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
Twist and Crawl
The English Beat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aren't you forgetting yourself
Nearly let your mask slip
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Emotion packed in every tear
Emotion mirrors your fears
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Walk into a nightclub
See you standing in there
Both your eyes are on me
Wonder what makes you care
Wonder what makes you stare
Walk into a nightclub
All your friends are in there
Is that really blonde hair?
Why dont you play fair,
You could be in Mayfair?
You broke my heart in several pieces
Not supposed to be that easy
Have to read the books again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
But you can't hurt me anymore
I haven't got a heart no more
No feelings get in my way
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Now you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Now you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Now I've made a new way
Now my mind is rearranged
Now I can't be sure again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Are we really happy or maybe just pretending
I can't tell the difference
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
I can have a new face
I can have a new body
I can have a new boy
I can have a new girl
I can have a new world
I can have a new face
I can have a new body
I can have a new boy
I can have a new girl
I can have a new world
I can have a twist and crawl
I can have a twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
The English Beat’s song, Twist and Crawl, is a catchy new wave tune with lyrics that deal with emotional struggle and identity. The chorus, "Twist and crawl, twist and crawl," can be interpreted as a coping mechanism for dealing with emotional turmoil. The lyrics suggest that the singer is experiencing some form of emotional distress and is forced to put on a façade in front of others by twisting and crawling through his feelings. The opening lines indicate that the singer is holding back some part of himself and is almost slipping into vulnerability, which could be a sign of weakness.
The singer goes on to mention walking into a nightclub where his ex-lover is watching him constantly. The singer then breaks into a song about how he has been hurt in the past and has a hard time trusting others. The lyrics then suggest that the singer is trying to move on and start anew, but is unsure if he is truly happy, or if it’s all just a façade. The theme of identity, self-discovery and the elusive search for happiness runs throughout the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Something shows in your face
Your emotions are visible on your face
Aren't you forgetting yourself
Are you not being true to yourself?
Nearly let your mask slip
You almost revealed your true emotions
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
This situation is uncomfortable and I feel like I need to move on
Emotion packed in every tear
You are crying because you are emotional
Emotion mirrors your fears
Your emotions reflect your fears and insecurities
Smile and say hello dear
Put on a smile and pretend to be happy
You make me twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
You make me uncomfortable and anxious
Walk into a nightclub
Enter a social setting
See you standing in there
I notice you're present in this place
Both your eyes are on me
You are staring at me intently
Wonder what makes you care
I am curious about why you are interested in me
All your friends are in there
Your friends are present in the social setting
Is that really blonde hair?
I am questioning the authenticity of your appearance
Why dont you play fair,
Why are you not honest with me?
You broke my heart in several pieces
You caused me severe emotional pain
Not supposed to be that easy
It was not supposed to be so effortless for you to hurt me
Have to read the books again
I need to relearn how to trust and love
No feelings get in my way
I am emotionally detached and unaffected
Did you think that I'd return
Did you anticipate my comeback?
Emotions all I need to learn
I need to understand and control my feelings
Now you're gonna feel the same
You will experience the same pain I did
Vice-a-versa love and pain
Love and pain are reciprocal
Now I've made a new way
I have moved on and found a new path
Now my mind is rearranged
My thoughts and beliefs have been reshaped
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
I am in a situation that makes me uncomfortable and want to move on
Are we really happy or maybe just pretending
Are we truly content or just putting on a facade?
I can't tell the difference
I cannot distinguish the truth from a lie
I can have a new face
I can change my identity
I can have a new body
I can alter my physical appearance
I can have a new boy
I can find a new male partner
I can have a new girl
I can find a new female partner
I can have a new world
I can create a new reality for myself
I can have a twist and crawl
I can choose to move on from uncomfortable situations
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
Supervisión EMSAD
Something shows in your face
Aren't you forgetting yourself
Merely let your mouth stand
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Emotion packed in every tear
Emotion mirrors your fears
Smile and say hello dear
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Walk into a nightclub
See you standing in there
Both your eyes are on me
Wonder what makes you care
Wonder what makes you stare
Walk into a nightclub
All your friends are in there
Is that really blond hair?
Why don't you play fair,
You could be in Mayfair?
You broke my heart in several pieces
Not supposed to be that easy
Have to read the books again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
But you can't hurt me anymore
I haven't got a heart no more
No feelings get in my way
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Some day you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love affair
Vice-a-versa love affair
Did you think that I'd return
Emotions all I need to learn
Some day you're gonna feel the same
Vice-a-versa love affair
Vice-a-versa love affair
Now I've made a new way
Now my mind is rearranged
Now I can't be sure again
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Twist and crawl, twist and crawl, twist and crawl
Are we really happy or maybe just pretending
I can't tell the difference
Twist and crawl, twist
Mark Boyd
Is there any band more fun than The Beat?! They're a celebration of life and just a brilliant band!
jim higgins
Bought this album when I was a teenager, I'm 56 now and I still love it. My wife and I put it on and dance about the house, we both love ska and soul music, it never leaves you. Ska rules. RIP Rankin Roger.
Steve Smith
1966 baby here. Rude boys n Mods live on!
Wesley Harding
Killer bass line!!! Such a tune! My Dad bought me this album when I was about 12 and I played it to death. Still love it now. The Beat were one of the best bands of the late 70s/early 80s 2 Tone ska revival in my opinion. Still sounds great today.
CanzetYote
I remember my mom had an English Beat album that she played in her car all the time when I was little. Since then, I always loved this band. I'm 24 and grew up in the 90s, BTW.
Mike Beer
Has to be Whaappen (not sure on the spelling)
datinyone
i taught myself to play this tune on the flute, in high school in the 90s.. such a great song
Gav Mcadam
RIP Everett, the beat were a huge part of my childhood, my first love in terms of bands. I was heartbroken when they split up. This music blew my very young and naive mind, and still does. Love and unity.
Ladylovesrock1
They still make me twist and crawl after all these years!!!
ehead2222
one of the most underrated bands of all time ! the dogs bollox dont even come close to suming up just how good they was