1) The English two-tone ska band The Beat known as The English Beat in North America and The British Beat in Australia.
2) The American power-pop band became known as Paul Collins' Beat in Europe.
1. The Beat are a band founded in Birmingham, England, in 1978. Their music fuses ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock.
The Beat, consisting of Dave Wakeling (vocals, guitar), Ranking Roger (vocals), Andy Cox (guitar), David Steele (bass), Everett Morton (drums), and Saxa a.k.a. Lionel Augustus Martin (1930 – 2017) (saxophone), released three studio albums in the early 1980s: I Just Can't Stop It (1980), Wha'ppen? (1981) and Special Beat Service (1982), and a string of singles, including "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Too Nice to Talk To", "Can't Get Used to Losing You", "Hands Off, She's Mine" and "All Out to Get You".[3]
Although the group’s main fan-base was in the UK, they were also popular in Australia thanks to regular exposure on the government-owned rock radio station Triple J and the nationally-broadcast TV pop show Countdown. They had a sizeable following in the U.S., and a strong presence on that country’s college radio.
After the break-up of The Beat, Dave Wakeling (guitar, lead vocals) and Ranking Roger (vocals) went on to form General Public, while Andy Cox (guitar) and David Steele (bass guitar) formed Fine Young Cannibals with vocalist Roland Gift.
Members of the band often collaborated on stage with The Specials and performed together on tracks such as “Free Nelson Mandela”. In the early 1990s, Roger joined members of The Specials to form the new band The Special Beat, which released two live albums.
Ranking Roger’s son, Ranking Junior, has followed in his father’s footsteps. In 2005, he appeared on The Ordinary Boys’ single “Boys Will Be Boys”. In 2003, The Beat’s original line-up, minus Cox and Steele but with the addition of Junior, played a sold-out one-off gig at the Royal Festival Hall. As of 2005, The Beat has reformed, counting Roger, Blockhead and Morton of the original line-up, with Ranking Junior also on vocals. The band is said to have the blessing of Cox, Steele and Saxa (of Desmond Dekker fame).
The Beat’s lead singer Dave Wakeling also continues to tour as The English Beat, as he has done for the last three decades, with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing the hits of The English Beat, General Public, and his new songs.
Saxa died on 3 May 2017, Ranking Roger died on 26 March 2019.
2. The Beat (known in Europe as The Paul Collins Beat or Paul Collins' Beat), were an American rock and power pop group from Los Angeles, California that formed in the late 1970s. The Beat resurfaced in the 1990s and continues to tour and record new material as Paul Collins' Beat. Frontman Paul Collins has released several projects with his alternative country group The Paul Collins Band, who play Americana music inspired by country rock and folk rock.
BIG SHOT
The Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, you're fat and can afford to be tasteless
You're a big shot
You want the whole lot
And if I like it or not
You still control me
You tell me what to think and what to be
I like to sneer as I sail past your bus stop
I watch you struggle, and it gets me red hot
I wander 'round in my empty office block
Big shot
I want the whole lot
And if you like it or not
I still control you
I tell you what to think and what to do
So, you listen to smoking industry
You listen to the guys in the factories
You listen to the wealth and the misery
You listen to the power of money
For a big shot
Who wants a whole lot
And if you like it or not
He'll probably get it
He'll tell you when to beg and when to sit
You look like a government minister
Or a high ranking military officer
I don't think you care
You're just a big shot, yeah
Yes, I've seen you go to work in your big car
Yes, you're fat and can afford to be tasteless
You're a big shot
Who wants a whole lot
And if I like it or not
You still control me
You tell me what to think and what to be
The Beat's song "Big Shot" is a scathing commentary on the power dynamics present in our society. The lyrics describe a person, the titular "big shot," who is wealthy and powerful enough to be tasteless and control others. The first verse portrays the singer's resentment towards the big shot, who controls them without regard for their thoughts or desires. The second verse reveals a reverse power dynamic, where the singer takes pleasure in watching the big shot struggle in the cold while they maintain control within their empty office block. The third verse paints a picture of a society that listens to the "power of money" and reinforces the big shot's hold on others.
The song's lyrics are intentionally provocative and critical. By portraying the big shot as a tasteless and controlling person, the song critiques the excesses of wealth and power. However, it also acknowledges the way in which this power can be reinforced by societal structures that elevate the voices of the wealthy and powerful. By suggesting that people listen to the big shot and those with money and power, the song points to a larger problem of social inequality and the ways in which certain people hold more sway over others.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, I've seen you go to work in your big car
I have observed you commuting in your luxurious vehicle
Yes, you're fat and can afford to be tasteless
You possess ample wealth to disregard the necessity of presenting yourself classily
You're a big shot
You possess a great amount of power and importance
You want the whole lot
You aspire for control over everything and everyone around you
And if I like it or not
Regardless of my preference, you still dictate my actions
You still control me
You have power over my decisions and thoughts
You tell me what to think and what to be
You shape my mindset and identity according to your interests
I like it best in the freezing winter, boy
I take pleasure in the discomfort of others, especially during the cold season
I like to sneer as I sail past your bus stop
I enjoy mocking you as I pass by your ordinary public transport means
I watch you struggle, and it gets me red hot
Observing you suffer amuses and pleases me greatly
I wander 'round in my empty office block
I aimlessly stride in my deserted place of work
Who wants a whole lot
The big shot's objective is to possess control over everything
He'll probably get it
It is highly likely that the big shot will succeed in controlling everything
He'll tell you when to beg and when to sit
The big shot will instruct you on when to express supplication and remain dormant
You look like a government minister
You resemble an authoritative figure in a political office
Or a high ranking military officer
Alternatively, you appear to be a honcho in the military hierarchy
I don't think you care
I believe you have apathy towards others' emotions and sufferings
You're just a big shot, yeah
You are merely an individual with massive power and influence
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ROGER CHARLERY, ANDREW COX, ANDY COX, EVERETT MORTON, DAVID STEELE, DAVID WAKELING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Team Plasma Colress [TPC]
NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO BE A BIG SHOT!
Odd Bod
I was lucky enough to see the Beat twice in the early 80s in Brum at the Locarno and Bingey Hall.Absolutely brilliant.They and the Selecter were my favourite bands of that period.
SquirrelMo60
Those ska horns the rap and the bass...killer song.
Gros Bec
I love the sound so peculiar of Dave's guitar ... I read on some French music zine (Best maybe) he put some extra mics on it. Very noticeable with Big shots. Thank you Deeko :-)
Aww Mann
R.I.P .Roger and saxa legends of 2 tone
Stephen Spark
Totally distinctive sound - so sorry I never saw them live. Lyrics are ace ('you're fat and can afford to be tasteless').
We need this music and its message now so much.
Lincoln Hirschi
3 verses-written in the 1st, 2nd, & 3fd person respectively. Brilliant
Peter Horbacz
Saw them live at The Police Picnic Toronto Exhibition Statium early 80s. Fucking Awesome!!!!!! RIP Rodger
jubjub2112
Another of my all time favorites!
Andrew Moylan
Have only heard one Beat album but what I have heard it is pretty good .