On Jan 22, 1982, Haircut 100 released the single Love Plus One.
It was the band’s second single and one of the biggest successes in the British new wave scene that year. The track, lifted from their debut album Pelican West, soared to No. 3 in the UK and gained a gold certification from the BPI for surpassing 400,000 copies sold. In the United States, it became the group’s only chart entry, settling at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat boosted by its playful video directed by David Mallet. British viewers were already familiar with the group’s wholesome sweaters and bright, catchy hooks, but American audiences found them through MTV, where Mallet’s video—a tropical-island romp featuring Nick Heyward in a loincloth—received frequent rotation.
“Love Plus One” was lauded by Smash Hits, with Ian Birch naming it Single of the Week and calling it “a nifty mover with plenty of interesting details,” predicting that it would eclipse their debut single “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl).” True to that forecast, “Love Plus One” lodged itself in the Top 40 for 11 weeks and finished as the UK’s 14th best-selling single of 1982. The marimbas that weave through the track came courtesy of the band’s producer, Bob Sargeant, who, in Nick’s words, “organized everything properly” and knew precisely how to bring flair to Haircut One Hundred’s horn-infused pop. Phil Smith’s soprano sax and the added touches of steel drum and bongos made the song stand out, particularly when showcased in a TV landscape increasingly driven by clever music videos. Its bright, breezy character led Rolling Stone to slot it at No. 79 on their “100 Best Songs of 1982,” while VH1 placed it at No. 90 on their “100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 1980s.”
I, I went off to the right
Without saying goodbye, goodbye
Where does it go from here?
Is it down to the lake I fear?
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Then I call
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
La la love plus one
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
When I call love
Give love some soul
If I may be quite so bold
Where does it go from here?
Is it down to the lake I fear?
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Ay ah ah ah ah ah
Then I call
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
La la love plus one
Ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring) ring (ring)
La la love plus one
Ring (and I) ring (and I) ring (and I) ring (and I)
La la love plus one
Ring (and I) ring (and I) ring (and I) ring (and I)
When I call love
Love
Love
Love plus one
Love plus one
Love plus one
Love plus one