The Human League - Private Eyes (Full Interview Nov 1986)

[@McFlySwatter]

After I leave this world, I would love to go back to the 80's and re-experience those amazing times and music. They were my teenage years, and nothing in the last few decades has even come close to them in my opinion. I'm so glad I grew up in the 80's and groups like the Human League transport me right back there. 🙂

[@kelvinlovett2404]

A beautiful era in time

[@NickLagartija]

In every Country

[@MG3AEH]

Rose tinted glasses; in the main, the 80's were shite!

[@vikingrobot4179]

I agree. The 80’s were the last bastian of freedom. The government got way too big, cameras everywhere, cell phones, social media, regulations, taxation, bloated , corrupt politicians spending our money on things we have no say in. I sometimes hold my baby Grand Daughter while listening to 80’s music and think of these corrupt, heartless politicians can just do what I’m doing right now there just Might be hope for humanity again.

[@jay-leeofficialcctv]

I would have loved to lived in the 80s. 💯

[@Chillednfunked]

No they aren't boring, they are honest - it's such a refreshing change to see a group just saying how it was. I loved The Human League.

[@trikkerman1]

Well, they are only Human.

[@debbiejvr571]

So down to earth i met him in gatecrasher 2000 such an awsome guy

[@EgoShredder]

@@trikkerman1 Flesh and blood, a band.

[@doodad77]

@@trikkerman1 had to be said, beside reiterate definitely not boring do do do do do

[@doodad77]

@@EgoShredderPhil likes nice carpet, computers, & huge teddy bears😁

[@Strimbles]

No pretentions. Intelligent. Making Sheffield proud.

[@yasminm7157]

The girls are very articulate.

[@71highstorrs]

Phil lives just down the road from me, last week he was behind me in the queue at local Waitrose. Did want to talk to him just to say hello but chickened out. Got to admire him for staying in Sheffield and staying close to his roots.

[@GloriaValencia-bm4rz]

You were very fortunate!!

[@slkonnaris8477]

Aww that’s so cool- I didn’t know he still lived in the area!

[@andymatthews7617]

It's so refreshing to see a group so down to earth, SO HEART WARMING.

[@ColumRogers]

Love how down to earth they are, and nearly 30 years later they are still going strong! :)

[@TheJesuschuchi]

Is great to see this interview of The Human League back from the 80's. Even 32 years ago they are still looking good and still touring around the world..... May God bless them in their lifetime.

[@moogdome2562]

I used to see Phil around town all the time. shopping, in bars. We live in the same city, Sheffield. I am a huge fan and was proud of the fact they were Sheffield. my neighbor's partner went to Fresville school in the same class.I used to go to the Crazy Daisy downstairs too. I remember on the town drinking, and everywhere we went, there were Phil clones everywhere, hair long on one side, short on the other. Phil claimed, he saw a girl on a bus with the hairstyle first. and adopted it himself. The Limit, Leadmill, Roxys, The Daisy, the stone house is where we used to go. there was a certain exciting vibe around town then, Sheffield had so many great bands. Always wanted to talk to Phil. I love and play Synthesizers too. But didn't want to bother him. phil bought my ex-girlfriends families house. One of my old friends taught Phil to drive.tells me Phil is a nice guy. We are sure to meet one day. Maybe it's meant to be. I heard David Bowie was really impressed with the background films, he was quoted as saying,''Why didn't I think of that''? We are very proud of the Human Leauge in Sheffield.thank you for sharing. great Doc.

[@whssy]

I always hoped to bump into him one day in Mega City comics but it never happened….

[@miguimau]

Creative, humble, non posh great artists. Yes, you can be proud of them.

[@je4nz]

moog Dome yeah my dad had that hairstyle... probs saw him

[@moogdome2562]

@@je4nz Hi Jean. If yer dad is from Sheffield, probably did see him around town. There seemed to be a Phil lookalike, or boy George lookalike on every street corner. happy days. Thank you.

[@GloriaValencia-bm4rz]

I love Phil Style...

[@Alpha_7227]

They are just so gorgeous, down to earth ladies. It looked like it never went to their heads. Just love their accents. I had the biggest crush on Joanne.

[@robertford7810]

Me too! Lovely looking bird!

[@hubertvancalenbergh9022]

@@robertford7810 I was so smitten with her I wanted to LOOK like her!

