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.
March of the Swivelheads
The Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coiled up and tense remains on the lookout
Expects to be shot or get given the bullet
Rotating head tries to look on the bright side of things
Rotating head, friends in high places
No need to guess what he's got in that briefcase
A mind like a gin-trap, one swollen ankle
On the right side of things
Living on tip-toe
Waiting for the next step
The wages of death
What a life for a swivelhead
Understand, underhand, underarm protection
Each new passer-by a new wave of suspicion
In less than an hour the plane will be leaving
The lights and the cameras
Then sleep on a prayer and a wing, rotating
Living on tip-toe
Waiting for the next step
The wages of death
What a life for a swivelhead
Rotating head look on the bright side
Coiled up and tense remains on the lookout
A mind like a gin-trap, one swollen ankle
The rotating head tries to stay on the right side of things
That's the right side of things
The Beat's "March of the Swivelheads" is a song that tells the story of a person who is always on guard, constantly looking over their shoulder and anticipating the worst. The "rotating head" referred to in the song suggests someone who is always alert and watchful, their head constantly turning to see who or what is around them. This person seems to be involved in some type of shady dealings or dangerous situation, as they carry a briefcase that others are curious about and they are always expecting to be shot or given the bullet.
Despite this tension, the person with the rotating head seems to be trying to stay positive, looking on the bright side of things and trying to stay on the right side of events. They have friends in high places and are well-protected, but they are still living on tip-toe, waiting for the next step and the wages of death that come with their dangerous lifestyle. The song suggests that this is a difficult life for a "swivelhead," someone who is always rotating their head and living in fear.
The lyrics of "March of the Swivelheads" are open to interpretation, but they suggest a story of danger, suspicion, and vigilance. They paint a vivid picture of a person who is caught up in a situation that requires them to always be on guard, even as they try to stay positive and hopeful.
Line by Line Meaning
Rotating head, keeps on the right side
The person being described keeps their head moving to avoid detection and stay safe.
Coiled up and tense remains on the lookout
The person being described is anxious and vigilant.
Expects to be shot or get given the bullet
The person being described is paranoid and expects to be killed.
Rotating head tries to look on the bright side of things
Despite being anxious and paranoid, the person being described tries to maintain a positive outlook.
Rotating head, friends in high places
The person being described has powerful friends and connections.
No need to guess what he's got in that briefcase
The contents of the person's briefcase are obvious and likely valuable or dangerous.
A mind like a gin-trap, one swollen ankle
The person being described is sharp-witted and cautious, likely due to previous injury or danger.
Living on tip-toe
The person being described is always on edge and ready to take action.
Waiting for the next step
The person being described is constantly anticipating the next danger or obstacle.
The wages of death
The risk of death or harm is a constant part of the person's life.
What a life for a swivelhead
The person being described lives a stressful and risky life.
Understand, underhand, underarm protection
The person being described takes every precaution to stay safe and avoid detection.
Each new passer-by a new wave of suspicion
The person being described is distrustful of everyone they encounter.
In less than an hour the plane will be leaving
The person being described has a limited amount of time to complete their mission or get to safety.
The lights and the cameras
The person being described is being watched and may be under surveillance.
Then sleep on a prayer and a wing, rotating
After completing their task, the person being described must rely on luck and their instincts to stay safe.
The rotating head tries to stay on the right side of things
Despite the constant danger, the person being described tries to make the best choices to stay safe and accomplish their goals.
That's the right side of things
The person being described believes they are doing what is necessary to stay alive and succeed in their mission.
Contributed by Leo I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@williamlopez8656
I legit play this song any time I'm on my way to make it somewhere important:
* When I'm running late for work.
* When there is one case of good craft beer and the store won't hold it for me.
* When The supermarket is about to close and I need to pick up something I forgot earlier that day.
* Whenever I'm trying to finish up a poop before someone gets to my place.
* And so many more scenarios it's not even funny...
...actually, it's hilarious.
@jqyhlmnp
He would have gotten there if he didn't milk the landing
@mastergojidorah9165
69th like.
@johnnolley6896
Mr. Rooney was always suppose to catch him, but Ferris prevailed!!!!
@sebisolito4367
YAS
@alexsdb9712
@@sebisolito4367 YAZ (the British band) wasn't in the film's soundtrack, although it was in the same time period.
@michaeldavis159
Lmfao I was thinking the same thing
@loonietuunes
"No, don't get up."
"Smells delicious."
"Dinner's ready!"
@PIXPromosMore
Who was that?
@thatytpcreator8042
@@PIXPromosMore Ferris Bueller
@aurorajellycrissramones9466
How do live in the same town and not know who it is?