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The Beat — Best Friend
Album: What is Beat
Avg rating:
7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1236









Released: 1983
Length: 2:54
Plays (last 30 days): 2
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i just found out the name of your best friend,
you been talkin' about yourself again,
and no one seems to share your views.
why doesn't everybody listen to you kid?
how come you never really seem to get through, is it you?
talk about yourself again, you.
talk about yourself,
always you, you, you.
talk about yourself again.

she's on a holiday,
she's got her summer frock on.
suck on an ice cream,
it's meltin' in the hot sun.
first date's made you pray for more.
i wanted you, wanted.
everybody knows the score,
i wanted you, wanted.
what are we pretendin' for?
let's talk about ourselves on the floor.
let's talk about yourselves, nothing more i promise.
talk about ourselves again.

i just found out the name of your best friend.
talk, talk, talk about yourself again.
yes i just found out the name of your best friend.

i just found out the name of your best friend,
you been talkin' about yourself again,
and no one seems to share your views.
why doesn't anybody listen to you kid?
how come you never really seem to get through, is it you?
talk about yourself again, you.
talk about yourself,
always you, you, you.
talk about yourself again.
again, again, again, again.

i just found out the name of your best friend,
just found out the name of your best friend,
i just found out the name of your best friend,
i just found out the name of your best friend,
just found out the name of your best friend,
i just found out the name of your best friend,
just found out the name of your best friend,
i just found out the name of your best friend.
Comments (112)add comment
Pity the accompanying album art shows their greatest hits album and not the debut album "I Just Can't Stop It" which contains this track as well as the singles Mirror in the Bathroom, Hands Off...She's Mine, and Can't Get Used to Losing You (yes, an Andy Williams cover which works surprisingly well). The "Tears of a Clown / Ranking Full Stop" non-album debut single was added to the US version makng a great album even better. The album cuts such as Rough Rider, Stand Down Margaret, Whine & Grine are just as tasty making it one of the best albums of the 80s for me. More Beat please!
Posted 1 month ago by siqbal    [ Reply ]
I just saw these guys last month, with Ranking Roger's son taking the lead and the old band behind him. Still wonderful as ever.  
Posted 2 months ago by Enness    [ Reply ]
Pretty much Dave Wakeling and has been for 20+ years now.  He is a total pro.  I have seen him with 20 people in the audience, and 2,000 people on another night.  Same show - same energy and performance.  He is engaging, and sounds incredible to this day.
Posted 4 months ago by SeannRooney    [ Reply ]
Mirror in the bathroom... 
Posted 6 months ago by GingerandMe    [ Reply ]
Yeah, you're just sitting absolutely still there, not chair dancing at all nor reminiscing about dancing to this at the original 9:30 Club forty some odd years ago like I am. 
Posted 7 months ago by chinaski    [ Reply ]
 pinto wrote:


Byrds on meth, maybe



LOL! Too funny!
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
Here's one that really holds up
Posted 2 years ago by mikegrinker    [ Reply ]
 toker wrote:

Man...These guys sound like the Byrds !!



Byrds on meth, maybe
Posted 2 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
 nut222 wrote:

Great band, not sure why they renamed themselves - used just to be The Beat - maybe some legal issue?


No renaming, and only applicable in the USA.  

Your guess is correct:  The different name was strictly related to the existence of a band in the U.S. with rights to the name The Beat at the time; which is no longer the case.  In recent (-ish) years there have been U.S. releases using the original name; but those releases usually also include the altered name for better recognition here in the states.
Posted 2 years ago by QuantumShaman    [ Reply ]
These guys were underrated.  They had pop hits, but/and they were a brilliant band.
Posted 3 years ago by cely    [ Reply ]
 tinypriest wrote:
Impossible to stay still when the English Beat are played. 

What he said. Good to know it's not just me!

