"I.O.U." is a song by British musical group Freeez, released in 1983. The song was written and produced by Arthur Baker and remixed by Jellybean Benitez and Arthur Baker. The song was an international hit, reaching number two on the UK Singles Chart, making the top ten in many European charts and topping the US Billboard Dance/Disco chart. It was the 20th-best-selling single of 1983 in the United Kingdom.
The accompanying video featured children with skateboards and BMX bicycles recreating New York hip-hop culture.
In 1986, a 12-inch single was released in the US by the Criminal Records company, with new remixes. Some of these remixes were given a re-release during 1987 in the UK for the Citybeat label as "I.O.U. (The Ultimate Mixes '87)", however, it only reached number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.
The song has been sampled multiple times. Cutfather & Joe used a sample for their remix of Brandy's 2002 single "Full Moon"; Cheryl Cole for the song "Let's Get Down" from her 2010 album Messy Little Raindrops as does Wawa for the remix of StoneBridge's 2007 single "S.O.S". Jamie xx uses a vocal sample for the song "Girl", which closes his debut solo album In Colour. In 2019, Detroit rapper BabyTron of ShittyBoyz used this sample for the song "Jesus Shuttlesworth", the third track off his debut album Bin Reaper. In 2021, DJ/producer Paolo Pellegrino sampled "I.O.U." in a song rewritten together with singer Shibui, titled "Destiny".
7-inch vinyl
12-inch vinyl
12-inch vinyl
7-inch vinyl
12-inch vinyl
Additional personnel for 1986/87 versions