"Oh Sheila" is a 1985 single by Ready for the World. The song went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, the Hot Black Singles and the Hot Dance Club Play charts.[1] It was the first of two chart toppers for the band on the Billboard R&B chart, preceding their 1986 number-one R&B hit, "Love You Down".
The song is commonly misattributed to Prince, due to similarity to his vocal and musical style, as well as the belief that the song's lyrics allude to frequent Prince collaborator Sheila E.[2][3] Ready for the World's Melvin Riley denied any connection with the two artists, stating that the subject of the song was a fictional character. However, the song's drum machine pattern and melody were inspired by the Prince song "Lady Cab Driver."
The use of a faux British accent during parts of the song was the preference of singer Melvin Riley Jr., who said 'I like that kind of accent, so I thought I'd use that sound.'[4]
Track listing
- 7" vinyl version
- "Oh Sheila" – 3:36
- "I'm the One Who Loves You" – 3:20
- 12" vinyl version
- "Oh Sheila" – 6:48
- "Oh Sheila (Dubstramental)" – 4:00
- "Oh Sheila (A cappella)" – 3:54
Angel City version: Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)
In 1999, Dutch dance duo Angel City covered the song, featuring vocals by British singer Lara McAllen. The song was widely released as the lead single in 1999 and 2003 from the band's 2005 album, Love Me Right. Angel City's version retains the verses from the original song but changes the chorus.
"Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" reached number 11 on the UK Singles Chart and number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming their first charting single in the latter. The single also charted in Belgium and the Netherlands.
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Ready for the World – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "The Prince Hit That Wasn't a Prince Hit". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. May 12, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
- ↑ DeKnock, Jan (October 13, 1985). "Ready For The World On Top With Prince-like 'Oh Sheila'". The Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved November 19, 2013.
- ↑ Jackson, Dana (December 5, 1985). "This Group's Finally Ready for the World". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ↑ "Forum – ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts – Chart Positions Pre 1989 Part 4". Australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Ready For The World – Oh Sheila" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0599." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Ready For The World – Oh Sheila". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Oh Sheila". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Ready For The World - Oh Sheila" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Ready For The World – Oh Sheila" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Charts.nz – Ready For The World – Oh Sheila". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Swisscharts.com – Ready For The World – Oh Sheila". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Ready For The World: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending OCTOBER 12, 1985". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
- ↑ "RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved March 1, 2018.
- ↑ "Top 100 Hits for 1985". The Longbored Surfer. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ↑ "The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1985". Cash Box. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
- ↑ Slomowicz, DJ Ron. "Lara McAllen/Angel City Interview". About.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Angel City feat. Lara McAllen – Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Angel City – Love Me Right" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – Angel City feat. Lara McAllen – Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" (in French). Ultratip. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Angel City feat. Lara McAllen – Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ↑ "Angel City – Awards". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved August 1, 2013.