Oh Louise
| "Oh Louise" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Junior Giscombe | ||||
| from the album Acquired Taste | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Recorded | 1985 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | London | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Junior Giscombe, Robin Smith | |||
| Producer(s) | Junior Giscombe | |||
| Junior Giscombe singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Oh Louise" on YouTube | ||||
"Oh Louise" is a single by British artist Junior, initially released as part of his third studio album, Acquired Taste, in 1985. The song was reissued in 1986, where it gained more success, becoming a top 15 hit on the R&B charts. Written by Junior Giscombe and Robin Smith, the song was also produced by Junior and was released through London Records. for the week ending May 24, 1986. It also ranked 13 in sales and 15 in airplay.[1]
Influence on New Jack Swing
[edit]Oh Louise has been credited by some music critics, as well as Teddy Riley and Lenny White, as one of the early precursors to the New Jack Swing genre. While New Jack Swing became more widely recognized in the late 1980s, the song's fusion of R&B, soul, and upbeat, syncopated rhythms helped lay the groundwork for what would later be popularized by producers like Teddy Riley. Junior's incorporation of danceable grooves with soulful vocals showcased an emerging sound that would eventually define the New Jack Swing movement. Junior recounted how Grammy-winning jazz drummer Lenny White told him:
- “You do realise that it was Oh Louise that started New Jack Swing?!”
Junior also claimed that producer Teddy Riley, considered one of the founders of New Jack Swing, remarked:
Reception
[edit]For his third album, Acquired Taste, Junior Giscombe teamed with legendary producer Arif Mardin. The album included the joyous track "Oh Louise". Which failed to make much of a mark in the US market.[5]
Track listings
[edit]7"
- "Oh Louise" – 3:50
- "Oh Louise" – 3:50
12"
- "Oh Louise" – 6:50
- "Oh Louise" – 6:50
Personnel
[edit]- Junior Giscombe - lead vocals, songwriter, producer, mixed by
- Robin Smith - songwriter
- John Gallen - remixer
Charts
[edit]| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[6] | 74 |
| UK Singles (OCC) (1986 reissue)[6] | 83 |
| Hot Black Singles (1986 reissue)[7] | 14 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Hot Black Singles". Billboard. Billboard Publications. May 24, 1986. p. 29. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
- ^ Edwards, Michael J. (2016). "Junior Giscombe Interview - Part 2". ukvibe.org. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "Junior Shares A Universal Message In "Mama Used To Say"". Spotify. 2022-09-07. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ 1ntune (2020-04-21). "The History of New Jack Swing Music". Medium. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Junior Giscombe". Retrieved May 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Junior Giscombe - UK Singles Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ Billboard. "Junior Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2025.