Oh Sheila

"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".

"Oh Sheila"
Artwork for US and some other territorial releases
Single by Ready for the World
from the album Ready for the World
B-side	"I'm the One Who Loves You"
Released	1985 (1985)
Genre	Synth-funk[1] electropop[2]
Length	4:00 (album version) 3:36 (single version)
Label	MCA
Songwriter(s)	Melvin Riley Jr. Gordon Strozier Gerald Valentine
Producer(s)	Ready for the World
Ready for the World singles chronology
"Deep Inside Your Love" (1985) "Oh Sheila" (1985) "Digital Display" (1985)
Music video
"Oh Sheila” on YouTube

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 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7] 9 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[9] 18 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[10] 24 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[11] 16 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[12] 24 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[13] 13 UK Singles (OCC)[14] 50 US Billboard Hot 100[15] 1 US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard)[15] 6 US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)[15] 1 US Hot Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)[15] 1 US Cash Box[16] 3 West Germany (GfK)[17] 11

Year-end charts Chart (1985) Position Canada Top Singles (RPM)[18] 27 US Billboard Hot 100[19] 31 US Cash Box[20] 40

Angel City version

"Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)"
Single by Angel City featuring Lara McAllen
from the album Love Me Right
Released	1999 (1999)
Genre	Eurodance[21]
Length	3:13
Label	Data
Songwriter(s)	Melvin Riley Jr. Gordon Strozier Gerald Valentine
Angel City featuring Lara McAllen singles chronology
"Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" (1999) ""Love Me Right (Oh Sheila)" (re-release)" (2003)

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 (1999)	Peak position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[22]	27

Chart (2003–2004)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)[23]	70
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[24]	12
Hungary (Dance Top 40)[25]	35
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[26]	62
Scotland (OCC)[27]	10
UK Singles (OCC)[28]	11
UK Dance (OCC)[29]	7
US Billboard Hot 100[30]	95
US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[31]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)	Position
UK Singles (OCC)[32]	174

Chart (2004)	Position
US Dance Radio Airplay (Billboard)[33]	9

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.)