Obsession (Army of Lovers song)

Obsession is a song recorded by Swedish band Army of Lovers. It is one of their most well-known songs and scored chart success across Europe. Released in September 1991 as the second single from their second album, Massive Luxury Overdose (1991), it soared to the number-one position on both the radio and the dance charts in Sweden.[1] It also peaked at number two on the Swedish singles chart, number four in Belgium, number seven in Austria and Germany, and number nine in Spain. The lyrics are written by Alexander Bard and Anders Wollbeck, and the song is in part inspired by Laurie Anderson's 1981 song, "O Superman". Primarily, the "ah ah" looped backing track.

"Obsession"
Single by Army of Lovers
from the album Massive Luxury Overdose
B-side"Obsession (Dub Version)"
ReleasedSeptember 1991
RecordedSonet Studios, Stockholm
Genre
Length3:40
LabelTon Son Ton
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Army of Lovers singles chronology
"Crucified"
(1991)		 "Obsession"
(1991)		 "Candyman Messiah"
(1991)
Music video
"Obsession" (1991) on YouTube
Music video
"Obsession" (1992) on YouTube

In 1992, they re-released the single exclusively for the US and includes remixes only found in this version. It got released in September, exactly a year apart from the original release, and went to number eleven on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Chart performance

"Obsession" was successful on the charts in Europe. It reached number two in the band's native Sweden, being held off reaching the top spot by Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You". The song stayed within the top 10 for six weeks. Additionally, it hit number-one on both the Swedish radio chart and the Swedish dance chart. It entered the top 10 also in Austria (7), Belgium (4), Finland (9), Germany (7), Greece (9), the Netherlands (8), Spain (9), Sweden (2) and Switzerland (7). In the United Kingdom, "Obsession" peaked at number 67 in its first week at the UK Singles Chart, on December 22, 1991.[2] On the Eurochart Hot 100, it hit number 29 in February 1992. That year, it charted also in the United States, peaking at number eleven on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

Critical reception

Andy Kastanas from The Charlotte Observer complimented "Obsession" as "another good song that deserves a listen". He added, "This is much more downbeat than their earlier stuff, with easier vocals and a sound reminiscent of old Imagination or Enigma."[3] Pan-European magazine Music & Media called it "slow disco".[4] Ian Gittins from Melody Maker commented, "I was sufficiently moved by the Abba-harmonies and high camp of Army of Lovers' "Crucified" to make it Single Of The Week, but this time the Swedish cartoon trio are far less instant."[5] A reviewer from Newcastle Evening Chronicle declared it as "mesmerising".[6]

Music video

The band released two versions of the music video. It features the band performing in what appears to be a mental institution. The first version, from 1991, features La Camilla. But after she left the group, she was replaced by De La Cour who appear in the second version from 1992.

Both videos were directed by Swedish director Fredrik Boklund.[7][8] He also directed the other videos for Army of Lovers. The first version of "Obsession" was later published on YouTube in 2016 and by May 2023, the video had generated more than 6.9 million views.[9]

Single track listing

Charts
Chart (1991–1992) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[10] 108
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[11] 7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[12] 4
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 29
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[14] 9
Germany (Official German Charts)[15] 7
Greece (Virgin)[16] 9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[17] 9
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[18] 8
Spain (AFYVE)[19] 9
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[20] 2
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 7
UK Singles (OCC)[22] 67
US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[23] 11
US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[24] 11

References
  1. "Spotlight: Army Of Lovers" (PDF). Music & Media. 26 October 1991. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  2. "Official Singles Chart Top 75 22 December 1991 - 28 December 1991". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  3. Kastanas, Andy (23 September 1992). "Sounds of Progress". p. 20. The Charlotte Observer.
  4. "Spotlight: Army Of Lovers" (PDF). Music & Media. 26 October 1991. p. 24. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  5. Gittins, Ian (30 November 1991). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 27. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
  6. "Albums/Singles". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 3 December 1991. page 28.
  7. "Army of Lovers: Obsession (Version 1) (1991)". IMDb. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  8. "Army of Lovers: Obsession (Version 2) (1992)". IMDb. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  9. "Army Of Lovers - Obsession - First Version". YouTube. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  10. "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 10 February1992". Bubbling Down Under. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  11. "Army Of Lovers – Obsession" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  12. "Army Of Lovers – Obsession" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  13. "Eurochart Hot 100" (PDF). Music & Media. 22 February 1992. p. 19. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  14. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 21 December 1991. Retrieved 29 April 2018. {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  15. "Army of Lovers – Obsession" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  16. "Top 10 Sales in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. 2 May 1991. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
  17. "Army Of Lovers - Obsession" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  18. "Army of Lovers – Obsession" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  19. Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  20. "Army of Lovers – Obsession". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  21. "Army of Lovers – Obsession". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  22. "Official Charts > Army of Lovers". The Official UK Charts Company. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  23. "Army of Lovers Obsession Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  24. "Army of Lovers Obsession Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
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