The (English) Beat : Best Friend
In August of 1980 The Beat released the UK#22 hit "Best Friend" b/w "Stand Down Margaret (dub)", the fourth single from their chart topping debut album, I Just Can't Stop It. Remarkable considering they were just a year and a half from their first gig. The Beat announced the proceeds of the single were going to the British Anti-Nuclear Campaign as they prepared for a tour of France with The Police.
In an upcoming issue of Smash Hits Dave Wakeling answered a question about the Jamaican patois he uses in some songs.
At first I took some stick then I started pointing out Van Morrison, Mick Jagger and Tim Buckley. How did they ever get away with it?
It's like when a Roxy Music record comes on the radio and everyone sits there and gently does their impression of Bryan Ferry. It's very hard, when you come to do a Prince Buster song, to sing it as Dave Wakeling, rather than Dave Wakeling's impression of Prince Buster.
I have to add "Best Friend" is my all-time favorite song by this band. Who doesn't know someone like this: "I just found out the name of your best friend / You been talkin' 'bout yourself again".
And "Stand Down Margaret" has to be the politest protest song on record. They even say please.
