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The Selecter are a British ska revival band from Coventry, formed in the late 1970s as one of the essential bands of the British ska movement.
Much of what set apart The Selecter from many of the other ska bands at the time was the voice of Pauline Black. She had to disguise herself as a man in order for the band to get gigs, but once they did, there was no disguising her voice. Like other ska bands of this movement, The Selecter featured a racially mixed line up, and songs about violence, politics, marijuana, a fictional spy's theme song, James Bond, and reggae classics. The name of the band is a reference to the Jamaican word for a music selecter, known elsewhere as the DJ. Also typical to the style is the mix of one vocalist singing, and the other toasting in a Jamaican style, a precursor to rapping.
The Selecter's first recording Too Much Pressure was recorded at the end of 1979 and beginning of 1980 and issued on the pre-eminent 2 Tone/Chrysalis label. Their second recording Celebrate the Bullet was issued in 1981. Though the band has continued to regroup and reform on and off, most of the many recordings available are recompiled selections from these first two albums, either live or studio recordings. The Selecter's first two albums are essential British ska recordings.
Pauline Black has been the singer in The Selecter since its formation in 1979 when the band spearheaded the Two Tone movement alongside The Specials releasing the singles "The Selecter", "Three Minute Hero", "The Whisper", "Missing Words" and "On My Radio" as well as two albums; "Too Much Pressure" and "Celebrate The Bullet". The Selecter were also featured in the cult film Dance Craze. The band split in 1982, Pauline carved out a career in TV and theatre, appearing in dramas like The Vice, The Bill, Hearts and Minds and 2000 Acres of Sky. She won the 1991 Time Out award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Billie Holiday in the play All or Nothing At All and starred next to Christopher Lee in the schlock horror film The Funny Man. She reformed The Selecter in 1991 and has released several new albums and has toured all over the world.
Nick Welsh is probably best known for being the bassist in The Selecter and formerly Bad Manners but he has worked with some of the biggest names in Ska and Reggae, Prince Buster, Laurel Aitken, Rico Rodriguez, Dave Barker and most recently Lee "Scratch" Perry with whom he received a Grammy Award Certificate for his work on the CD Jamaican ET which won The Best Reggae Category in 2002. Nick also writes music for TV which has been used world-wide on shows as diverse as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), The Osbournes and even adverts for Ariel soap powder.
Neol Davies the founder and writer of the classic hits returns with a brand new band in 2010.
neoldaviesakatheselecter plays the mainstage at Bestival 2011 with new album and remixes.
Original line-up
Pauline Black : vocals
Compton Amanor: guitar
Charley Anderson: bass guitar
Charley Bembridge: drums
Desmond Brown: Hammond keyboard
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur Hendrickson: vocals
Anderson and Brown left The Selecter in 1980. They were replaced by James Mackie: Hammond organ and Adam Williams: bass guitar
Reformed line-up: 1991
Pauline Black: vocals
Neol Davies: guitar
Arthur 'Gaps' Hendrickson - vocals
Martin Stewart: keyboards
Nick Welsh : bass
Perry Melius : drums
The Selecter 2010 lineup includes
Founder and songwriter Neol Davies- vocals/guitars
Lead Vocals- John Gibbons
Daniel Crosby- Drums
Andre Buyani- Bass
Tim Cansfield- Guitar
Victor Travino- Congas & Percussion
Dean Ross- Hammond Organ
Selecter Horns
Hearsay
The Selecter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I swear they take you for a ride
Everyday I hear the same
It′s always someone else to blame
And it makes me mad
Annabelle's making me sad
With all of her hearsay
Annabelle′s making me sad
With all of her hearsay
Hearsay
Some of the lies I've tried to hush
Would have made Godiva blush
Kitchen drama full of soap (inside your pockets)
Low on life and high on hope
And it makes me mad
Annabelle's making me sad
With all of her hearsay
And it makes me mad
Annabelle′s making me sad
With all of her hearsay
Hearsay
Always crying on my shoulder
Creeping round from home to home
Annabelle′s making me sad
With all of her hearsay
And it makes me mad
Annabelle's making me sad
With all of her hearsay
Hearsay
Hearsay
So sad
The Selecter's song "Hearsay" is a commentary on the negative effects of small-minded gossip in a small town. The first verse speaks of the frustration of hearing the same blame game every day from people who take advantage of others. The singer of the song is angered by this but becomes deeply upset by the hearsay spread by a character named Annabelle, who appears to be the cause of much of the drama and false information circulating in the small town. The chorus repeats the phrases "Annabelle's making me sad with all of her hearsay" and "hearsay" to emphasize the point.
The second verse delves further into the harmful effects of gossip and lies, stating that some of the rumors would make "Godiva blush" and that drama seems to follow those who are "low on life and high on hope". The song ends with the singer feeling burdened by Annabelle's constant need to share rumors and lies, and the lyrics repeat the message that "hearsay" is responsible for the sadness and frustration that the singer feels.
Overall, the song is a commentary on the negative effects of gossip and small-mindedness on a small town community. It highlights the frustration caused by those who take advantage of others and the harm caused by spreading rumors and lies.
Line by Line Meaning
Small town people live small lives
People in small towns have limited experiences and opportunities, which affects their perspectives on life.
I swear they take you for a ride
Small town people can be manipulative and deceitful in order to get what they want from others.
Everyday I hear the same
The singer is tired of hearing the same gossip and rumors every day.
It's always someone else to blame
Small town people often try to shift blame onto others for their problems and mistakes.
And it makes me mad
The singer is frustrated and angry about the constant drama and rumors in their small town.
Annabelle's making me sad
The singer is specifically upset about Annabelle and her role in spreading hearsay and gossip.
With all of her hearsay
Annabelle is spreading rumors and lies about other people.
Some of the lies I've tried to hush
The singer has attempted to stop some of the rumors from spreading, but hasn't been successful.
Would have made Godiva blush
The lies are scandalous and embarrassing, even to the point of making the famously naked Lady Godiva blush.
Kitchen drama full of soap (inside your pockets)
The rumors are like scenes from a soap opera, and are usually shared secretly and discreetly.
Low on life and high on hope
Small town people have fewer opportunities and are often stuck in unfulfilling lives, but still have hopes and dreams for something better.
Always crying on my shoulder
People often come to the singer for comfort and sympathy when the rumors and drama impact them personally.
Creeping round from home to home
People are constantly spreading rumors and gossip by going from house to house, sharing new information and stirring up drama.
Hearsay
This word is repeated several times as a way of emphasizing the theme and title of the song - rumors and lies that are circulated without any evidence to support them.
So sad
This final line emphasizes the negative impact that hearsay can have on people, and the overall sadness and frustration caused by small town gossip.
Writer(s): Freddie Perren, Keni St. Lewis
Contributed by Andrew P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.