A Chat with Ian Burden (04.07.25)
Interview with Karen Beishuizen (Guest contributor)
Ian Burden is an English musician who played keyboards and bass guitar with the Human League between 1981 and 1987. We chat with Burden about his time with The Human League, his passion for art, his favourite songs, and more.
Did you always want to be a musician growing up?
Burden: No. I played piano for fun, without any notions. And then became a self-taught guitarist at a boarding school in Cambridgeshire, where many pupils were choristers/ex-choristers at Peterborough Cathedral. They all played various instruments and sang beautifully. During my last year the school acquired an EMS Synthi A, which is how I came to learn analogue synth programming. Before then I’d lived in Germany.
I read that you were also interested in any form of art? A second passion?
Burden: I’ve always drawn and painted, since childhood. Anything creative is a magnet. A lot of childhood time was also spent designing and building with Lego.
You played with The Human League for 7 years. How did you meet?
Burden: A girlfriend was living in the same house as Philip Oakey. He needed a keyboard player to replace Martyn Ware and Ian Marsh.
The album Dare with the hit ‘Don’t You Want Me’ is timeless. How do you feel about it now looking back?
Burden: I’ve learned to love it. For many years I was confused by it.
What makes a great song? Which elements should it have to become a classic?
Burden: If I knew, I’d be trying every day! It’s maybe some sort of hook that hasn’t been done before.
Who are your favourite synthesize wizards in music?
Burden: It begins with ‘On The Run’ by Pink Floyd. Then Tangerine Dream, Neu and Kraftwerk.
Are there any artists out there you would love to collaborate with or you wished you had?
Burden: Very easy question! David Bowie is the obvious answer.
You can make an album with 7 of your most favourite songs (not your own): what would you pick?
Burden: 1. ‘Life On Mars’ – David Bowie
2. ‘Waterloo Sunset’ – The Kinks
3. ‘A Day In The Life’ – The Beatles
4. ‘You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me’ – Dusty Springfield
5. ‘When Doves Cry’ – Prince
6. ‘Johnny B. Goode’ – Chuck Berry
7. ‘One Of These Days’ – Pink Floyd
They’re all unique. I never get bored with them.
What are you currently up to?
Burden: As little as possible. Currently enjoying the summer weather and reading many books.
Find out more about Ian Burden on his official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and YouTube.
