Scritti Politti - Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)

[Lige]

The 1980's was an amazing decade for music. Nearly everything on the radio (& TV) had a decent beat.

[prints76]

DA____________________________­______________________________­MN!!!!!!! ain't hearded,yeah ! said H-E-A-R-E-D-E-D this piece in a minute 'r 3 and it's STILL

KILLIN', no doubt...Gartside and Gamson were dangerous,! miss this feeling as applied to music,although The Dirty Projectors are hurting me right now,but ! digress.

Love this track and this band,Respect.

[horseshoebent]

I spent a small fortune for the imported fancy embossed-cover Cupid & Pysche 85 when it was released.

I still have it and, though unplayable, it's cherished.

Songs to Remember isn't so great in retrospect, although Sweetest Girl is absolutely lovely.

Anyway, cheers for this vid!

[MrPblower]

wonderful



[MarkSentMe]

I loved this whole album. I would put the tape in my Walkman and listen to it on the bus from NC to DC. This is my favorite song.

[mrstekkenforever]

great song but why does that dude dancing look like a pumkin 0-o i mean did they shoot this video after waking up from a hangover i sure think so or they were on some sort of drugs even so a brilliant song it is =]

[newellgirl]

Green as the late great silver medalist Peter Norman 2:54 now that's something!

[newellgirl]

god i love that gretsch guitar applied beautifully to a modern style unlike other wannabe 60's types of the day who tried to sound like Chet Atkins..Green sounded so modern in 1985

[planetjanet]

@newellgirl the guitar is my favourite part of the song I think

[MEMPHIS10REPPA]

*THUMBS* UP IF GTA BROUGHT U HERE LOL

[brandyvanl]

@beepollen1 Wikipedia it. Very important in the British alternative dance scene through late 70's, 80's and beyond, especially 'post punk'. He also had a South Bank Show dedicated to him. If you're not a Brit (which I appreciate you may be) you won't have a clue what that means but it's sort of important.  :-)

[Chibihalo2]

Something's wrong with the video here. It says it's a full length video in the listings when you search for it but when you play it you only get the first four seconds of it.

[ajbkaraoke1]

give green an obe

[givacluck]

I haven't heard this for ...err...25+ years probably...

[808CUTIEgirl]

i heard this on GTA

[shum65]

@beepollen1 Yeah, that name does sound familiar Bren...no idea were he is these days though...

[shum65]

@beepollen1 Ha-ha, havent a clue honeybee, but I do recall the dancer was quite well known back

in the day, it looks like a cross between ballet and modern dance...but what do I know..xxx

[chillinjazZ]

I danced like crazy about first 50 times i listened this song. The drums and bass combination is a perfect rhythm machine.

[antjeisback]

People who disliked this included: Lady Gaga, Madonna, Rebecca Black, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha, The Cheeky Girls and Downfall Hitler.

[RENDEZVOUSEN2012]

Souvenir des mes vacances en Suisse en 1983 et de la radio Couleur 3 !

[buzzybee77]

This vid reminds me a little of the vid for Lullaby by the cure

[Derwena]

I absolutely adore this song.

[SKIPSSTE]

got know idea at all what his singing about, but i like it ALOT

[CatFiain]

Haven't seen this vid since the eighties! An all time classic... Great "Memory Lane" moment.

Thanks for posting (and just lurve your YT user name!). :D

[MKUltra3]

The 80s were about musicians acting so swishy it came out macho.

And then stealing your girlfriend.

No surprise Miles Davis, Mos Def and others worked with Green - this production is SIck. Although i prefer 'Hypnotize'.

[stetion]

POP PERFECTION !!!

[shum65]

@beepollen1 I sure did see ya Honeybee...ha-ha..you looked amazing as always...!!!

That Russels a hoot ain't he.. a fab night was had by all.. :)))

[shum65]

@beepollen1 Ha-ha, try not get to excited Honeybee, its probably a sock...  :))

[shum65]

@beepollen1 Classic honeybee, love this and Absolute...good times for sure m8....!!!

