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
Sole Salvation
The English Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've always wanted that
And if giving time and patience
Trying hard to understand
We never feel the power of our own hands
Sense the danger late
And only vaguely ever grasp the means of our sole salvation?
Do it right, do it now
Here there, everywhere
Shouting out I'm mad as hell
He pushes his legs against the bed
And feels the triumph flooding through his head
He could conquer, he could win
Now that dying only means you're not in next week's program
Stop being a baby
Will you stop, will stop it
Won't you stop play-acting little man?
Just how long till you drop it
Will it be this year, next year, sometime, never?
Stop, when you feel like saying have a heart but don't take mine
There's a new dance the tolerance
And it just might be your sole salvation
Sole salvation
Sole salvation
Sole salvation
Oh yeah
Skabadoo, skabaday
Make a cross
Make amends
Set the record straight
We've never said the only things we should have ever bothered saying
Lets write out a list of things we need
Lets strike a brand new deal
That's strong for any man
But has a woman's understanding in it
And then finish
Sole salvation
Sole salvation
Sole salvation
Just stop, when you feel like saying have a heart, but don't take mine
Try a new dance the tolerance
It just might be our sole salvation
Sole salvation, sole salvation, sole salvation
Sole salvation, sole salvation, sole salvation
Sole salvation
Oh yeah yeah
Skabadoo, skabaday
Skabadoo, skabaday
Skabadoo, skabaday
Skabadoo, skabaday
The English Beat's song Sole Salvation is a call for unity, understanding and tolerance. The song starts with the singer expressing his desire for a sense of togetherness between him and his loved one. He acknowledges that building a strong relationship requires patience and effort in understanding each other. However, he points out how easy it is for people to miss the signs of trouble and only realize the gravity of the situation when it is too late. The singer then highlights the importance of taking responsibility and making positive changes, urging listeners to take action and do what needs to be done.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the need to stop pretending and acting like everything is okay when it is not. It urges people to embrace tolerance and acceptance as it could be the only thing that can save us from ourselves. The skanking rhythm and catchy refrain give the song a feel-good vibe, but the message is clear; we need to find a way to get along and move forward.
Overall, The English Beat's Sole Salvation is a powerful call for unity and understanding wrapped in an infectious, feel-good melody. It resonates as much today as it did when it was released, as we all continue to navigate complex relationships and societal issues.
Line by Line Meaning
Of course I want there to be an us
I have always desired a close relationship between us
I've always wanted that
I have been longing for this for a long time
And if giving time and patience
To achieve this, we need to invest time and be patient
Trying hard to understand
We need to make an effort to comprehend each other
We never feel the power of our own hands
We often underestimate our abilities
Sense the danger late
We realize the threat too late
And only vaguely ever grasp the means of our sole salvation?
It is difficult for us to fully understand the solution to our problems
What then?
What should we do then?
Do it right, do it now
We must take action immediately and ensure it is done properly
Here there, everywhere
We should be proactive in all aspects of life
Shouting out I'm mad as hell
Expressing frustration and dissatisfaction with the current situation
He pushes his legs against the bed
Feeling energized and motivated to take action
And feels the triumph flooding through his head
Experiencing a sense of victory and achievement
He could conquer, he could win
We have the potential to overcome obstacles and succeed
Now that dying only means you're not in next week's program
Death is often considered insignificant in the grand scheme of things
Stop being a baby
Stop acting immature and take responsibility
Will you stop, will stop it
Can you please stop your behavior?
Won't you stop play-acting little man?
Can you please stop pretending to be someone you're not?
Just how long till you drop it
How long will it take for you to stop your behavior?
Will it be this year, next year, sometime, never?
When will you finally change?
Stop, when you feel like saying have a heart but don't take mine
Be kind but don't take advantage of my kindness
There's a new dance the tolerance
We need to be more open-minded and accepting
And it just might be your sole salvation
Being more tolerant could be the solution to your problems
Sole salvation
This new approach could be the only way to save ourselves
Make a cross
Symbolic of making amends and moving forward
Make amends
Make things right with those we have wronged
Set the record straight
Correction of any misunderstandings and lies
We've never said the only things we should have ever bothered saying
We have not communicated effectively
Lets write out a list of things we need
We need to establish what is important to us
Lets strike a brand new deal
We need to create a fresh agreement to start over
That's strong for any man
This arrangement is powerful and beneficial for everyone
But has a woman's understanding in it
We need to have compassion and empathy in our actions
Just stop, when you feel like saying have a heart, but don't take mine
Be considerate of others and don't take advantage of them
Try a new dance the tolerance
Be more accepting and open-minded
It just might be our sole salvation
This new approach could be the only way to save us
Oh yeah yeah
Affirmation of the message
Skabadoo, skabaday
Ska music interlude
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
Fooblestheclown1
I first discovered the English Beat because STING wore a English beat tee shirt for his Don't stand so close to me video. I was curious about who the English beat were all about, and then I found out that they were GREAT! Sting was right!!
James Bell Jr
One of my favorite songs off of the "Special Beat Service " album.
Christopher Murphy
Rest in Peace Roger, Sole Salvation one their best
sierra6588
Saw them at the Gothic Theater and we lost our minds when this awesome song came on!
jubjub2112
LOVE this band!! Awesome song!
timfinch0
I have always loved this song.
Ken Hall
suddenly, i feel cool for being in my 40s
jody wales
its 2020 im 40 and your still cool
JHallDaBoss
Ken Hall, you ARE cool!
Briana B
@Ken Hall Maybe that's it's also that I'm in my 40's, but I think we had THE BEST music!