticed something in the water did not compute, but he was already "being boiled" by HL in 1979.

5. In 1990, HL had "got it right this time". Prince has been trying to get it right this time for last ten albums.

6. In 2001, HL sung about the Snake. The best Prince could do was show us his "snake" though his tight trousers.

HL rule!

Some excellent points here. Thanks for that.

worst thread of the month

JoeTyler said:

worst thread of the month

Was that the title of a Human League song???

eireboy34 said:

3. Hair. "Colorful people whose hair on one side is swept back"?? Ring a bell Paisley Parkers?? Yes! In the '80s Phil Oakey's hair "on one side was swept back". This look was later taken up by The Revolution.

There's a slight issue with this 'fact'. Phil's hair actually on one side was cut back, not swept.

But I guess that could've just been Prince trying to make his plagiarism less obvious, maybe he thought using swept rather than cut would dupe us into believing that this concept of dubious hair styling was his, and his alone.

Much like he says 'Celibate Mushroom Canopy' in Boom - clearly inspired by Lenny Henry's Celebrity Mushroom Canapé on Ready Steady Cook.

Lenny Henry is a big Prince fan. Coincidence? I think not.

To be honest I could take any artist and tie words and things together with any other artist. Someone using the words want and wanna does not seem like a coincidence since they are aften used words in speach and song titles. Please tell me how 2 songs one with "Want" in the title and another with "Wanna" in the title make them so alike? Do not get me wrong I love the Human League and of coarse I live the big Pman but the only ties between them is Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Sorry. Lead singers hair was not swept back on one side just watched the vid on Youtube.

eireboy34 said:

Point taken about want/wanna but still a bit of a coincidence don't ya think??

I am gonna buy you some Q-Tips lolz

djThunderfunk said:

I always heard similarities in "Shortberry Strawcake" and Human League's "(Keep Feeling) Fascination".

Anyone else?

There is Phil, clear as day in black.

/\ Looks more like Robert Smith LOL!