Posted 3 years ago by horseplayer    [ Reply ]
Impossible to stay still when the English Beat are played. What a lot of fun they were. Always appreciated those great insightful lyrics from Dave Wakeling and Ranking Roger about the times of the day, and about the behaviours they observed, this song being a great example of that. They went on to become General Public and then Fine Young Cannibals and kept the same hooky musicality and energy in those incarnations. 
Posted 3 years ago by tinypriest    [ Reply ]
The English Beat used to play in San Jose every year--always a fun show.  I remember hearing this song from my house on the way to the park...RIP Rankin Roger.  And now there's COVID.  Times have changed.
Posted 4 years ago by rpdevotee    [ Reply ]
 craigonthelake wrote:
I discovered the English Beat (known as simply "The Beat" in England) in 1980- first time in England, missing high school graduation but making new friends and dancing the night away in English pubs. Lots of good memories of this song. 

 

Posted 4 years ago by craigonthelake    [ Reply ]
 jrozzelle wrote:
My favorite concert memory:  The Beat at the UNC Chapel Hill Memorial Auditorium, 1983.  REM opened.  
 

Posted 4 years ago by craigonthelake    [ Reply ]
Saw the English Beat in April 1983 in New Haven.  Their warm up band was REM (who, in the infinite wisdom of a 16 year old, I  thought was worthless).  It was a spectacular concert, and I've been a fan of the band and Ska ever since.  Currently loving the album Encore, by The Specials - Bill, play more of that here perhaps?  
Posted 4 years ago by billdock    [ Reply ]
My favorite concert memory:  The Beat at the UNC Chapel Hill Memorial Auditorium, 1983.  REM opened.  
Posted 5 years ago by jrozzelle    [ Reply ]
 toker wrote:
Man...These guys sound like the Byrds !!
 

If the Byrds spent years in the Caribbean learning ska.
Posted 5 years ago by Sam_Hill    [ Reply ]
 haresfur wrote:

Break dancing? Tired of this? Maybe you should have tried just dancing up to the massive speakers and hugging them like the spandex and chain-clad beauty in the ex-Disco club I heard this at at the time, or danced with yourself in the mirrored wall like the equally spandex-clad and beautiful black women in the same club, to develop an appreciation. So put this on, do the MAMIL* and try again.

*Middle Aged Man In Lycra 

 
And as I have said before, "The Domino Club. It wasn't always a good time, but it was always an interesting time."
Posted 6 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:
That, sir, is the understatement of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
 
I hope you be having a groovy time right this minute, kcar...  everybody in my hotel room thinks this song is sooo good for the ears...

Posted 7 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
ah, the memories. My 80s
Posted 7 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I got this album when it came out... played it for a few days until I got tired of it, and took it off the turntable and propped it (in the sleeve) against the speaker you know how you do sometimes...

Came home and my roommate was trying to teach himself how to break dance and a foot flew around and Chuck Norris'd the record right in half. Being a decent guy, he immediately went out and bought a replacement copy. But I was still tired of it so I just put it unopened on the shelf (this time) and never listened to it. Years later I sold it back to the store for about a break-even price. 

Break dancing. No shit.

 
Cool story Bro!
Posted 8 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Great band, not sure why they renamed themselves - used just to be The Beat - maybe some legal issue?

Prefer their "Twist and Crawl" and "Mirror in the Bathroom" tracks - very energetic!
Posted 8 years ago by nut222    [ Reply ]
 hbs47 wrote:
Men at Work tribute band?

 
You're joking right?
Posted 8 years ago by SmackDaddy    [ Reply ]
Bad band, never liked them anyway.
Posted 9 years ago by jazzdevil    [ Reply ]
 ScottFromWyoming wrote:
I got this album when it came out... played it for a few days until I got tired of it, and took it off the turntable and propped it (in the sleeve) against the speaker you know how you do sometimes...

Came home and my roommate was trying to teach himself how to break dance and a foot flew around and Chuck Norris'd the record right in half. Being a decent guy, he immediately went out and bought a replacement copy. But I was still tired of it so I just put it unopened on the shelf (this time) and never listened to it. Years later I sold it back to the store for about a break-even price. 

Break dancing. No shit.

 
Break dancing? Tired of this? Maybe you should have tried just dancing up to the massive speakers and hugging them like the spandex and chain-clad beauty in the ex-Disco club I heard this at at the time, or danced with yourself in the mirrored wall like the equally spandex-clad and beautiful black women in the same club, to develop an appreciation. So put this on, do the MAMIL* and try again.

