Released 22 August 1992 Genre Eurodance, hip house Label London | Recorded 1992 Length 4:37 | |
Format CD single
7" vinyl
cassette | ||
"House of Love" is British boy band East 17's debut single, taken from their debut studio album Walthamstow, released in August 1992. It became a number-one hit in Sweden for six weeks and was a top ten hit in many other countries. The song was later covered by British pop duo Shampoo and released on their 1994 album We Are Shampoo.
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 sang 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. An alternate, higher budget, video was created in 1993 for the American release of the single. "House of Love" shot 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 Dance portraying the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton weeks before the actual Royal Wedding using choreography with the group's song.