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.
Dream Home in New Zealand
The Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A family entertainment
Play Americans and Russians
Find a place to hide your poison
Beat the others round the head
The others round the table
Be the first to take the money
Living on pins but I will try it all the same
Be extra careful when you're answering the questions
Living on promises of fortune and fame
You could win a car or a dream home in New Zealand
New Zealand
You say that you're all happy
You've taken all this time
It's just around the television
I'll be over in a minute
Try and wait if you can
To watch you're brand new program
Americans and Russians
Find a place to hide your poison
Prize of a lifetime never get this chance again
You watch your words when you're answering their questions
Save precious moments [Incomprehensible] the fast lane
Seven extra minutes in your dream home in New Zealand
It's a must, compulsive
Family entertainment
Everybody's in the bunker
Everybody's getting pushy
Beat the others 'round the head
Beat the others to the button
Feel your habit of obedience
Must surely count for something
Terrible risk but I will take it all the same
Just mind your manners when you're answering their questions
Now could you tell me what's the most I stand to gain?
Seven hours of heaven in your dream home in New Zealand
In New Zealand
The Beat's song Dream Home in New Zealand is a commentary on consumer culture and the obsession with material possessions. The lyrics describe a game show where contestants compete to win a dream home in New Zealand, but at what cost? The game is described as compulsive and a family entertainment, but it's really just a way for people to escape their mundane lives and try to win something of value. The game is also described as American and Russian, harkening back to the Cold War era, which adds a layer of tension and danger to the game.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a must, it's compulsive
Participating in this family entertainment is a necessary and uncontrollable urge for some.
A family entertainment
This activity is meant to be enjoyed by entire families.
Play Americans and Russians
The game involves playing as either an American or a Russian.
Find a place to hide your poison
Try to conceal your deceitful intentions from the others playing the game.
Beat the others round the head
Defeat your opponents both mentally and physically.
The others round the table
The other players are sitting around the same table as you.
Be the first to take the money
Win the prize money as soon as possible.
Past the point of desperation
Your desire to win has become a desperate need.
Living on pins but I will try it all the same
Despite the intense pressure, I am still willing to participate.
Be extra careful when you're answering the questions
Pay close attention to the questions being asked and answer wisely.
Living on promises of fortune and fame
The possibility of winning great wealth and fame is what drives some to play.
You could win a car or a dream home in New Zealand
One of the possible rewards for playing is winning a car or a dream home in New Zealand.
You say that you're all happy
Some people claim to be happy and content without playing the game.
You've taken all this time
Others have spent a considerable amount of time playing this game.
It's just around the television
Watching TV is a more passive form of entertainment than playing the game.
I'll be over in a minute
I'll join you soon.
Try and wait if you can
If possible, wait for me so we can watch the show together.
To watch you're brand new program
To see the TV show that you just got.
Prize of a lifetime never get this chance again
Winning the prize is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Save precious moments [Incomprehensible] the fast lane
Don't rush through life and miss out on important moments.
Seven extra minutes in your dream home in New Zealand
One of the possible prizes is spending seven minutes in a dream home in New Zealand.
Everybody's in the bunker
Everyone is intensely focused on playing the game.
Everybody's getting pushy
The competition is making everyone more aggressive and impatient.
Beat the others to the button
Be the first to press the button and win the prize money.
Feel your habit of obedience
Your tendency to follow rules and obey authority may benefit you in the game.
Must surely count for something
It's possible that your obedience will help you win the game.
Terrible risk but I will take it all the same
The potential consequences of playing are significant, but some still choose to participate.
Just mind your manners when you're answering their questions
Be polite and respectful when answering the questions asked in the game.
Now could you tell me what's the most I stand to gain?
What is the maximum prize I could win?
Seven hours of heaven in your dream home in New Zealand
One of the possible rewards for playing is spending seven hours in a dream home in New Zealand.
In New Zealand
The dream home is located in New Zealand.
Contributed by Adam Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Richard Cain
on Mirror in the Bathroom
good judt woks up mustck