The Human League and the 1981 Album Dare

The Human League is mainly Sheffield-based and continued the DIY approach of punk culture with MIDI pop. Former Rezillos guitarist Jo Callis joined the lineup before the release of the band's 1981 album Dare. Jo Callis, Phil Oakey, and Adrian Wright co-wrote Don’t You Want Me. The track was placed at the close of Dare because the band did not expect any success from it.

The album was produced by Martin Rushent, who had previously worked with Gentle Giant, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Groundhogs, Curved Air, and The Stranglers.

The impact of Dare contributed to the Musicians' Union attempting to ban synthesizers in the mid-1980s. In 1982, a seven-minute version of Don't You Want Me was included on the album Love And Dancing.