Founded in 1978 by former singer of the Killjoys, Kevin Rowland, and guitarist Kevin "Al" Archer, in Birmingham (United Kingdom), the band was unique in that musically, they seemed best suited to the budding Mod/Skinhead Revival scene in the United Kingdom, but in many ways, especially fashion, they came off as rather hard to 'sell' to any particular scene. Musically, they've always been a sort of "soul-fusion."
An early single, "Geno" (written as an ode to American Northern Soul singer, Geno Washington), was immensely popular, despite being repeatedly bad-mouthed by the NME. In fact, "Geno" remains their biggest-selling single in the UK, thanks in part to at least one re-issue.
The following album, Searching for the Young Soul Rebels (1980), was an interesting punk and soul fusion, and despite (or perhaps because of) decidedly mixed reviews by the press, it was extremely well-received by the public.
Their second album, Too Rye Aye (1982), had a decidedly different sound, thanks largely to an immense line-up change, most notable for the fact that the horn section of ...Young Soul Rebels had been replaced by "the Emerald Express," the band's Celtic folk section (featuring violinist Helen O'Hara). The sound was still obviously soul influenced, at the very least, but this time it was Celtic soul. The album's first UK single was even titled "Celtic Soul Brothers."
Too-Rye-Aye was the most popular Dexys album Stateside, in fact it was the only one to break US charts, (though the album itself was only a modest to intermediate success in the US). This is largely because the US a-side single for "Come On Eileen" was debatably too popular (the single has been re-issued at least once in the UK; despite this, "Geno" was still their biggest-selling UK single). Undoubtedly the most "pop radio"-oriented song of the entire Dexys Midnight Runners catalogue.
A third album, Don't Stand Me Down was released in 1985 ending a three year silence from the band. It featured a noticeably different line-up. The ever-experimental Rowland abandoned the Too-Rye-Ay Celtic Soul/New Wave formula in favor of a more laidback Van Morrison conversational album. The previous album was a "Big Band" sound when compared to the new one (though, amusingly, the number of guest musicians featured on Don't Stand Me Down, plus the credited band members, seemed to outnumber all previous members of Dexys combined, including ex-Dexys who had recorded only song before leaving).
Don't Stand Me Down was well-received by critics though universally ignored by the music-buying public due in large part to Rowland stubbornly refusing to release any song from the album as a single, until considerably "late" after its release, as well as confusing listeners who may have been expecting a sequel to Too-Rye-Ay's Dance Pop. Sales of the album were sparse and it was considered a failure by the label. In the 20-plus years since it's original release it has come to be viewed by many as Rowland's magnum opus.
After Rowland's first solo endeavor in 1988, Dexys was briefly reformed in 1993, by Rowland with Big Jim Patterson, though this endeavor resulted in little, if anything more than a television performance.
In 2003, the career retrospective album ('don't call it a "greatest hits" collection'), Let's Make This Precious was released, featuring two new tracks, "Manhood" and "My Life In England, Part One." The new tracks were touted as singles and received regular radio play in the UK, though never commercially released outside the album.
Rowland officially announced in June 2005 that Dexys were back in the studio, recording and seeking a new contract. The current line-up includes Rowland Mick Talbot (former member of Merton Parkas and Hammond player for Paul Weller).
In the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, notably, Dexys Midnight Runners are the only band to have all of their albums listed, and with a full page review for each album (understandably, most albums only get a half-page review). All three albums received glowing reviews, save Too-Rye-Aye, wherein it was noted "[[i]Too-Rye-Aye] is the worst of the three Dexys albums; but if this is the worst album in your collection, pat yourself on the back."
Geno
Dexys Midnight Runners Lyrics
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Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
Back in '68 in a sweaty club
(Oh, Geno)
Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub
(Oh, Geno)
After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
The lowest head in the crowd that night
Just practicin' steps and keepin' outta the fights
Academic inspiration, you gave me none
But you were Michael the lover
The fighter that won
But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do
That man took the stage, his towel was swingin' high
(Oh Geno)
This man was my bombers, my Dexy's, my high
(Oh, Geno)
How the crowd, they all hailed you, and chanted your name
But they never knew like we knew
Me and you were the same
And now you're all over, your song is so tame, brrr
You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name
Academic inspiration, you gave me none
But you were Michael the lover
The fighter that won
But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do
Oh, Geno
(Oh, Geno)
Oh, Geno
(Oh, Geno)
The song "Geno" by Dexys Midnight Runners features a first-person narrative where the singer reflects on a life-changing moment that occurred in 1968. The song describes his experience at a club where he first witnessed a man named Geno Washington take the stage. The singer describes Geno as the lowest head in the crowd that night, practicing steps and staying out of fights. Despite not being an academic inspiration, the singer acknowledges that Geno was "Michael the lover, the fighter that won." The crowd hailed Geno's name, and the singer remembers how they were the same. The song ends with the singer promising to remember Geno's name.
On the surface, "Geno" may seem like a simple tribute to an influential figure, but it also captures the essence of the Northern Soul movement. Northern Soul was a music and dance scene that emerged in Northern England in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The movement's ethos was all about having a good time, with music and dance acting as an escape from the drudgery of everyday life. The lyrics to "Geno" speak to this sentiment, with the singer describing how a night at the club changed his life.
Overall, "Geno" by Dexys Midnight Runners is a nostalgic tribute to the Northern Soul movement and its coterie of influential figures like Geno Washington. The song captures the essence of the movement's ethos, with music and dance serving as an escape from the mundanities of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno, Geno!
The repetition of the name Geno creates a catchy chorus for the song.
Back in '68 in a sweaty club
The events of the song occurred in a club back in 1968.
(Oh, Geno)
The singer is calling out to Geno as he tells the story.
Before Jimmy's Machine and The Rocksteady Rub
This is a reference to other musical acts that were popular during this time.
On a night when flowers didn't suit my shoes
The artist didn't feel like he fit in with the crowd that night.
After a week of flunkin' and bunkin' school
The singer was not doing well in school.
The lowest head in the crowd that night
The singer felt like he was the least important person in the club that night.
Just practicin' steps and keepin' outta the fights
The artist was trying to improve his dancing skills and avoid getting into any conflicts.
Academic inspiration, you gave me none
Geno, the subject of the song, did not provide any academic inspiration to the artist.
But you were Michael the lover
Geno was known for being a ladies' man.
The fighter that won
Geno was also successful in other aspects of his life.
But now just look at me as I'm looking down at you
The artist is now successful and is reflecting on how much he has accomplished compared to Geno.
No, I'm not bein' flash, It's what I'm built to do
The singer is not bragging, but instead acknowledging that he is meant to be successful.
That man took the stage, his towel was swingin' high
Geno was known for his energetic performances and would often swing his towel around on stage.
(Oh Geno)
The singer is once again calling out to Geno.
This man was my bombers, my Dexy's, my high
Geno was a huge inspiration to the artist and his band.
How the crowd, they all hailed you, and chanted your name
Geno was incredibly popular and well-liked.
But they never knew like we knew
The singer and his band knew Geno on a deeper level.
Me and you were the same
The singer feels connected to Geno on a personal level.
And now you're all over, your song is so tame, brrr
Geno's popularity has faded and his music is now less exciting.
You fed me, you bred me, I'll remember your name
Despite Geno's decline in popularity, the artist will always remember the impact he had on his life and music.
Oh, Geno
The song ends with one more call to Geno.
(Oh, Geno)
The final call to Geno.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Kevin Archer, Kevin Rowland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind