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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
Madness Tuff Mix
The Selecter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Madness, madness, they call it madness
It is plain to see, that is what they mean to me
Madness, madness I call it gladness
Madness, madness, they call it madness
Madness, madness, they call it madness
I'm about to explain, that someone is using his brain
Propaganda ministers
Propaganda ministers
I've got a aim in view
I'm gonna walk all over you
'Cause madness, madness I call it gladness
But if this is madness
Man, I know I'm filled with gladness
It's gonna be rougher, it's gonna be tougher
And I won't be the one who's gonna suffer
Oh, no, I won't be the one who's gonna suffer
You are gonna be the one?
The Selector's song Madness is a commentary on how society views and labels certain actions or behaviors as madness, while the singer- who calls it gladness- sees a different perspective. The repeated use of the word madness and the call and response structure of the lyrics convey the message of societal norms and labels being imposed on individuals. The singer acknowledges the popular opinion and meaning of madness but proposes that it is unwise to completely follow that ideology. Moreover, there is a sense of triumph as he states that he will not be the one to suffer, and that those who impose such labels will be the ones to suffer.
The lyrics assert that those in power, symbolized by the "propaganda ministers," control the narrative of what is considered madness, and that it is a tool used to manipulate people. The lyrics suggest that people must use their brains and think critically, and that sometimes a "madness" or unconventional approach may be beneficial. According to the singer, society is quick to judge and dismiss that which it does not fully comprehend or that which does not fit the mainstream narrative.
Overall, the song Madness by The Selector is a reminder to question society's norms and labels, and to consider different perspectives that may not be readily accepted. It's a call for individuals to look within themselves and make their own judgments, rather than blindly following the words of those in power.
Line by Line Meaning
Madness, madness, they call it madness
The world calls it madness, over and over
It is plain to see, that is what they mean to me
It's obvious what the world is labeling as madness
Madness, madness I call it gladness
I see this supposed 'madness' as joy
I'm about to explain, that someone is using his brain
I am going to prove that intelligence is involved in this 'madness'
Propaganda ministers
Those in power spreading biased information
I've got a aim in view
I have a clear goal in mind
I'm gonna walk all over you
I will not let anyone stand in my way
'Cause madness, madness I call it gladness
This supposed 'madness' fuels my happiness
But if this is madness
Even if this is what the world calls madness
Man, I know I'm filled with gladness
I am still content with my perspective
It's gonna be rougher, it's gonna be tougher
The journey ahead will be challenging
And I won't be the one who's gonna suffer
But I will not be the one to face the consequences
Oh, no, I won't be the one who's gonna suffer
I will not let this madness bring me down
You are gonna be the one?
Are you the one who will face the struggles ahead?
Lyrics © PRINCE BUSTER MUSIC
Written by: MARECE BENJAMIN RICHARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind