Book of Love
Encyclopedia
Book of Love was, from 1984 to 1993, a popular synth pop and dance music
band, alongside Sire Records
labelmates Depeche Mode
and Erasure
. Led by vocalist Susan Ottaviano, the band also included Ted Ottaviano (no relation to Susan), Lauren Roselli and Jade Lee.
, Pennsylvania
and later based out of New York City
. The band gained its first exposure as the opening act on Depeche Mode
's Black Celebration tour.
Their biggest success came on the US dance charts, placing seven singles in the Billboard
Hot Dance Club Play
chart between 1985 and 1993. The group's largest exposure on pop radio was with the song "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls." The song, from its album Lullaby, was originally the second half of a medley with the group's house-music version of Mike Oldfield
's "Tubular Bells
," a 1973 instrumental that served as the eerie theme music of the classic horror film The Exorcist
. Edited down to single length, "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" became Book of Love's only Hot 100
entry, peaking at number 90 in 1988.
In February, 2001 — sixteen years after its first dance chart entry — Book of Love had its first number-one hit on the US dance chart when "Boy
," a track originally from its debut album, was remix
ed and re-released as the lead single from their greatest hits collection, I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love. Another newly remix
ed track, "I Touch Roses" followed shortly thereafter, and in additional support of the greatest hits collection, a small, half-dozen venue tour visited cities spanning coast to coast.
Since their active years, Book of Love's songs "Boy" and "I Touch Roses" have been rediscovered by new audiences. Both their original versions and subsequent remixes are heard in both dance clubs and on alternative radio stations.
Member Ted Ottaviano also had significant dance club hits as one half of Doubleplusgood ("The Winding Song," number two in 1996).
The group's song "Sunny Day" was featured in the movie The Silence of the Lambs, in a scene in which band member Lauren Roselli also had a cameo with principal actor Jodie Foster
. Roselli appeared again in the movie Philadelphia
. BOL's song "Modigliani (Lost In Your Eyes)" was featured in the 1987 John Hughes film Planes, Trains & Automobiles
. "Enchanted," a song from the band's Lovebubble album, appeared on the soundtrack to the 1993 film Naked in New York
.
Lauren (Roselli) Johnson and Ted Ottaviano have completed a handful of new songs with singer Lori Lindsay under the name of The Myrmidons.
Music video
s by the band include "You Make Me Feel So Good" from the band's debut album
, "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" from Lullaby, and "Alice Everyday" from Candy Carol. The "Alice Everyday" video featured the band singing and playing its keyboards inside various snow domes, reflecting the cover art of the album, designed by Jade Lee, showing the band as plastic figures also performing inside a snow dome. Rounding out the band's videos was "Boy Pop" from the Lovebubble album.
The cassette and compact disc
front covers of the band's album Lovebubble were designed by former Talking Heads
' frontman David Byrne
.
In 1983, Susan Ottaviano produced an album called I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia, which featured several bands from the Philadelphia area, including Pretty Poison
. Book of Love's contribution to the compilation was the song "Henna." Jade Lee designed the album's bright orange cover that included an overlay graphic of a Philadelphia street map. The compilation was issued on Burn Potential Records. Also on Burn Potential Records was a 7-inch record called "Jungle Jam" under the band name of Head Cheese, which contained future Book of Love members. The band consisted of Susan Ottaviano, Jade Lee, and Celeste Reis. Ted Ottaviano was one of the record's producers and was recorded in Philadelphia in July 1981.
According to the band's Web site www.bookoflovemusic.com the music company Collector's Choice
released remastered and expanded editions of Book of Love's four albums on July 21, 2009. The site stated it was the first time many of the band's remixes were available digitally. There was also a bonus disc that included two live tracks and original demo recordings dual packaged with the band's debut self-titled release in recognition of that album's silver anniversary.