[@nayeresfandiari520]

WOW! What grace and authenticity! I could listen to them speak for hours on end. I now know why I've always had such a strong attraction to them and their music. They simply radiate life's beauty in all that they speak and sing about. I'm so glad I finally accomplished my mission of seeing them perform live recently here in California. I can now die in peace. But before I do I hope to see them perform a million times more as I can't get enough of their Love Action. Hopefully one day I can be so lucky and take a picture with the group, however, I will settle for a picture with those graceful and beautiful babes, Joanne and Susan.

[@ericsmith4603]

I love this interview. They seem like regular people. Very appreciative of the opportunity they've been given. I hope they have continued success. And that they come back to the USA sometime soon.

[@reachthebeech]

these are nice people. well spoken and gentle. perhaps there is hope for the human race with human league in it.

[@TheGardengal638]

Susan is beautiful too...Give the girl some love!

[@bhamacuk]

She's absolutely gorgeous!

[@Staygoldfarms]

She’s so beautiful

[@CannonCrombie]

Are you fking kidding me? Lol id marry Susan

[@OriginalRaveParty]

Humble then. Humble still now. No wonder people love them and their music. They're just like anyone you grew up around.

[@matiasmoulin2126]

I recently realized, that really many of those british musicians from that era are very nice and decent people. At least the ones I like, such as DM, The Cure, Gary Numan and unsurprisingly the Human League too... all lovely and intelligent people. I don't know why, I'm not british, but I assume that it's to do with their post-war working class background: these people probably had a rough childhood and were used to help and care for each other... nothing was for granted and they are very thankful for their sucess. A very different generation indeed.

[@RocStarr913]

@@matiasmoulin2126Even people like that can have the occasional troubled celebrity. Boy George, who I am a fan of to this day, was a particular example for me. The fame was clearly too massive for him and he ended up dabbling in drugs and got addicted to heroin, which is quite powerful, actually right during the very year this interview was made.

[@PJprog]

Saw them in Manchester '86 promoting the ' Crash ' album. Great memories and a great interview video. 👍

[@thedynamicpanda6830]

The make up and the hair styles were so amazing!!! Susans hair is so inspiring, it tells a story!

[@tropicalbeach9225]

back in 1982, remember meeting phil and the girls at an antique shop in sheffield and talked with them for about 25 min, very humble, honest, and great people. At the time, Phil told me that he and the girls planned to move to California around Los Angeles. However, they didn't think they could afford it for all the band members to all move and live together in California like all 6 of the band members, not just phil and the girls only. They had about 2 mil in the bank at the time, but Phil said it would be better to stay in sheffield because he could produce and record more songs and not be distracted by all the glitz and glamour that plagued America from the hollywood elites at the time. Anyways, phil if you are reading this, it's roger!

[@cornflower9258]

OMG seriously? U are soooo lucky to have talked to them. How was Phil when you approached him? Were you nervouse going up to them?

[@oppai9611]

You sure he hasn't forgotten you?

[@sumo1756]

​@@oppai9611🤣

[@charlotteratty-kucer5321]

He was definitely better staying in Sheffield!! I’m from Chicago but our California Hollywood elites are no good as the world is seeing so they stayed away from the 💩💩💩 and being tarnished!! ♥️♥️🫶🏻🫶🏻 it’s horrible there right now!

[@divineoracle7944]

Thank you for posting it is the best interview I have seen of this band.

[@americano_time]

It's ironic that a successful band from a period, the eighties, known for its pretensiousness and poseurs, is honest and humble during interviewing. Unique! I love their music - true pioneers!

[@alanlau9704]

Great interview! It really brought me back to the 80's and the realisation of how fast time has flown. Wish there is a time machine to take me back and relive all the moments again. Thanks so much for upload the clip.

[@craigevans5750]

Really enjoyed this, Human League are a really open and honest in this interview, no pretence just saying it as it is, rare that you get a band so honest about themselves, no wonder they are still going strong they deserve a bit more respect for their contribution to the UK music scene

[@ericgeorge5483]

This need so many more views. A great interview about my fave synth band!!

[@bondy284]

“Dare” was the first CD I ever purchased as a 19 year old. Classic record I still play on a regular basis👍🇦🇺

[@tnosugar]

Massive props for the video. Made my day.

[@bartlemy]

Absolutely love this band and the girls are absolute gems 💎

[@robertford7810]

My, what a couple of lovely birds! One of my favourite groups!

[@t2stu]

What lovely people. Thank you so much for uploading this. Love THL. Could never work out Philip Oakley but he's just a nice normal chap. And modest too.

