Let's Do Rock Steady

Last updated

"Let's Do Rock Steady"
Bodysnatchers Let's Do Rock Steady.jpg
Single by the Bodysnatchers
A-side "Ruder Than You" (double A-side)
ReleasedFebruary 1980 (1980-02)
RecordedJanuary 1980
Genre
Length2:54
Label
Songwriter(s) Dandy Livingstone
Producer(s) Roger Lomas
The Bodysnatchers singles chronology
"Let's Do Rock Steady" / "Ruder Than You"
(1980)		"Easy Life" / "Too Experienced"
(1980)

"Let's Do Rock Steady", also known as "(People Get Ready) Let's Do Rock Steady" and "People Do Rock Steady", is rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone that was first released in October 1967 as the flip side to his single "We Are Still Rude". [1] It was then released in early 1968 on his album Rock Steady with Dandy as "People Do Rock Steady". [2] The song is better known for being covered by the Bodysnatchers in 1980.

Contents

The Bodysnatchers version

Background and release

Formed in 1979, seven-piece all-girl band the Bodysnatchers had only recently learned to play their instruments, but received lots of interest after their first gig in November 1979 supporting the Nips. They were offered several recording deals, including EMI and Richard Branson, with the latter offering them an album deal to record in Stax Studios in Memphis. [3] [4] However, in January 1980, they were offered a two-single deal by 2 Tone, with whom they agreed to sign. They recorded a speeded-up version of "Let's Do Rock Steady" with producer Roger Lomas (known for his work with other ska bands such as the Selecter and Bad Manners). There were twenty-six takes as Lomas kept on wanting the band to play the song faster. [3]

Some of the band as well as Jerry Dammers wanted "The Boiler", which was the first song the band had written, to be recorded and released as their debut single. However, 2 Tone's parent company Chrysalis pressured the band into releasing the more commercial "Let's Do Rock Steady", which was released at the end of February to coincide with the second 2 Tone tour. It was released as a double A-side single with the "Ruder Than You", written by the band with Gaz Mayall. [3] [5] It entered the UK Singles Chart in the second week of March, reaching its peak at number 22 four weeks later, which it held for the following week, before disappearing from the top 75 four weeks later. [6]

Despite the moderate success of their "Let's Do Rock Steady", the Bodysnatchers only released one further single, the double A-sided "Easy Life"/"Too Experienced" in July 1980, produced by Dammers, but it only peaked at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart. Due to various pressures and differences within the band, they then split several months later in November 1980. [3]

Reception

Reviewing for Record Mirror , Mike Nicholls wrote: "Irresistible flippancy from 2-Tone's all-boiler outfit who have unquestionably produced the label's catchiest stab to date. Recorded immediately following their signature under a month ago, the arrogant Rhoda is vocally assisted by the delicious SJ, whose axe whacks work even more of a treat than Miranda's sax and Pennie's [ sic ] keys". [7] Kelly Pike for Smash Hits described it as "a promising debut release" with "a bouncy bluebeat, though not quite of Specials standard, while "Ruder Than You" with its toytown organ is far better – as catchy as flu and ten times more enjoyable". [8] However, Betty Page for Sounds described "Let's Do Rock Steady" as "a shaky start from the 'Snatchers, and the unsurest move yet from 2-Tone. The girls have barely mastered their instruments, and it shows. The only evidence of self-assuredness is Rhoda's vocal, which holds the song together". [9]

Track listing

7": 2 Tone / CHS TT 9

  1. "Let's Do Rock Steady" – 2:54
  2. "Ruder Than You" – 2:50

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1980)Peak
position
UK Singles (OCC) [6] 22

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Specials</span> British ska band from Coventry

The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, were an English 2 tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. After some early changes, the first stable lineup of the group consisted of Terry Hall and Neville Staple on vocals, Jerry Dammers on keyboards, Lynval Golding and Roddy Radiation on guitars, Horace Panter on bass, John Bradbury on drums, and Dick Cuthell and Rico Rodriguez on horns. The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude boy outfits ". Their music combines the danceable rhythms of ska and rocksteady with the energy and attitude of punk. Lyrically, their work presented overt political and social commentary.

<i>More Specials</i> 1980 studio album by the Specials

More Specials is the second album by English ska band the Specials, released by 2 Tone Records in September 1980. After the success of the band's debut album, band member Jerry Dammers assumed the role as the band's leader and stirred them into expanding their 2 Tone sound into other genres of music, most prominently a lounge music and easy listening style inspired by Muzak. Several band members disagreed with Dammers' vision and brought their own influences to the album, including from northern soul and rockabilly, contributing to an eclectic sound palette. The relations between band members continued to sour into the album's accompanying tour and most of the band departed in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Selecter</span> British two-tone ska band

The Selecter is an English 2 tone ska revival band, formed in Coventry, England, in 1979.

