Love Plus One

"Love Plus One" was the first of four UK Top 10 hits from Haircut 100's debut album, and their only song to crack the Hot 100 in America. Led by 20-year-old Nick Heyward, the group was a sensation in their homeland, winning over the British music press with an unusual blend of horns, percussion and completely nonsensical lyrics that brought about a feeling of tranquil joy. They were also utterly naïve and non-threatening, which was reflected in their anodyne outfits of sensible sweaters and trousers tucked into their socks. Heyward, their songwriter, used love as a theme for most of their songs, but being so young his reference points were undeveloped. The result can be heard on this track: Ring, ring, ring, ring When I call love Love plus one

There are very prominent marimbas in this song, which the group's producer, Bob Sargeant, came up with. Early on this section is followed by a soprano sax part played by band member Phil Smith. Later, the sax and the marimbas play together. With flourishes of steel drum and bongos, it's a very distinctive track. Nick Heyward credits Sergeant, known for his work with the English Beat, for finding this sound. "You can hear everything on 'Love Plus One,' but it's punchy," he said in a Songfacts interview. "Bob Sargeant was lovely to work with. We were young and we saw him as our George Martin. He was this person who organized everything properly. He knew how to make singles."

This song owes its American success to its video, which was directed by David Mallet. British bands, especially those with heartthrob lead singers like Haircut 100, often made videos to air across Europe, but in America videos were rarely seen until MTV launched in 1981. When they did, many of their videos came from Mallet, who used lots of striking imagery, like David Bowie as a clown in "Ashes To Ashes." For the "Love Plus One" video, Mallet went with a tribal motif set on an island of savages. Heyward appears in a loincloth swinging from a rope, and various beauties show up in equally skimpy dress. This stuff played very well on MTV, which aired it quite often at a time when their selection was lean.