In celebration of 25 years, the quartet came together yet again for a one night only show on September 27, 2009 at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
band, alongside Sire Records
Sire Records
Sire Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:The label was founded in 1966 as Sire Productions by Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer, each investing ten thousand dollars into the new company. Its early releases as a...
labelmates Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
and Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
. Led by vocalist Susan Ottaviano, the band also included Ted Ottaviano (no relation to Susan), Lauren Roselli and Jade Lee.
History
The band was formed in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
and later based out of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. The band gained its first exposure as the opening act on Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
's Black Celebration tour.
Their biggest success came on the US dance charts, placing seven singles in the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
chart between 1985 and 1993. The group's largest exposure on pop radio was with the song "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls." The song, from its album Lullaby, was originally the second half of a medley with the group's house-music version of Mike Oldfield
Mike Oldfield
Michael Gordon Oldfield is an English multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, working a style that blends progressive rock, folk, ethnic or world music, classical music, electronic music, New Age, and more recently, dance. His music is often elaborate and complex in nature...
's "Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells
Tubular Bells is the debut record album of English musician Mike Oldfield, released in 1973. It was the first album released by Virgin Records and an early cornerstone of the company's success...
," a 1973 instrumental that served as the eerie theme music of the classic horror film The Exorcist
The Exorcist (film)
The Exorcist is a 1973 American horror film directed by William Friedkin, adapted from the 1971 novel of the same name by William Peter Blatty and based on the exorcism case of Robbie Mannheim, dealing with the demonic possession of a young girl and her mother’s desperate attempts to win back her...
. Edited down to single length, "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" became Book of Love's only Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
entry, peaking at number 90 in 1988.
In February, 2001 — sixteen years after its first dance chart entry — Book of Love had its first number-one hit on the US dance chart when "Boy
Boy (Book of Love song)
"Boy" is the title of the 1985 debut single by the American synthpop band Book of Love. The song was included on the band's self-titled debut album in 1986...
," a track originally from its debut album, was remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed and re-released as the lead single from their greatest hits collection, I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love. Another newly remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
ed track, "I Touch Roses" followed shortly thereafter, and in additional support of the greatest hits collection, a small, half-dozen venue tour visited cities spanning coast to coast.
Since their active years, Book of Love's songs "Boy" and "I Touch Roses" have been rediscovered by new audiences. Both their original versions and subsequent remixes are heard in both dance clubs and on alternative radio stations.
Member Ted Ottaviano also had significant dance club hits as one half of Doubleplusgood ("The Winding Song," number two in 1996).
The group's song "Sunny Day" was featured in the movie The Silence of the Lambs, in a scene in which band member Lauren Roselli also had a cameo with principal actor Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is an American actress, film director, producer as well as a former child actress....
. Roselli appeared again in the movie Philadelphia
Philadelphia (film)
Philadelphia is a 1993 American drama film that was one of the first mainstream Hollywood films to acknowledge HIV/AIDS, homosexuality and homophobia. It was written by Ron Nyswaner and directed by Jonathan Demme. The film stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington...
. BOL's song "Modigliani (Lost In Your Eyes)" was featured in the 1987 John Hughes film Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Planes, Trains and Automobiles is a 1987 American comedy film released by Paramount Pictures. It was written, produced and directed by John Hughes...
. "Enchanted," a song from the band's Lovebubble album, appeared on the soundtrack to the 1993 film Naked in New York
Naked in New York
Naked in New York is a 1993 romantic drama film starring Eric Stoltz, Mary Louise Parker, Ralph Macchio, Jill Clayburgh, Tony Curtis, Timothy Dalton, and Kathleen Turner, and featuring multiple celebrity cameos, including William Styron listing all of his authored, penned and film work, Whoopi...
.
Lauren (Roselli) Johnson and Ted Ottaviano have completed a handful of new songs with singer Lori Lindsay under the name of The Myrmidons.