*Middle Aged Man In Lycra 
Posted 9 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
 Lazarus wrote:

This song is good for the ears...
 

 
That, sir, is the understatement of the year.

Happy Thanksgiving y'all!
Posted 9 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 hbs47 wrote:
Men at Work tribute band?
 
Men at Work WISHES.
Posted 10 years ago by ojibwe    [ Reply ]
 Limpopoking wrote:

Could just be the other way round methinks

 
Men without Brains have NOTHING in Common with The English Beat.
Posted 11 years ago by Stranglersfan    [ Reply ]
Never heard this before, but when it started I said to myself " '83?".    Ah, still got it.
Posted 11 years ago by old_shep    [ Reply ]
ANOTHER REASON I SPENT THE 80S ON JAZZ...........
Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48    [ Reply ]
 hbs47 wrote:
Men at Work tribute band?

 
Could just be the other way round methinks
Posted 11 years ago by Limpopoking    [ Reply ]
I got this album when it came out... played it for a few days until I got tired of it, and took it off the turntable and propped it (in the sleeve) against the speaker you know how you do sometimes...

Came home and my roommate was trying to teach himself how to break dance and a foot flew around and Chuck Norris'd the record right in half. Being a decent guy, he immediately went out and bought a replacement copy. But I was still tired of it so I just put it unopened on the shelf (this time) and never listened to it. Years later I sold it back to the store for about a break-even price. 

Break dancing. No shit.
Posted 11 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Just plain happy and fab to hear this again
Posted 11 years ago by lizziebird    [ Reply ]
So good to hear this again.
Posted 11 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]

This song is good for the ears...
 
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill!! You're bringing the fun today.
Posted 11 years ago by flyboy50    [ Reply ]
My 1st PSD on RP. OMG.
Posted 11 years ago by DJ_BellsEye    [ Reply ]
 gemtag wrote:
English Beat smokes The Specials.
 
RFO!  (Right F'n On!) {#Bananajam}{#Bananasplit}
Posted 12 years ago by haresfur    [ Reply ]
 LowPhreak wrote:


...and then some Psychedelic Furs, yeah?
 
Oh wow! yes please.
Posted 12 years ago by Greendragon00    [ Reply ]
 oldsaxon wrote:

no. no, really....how?
 
That McGuinn guitar thing, methinks.
Posted 12 years ago by dharmabumrap    [ Reply ]
 dctrpunda wrote:
You know, your'e right. I'm mean it's the English Beat, but I do see the nod to the Byrds here.
 
no. no, really....how?
Posted 12 years ago by oldsaxon    [ Reply ]
rude boy, yeah!!!!! luvit
Posted 12 years ago by luvinlife    [ Reply ]
Men at Work tribute band?
Posted 12 years ago by hbs47    [ Reply ]
English Beat smokes The Specials.
Posted 13 years ago by gemtag    [ Reply ]

This song also appeared on "Just Can't Stop It"


Posted 13 years ago by aflanigan    [ Reply ]
The 80's...............Love it

Posted 14 years ago by Asmith    [ Reply ]
What is Beat
Posted 14 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
Masterpiece of an album!{#Notworthy}
Posted 14 years ago by sirdroseph    [ Reply ]
Not my cuppa.
Posted 14 years ago by Stefen    [ Reply ]
ska lives! got any toasters?
Posted 14 years ago by zenhead    [ Reply ]
 fdobbs wrote:
 
Let's just move straight into the Specials after this one. :)
 

...and then some Psychedelic Furs, yeah?
Posted 14 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
Teeny bopper music.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
Always have loved this group.
Posted 15 years ago by Bazooka    [ Reply ]
Saw both the Beat and the Cannibals back in the day. How could you NOT dance, there were no seats in the place!

Wow, I am remembering the women I met at those shows............. 
Posted 15 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
best of the last three 80s songs
Posted 15 years ago by namesbenny    [ Reply ]
Saw Dave and the latest incarnation of the Beat earlier this year. Rocked the house. Dancin' in the aisles.{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 16 years ago by anotherlistener    [ Reply ]
Saw General Public a few years ago opening for Hootie & the Blow fish totally by accident (they weren't mentioned on my free ticket). GP drank H&TBF's milkshake! Slurp!  They even came back to back Darius on an encore...the Blowfish couldn't keep up.

Posted 16 years ago by MtnSinger    [ Reply ]
Ska!
Posted 16 years ago by xc_para_puravida    [ Reply ]
whoa, what's going on here?!?!
Posted 17 years ago by tlbritton    [ Reply ]
Yeah because of legal reasons they had to be called "The English Beat" in the States instead of just The Beat. Whatever... they were amazing
Posted 17 years ago by Deadwing    [ Reply ]
Great Friday music. The Beat always make me smile. Saw them back when and saw Dave W. & co. recently. They always rock the house. Let's just move straight into the Specials after this one. :)
Posted 17 years ago by fdobbs    [ Reply ]
coloradojohn wrote:
Yeah! They're just called The Beat
They were always called The Beat everywhere in the World. The prefix "English" seems to be used only in the US to distinguish them from another band in the US < who are no longer called The Beat any more>
Posted 17 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
Wilmshurst wrote:
Has RP ever played Fishbone? That would be SWEET!
FISH...BONE!! c.
Posted 17 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
sharkartist wrote:
Got to see Dave Wakeling and his latest incarnation of the English Beat, just a couple weeks ago. This one really got the crowd dancing. What a great band!
Yeah! They're just called The Beat, and they rocked us out pretty hard, turned our world into a ska jump and shake fest, down in Daikanyama just a few months back... Mirror In The Bathroom and this song were the clear faves of the night! They can still heat up a place in no time!
Posted 17 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
Gotta rewind that one for another listen... I wasn't finished chair dancing yet.
Posted 17 years ago by Jacksonstat    [ Reply ]
toker wrote:
Man...These guys sound like the Byrds !!
You know, your'e right. I'm mean it's the English Beat, but I do see the nod to the Byrds here.
Posted 17 years ago by dctrpunda    [ Reply ]
bobrk wrote:
Ah, college. That was fun.
Yes, yes it was. Sigh
Posted 17 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
moomatz wrote:
We need some Fishbone after this!
Has RP ever played Fishbone? That would be SWEET!
Posted 17 years ago by Wilmshurst    [ Reply ]
Every time I hear this, I think of my sister-in-law. It's not a good thought.
Posted 17 years ago by moonbat    [ Reply ]
toker wrote:
Man...These guys sound like the Byrds !!
What!?! Been smoking something?
Posted 18 years ago by oppositelock    [ Reply ]
Man...These guys sound like the Byrds !!
Posted 18 years ago by toker    [ Reply ]
bobrk wrote:
Ah, college. That was fun.
Right on! How could anyone not like this tune? Yes it's 80's, but it makes your feet move
Posted 18 years ago by Johnny_Wave    [ Reply ]
Ah, college. That was fun.
Posted 18 years ago by bobrk    [ Reply ]
Got to see Dave Wakeling and his latest incarnation of the English Beat, just a couple weeks ago. This one really got the crowd dancing. What a great band!
Posted 18 years ago by sharkartist    [ Reply ]
Geecheeboy wrote:
Reminds ME of "we got the beat" by, hmmm who, Go-Go's?
Yeah, maybe. Better yet, this reminds me of a group from the 80's called "The English Beat." Loved those guys. ;)
Posted 18 years ago by veegez    [ Reply ]
Can't believe I've never heard this song before. I LOVE it!!!
Posted 18 years ago by geotrash    [ Reply ]
Reminds ME of "we got the beat" by, hmmm who, Go-Go's?
Posted 18 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
catbirdman wrote:
If the song didn't make me smile, these little guys would sure do it.
Posted 18 years ago by babygirl614    [ Reply ]
Posted 18 years ago by catbirdman    [ Reply ]
THE ENGLISH BEAT - Best Friend I just found out the name of your best friend, You been talkin' about yourself again, And no one seems to share your views. Why doesn't everybody listen to you kid? How come you never really seem to get through, is it you? Talk about yourself again, you. Talk about yourself, Always you, you, you. Talk about yourself again. She's on a holiday, She's got her summer frock on. Suck on an ice cream, It's meltin' in the hot sun. First date's made you pray for more. I wanted you, wanted. Everybody knows the score, I wanted you, wanted. What are we pretendin' for? Let's talk about ourselves on the floor. Let's talk about yourselves, nothing more I promise. Talk about ourselves again. I just found out the name of your best friend. Talk, talk, talk about yourself again. Yes I just found out the name of your best friend. I just found out the name of your best friend, You been talkin' about yourself again, And no one seems to share your views. Why doesn't anybody listen to you kid? How come you never really seem to get through, is it you? Talk about yourself again, you. Talk about yourself, Always you, you, you. Talk about yourself again. Again, again, again, again. i just found out the name of your best friend, (fade out)
