Ode to Boy

Neil Tennant of Smash Hits described the song as being the "darker side of Yazoo" and featuring "one of [Moyet's] smokiest vocals".[5] In a 2008 issue of The Advocate, the song was described as "smoldering".[6] William Ruhlmann of AllMusic highlighted "Ode to Boy" as a standout track from You and Me Both by labeling it an AMG Pick Track.[7] In a review of the album by music website Sputnikmusic, the song was described as "one of the high points on the record - dares to slow things down with a sluggish, dingy melody and disjointed, echoed vocals from Moyet".[8]

• Alison Moyet – vocals, producer
• Vince Clarke – instrumentation, producer
• Eric Radcliffe - producer

For its inclusion on Essex, Moyet recorded "Ode to Boy" in its original form; a guitar-dominant version. The song was produced by Pete Glenister. Speaking of the song's re-recording for Essex in contrast to the slower Yazoo version, Moyet revealed: "It was sped back up for Essex. They are two completely different songs."[4]

Columbia rejected the original recording of Essex and insisted that it be re-recorded to create a more commercial package. A mix of the song, titled "Ode to Boy II", featured additional production and mixing done by Adrian Bushby and Pete Davis. This version was included on Essex as a bonus track. When "Ode to Boy" was released as a single, this remix was selected and the "II" was dropped from its title. For the single, Columbia also hired Junior Vasquez to give the song a dance remix treatment. He produced two mixes: the "Factory Mix" and the "NY-LA Mix".[11]

The song peaked at No. 59 in the UK and remained in the Top 100 for two weeks.[12] "Ode to Boy" was released on 12", cassette and CD in the UK and on CD across Europe.[10] A music video was filmed to promote the single, which was directed by The Douglas Brothers.[13]

In 2016, a deluxe edition of Essex was released by BMG, however due to limited space across the two discs, none of the remixes of "Ode to Boy" were included.[14]

12" Single

1. "Ode To Boy" - 2:55
2. "Ode To Boy (N.Y.- L.A. Mix)" - 3:27
3. "Ode To Boy (Factory Mix)" - 9:56
4. "Ode To Boy (N.Y.- L.A. Dub)" - 3:12
5. "Ode To Boy (Factory Dub 2)" - 4:40

12" Single (UK promo)

1. "Ode To Boy (N.Y.- L.A. Mix)" - 3:27
2. "Ode To Boy (Factory Mix)" - 9:56
3. "Ode To Boy (N.Y.- L.A. Dub)" - 3:12
4. "Ode To Boy (Factory Dub 1)" - 3:52
5. "Ode To Boy (Factory Dub 2)" - 4:40

Cassette Single

1. "Ode to Boy" - 2:55
2. "Life in a Hole" - 3:45

CD Single

1. "Ode to Boy" - 2:55
2. "Life in a Hole" - 3:45
3. "Sunderland Glynn" - 2:50
4. "Ode To Boy (Factory Mix)" - 9:53

CD Single (UK promo)

1. "Ode to Boy" - 2:55

In October 1994, Patrick Brennan of Hot Press reviewed the "Ode to Boy" upon its release as a single. He wrote: "In her days before Vince Clarke got his technological hands on her, Alison Moyet was quite a raucous rhythm and blues singer. It's that throaty tradition she draws on here to churn out an uninhibited diatribe of womanly desire and admiration for a veritable hunk on wheels. Fast, acoustic and frenetic "Ode To Boy" lacks the soul of previously more restrained outings in spite of its energy and lust."[15] Lennox Herald wrote: "Nearly there as far as a good song goes. Moyet has a wonderful voice which is not always shown off to great effect but this still lacks that little something for truly massive success."[16]

In a review of Essex, William Ruhlmann of AllMusic commented that the re-recording was "an unnecessary remake", which had been "arranged to sound like 'Pinball Wizard'."[17] Helena Adams of the music website Reflections of Darkness felt the song was a "total rip off" of the Guns N' Roses song "One in a Million", but without Axl Rose's "rawness or charm".[18] Louder than War writer Paul Scott-Bates said: "A version of the incredible "Ode to Boy" from Yazoo's You And Me Both swansong features twice – guitar and manic production accompany Alison's vocals and easily becomes the icing on the cake on Essex."[19] Penny Black Music writer Adrian Janes commented that "Ode to Boy" "eagerly delights in the female gaze: "When he drives I love to watch his hands/white and smooth/almost feminine/almost American"."[20]

• Alison Moyet - lead vocals, tambourine on "Ode to Boy", harmonica on "Sunderland Glynn"
• Christian Mars - guitar on "Ode to Boy"
• Pete Glenister - guitar on "Ode to Boy", "Life in a Hole" and "Sunderland Glynn"
• Andy Coughlan - bass on "Ode to Boy"
• David Ballard - bongos on "Ode to Boy"
• Tony Riley - drums on "Ode to Boy"
• Steve Cradock - guitar on "Life in a Hole"
• Dave Ruffey - drums on "Life in a Hole" and "Sunderland Glynn"
• John Mackenzie - bass on "Life in a Hole" and "Sunderland Glynn"

• Pete Glenister - producer of "Ode to Boy", "Life in a Hole" and "Sunderland Glynn", mixing on "Life in a Hole"
• Neil Brockbank, Vic Van Vugt - engineers on "Ode to Boy"
• Alan Winstanley - mixing on "Ode to Boy" and "Sunderland Glynn"
• Pete Davis, Adrian Bushby - additional production and mix on "Ode to Boy"
• Junior Vasquez - additional production and mix on "Factory Mix" and "N.Y.-L.A. Mix"
• Alison Moyet, Vic Van Vugt - mixing on "Life in a Hole"

• Alison Moyet, Martin Jenkins - design
• Robert Clifford - photography