[@101boertjie]

"Men never grow up..." how true, our toys just get more expensive.

[@philomenamartin4745]

Thanks for uploading, LOVE the Human League

[@justinandrews5084]

Totally FABULOUS music...love the songs and synthesizer layering...So FRESH sounding...Greetings from New York City

[@shortandstylish]

Brilliant interview! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@evolv.e]

❤️ The Human League. Great interview! Thanks for sharing

[@kimdawcatgirl]

Thank you for putting this out! Enjoyed this thoroughly!

[@MrIvarlira]

Thank you so much for this interview. It is so sweet to see them so down to earth, so human!!

[@welshlad6427]

Love the down to earth attitude they have. Ive heard they are still very much the same. Saw them a few weeks ago in concert and they still sound amazing.

[@nikamota]

The most honest and truthful people in the pop music world you could ever hope to listen to ! Such a refreshing interview. What lovely people they come across as. Such a candid interview from corporate controlled "pop stars" would never be allowed today. Thank you for uploading this.

[@eightiefiv3]

big crush on Ms. Joanne Catherall!!

[@miguimau]

Who wasn´t. :)

[@mastersupreme6126]

ME TO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Isotec1]

Sorry,Susan is the one who is hot

[@miguimau]

@@Isotec1 Matter of tastes.

[@brendaechols2228]

I liked her makeup.

[@richardminor1019]

Thank you for uploading this full interview! I love how honest Phil and the girls are about their lives and the industry. You have made a lot of people very happy!

[@andymatthews7617]

All 4 are LOVELY PEOPLE, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR EFFORTS, GOD BLESS.KEEP SINGING.JUST BRILLIANT TALENT.

[@lindyloo5590]

What a great watch and still going strong to this day - says a lot!

[@R---66---R]

Cool, lovely warm girls! One of the best bands ever.

[@barbiejean7947]

Susan and Joanne style icons!!

[@imaginationunreal]

I've been a fan since the early 80s and seeing this for the first time is amazing. Love that they're so down to earth, but produce such forward thinking music.

[@WV591]

80's babes so Amazing looking. and the music , the styles and everything else. the positive energy ...you just had to be there....no decade like it.. eat your heart out

[@retrovintageboy]

The Sound Of The Crowd saw them seen for the first time on Top Of The Pops & it's perhaps only now we realise what a clever move this was to bring two supremely stylish young girls into the band who's slick dance moves added icing to the cake to the band. It all went together with the New Romantic scene. Moreover it serves as a reminder what is missing in today's music scene. Evolving talent with originality. Spontaneous results. Today we have too many people who just want to be famous & too many showmen who see a quick easy buck to be made. Here we have two young girls who never imagined they would be. Nothing has ever surpassed the sheer style these two Yorkshire girls brought to the music scene.

[@bhamacuk]

Agreed! It was a genius move that changed the fate of the band and the lives of those two young women. The music was fab, but having Jo and Susan completed the "Look".

[@jesterstudiokj]

Wow. These two women summed up the experiences of countless artists I've had in my studio. Talented, performed in front of numerous people... but when they're in the studio and the recording light comes on... they freeze up. So true. So real.

[@jesterstudiokj]

The Sparks references are also enlightening.

[@EgoShredder]

It's why I was so happy when home studio recording became sophisticated and cheap enough to own in the 1990s. No more time pressures and having to get it right, while many eyes were bearing down on you and nervous at the mounting hourly costs, not to mention sessions going on for 10 or 12 hours straight and everyone shattered and burnt out. Personally I love recording studios and doing my takes etc, but the money pressures did have an effect on my performances. All the pressure was taken away with home studio setups. Saying all that, I have fantastic memories in pro studios which can only happen in those environments.

[@sierra6588]

Such awesome nice people. They are down to earth and not at all haughty or stuck up. Lovely.

[@EnqlishRoses69]

They have great timeless songs..which l still listen to! 🥰

[@dorritfredrikaholm3320]

I am a female from Finland born in 1980 and I love Philip Oakey.

[@1MikNik]

My favourite band ever! I have all the pic discs,singles,albums, etc. First time I have ever heard them speaking! OMG..total respect, so real world Yea Phil kick some f***ing ass :

[@wombatlittle1]

What lovely, humble, down to earth people they are. This is at the height of their fame and they are not big headed at all.