Music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s by the band include "You Make Me Feel So Good" from the band's debut album
Book of Love (album)
Book of Love is the self-titled debut studio album by American synthpop and dance music band Book of Love, released on April 1, 1986 by Sire Records. Vocalists Ted and Susan Ottaviano, not related, wrote the album's music and lyrics.- Music :...
, "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" from Lullaby, and "Alice Everyday" from Candy Carol. The "Alice Everyday" video featured the band singing and playing its keyboards inside various snow domes, reflecting the cover art of the album, designed by Jade Lee, showing the band as plastic figures also performing inside a snow dome. Rounding out the band's videos was "Boy Pop" from the Lovebubble album.
The cassette and compact disc
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
front covers of the band's album Lovebubble were designed by former Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
' frontman David Byrne
David Byrne (musician)
David Byrne is a musician and artist, best known as a founding member and principal songwriter of the American new wave band Talking Heads, which was active between 1975 and 1991. Since then, Byrne has released his own solo recordings and worked with various media including film, photography,...
.
In 1983, Susan Ottaviano produced an album called I'd Rather Be in Philadelphia, which featured several bands from the Philadelphia area, including Pretty Poison
Pretty Poison
Pretty Poison is a Dance group based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Group members are Jade Starling ; Whey Cooler ; and Kaya Pryor .-History:...
. Book of Love's contribution to the compilation was the song "Henna." Jade Lee designed the album's bright orange cover that included an overlay graphic of a Philadelphia street map. The compilation was issued on Burn Potential Records. Also on Burn Potential Records was a 7-inch record called "Jungle Jam" under the band name of Head Cheese, which contained future Book of Love members. The band consisted of Susan Ottaviano, Jade Lee, and Celeste Reis. Ted Ottaviano was one of the record's producers and was recorded in Philadelphia in July 1981.
According to the band's Web site www.bookoflovemusic.com the music company Collector's Choice
Collectors' Choice Music
Collectors' Choice Music is a company primarily in two businesses. They are best known for re-issuing albums originally recorded in LP record form as compact discs...
released remastered and expanded editions of Book of Love's four albums on July 21, 2009. The site stated it was the first time many of the band's remixes were available digitally. There was also a bonus disc that included two live tracks and original demo recordings dual packaged with the band's debut self-titled release in recognition of that album's silver anniversary.
In celebration of 25 years, the quartet came together yet again for a one night only show on September 27, 2009 at the Highline Ballroom in New York City.
Albums
| Year | Album | Catalogue number | U.S. albums Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Book of Love Book of Love (album) Book of Love is the self-titled debut studio album by American synthpop and dance music band Book of Love, released on April 1, 1986 by Sire Records. Vocalists Ted and Susan Ottaviano, not related, wrote the album's music and lyrics.- Music :... |
25355 | — |
| 1988 | Lullaby | 25700 | 156 |
| 1991 | Candy Carol | 26389 | 174 |
| 1993 | Lovebubble | 45280 | — |
| 2001 | I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love | 47992 | — |
Singles
| Year | Song | US Dance | US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Boy Boy (Book of Love song) "Boy" is the title of the 1985 debut single by the American synthpop band Book of Love. The song was included on the band's self-titled debut album in 1986... " |
7 | - | Book of Love |
| 1986 | "You Make Me Feel So Good" | - | - | |
| "I Touch Roses" | 8 | - | ||
| 1987 | "Modigliani (Lost In Your Eyes)" | 17 | - | |
| 1988 | "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" | 5 | 90 | Lullaby |
| 1989 | "Lullaby" | 27 | - | |
| 1990 | "Witchcraft" | - | - | |
| 1991 | "Alice Everyday" | 21 | - | Candy Carol |
| "Counting the Rosaries" | - | - | ||
| "Sunny Day" | - | - | ||
| 1993 | "Hunny Hunny"/"Chatterbox Pt. 2" | - | - | Lovebubble |
| "Boy Pop" | 4 | - | ||
| 2000 | "Boy" (new remixes) | 1 | - | I Touch Roses: The Best of Book of Love |