- - -
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
How Can I Win?
The Selecter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It takes a cynic to know
Tell me this isn't happening
I've got a long way to go
A long way to go
To cause a disturbance
I'd drive through the snow -you know- oh you know
Talked to you on the telephone
You didn't hear what I said
Is it me or is it you
Maybe it's all in my head
All in my head
To cause a disturbance
I'd drive through the snow -you know- oh you know
How can I win
No, I'm not joking
How can I win
I'm just devoted
How can I win
You know I'm choking
How can I win
I'm just devoted
Got no axe to grind with you
I'm too tired to fight
Got to do what I want to do
I want to blow out the night
Blow out the night
To start a disturbance
I'd drive through the snow -you know- oh you know
How can I win
No, I'm not joking
How can I win
I'm just devoted
How can I win
You know I'm choking
How can I win
I'm just devoted
How can I win
How can I win
I'm just floating etc.
The Selecter's song How Can I Win? speaks to the listener about their inner turmoil of feeling lost, disconnected, and desiring to break free from their mundane life. The lyrics suggest that happiness isn't everything and it takes a cynical outlook to recognize that. The singer expresses their frustration by saying that they 'have a long way to go' and would 'drive through the snow'- which is further reinforced as they keep repeating it throughout the song. They feel as if nobody understands them, and even when they try to communicate with others, they do not seem to hear what they are saying.
The song speaks to the idea of breaking free from societal norms and doing what one wants to do - to 'blow out the night' and start a disturbance. It speaks of the desire to win but not necessarily in a competitive way - the singer is just trying to find a way to succeed and be happy. They are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, even if it means taking extreme actions. The song's end is powerful, as the singer is left floating, suggesting that they are still in search of their true purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Happiness isn't everything
Despite the common belief that happiness is the ultimate goal in life, it is not the only thing that matters.
It takes a cynic to know
One needs to have a certain level of skepticism or doubt to recognize and understand certain things.
Tell me this isn't happening
Expressing disbelief or uncertainty towards the current situation.
I've got a long way to go
There is still much to be done or achieved.
A long way to go
Repeating the previous line for emphasis.
To cause a disturbance
Expressing a desire to create change or provoke action.
I'd drive through the snow -you know- oh you know
Willingness to go to great lengths to bring about change or achieve goals, even in difficult circumstances.
Talked to you on the telephone
Referring to communication with someone.
You didn't hear what I said
The other person did not listen or understand the message being conveyed.
Is it me or is it you
Wondering whether the misunderstanding or lack of communication is one's own fault or the other person's.
Maybe it's all in my head
Suggesting that perhaps the miscommunication is a result of one's own thoughts or ideas.
All in my head
Repeating the previous line for emphasis.
No, I'm not joking
Asserting that one is being serious about the desire to win or succeed.
I'm just devoted
Expressing dedication and commitment to achieving one's goals.
You know I'm choking
Acknowledging the feeling of being overwhelmed or suffocated by the situation or challenge at hand.
Got no axe to grind with you
Not having any ill will or animosity towards the other person.
I'm too tired to fight
Being exhausted or drained from previous struggles or challenges.
Got to do what I want to do
Feeling a desire or need to pursue one's own goals or desires.
I want to blow out the night
Expressing a desire for change or excitement, perhaps through partying or other fun activities.
How can I win
Asking a rhetorical question about the best way to achieve one's goals.
I'm just floating etc.
Finishing the song with a phrase that is open to interpretation, perhaps indicating a sense of uncertainty or ambiguity about the future.
Writer(s): Pauline Black, Nick Welsh
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.