[@redlikewineagain697]

I love English people. Love listening to them speak. And they have such beautiful skin! ♥

[@sixahem]

So grounded. Growing up in the 80s, you could not ignoring the Human League. 😎🎹🎶

[@TheCanndyman]

I really enjoyed this - a great snapshot of where HL were at in late '86, & all the more interesting now of course with the benefit of hindsight. Thanks so much for sharing :-)

[@dokken87]

most honest and interesting interview with them!! learnt a lot :)

[@Boricua3lions1985]

Wow, this is one of the only few times I've ever heard Ian talk.

[@marielaframboise8319]

Good to hear his point of view. Brilliant bass player.

[@kidwaryodproduction]

And his voice still sound the same to this day :)

[@deanie321]

I was there at Rotters Nightclub in Doncaster on 12th Nov 1980 to see the Human League's new line up play for the first time. Blimey it's 35 years ago seems like yesterday. Great to see they are still going strong.

[@maha77]

How wonderful to have that experience to see them at that time!, amazing how fast time flies

[@marguskiis7711]

@@maha77 they were very awkward

[@revokdaryl1]

​@@marguskiis7711That's understandable they were awkward. They are performing in front of many people with no traditional instruments; no guitars, no pianos, no orchestra with real string and brass sections, just synthesizers. I don't think they ever used a real drum kit, but I could be wrong. Either way, I like their music and think they present themselves very well in this interview.

[@marguskiis7711]

@@revokdaryl1 they recruited their first drummer Jim Russell 1984. Jo callis was a guitarist, Burden was a bass player.

[@revokdaryl1]

@@marguskiis7711 I stand corrected. I didn't know about any of this. On their album Dare, I'm pretty sure not one single acoustic instrument was used. The drums were programmed on the Linn LM1 drum machine and other sounds were all synthesizers, if I'm not mistaken.

[@lazybelphegore6748]

I was a freshman in college 1983, and met a bunch of kids that loved music and dancing. We listened to the Fascination ep and danced in our dorm rooms-we drove the older kids crazy I think but we loved it

[@charlotteratty-kucer5321]

These beautiful souls are absolutely stunning!!! It’s been an Honour to have listened to them for allll these years!!! Such beauty and kindness and gorgeous as all hell!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻🔥🔥🔥🔥♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️😻😻😻😻😻🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@atouchofmagic1244]

Love The Human League they are so down to earth, thought the interviewer was awful

[@paulgduckworth]

I am writing this in 2024. Flabbergasted at how lovely and refreshingly nice they are. ❤️

[@equestrianhorseriding]

Thanks for posting

[@glamdolly30]

What lovely, intelligent, unpretentious people they all were from a young age. And in addition they had good looks... Oh, and bags of talent too. Their parents must have been bursting with pride.

[@EF-fc4du]

The girls were the epitome of '80s female beauty.

[@ralph6968]

Totally agree

[@welshlad6427]

Absolutely. Bring back girls from the 80s please ❤

[@kennyshortcake999]

What decent people. I wish I had been friends with them then and now. I wasn’t a massive fan but I saw them and enjoyed them. I really liked the Being Boiled period and Dare was fantastic, particularly Empire State Human.

[@mastersupreme6126]

GOLDEN ARCHIVE FOR THE POSTERITY!

[@JJMClark]

Class comment about PG Tips - great band. Warms my heart just watching this.

[@albertardiscohn4900]

I just subscribed. Love my 80s youth. and am looking forward to More interviews.

[@meganrobinson1179]

Oh Phil, be still my beating heart. You Beautiful man ♡

[@lilbatashlyn]

What a beautiful man ❤ Edit: The whole band is beautiful, talented and down to earth they are.

[@maha77]

I remember the summer of 82, listening to DARE on my Sony Walkman way way back in the cornfields of rural Pennsylvania, sun bathing in the nude as a 14 year old. true story ; )

[@sudaev]

OK let's not get too carried away.

[@WV591]

Sure miss the awesome 80s. the positive energy the music, clubs and the Amazing looking babes and everything else.

[@CerberusvonOz]

I prefer the experimental early Human League sound, but some hits with the new line up were brilliant too.

[@sprintbass]

ive seen them 2 times in my nearly 45 years....id love to be in a band as they are...im a bass player and have been since 85....so I recall all this and this point in their career...talented down to earth types.....that's why they lasted..no drug no drink...didn't play into the life style. And placed themselves...that in part is what makes acts last..

[@taintedlife2618]

I didn’t realize that when they collaborated with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis that the Janet stuff wasn’t out yet. Truly innovative collaboration.