The Bodysnatchers were a seven-piece all-female band involved in the British 2 Tone ska revival of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

The Belle Stars were an all female British pop/rock band. Formed in 1980, they are best known for their 1983 hit single "Sign of the Times" as well as their cover of "Iko Iko" originally released in 1982 and featured on the soundtrack to the film Rain Man in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2 Tone Records</span> English independent record label

2 Tone Records was an English independent record label that mostly released ska and reggae-influenced music with a punk rock and pop music overtone. It was founded by Jerry Dammers of the Specials and backed by Chrysalis Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Brick in the Wall</span> 1979 three-part song by Pink Floyd

"Another Brick in the Wall" is a three-part composition on Pink Floyd's 1979 album The Wall, written by the bassist, Roger Waters. "Part 2", a protest song against corporal punishment and rigid and abusive schooling, features a children's choir. At the suggestion of the producer, Bob Ezrin, Pink Floyd added elements of disco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mud (band)</span> UK glam rock band

Mud are an English glam rock band, formed in February 1966. Their earlier success came in a pop and then glam rock style, while later hits were influenced by 1950s rock and roll and rockabilly, and they are best remembered for their hit singles "Dyna-mite", "Tiger Feet", which was the UK's best-selling single of 1974, and "Lonely This Christmas" which reached Christmas number 1 in December 1974. After signing to Rak Records and teaming up with songwriters/producers Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman, the band had fourteen UK Top 20 hits between 1973 and 1976, including three number ones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Stand So Close to Me</span> 1980 single by the Police

"Don't Stand So Close to Me" is a hit song by the British rock band the Police, released in September 1980 as the lead single from their third studio album Zenyatta Mondatta. It concerns a teacher who has a sexual relationship with a student, which in turn is discovered.

<i>Too Much Pressure</i> 1980 studio album by the Selecter

Too Much Pressure is the debut studio album by English 2 tone ska revival band the Selecter. After the band's official formation in 1979 in Coventry, following the release of a song entitled "The Selecter" by an unofficial incarnation of the band, the band's hit single "On My Radio" prompted their labels 2 Tone and Chrysalis to ask the band to record their debut album. Working with producer Errol Ross, the Selecter recorded the album at Horizon Studios over two months. The album contains original material, mostly composed by band founder and guitarist Neol Davies, as well as numerous ska and reggae cover versions, in a similar fashion to the Specials' debut album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Sharona</span> 1979 single by the Knack

"My Sharona" is the debut single by the Knack. The song was written by Berton Averre and Doug Fieger, and it was released in 1979 from their debut album, Get the Knack. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, where it remained for six weeks, and was number one on Billboard's 1979 Top Pop Singles year-end chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let's Go (The Cars song)</span> 1979 single by the Cars

"Let's Go" is a song by American rock band the Cars, written by Ric Ocasek for the band's second studio album, Candy-O (1979). A new wave rock song, the song's hook was inspired by the Routers. The song's vocals are performed by bassist Benjamin Orr.

The Boys are an English punk rock band formed in London in 1976.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dandy Livingstone</span> Musical artist

Dandy Livingstone is a British-Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and reggae musician and record producer, best known for his 1972 hit, "Suzanne Beware of the Devil", and for his song, "Rudy, A Message to You", which was later a cover hit for The Specials. "Suzanne Beware of the Devil", reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart and number 78 in Australia. In the early 1960s, Livingstone recorded some of the bestselling UK-produced ska singles of the era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indian Summer (Manic Street Preachers song)</span> 2007 single by Manic Street Preachers

"Indian Summer" is a song by Manic Street Preachers and was the fourth single released from their eighth studio album Send Away the Tigers. It peaked on number 22 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhoda Dakar</span> British singer and musician

Rhoda Dakar is a British singer and musician, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, who were signed to the 2 Tone record label. She also worked with The Specials/Special AKA, and also other 2-Tone artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Message to You Rudy</span> 1967 song by Dandy Livingstone

"A Message to You Rudy" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone. Originally titled "Rudy a Message to You", the song later achieved broader success when, in 1979, a cover version by The Specials reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Boiler</span> 1982 single by Rhoda with The Special A.K.A.

"The Boiler" is a single by Rhoda Dakar with The Special AKA. It was released in January 1982 on 2 Tone Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Me Out (song)</span> 2017 single by Gorillaz featuring Pusha T and Mavis Staples

"Let Me Out" is a song by British alternative rock virtual band Gorillaz, featuring Pusha T and Mavis Staples. The song was released on 6 April 2017. It was released as the fifth single from their fifth studio album Humanz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dandy in the Underworld (song)</span> 1977 song by T. Rex

"Dandy in the Underworld" is a song by English rock band T. Rex, released by EMI on 27 May 1977 as the third single from their twelfth and final studio album Dandy in the Underworld. The song was written and produced by Marc Bolan.

References

  1. ↑ "Dandy - We Are Still Rude". 45cat. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Dandy - Rock Steady With Dandy". discogs. 1967. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rachel, Daniel (2016). Walls Come Tumbling Down: The Music and Politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge. Pan Macmillan. pp. 283–291. ISBN   978-1-4472-7270-0.
  4. ↑ Summers, Nicky (28 December 2017). "Nicky Summers The Bodysnatchers /2Tone: The Bodysnatchers". Nicky Summers The Bodysnatchers /2Tone. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  5. ↑ "2 Tone Records - Artists - The Bodysnatchers". 2-tone.info. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Bodysnatchers: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  7. ↑ "Singles" (PDF). Record Mirror . 8 March 1980. p. 9. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  8. ↑ "Singles" (PDF). Smash Hits . 20 March – 2 April 1980. p. 30. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  9. ↑ "Singles". Sounds . 8 March 1980. p. 28.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.