"House of Love" is a song by British boy band East 17 from their first studio album, Walthamstow (1993). London Records released the song as their debut single in August 1992. Written by band member Tony Mortimer with the track's producer, Robin Goodfellow, it became a number-one hit in Finland and Sweden. It also entered the top 40 in several other countries between 1992 and 1994. In the United Kingdom, "House of Love" peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. Two different music videos were produced to promote the single. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song at number 75 on their list of the "75 Greatest Boy Band Songs of All Time" in 2020.
Background Initially conceived by former Pet Shop Boys manager Tom Watkins as a tougher version of Take That, East 17 decided that their first single—like Take That's debut—should be an upbeat dance number that would sell to both teenagers and to clubs. Inspired by current dance groups like the KLF and Snap!, Tony Mortimer wrote "House of Love" as a mock 'rave' anthem, complete with a 'harmony' rap performed by Brian Harvey. Mortimer rapped the main verses with the entire band singing the chorus. The Pedigree Mix of the song, complete with an explosion and then a dog barking at the beginning and the end, was released as the single, complete with a low-budget video.
"House of Love" rose to No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart, establishing East 17 as a premier pop act. It was included on their first album, Walthamstow, and their 1996 greatest hits compilation. On 15 April 2011, T-Mobile uploaded a video parody of the JK Wedding Entrance DanceJK Wedding Entrance Dance - YouTube.com portraying the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton weeks before the actual Royal Wedding using choreography with the group's song.The T-Mobile Royal Wedding - YouTube.com
Critical reception Adam Sweeting from The Guardian remarked that the band "take aim at the dance floor" on the song.Sweeting, Adam (12 February 1993). "Rock/pop: Cool as a glass of Chablis". The Guardian. David Bennun from Melody Maker wrote, "...and East 17, a posse of hippety-hoppety wee whippersnappers, lamenting the decline of Mother Earth in the most simplistically eco-conscious manner imaginable." Another Melody Maker editor, Victoria Segal, added, "Stupidstupidstupid lyrics over blasts of adrenalin that made you grin like a lunatic from the word boom!, this was East 17 pumped and primed and ready to go."
Neil Spencer from The Observer said the song "prove the more inane offerings from a mix of junior hip-hop and melodic pop".Spencer, Neil (21 February 1993). "Pop Releases". The Observer. Ted Kessler from Select wrote, "Love them or loathe them, 'House of Love' and 'Gold' were perfectly fashioned hits: spanking contemporary production and sounds, crass, horribly infectious choruses and easily absorbed dance routines." Carl Fysh from Seventeen named it a "hard-hitting house anthem".Fysh, Carl (December 1992). "East 17". Seventeen. Tom Doyle from Smash Hits gave it four out of five, commenting, "Looking a bit like a cross between Take That and Flowered Up in their trendy Essex techno gear, E17 [sic] come up with this well catchy tune with background barking supplied by their dog".
Music video There were made two different music videos for the song: a European and an American version. The latter was directed by Scott Kennedy.
Track listings
UK CD and cassette single "House of Love" (Pedigree mix) "House of Love" (Son of a Bitch mix) "House of Love" (Glossy Coat mix) "House of Love" (Wet Nose mix)
UK 7-inch single; French and Japanese single "House of Love" (Pedigree mix) – 4:37 "House of Love" (The Expedient demo) – 7:43
UK 12-inch single A1. "House of Love" (Son of a Bitch mix) A2. "House of Love" (Glossy Coat mix) B1. "House of Love" (Wet Nose mix)
US 12-inch single A1. "House of Love" (Son of a Bitch mix) — 9:02 A2. "House of Love" (Wet Nose mix) — 6:04 B1. "House of Love" (Murk's main mix) — 6:41 B2. "House of Love" (Oscar G's Dope dub) — 6:45
US cassette single A. "House of Love" (Pedigree mix) — 4:37 B. "House of Love" (Son of a Bitch mix) — 9:02
Australian CD and cassette single "House of Love" (Pedigree mix) "House of Love" (Wet Nose mix)
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1992–1994)PeakpositionEstonia (Eesti Top 30) 2Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 9Europe (European Dance Radio) 18Finland (Suomen virallinen lista) 1France Airplay (SNEP) 6Greece (IFPI Greece) 4Israel (IBA) 1Japan International (Oricon)8Spain Airplay (Top 40 Radio) 40UK Airplay (Music Week) 21UK Dance (Music Week) 15UK Club Chart (Music Week) 27US Dance Club Play (Billboard) 41
Year-end charts Chart (1992)PositionIsrael (IBA) Scroll to top of the page and click "Annual" then "1992 Year End Chart". 1Sweden (Topplistan) 10UK Singles (OCC) 91
Chart (1993)PositionAustralia (ARIA) 31Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) 55Germany (Media Control) 38Sweden (Topplistan) 52
Certifications
Release history RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)United Kingdom10 August 1992LondonAustralia9 November 1992Japan25 March 1993Mini-CDLondon
References
External links House of Love music video on YouTube Alternate House of Love music video on YouTube