Posted 18 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
I am working LATE in the office today. It just became OK again! !
Posted 18 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
Art_Carnage wrote:
Hummm.... That riff sounds awfully familiar. Playing with the Queen of Hearts. Knowing it ain't really smart... Juice, I think you've got a lawsuit here.
Juice? Juice Newton?? "Queen of Heart's" was written - and originally recorded - by Dave Edmonds. ...kid's today...
Posted 18 years ago by apd    [ Reply ]
Hummm.... That riff sounds awfully familiar. Playing with the Queen of Hearts. Knowing it ain't really smart... Juice, I think you've got a lawsuit here.
Posted 18 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
The English Beat are one of the most underrated groups of all time. Excellent song as usual from the Beat.
Posted 18 years ago by Rickvee    [ Reply ]
phineas wrote:
The previous Talk Talk cut and now this --- Mugro, we prove that good taste in music transcends political differences.
I feel the same way when reviewing CanuckBeaker's top-rated list.
Posted 19 years ago by Curry    [ Reply ]
boy how i listened to this one back in the early 80s. does feel a bit dated now though, innit?
Posted 19 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
Roverfish wrote:
I'd take 5 of these over 1 Talk Talk. Great cut.
What he said...
Posted 19 years ago by Zarba    [ Reply ]
I'd take 5 of these over 1 Talk Talk. Great cut.
Posted 19 years ago by Roverfish    [ Reply ]
Mugro wrote:
The English Beat is so much fun! Would it be too much to ask for a ska revival???
The previous Talk Talk cut and now this --- Mugro, we prove that good taste in music transcends political differences.
Posted 19 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]
The English Beat is so much fun! Would it be too much to ask for a ska revival???
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
We need some Fishbone after this!
Posted 19 years ago by moomatz    [ Reply ]
SKA!!! And really good ska, too.
Posted 19 years ago by ce    [ Reply ]
n4ku wrote:
I totally agree!
Posted 19 years ago by Vivi2    [ Reply ]
Posted 19 years ago by n4ku    [ Reply ]
Gives me a serious case of happy feet
Posted 19 years ago by redeyespy    [ Reply ]
There is no bad Beat. Rock on!
Posted 19 years ago by Shaken_Bake    [ Reply ]
"...And I feel like Jonah , in the belly of the whale!"
Posted 19 years ago by trekhead    [ Reply ]
Yesssch!
Posted 19 years ago by Gregorama    [ Reply ]
wow, i just got WAY too excited to hear this song on RP! Long Live the Beat! (well, too late for that, but you know what I mean.)
Posted 19 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
RichardPrins wrote:
8) again...again...again
What he said.
Posted 19 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]
not for me...sorry
Posted 19 years ago by Huey    [ Reply ]
Ska-lite-ful.
Posted 19 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]
Great stuff!
Posted 19 years ago by discochuck    [ Reply ]
Irritating. :?
Posted 19 years ago by zipper    [ Reply ]
8) again...again...again
Posted 20 years ago by R_P    [ Reply ]
AliGator wrote:
Thanks Ali. This one is one of my uploads. Glad I could put a little air under your feet today.
Posted 20 years ago by Skeletor    [ Reply ]
Posted 20 years ago by AliGator    [ Reply ]
like Fresca lite...then it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. but I never like diet drinks, so what do I know.
Posted 20 years ago by Ken    [ Reply ]
Three minutes and two seconds of absolutely perfect pop....with a refreshing hint of ska.
Posted 20 years ago by phineas    [ Reply ]