<P> The release of the single was widely advertised in music press in early August 1981 with prominence given also to the B - side "Hard Times" as well as the A-side, and to the fact that a "limited" 12" single would also be made available as "Hard Times / Love Action" in "Disco Mix and Odd Mix" although these names were not used for the actual release . The single was designated' Red' on the Human League's short - lived self - imposed labelling system of' Blue' for pop songs and' Red' for dance tracks . </P> <P> The single made number 3 in the UK charts and placed The Human League in the forefront of media attention . It also renewed Virgin Records' faith in the band and guaranteed the release of the album that was to become Dare, just four months later . </P> <P> The song was ranked at number 5 among the top ten "Tracks of the Year" for 1981 by NME . </P> <P> The song was sampled in the UK hit single from dance duo Utah Saints in the mid-1990s and by George Michael for his politically charged 2002 hit "Shoot the Dog ." </P>

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