Obsession (Animotion song)

"Obsession" is a 1983 song covered in 1984 by the group Animotion. The song hit number six in the United States, and number five in the United Kingdom in early 1985, helped by a distinctive video that MTV played frequently. "Obsession" also hit the Top 40 on the US dance chart, twice: once in 1984; then in 1986, as a double-sided hit, along with the track "I Engineer".

Background

Cowriter Michael Des Barres was recovering from a heroin addiction in 1983, so "Obsession" was a familiar word to him. But although drugs were familiar territory to him, he wanted to write about something that would appeal to a much wider audience, like love. The line, "Like a butterfly, a wild butterfly, I will collect you and capture you" was inspired by ''The Collector'', a movie Des Barres had watched about a man who kidnapped a beautiful woman. Cowriter Holly Knight would often practice or write riffs on the bass E-string of her guitar, which spawned the bass rhythm of "Obsession".

History

"Obsession" was originally written and recorded as a duet by songwriter Holly Knight and musician Michael Des Barres in 1983. This version was played in the 1983 film '' A Night in Heaven'', during a scene in which Christopher Atkins bumps and grinds in Lesley Ann Warren's face in sync with the rhythm of the song. The song was featured on the film's soundtrack and was also featured in the theatrical trailer to the 1986 film ''9½ Weeks'', starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger.

The Los Angeles-based synthpop band Animotion recorded a version of the tune for their self-titled debut album, released in 1984. This version became a success, and it remains Animotion's biggest hit.

Animotion's version is featured in the 2002 video game '' Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'' on the fictional in-game new wave radio station "Wave 103" as well as in a Strip Club in the game called "The Pole Position Club". It has also been used as the theme song for World Wrestling Federation's ''Saturday Night's Main Event'' (aired on NBC as the introduction theme from May 1985 - Jan 1988) and FashionTelevisionChannel, as well as MTV's ''House of Style''. The song has been used as the opening theme for the internationally syndicated Canadian program '' FT - FashionTelevision'' since it premiered in 1986. The Animotion version was also featured in 1985 episodes of the daytime soap operas '' Days Of Our Lives'' and ''Guiding Light''. It also featured in the 2016 video game '' Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare'' as a part of the soundtrack to the zombies mode map "Zombies in Spaceland".

The song is featured in the 1989 video Don Cherry's Rock'Em Sock'em Hockey.

It was also featured prominently in the 2018 Australian film ''The Second'', the first feature film ever produced by an Australian streaming service ( Stan). The movie, about a troubling incident in the past of a successful novelist, used the song throughout to highlight the themes of jealousy, envy, and most obviously obsession.

The song features in the '' American Dad!'' episode "Shell Game" (2018).

Various artists have covered the song, including The Azoic in 2004, the Sugababes, Karen O from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs recorded a version which was the theme to a tv show called Flesh and Bone

The song is featured in a scene in the 2022 film ''Fresh,'' in which Sebastian Stan’s character dances to the song while preparing human meat for consumption.

The song is used in a teaser trailer for the upcoming Ti West film ''MaXXXine.''

Music video

The music video features the Animotion band members — focusing mostly on the two lead singers, Bill Wadhams and Astrid Plane — dressed in various costumes (such as Mark Antony and Cleopatra) while lip-synching and dancing to the song next to a swimming pool and inside a luxury house in the Hollywood neighborhood.

Track listings

7": Mercury / 880 266-7 (US), PH34 (UK)

;Side one
# "Obsession" - 3:58
;Side two
# "Turn Around" - 3:54

12": Mercury / 880 266-1 (US), PH3412 (UK)

;Side one
# "Obsession (Dance Remix)" - 6:00
;Side two
# "Obsession (Special Dub Mix)" - 5:30

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Sugababes version

English girl group Sugababes covered "Obsession" for their fourth studio album ''Taller in More Ways'' (2005). Group member Heidi Range initially recorded it as a demo with Ashley Hamilton, although the Sugababes later decided to record it as a group. It was produced by Dallas Austin, one of the album's primary producers. The cover is similar to the original and had a polarizing effect on critics; some criticised it as mediocre, while others called it one of the album's standout tracks. The Sugababes performed it on their tours in support of ''Taller in More Ways'' and '' Overloaded: The Singles Collection'' (2006).

Background and production

The Sugababes' version of "Obsession" was produced by Dallas Austin, who collaborated with the Sugababes on various tracks on the album. Group member Heidi Range initially recorded "Obsession" as a demo with Ashley Hamilton, although the Sugababes later decided to record it as a group. They spoke to Austin about their desire to record the song, and according to Range, "he was made up, because it’s one of his favourite songs." "Obsession" was mixed by Jeremy Wheatley at TwentyOne Studios, London, with assistance from Richard Edgeler. It was engineered collectively by Rick Shepphard, Graham Marsh (producer), Ian Rossiter and Owen Clark. Tony Reyes provides background vocals for the song. "Obsession" was recorded at DARP Studios, in Atlanta & Home Recordings, London. It derives from the genres of synthpop and electronic rock. K. Ross Hoffman of AllMusic described it as "sugary synth pop". Talia Kraines of BBC
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