Oh Sheila Explained

"Oh Sheila" is a song by American R&B band Ready for the World. Released as a single in 1985, it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco Club Play chart. 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 the similarities to his vocal and musical style, heavy use of the detuned rimshot sound of a drum machine, and the belief that the song's lyrics allude to frequent Prince collaborator Sheila E.^{[3] [4]}

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."^[5]

Track listings

7-inch vinyl version

1. "Oh Sheila" (single version) – 3:36
2. "I'm the One Who Loves You" – 3:20

12-inch vinyl version

1. "Oh Sheila" (extended version) – 6:48
2. "Oh Sheila" (Dubstramental) – 4:00
3. "Oh Sheila" (a cappella)" – 3:54

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1985)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[6]	14
US Billboard Hot 100[7]	1
US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)	6
US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)	1
US Hot Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)	1
US Cash Box[8]	3

Year-end charts

Chart (1985)	Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[9]	27
US Billboard Hot 100[10]	31
US Cash Box[11]	40

Angel City version

In 1999, Dutch dance duo Angel City covered the song, featuring vocals by British singer Lara McAllen. The song was first released in 1999 and again in 2003. It is the lead single from the band's 2005 debut 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 U.S. Billboard Hot 100, becoming their first charting single in the latter. The single also charted in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003–2004)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100[13]	95
US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[14]	1

Year-end charts

See also

• List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1985
• List of number-one dance singles of 1985 (U.S.)
• List of number-one R&B singles of 1985 (U.S.)
• List of number-one singles of 1985 (Canada)
• List of number-one dance airplay hits of 2004 (U.S.)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Breihan. Tom. The Number Ones: Ready for the World's "Oh Sheila". 27 October 2022. Stereogum. 28 October 2020 .
2. News: Troy L. . Smith . Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best . . 13 May 2021 . 30 January 2023.
3. Web site: The Prince Hit That Wasn't a Prince Hit . . May 12, 2011 . November 19, 2013 .
4. News: Jan . DeKnock . Ready For the World on Top with Prince-like 'Oh Sheila' . . October 13, 1985 . November 19, 2013 .
5. News: Dana . Jackson . This Group's Finally Ready for the World . . December 5, 1985 . June 5, 2018 .
6. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian) . 1993 . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . illustrated . Australian Chart Book . . 247 . 0-646-11917-6.
7. Web site: Ready for the World – Awards . . August 1, 2013 .
8. CASH BOX Top 100 Singles – Week ending OCTOBER 12, 1985 . . October 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121001214444/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19851012.html.
9. RPM's Top 100 Singles of 1985 . . . March 1, 2018 .
10. Web site: Top 100 Hits for 1985 . The Longbored Surfer . April 23, 2014 .
11. The CASH BOX Year-End Charts: 1985 . . October 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121001214739/http://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/1985YESP.html.
12. Web site: DJ Ron . Slomowicz . Lara McAllen/Angel City Interview . . April 23, 2014 .
13. Billboard Hot 100 . . March 27, 2004 . February 1, 2024 .
14. Dance/Mix Show Airplay . Billboard . April 3, 2004 . February 1, 2024 .
15. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2003 . . December 3, 2021 .
16. 2004 The Year in Music: Hot Dance Airplay . Billboard . 116 . 52 . YE-61 . December 25, 2004.