Who Did It Better? Oh L'amour/O L'amour

Who Did It Better?

Oh L'amour/O L'amour

Sometimes it takes a second round in order for a song to have an impact. That is doubly true of today's Who Did It Better? selection. But then, again, I also have to wonder if a little bit of old-fashioned homophobia might have played a part in why, in 1986, the tune's originators weren't the ones to get all that initial attention. Something tells me, at that time - when the specter of AIDs floated above everyone's head and Margaret Thatcher was in office - the UK preferred their odes of love to be delivered from the mouths of a pair of highly photogenic heterosexuals, rather than a couple of musical gays.

Oh L'amour was written in 1986 by Vince Clarke and Andy Bell, of the English synthpop duo known as Erasure.

Released in April of that same year, it served as the third single from their debut album, Wonderland, on Mute Records in the UK and Sire Records in the US. When initially released, their version managed to climb all the way to #85 on the British charts, becoming their third consecutive single to fail in both markets - though, it did do well in South Africa (#2), Germany (#16), Australia (#13) and France (#4.) It also did well in the clubs, reaching #3 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart on in July of 1986, largely thanks to a 12" version featuring the Funky Sisters Remix. Incidentally, that 12" version also included a cover version of ABBA's Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight), marking the first time the duo would cover a song by the Swedish superstars. 

Another bit of trivia: when initially released in 1986, the single's cover art featured illustrations of the characters Percy and Rheneas from The Railway Series (Thomas & Friends). However, it seems no one bothered to ask the artist for permission, so the single had to be yanked from the shelves. It was reissued immediately with a black cover featuring the song's title and the name of the group. 

But don't count a good beat out... ever. Jump forward to 2003, when the group released Hits! The Very Best of Erasure. Oh l'amour received the remix treatment and spun its way into the UK Top 20 (#13) in the fall of that year.  But back to 1986...

Despite it's initial lackluster chart performance, the song did catch the ear of another enterprising British pop duo; Dollar. David Van Day and Thereza Bazar, had enjoyed a string of successful singles in the late 1970's and, thanks to producer Trevor Horn, a second string in the mid-80's. However, during a Japanese promotional tour in 1983, tempers flared and the pair went their separate ways.

By 1986, the two had mended fences, reformed and released two singles, We Walked In Love and Haven't We Said Goodbye Before. Both failed in the market, and soon enough, the pair was looking for new label. Fortunately for them, their next stab at fame proved much more successful.

Changing the title of the song to O L'amour, Dollar released their version in December of 1987. It proved a good fit, revitalizing the duo's career as the song raced up the UK Singles Chart, hitting #7. It also did well in Ireland (#4) and Germany (#27). 

Sadly, in the search for a follow-up, tensions between the two led to a great deal of indecision. By the time they released their next single, It's Nature's Way, all the momentum O L'amour had generated had dissipated; they would never enjoy another major hit. 

And that's the whole story. 

Now? On to the competition!

The Song: Oh L'amour/O L'amour

The Competitors: Erasure vs. Dollar

Oh L'amour - Erasure

O L'amour - Dollar

Erasure

An acapella opening... not my favorite thing in the world, but hopefully they keep it brief. It has a very 'live' sound. Bell's voice, which is a wonder, it truly is... can come off a bit too pointed. The programmed synths hit heavy, competing too much with the vocals for my taste. It already feels cluttered and messy. No, I don't care for this mix. 

But it sure works on that soaring chorus. Love the descending scale counter melody. 

Bell's vocals strike me as a tad pitchy at the end of certain phrases in the chorus. Could be a breath control issue; an unsupported sustained note vacillates just enough to sound not-on-pitch.

This is text book mid-eighties pop. The icy synth work on that bridge is as lovely as it is joyous. 

I wonder if it was that acapella intro that scuttled this one from being a huge hit first time out of the box. 

When in his lower register, Bell's voice comes off oddly breathy, as in, there is no bottom to it. It is not a well-rounded sound. I'm hearing a lot of wasted air coming from him. Of course, this was rather early in his career.

It plays out nicely. I have issues with the mix and Bell's vocals, but this still sparkles and shines. So joyous, so much fun.

Though... and please forgive me, but I can't wonder how this would have sounded had Alison Moyet been the one singing. Yes, I mourned the loss of Yaz and can't resist an opportunity to play 'what if...'

Dollar

Dollar has always struck me as a bit mercenary and bloodless. I've also always wondered just what purpose Bazar played when it came to most of their songs. Oh, I see her appeal... we just don't get much of an opportunity to hear it. 

The two seem to be picking up where they left off, with a big, busy, Trevor Horn inspired intro. Those bratty, thrashing synth attacks? So much fun. 

Huh. Bazar takes the lead here. Vocally, she's always struck me as a bit of ethereal fluff. I do like that jungle beat beneath her.

As for Van Day? Generic. A bit colorless. I despise how he handles the words 'heart' and 'part.' There are 'r's in those words, dear... it's alright to sing them. That said, his overall tone is lovely. Nicely rounded. He's a perfectly serviceable singer, adding just enough color to things to keep it human.

I like this fine. There's enough fun percussion happening to keep things interesting - though I know, on this side of things, it may feel a bit rote - back then? It was fresh and innovative. And the vocals are good, especially when Bazar is singing along. I always wondered why they didn't trade off the lead, as normally done in a duet, but Bazar doesn't have the type of voice which takes command, grabs center stage. She's all air and pretty fluffiness. Yet, very effective - listen to her singing that descending counter melody in the chorus. That's lovely. Pop magic. 

I keep going back to the fact that the duo are incredibly photogenic, because I think that visual lies at the heart of their success - but this is hardly a bloodless affair. They're very present and definitely possess the type of air-brushed appeal that Olivia Newton John perfected in the late 1970's. 

The instrumental bridge? A bit messy. Unfocused.

Van Day sounds like he has a bit of a cold.

Huh. Again, Bazar to the rescue, making things interesting. Okay, I apologize. I do see her purpose... she makes Van Day sound great.

The Verdict

This is a tie, as far as I am concerned. 

I enjoyed the cleanliness of Erasure's version. There was something very in-the-moment about it. And they do get kudos for having written the song, which is simple, but quite fun. That chorus will be in my head for the rest of the day.

Bell's vocals bother me a bit. And I don't like the mix. Bell is a bit buried on the verses.

I now have a new appreciation of Dollar. I hear their appeal and recognize Bazar's contribution to the group - she really helps Van Day come off as less generic. The arrangement and production work on their version? Fun. Definitely Trevor Horn inspired. Seems a bit rote today, but back then? Fun. Other than a few of Van Day's vocal tics and that unfocused instrumental bridge, I have no quibbles. 

But... as we don't allow ties here at Wonderland Burlesque (because they are wishy washy), I am going to give this one to...

Erasure. They wrote it. They own it. And their Funky Sister's remix really does work much better than the original, as does the remixed 2003 version. Bell became a much better vocalist over time. Here, he's in his infancy as a lead singer, so one must forgive any and all vocal transgressions. 

This is an absolute classic and I know I will be smiling all day as that chorus bounces around in my big old hollow haunted head. 

That is the power of great pop music.

--- ---

And that's enough of me. 

Okay, your turn. Leave your choice and thoughts in the comments section. You know I love to hear a differing opinion. 

That's all for now. Until next time...

Thanks for reading... and listening!

Oh L'amour - Erasure

Oh L'amour - Erasure

(Live)

Oh L'amour - Erasure

(Funky Sister's Remix)

O L'amour - Dollar

O L'amour - Dollar

(TOTP)

Oh L'amour - Erasure

(2003)