One of the more popular and enduring groups of a short-lived trend, The Beat released three albums: "I Just Can't Stop It" (1980), "Wha'ppen" (1981) and "Special Beat Service" (1982), and a string of excellent singles including "Mirror in the Bathroom", the politically-charged "Stand Down Margaret" (which refers to controversial British PM Margaret Thatcher), "Save It For Later" and "I Confess".
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.
Official Website: www.davewakeling.com
Big Shot
The English 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
In The English Beat's song "Big Shot," the lyrics describe a character who is considered to be a "big shot" - someone who is powerful, wealthy, and in control. The singer highlights the appearance of this character, describing how he goes to work in his big car and how he looks like a government minister or a high ranking military officer. The big shot is depicted as being arrogant and tasteless, controlling the singer and telling them what to think and what to be.
The singer expresses their disdain for the big shot, feeling a sense of pleasure in seeing him struggle during the freezing winter as they sail past his bus stop. The singer also mentions that the big shot listens to the "smoking industry," the "guys in the factories," and "the power of money" - further emphasizing his lack of consideration for others and his obsession with wealth and power.
Overall, the lyrics of "Big Shot" critique the notion of someone being on top, and how they use their power to control and manipulate those around them. The song also sheds light on the harmful effects the pursuit of wealth and power can have on people and society.
Line by Line Meaning
Yes, I've seen you go to work in your big car
I have observed you driving to work in your huge car, which indicates your wealth.
Yes, you're fat and can afford to be tasteless
You are overweight, but due to your wealth, you do not care how you present yourself or what others think of you.
You're a big shot
You are a person with power and influence in society.
You want the whole lot
You seek to acquire everything you desire, regardless of its impact on others.
And if I like it or not
Regardless of my opinion, you will still strive to acquire everything you desire.
You still control me
Despite my attempts to resist your influence, you still have power over me.
You tell me what to think and what to be
You dictate to me what I should believe and how I should behave.
I like it best in the freezing winter, boy
I derive pleasure from witnessing your discomfort during harsh weather conditions.
I like to sneer as I sail past your bus stop
I find amusement in mocking your less privileged mode of transportation.
I watch you struggle, and it gets me red hot
Your struggles and difficulties satisfy me in some perverse way.
I wander 'round in my empty office block
I am aimless and detached while occupying a position of power and wealth.
So, you listen to smoking industry
You are influenced by the tobacco industry.
You listen to the guys in the factories
You are influenced by those in the manufacturing industry.
You listen to the wealth and the misery
You are influenced both by the rich and the poor and seek to benefit from their struggles.
You listen to the power of money
Your decisions are motivated by a desire for wealth and position.
For a big shot
This is typical behavior for someone who wields power and influence.
Who wants a whole lot
You want to acquire as much wealth and influence as possible.
He'll probably get it
You are likely to succeed in your pursuit of wealth and influence.
He'll tell you when to beg and when to sit
You will seek to control those around you, dictating their actions and behaviors as it suits you.
You look like a government minister
Your appearance and behavior resemble that of someone in a position of political power.
Or a high ranking military officer
Your appearance and behavior resemble that of someone in a position of military power.
I don't think you care
You are indifferent to the struggles and concerns of those beneath you in society.
You're just a big shot, yeah
Your behavior and attitudes are consistent with someone who wields power and influence over others.
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 .