[@RocStarr913]

It didn’t always work, I felt. Some of the songs were truly fantastic on the Crash album. It was very 50/50 ultimately, but still a good effort and it pretty much gave the band a lot of badly-needed mileage again after the Hysteria album. The Janet Jackson Control album is where Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis really hit their stride, because Janet’s voice, both vocally and her lyrics, fit their sound perfectly.

[@paulashford4155]

I don't know a lot about them. I liked the interview - nice people!

[@Joanna7428]

I had such a crush on Phil 🤣 lovely seeing this 💓

[@abc-ni9uw]

The old mac in the background

[@neriozulberti1492]

Yeah 😍

[@SweenyGonzales]

@@neriozulberti1492 Antique MAC :-)

[@eltoncharles]

Yeah

[@JohnH108]

New Mac then. :)

[@LearnAboutFlow]

It did show how rich they were, lol, as the original Macs were not cheap to buy and were always a premium product.

[@JoeyLevenson]

A lot of real wisdom here, Phil and the girls know the deal. Respect.

[@robertorojas7025]

Joanne sounds so cute. Love her

[@emilyandersen8773]

I felt lucky to finally see them up front in Sydney AUS this month…it was truely surreal after all these decades & they sounded the same with the look & moves, took me straight back to my teens too 🤩🎹🎹💫🌟

[@ericlindsey3069]

What lovely people. So nice to learn they were/are just kind everyday folks. Great band too! Dare, what a blast of happy fresh air! Thanks for all the music!

[@luisenriquecruz6551]

I remember when I used to listen to British people speaking, I had to pay attention in different accents. Very clear pronunciation. My mother tongue is Spanish and love this band. Regards from Mexico.

[@canadude6401]

Notice the Apple MacIntosh. 1:40 Those were very expensive, but the coolest thing ever at the time.

[@RosieHarp]

I am eternally grateful to have hit 1980 when I was 19. What a time to be young and alive 🎉🥳🎈🍾👯

[@dav01kar]

I was 16

[@julie72045]

i really love this group there amazing and love there music and i seen them live and met phil jo and sue im going to see them in plymouth

[@fbowie21]

are you a man?

[@Videodeathtyl]

Fred Hand Are you a fucking idiot, Fred?

[@R---66---R]

Fred Ha(n)d his exposure, didn't he???☺Looking only for attention, somehow.

[@paranariver1720]

They are so down to earth kind of people 😀, pleasant kind of people 😀.

[@dainty1dainty]

Super! Thanks very much for posting!

[@cornflower9258]

Honestyl, i can't believe how these bands/musicians from the 80s that were genius and groundbreaking are so normal and humble. Musicians have so much unecesaary attitude and its always nice to see some normal people who just love music. The tears for fears guys are the same. two very normal men who made the most genius music.

[@BeasleyStreet]

I love a good story,the girls joining in the way they did, and to be dragged out of school to get to London and appear on Top of the pops, right place at the right time.

[@andrewdolling5669]

Recently saw them in Perth Australia. so good... really, so good. TODAY . love em

[@FiveFishAudio]

Just saw this video... I liked them before, but now I like them even more!

[@Mark-ij2nh]

Hate this world I want to go back to the 80's

[@mikejames6664]

It was slightly better, Mark, but not much. The music was the best thing about the 80s to be honest.

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice down to earth people,and a great band too.And loyal to Sheffield,which is nice.Good looking normal girls.l like them.Good to listen to👍!

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

Damn Ian is probably one of band members trying to make great songs. The way he talks about being in the band shows good work ethic and humble. Like they are all great and humble but it seems like Ian was probably one of the two synth players driving the songs.

[@discogareth]

I wish Phil would smile more. When he did at the very end, it was gorgeous!

[@rb5stevenumber903]

There are bands that stick with you. I come up through music in the late 60s and enjoyed the progressive rock from then until the mid 70, but there were bands that hit that certain feeling with you and the Human League was one of them. Admittedly I never bought any of there music, but what I heard of them I always enjoyed. Nice down to earth people when so many stars of today loose touch with where they come from and live in there own little bubble.

[@timbirch4999]

Superb people. I love their down to earth attitude so much. 💙

[@anisadelpiano7242]

Love them, such a very talented group. ❤️

[@funkbrakes]

The good old Macintosh Classic in the background.

[@Trevor_Austin]

Lovely grounded people. I bet they are still enjoying life.