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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
Selling Out Your Future
The Selecter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the homes feel so secure
'cos the west is ever caring
She can keep your home fires burning
Switching to a bedroom lighting
Hiding low you're insecure
Hand around the candle you say
There's no more joy to come tomorrow
Caught in the act
You were taking your time
You said nothing would change
Nothing would change so
Nothing would
Selling out your future
Selling out your future
Drew the curtains shut the lights out
Slept alone upon the floor
But you couldn't stop the draught creeping
Underneath the front door
You ignored the press gang selling
Lottery tickets at the stairs
But you already sold your hat for
A dark green helmet yesterday
Caught in the trap
You had nothing to choose
You saw everything lost
You had nothing to say
Nothing to say, so nothings said
Selling out your future
Selling out your future
Switching on the city lighting
All the homes feel so secure
'cos the west is ever caring
She can keep the camera staring
Switching on your colour vision
Smiling faces lie to you
Faded voices crying 'Fall into line
The 'Fall out', comes tomorrow
Caught in the trap
You were taking your time
They were buying your mind
You had nothing to say
Nothing to say, so nothings said
Selling out your future
Selling out your future
The Selecter's song "Selling Out Your Future" is a commentary on the dangers of blindly following the media and government propaganda. The first verse describes the comfort and security that people feel with the city lights on, but the second verse exposes the insecurity and fear that comes with being alone in the dark. This contrast emphasizes the idea of false security that the government and media provide, and how easily people become complacent to it. The chorus "Selling out your future" emphasizes that by blindly trusting these institutions, people are giving up their ability to shape their own future.
The bridge of the song describes the trap that people have fallen into, where they have already sold out their own future and have lost the ability to choose their own path. The final verse describes the manipulation that takes place in the media, where people are sold the idea of smiling faces and colorful visions, while the truth is hidden behind the facade. The phrase "the 'Fall out', comes tomorrow" could refer to the fear of nuclear war and the danger of blindly following policies that could lead to catastrophic consequences.
Overall, "Selling Out Your Future" is a warning against complacency and urges individuals to think critically and actively shape their own future.
Line by Line Meaning
Switching on the city lighting
Turning on the lights of the city to create a façade of security and comfort.
All the homes feel so secure
People feel safe and untroubled in their homes due to the prosperous and caring nature of the western world.
'cos the west is ever caring
People falsely believe that the Western world is always concerned about their wellbeing.
She can keep your home fires burning
The Western world can provide the necessary support and resources to maintain people's way of life without their active participation.
Switching to a bedroom lighting
Going from the bright lights of the city to the subdued lighting of a bedroom.
Hiding low you're insecure
Feeling unsure and anxious, trying to hide from the harsh reality.
Hand around the candle you say
Holding onto little hope and joy left in one's life.
There's no more joy to come tomorrow
Feeling that there is no prospect of happiness in the future.
Caught in the act
Being caught in the trap of the system that controls them.
You were taking your time
Not seeing the urgency of the situation and not acting soon enough.
You said nothing would change
Believing that everything will remain the same, regardless of their actions or inaction.
Selling out your future
Giving up one's own interests and values for temporary benefits, disregarding the long-term consequences.
Drew the curtains shut the lights out
Closing oneself off from the world and abandoning hope for a better future.
Slept alone upon the floor
Feeling isolated and helpless, with no support or comfort from anyone else.
But you couldn't stop the draught creeping
Unable to control external forces that threaten one's security and stability.
Underneath the front door
From the most vulnerable and unexpected place, change can enter one's life.
You ignored the press gang selling
Pretending that the problems and dangers are not there, and avoiding responsibility and accountability.
Lottery tickets at the stairs
Shallow and temporary solutions to bigger, underlying problems.
But you already sold your hat for
Already having given up one's own identity for the sake of conformity and comfort.
A dark green helmet yesterday
Having accepted and surrendered to the oppressive nature of the society or government.
You had nothing to choose
Being deprived of your freedom and autonomy to make your own decisions.
You saw everything lost
Realizing that everything you once had or were is now irretrievably lost.
They were buying your mind
Becoming a pawn in someone else's game, being manipulated and used for their own benefit.
Switching on your colour vision
Seeing the world from a different perspective, questioning the established norms and values.
Smiling faces lie to you
Being deceived by the people in power, their false promises and lies.
Faded voices crying 'Fall into line
The voices of those who tried to resist and challenge the system are now gone, and those who remain are urging conformity and obedience.
The 'Fall out', comes tomorrow
The consequences of one's actions or inaction will become apparent in the near future.
Selling out your future
Choosing comfort and conformity over freedom and individuality, and facing the long-term consequences of that choice.
Contributed by Eli V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.