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.
End of the Party
The Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do it now, you know there's never a next time
How come the feeling that it's only just started
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
But do it now, you know there's never a next time
The bees are busy,
Now there's gold on the hill
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
And then you leave me, so I start missing you a lot
No argument oh do I love you or not
No argument, you have all the love that I see as mine
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
But do it now you know there's never a next time
She said to leave it till the end of the party
How come the feeling that it's always just starting
The bees are busy
Now there's gold on the hill
The branches waving
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
And then you leave me so I start missing you a lot
No argument oh do I love you, I love you or not
Oh treat him like a baby please
Oh treat him like a baby please
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Searching the box, looking for what?
I love you, I love you or not?
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Searching the box looking for what?
Pushing the gear back into top?
Put the first back into class
Lose your bottle break the glass
You'll wind up high and dry with just this slow cold comfort
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
The lyrics of The Beat's song "End of the Party" seem to be about a woman who is encouraging someone to express their love for her, but at the same time warning him that if he misses this opportunity, there won't be another chance. She urges him to "do it now", indicating that the time for hesitation is over. The feeling of the party just starting is juxtaposed with the reality that it's almost over, which could be a metaphor for the fleeting nature of love and relationships. The lines about the bees being busy and gold on the hill could be referring to the vibrant energy of the world around them, in contrast to the potentially missed connection between two people. The chorus repeats the plea to "pull back your cover", which could be interpreted as a metaphor for revealing one's true emotions and vulnerability.
The second half of the song seems to be somewhat fragmented and cryptic. The singer talks about treating someone like a baby and the difference between strength and anger. It's possible that these lines are meant to illustrate the complexity of relationships and the various emotions that can be involved. The line about "putting the taste back into hunger" could be a metaphor for reigniting passion or desire. The repeated plea to "treat him like a baby please" could be a call for gentle handling and understanding.
Overall, the lyrics of "End of the Party" suggest a sense of urgency and a desire to express love before it's too late. The whimsical metaphors and poetic language create a dreamy, wistful mood.
Line by Line Meaning
She said to leave it till the end of the party
She told me to wait until the party is over.
Do it now, you know there's never a next time
Don't hesitate, take action immediately as there may not be another opportunity.
How come the feeling that it's only just started
Despite the time that has passed, it feels like the party has just started.
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
Let me see the real you and I could love you forever.
The bees are busy,
Now there's gold on the hill
The branches waving
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
The world outside is moving on, but our hearts are still stuck in the same place.
And then you leave me, so I start missing you a lot
Once you're gone, I crave your presence even more.
No argument oh do I love you or not
There's no debate, I undoubtedly love you.
No argument, you have all the love that I see as mine
I don't need convincing, you already have all the love that I have to offer.
Oh treat him like a baby please
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Be gentle and nurturing, strength isn't shown through aggression. Find passion and desire once again.
Searching the box, looking for what?
I love you, I love you or not?
Searching for answers, unsure about my feelings for you.
Put the first back into class
Lose your bottle break the glass
You'll wind up high and dry with just this slow cold comfort
Take charge of your own life, don't hold back. Otherwise, you'll end up with nothing but regret and a cold, empty life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Wesley Magoogan, David Wakeling, Roger Charlery, David Steele, Andy Cox, Everett Morton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marc Colbeck
She said to leave it till the end of the party
Do it now, you know there's never a next time
How come the feeling that it's only just started
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
But do it now, you know there's never a next time
The bees are busy,
Now there's gold on the hill
The branches waving
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
And then you leave me, so I start missing you a lot
No argument oh do I love you or not
No argument, you have all the love that I see as mine
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
But do it now you know there's never a next time
She said to leave it till the end of the party
How come the feeling that it's always just starting
The bees are busy
Now there's gold on the hill
The branches waving
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
And then you leave me so I start missing you a lot
No argument oh do I love you, I love you or not
Oh treat him like a baby please
Oh treat him like a baby please
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Searching the box, looking for what?
I love you, I love you or not?
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Searching the box looking for what?
Pushing the gear back into top?
Put the first back into class
Lose your bottle break the glass
You'll wind up high and dry with just this slow cold comfort
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Mick Corbett
The saxophone is exquisite ❤️
Dickie Larue
Was blessed to see the guys back in the day...Actually got to chat a bit with Ranking Rodger after a gig...at U.C.L.A. kind and humble Soul...Thank you sir...blasting the neighbors here in Lisboa, Portugal today!
seattlepeggy
I honestly freeze with joy with all the sweet memories this brings back to me <3 <3
Shaun Wier
Me too. Wonderful times
Mick Corbett
Love this band for all time. Just saying.❤️❤️
Deborah Lamson
I never tire of hearing this song. Timeless, beautiful…
Marc Colbeck
She said to leave it till the end of the party
Do it now, you know there's never a next time
How come the feeling that it's only just started
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
But do it now, you know there's never a next time
The bees are busy,
Now there's gold on the hill
The branches waving
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
And then you leave me, so I start missing you a lot
No argument oh do I love you or not
No argument, you have all the love that I see as mine
Pull back your cover, I could love you for all time
But do it now you know there's never a next time
She said to leave it till the end of the party
How come the feeling that it's always just starting
The bees are busy
Now there's gold on the hill
The branches waving
But our hearts are wrapped up inside
And then you leave me so I start missing you a lot
No argument oh do I love you, I love you or not
Oh treat him like a baby please
Oh treat him like a baby please
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Searching the box, looking for what?
I love you, I love you or not?
Strength is not the same as anger
Put the taste back into hunger
Searching the box looking for what?
Pushing the gear back into top?
Put the first back into class
Lose your bottle break the glass
You'll wind up high and dry with just this slow cold comfort
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Love you or not?
Oh treat him like a baby please
Theresa Mitchell
I will always love them and be glad this music was the soundtrack of my youth.
Ken Hall
quality music never gets old
Rawblah
Love and blessings to Rankin' Roger and all of his friends and family