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
Hands off... She's mine
The English Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He told me that he liked you too
But then I saw him kissing you
I could've died when he said
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
I wanted no
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
I knew that this was real although
It usually comes mixed up with fear
I knew that I could wait although
It just might take a thousand years
Said, hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Until the end of time
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
La la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la
Now we're going steady been together several weeks
I check out all the other guys
Who we see on the streets
When I say, hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
It takes up all my time
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off me daughter
I tell ya get your hands off me daughter
C'mon mek me said don't mess around on ya
C'mek mek me tell ya don't want ta get ya
La la la la, la la la la
La la la la, la la la la
Funny how the best things
Never last for every day
I thought she was my girlfriend
Till I heard that someone else was saying
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
Hands off, she's mine
The English Beat's song Hands Off She's Mine, which was released in 1980, is a classic tale of unrequited love. The song tells the story of a man who has fallen in love with a woman who is already involved with someone else. It starts with the singer confessing his interest in the woman to his friend, who admits that he likes her too. However, things take a turn for the worse when the singer sees his friend kissing the object of his affection, and he is heartbroken when his friend tells him to keep his "hands off" as she is his.
Despite his disappointment, the singer refuses to give up on his love and insists that she is "mine" and warns others to keep away from her. He acknowledges that love can be scary and uncertain, but he is willing to wait for her for as long as it takes. The song is a catchy, upbeat tune, but the lyrics reveal a deeper, more complex story of love, jealousy, and determination.
Overall, Hands Off She's Mine is a timeless love song that speaks to the universal experience of unrequited love. It shows the lengths to which someone will go to win the affection of the person they desire and the pain that can result when those feelings go unanswered.
Line by Line Meaning
I told my friend I'd check for you
I promised my friend that I would inquire about you
He told me that he liked you too
He admitted that he was also attracted to you
But then I saw him kissing you
My heart sank when I witnessed him kissing you
I could've died when he said
I felt extremely hurt when he said
Hands off, she's mine
Don't touch my girl, she's mine
I wanted no
I didn't want any part of it
I knew that this was real although
I understood that my feelings were genuine despite
It usually comes mixed up with fear
The emotion is often clouded by fear
I knew that I could wait although
I was willing to be patient even if it took a long time
It just might take a thousand years
It might take an incredibly long time
Until the end of time
Forever
Now we're going steady been together several weeks
We are now officially dating and have been for a few weeks
I check out all the other guys
I survey all the other potential romantic interests
Who we see on the streets
Those we come across while we're out
When I say, hands off, she's mine
I claim her as my own and warn others to back off
It takes up all my time
It occupies and preoccupies me
Hands off me daughter
Don't touch my daughter
I tell ya get your hands off me daughter
I'm warning you to remove your hands from my daughter
C'mon mek me said don't mess around on ya
I'm serious, so don't mess with me or her
C'mek mek me tell ya don't want ta get ya
I'm advising you not to provoke me
Funny how the best things
It's amusing how the best things
Never last for every day
Rarely endure beyond the everyday
I thought she was my girlfriend
I had believed she was my significant other
Till I heard that someone else was saying
Until I heard rumors from someone else
Hands off, she's mine
Don't take her away from me
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER CHARLERY, ANDREW COX, ANDY COX, EVERETT MORTON, DAVID STEELE, DAVID WAKELING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@crystalinabacteria3430
Im 51 & I lost a friend who loved The Beat. Passed away with Leukemia at 18. I was 16. Still think of him.to this day. He was like a brother to me😢❤
@philipnorris6542
All good wishes to you, Crystalina.
@bergkamp232
GOD BLESS MATE 🙌 STAY STRONG, That will be his very words for you AKA
@nickridgway5529
The best voices, the best memories. Thank you Ranking Roger & the Beat x
@akishot6735
rip
@dennisriley3899
In this 55 year old body I'm still a rube boy the best days of my life and the best group one race united by good vibes and wicked music .
The beat simple the best
@joemarshall3393
56 here with you there mate...
@karlbensley58
The SOUL dont have an age :) or a Colour, or even a gender !
@sarahcave6130
The good old days, 80,s were the best!!!
@kyachdistent1301
+Sarah Cave Yes and we've been in the shit since the 90s and it just gets worse in the non-music music world but hardly anyone knows it cos the world is generally thick as hell.