"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 Baker. The song was an international hit, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart, making the top ten in many European charts and topping the US Billboard Dance/Disco chart. It was the 20th-best-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom.
The accompanying video featured children with skateboards and BMX bicycles recreating New York hip-hop culture.
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.
Samples The song has been sampled multiple times. Cutfather & 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 off his debut album Bin Reaper. In 2021, DJ/producer Paolo Pellegrino sampled "I.O.U." in a song rewritten together with singer Shibui, titled "Destiny".
Track listings
1983 releases 7-inch vinyl UK: Beggars Banquet / BEG 96 Germany, Netherlands: Virgin / 105 535 US: Streetwise / SWRL-1110 Australia: Powderworks / POW 0146
Japan: Victor / VIPX-1742
12-inch vinyl UK: Beggars Banquet / BEG 96(T) Germany, France: Virgin / 600 902 Australia: Powderworks / POWT 0146 Spain: Beggars Banquet / F-600902 Canada: Vertigo / SOVX 2327
UK: Beggars Banquet / BEG 96TA
US: Streetwise / SWRL 2210 (some with second track on side two)
1986 releases 12-inch vinyl US: Criminal / CRIM 00007
1987 releases 7-inch vinyl UK: City Beat / CBE 709
Sweden: City Beat / BB 7105
12-inch vinyl UK: City Beat / CBE 1209 France: Virgin / 80291 Germany: Virgin / 608 897
Sweden: City Beat / BB 8105
Personnel John Rocca – vocals, hand percussion, bongos, congas Peter Maas – bass guitar, vocals Everton McCalla – drums, vocals Tina B – vocals Andy Stennett – piano Fred Zarr – piano Cosa – bongos, congas Arthur Baker – music and lyrics, production, mix, remix John "Jellybean" Benitez – mix John Robie – mix, remix
Additional personnel for 1986/87 versions Richard Scher – co-production Graeme Durham – editor Tim Palmer – editor Arthur Baker – remix Jay Burnett – remix John Rocca – remix Latin Rascals – remix Raul Soto – remix
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1983)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report) 3Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)13France (IFOP)4Iceland (Dagblaðið Vísir)1Israel (Kol Yisrael) 5South Africa (Springbok Radio)3US Dance/Disco Top 80 (Billboard)1US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)13 Chart (1987)PeakpositionUS 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)37US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)18
Year-end charts Chart (1983)PositionBelgium (Ultratop)29Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)30Netherlands (Single Top 100)40New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)27UK Singles (OCC)18West Germany (GfK)54
Certifications
References