Their first album, Let Them Eat Bingo spawned the number one UK single Dub Be Good To Me, a re-working of the S.O.S. Band's hit "Just Be Good to Me", based around a sample of the bassline from The Clash's "Guns of Brixton" and featuring Layton on vocals.
The second Beats International album was 1991's Excursion on the Version, which featured a greater use of dub and reggae sounds, but failed to repeat the success of its predecessor. This was the last Beats International recording, with Cook next going on to form Freakpower.
The Sun Doesn't Shine
Beats International Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The devil knows a darkness like the way I felt last night.
And everybody tells me that it's wrong,
But no-one knows the way to make me strong.
If someone's going to save me,
Make it soon & make it right.
But I say who?
If not you?
Where's my guardian angel? Sure she should be here by now.
Because basically I'm drowning, it's my third time going down.
And everybody tries to clear my doubt,
But no-one has the key to snap me out.
And "Bob" is round the corner,
Unless somebody shows me how.
And I say who?
(Now the sun doesn't shine)
If not you?
The lyrics of Beats International's "The Sun Doesn't Shine" portray a sense of despair and hopelessness. The singer, who is feeling lost and alone, is seeking a savior or a guardian angel to come and rescue them from their inner darkness. The song builds a narrative around the concept of feeling detached in a situation and feeling hopeless even when surrounded by people who say they care.
The opening line is set amidst early hours, hinting at a long and distressing night before. The singer compares their state of mind to darkness, worn down by the cruelty and severity of the world. The chorus repeats the line "Now the sun doesn't shine" to emphasize the singer's despair at feeling trapped and helpless, with no relief in sight. The second verse expands on the singer's despair - they feel like they are drowning, and although others try to help them, they simply cannot help themselves.
Despite the negative emotions expressed through the lyrics, there is an underlying sense of resilience and determination to overcome adversity. The singer is seeking a solution to their problems and refuses to fully give up, even when in a situation that consumes them. They call on their savior to reveal themselves and for the singer's personal renewal. The song leaves us with a sense of tension between despair and hope, darkness and light.
Line by Line Meaning
Seven in the morning & it's almost getting light.
It's early in the morning and the sun is about to rise.
The devil knows a darkness like the way I felt last night.
The feeling of despair last night was intense, maybe even comparable to the devil's darkness.
And everybody tells me that it's wrong,
People have been telling the person that what they're doing or feeling isn't right.
But no-one knows the way to make me strong.
Despite people's advice, no one really knows how to help the person feel better and stronger.
If someone's going to save me,
The person is hoping that someone can save them from their emotional turmoil.
Make it soon & make it right.
They want it to happen quickly and they want it to work out well.
But I say who?
The person is wondering who can help them.
(Now the sun doesn't shine)
Perhaps their emotional state is akin to darkness when the sun doesn't shine.
If not you?
They're asking the question directly — if it's not you who's going to help, then who?
Where's my guardian angel? Sure she should be here by now.
The person is hoping for divine intervention, a metaphorical guardian angel, who hasn't appeared yet.
Because basically I'm drowning, it's my third time going down.
The person feels like they're drowning, and this isn't the first time they've felt this way. They're struggling to stay afloat.
And everybody tries to clear my doubt,
People try to talk to them and clear any doubts that they may have.
But no-one has the key to snap me out.
Even though people try to help, nobody really knows how to help them snap out of this state.
And 'Bob' is round the corner,
Despite all of this, there's a sense of hope that something or someone named 'Bob' may be coming soon.
Unless somebody shows me how.
Unless someone helps the person, 'Bob''s potential arrival might not even matter.
And I say who?
Still wondering who can help them.
(Now the sun doesn't shine)
Repeating the metaphor of darkness when the sun doesn't shine.
If not you?
Asking again, if it's not you who's going to help, then who?
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.