Hope ya enjoyed the Oscars.. XXX

[brianab31]

Love this song. But I've always wondered just exactly how does Aretha Franklin pray? Is there something specifically dynamic about her praying style? Hmm...

[lippy170]

brilliant scritti. My mum brought me up on ur music and many other great artists from ur time!! I love wood beez, absolute and the word girl. Thankyou for ur beautiful voice and music!!

[iluvmorrissey]

What is it about Scritti Politti i just can't stop listening to him!! :)

[Mochamom5]

@iluvmorrissey His new(ish) album comes out this month. LOVE Scritti Politti!!!!

[glenhomer22]

Most bizarre video ever...!

(Love the song by the way)

[jwjh1269]

great album. i still have it on cassette

[Lava91point0]

GTA BALLAD OF GAY TONY

-VICE CITY FM!!!!!!!!! HAIL

[tonyzackery]

the bass in this cut was the ticket!

[JohnC4349]

Thanks. I used to have the album. I remember some of the lyrics: I'm in love with Jacques Derrida/ Reada page and I know I need ta/ Take apart my baby's heart/ To err is to be human/ To forgive is too divine/ I was like an industry/Depressed and in decline.

They don't write them likje that anymore.

[JohnC4349]

There was A Scritti Politti song about Jacques Derrida. Does anyone know how to track it down?

[planetjanet]

@JohnC4349 it's the third track on their first LP Songs to Remember from 1982, also you can listen to it at watch?v=pNNbJ04167I

[jimbobthealmighty]

@JohnC4349 I just bought their 'best of' album; it's on there...

[emile235]

@JohnC4349 it's on youtube and it's on the first Scritti album

[panther0567]

Ah, the '80s. Where girls and boys were almost indistinguishable.

[ccm800]

@panther0567 u have seen Justin Bieber havent you?

[DJFG85]

Kinda like Silversun Pickups lead singer, I thought it was a woman

[TheJaycob1990]

"Each time I go to bed I/Pray Like Aretha Franklin." This is better than 90% of the music being made currently.

[afterthemoneysgone]

Is there a more perfect 80's song ? I think not.

[tiznick1]

I don't think I have ever heard such a crock of shXXe. So void of talent, meaning or anything melodic at all.

[djkillapaul]

@tiznick1 Mate, thanks for posting your comment.... I am still laughing as I type this. I was 22 when this came out and into clubbing yet dj's would shove this in the mix and the floor soon emptied, apart from the soft twats who liked it.

[insertfinger]

@tiznick1 time to get better speakers then m8

[xxxjennyxxx1974]

i love this 80s tune xx

[pjt96j]

Words fail me for the talent of this era that people have no idea about these days, such a shame, great days, great music, nuff said !

[louieeyes]

@pjt96j You had to live it to know about it!! Heart warming memories :-)

[vodude]

Green Gartside & the boys may not have been the most masculine looking group of guys but they sure did know how to create some catchy ass pop tunes.

[JimmyKooKoo123]

Love the tune. I'm guessing thats not Ellen DeGeneres on the bed! ;0

[auntypizza]

Looking back, didn't realise how poof it is. Love the song - a bit homo. Yeah, slick, but hidden message in it - the male dancer - very sort of fairy?

[auntypizza]

Looking back, didn't realise how poof it is. Love the song - a bit homo

[RETROFLASHBACK]

THE THE HELL HAPPEN TO THESE GUYS ,GREENS MUSIC IS SO AWFUL THESE DAYS!!:(

[MrDoongy]

This video is a work of art...the symbolisms, the imagery...This video was years ahead of its time

Cool song too.

[JMR83]

Such a funny name for a band too!

[moonstep1969]

The Golden 80s' largest diamond piece. 25 years later on, still never heard anything like this. Creeps under my skin, makes me shiver with delight: Slick, elegant and electrifying magic. Producer Arif Mardin did a brilliant job.

[JMR83]

2:45 the black power salute!

And the joy of climbing Mount Scritti Politti!

[teledynepost]

can anyone find/upload the us version of this video?

[220773]

Och, spring-summer 1984... the Olympic Games in L.A... Everton winning the F.A. Cup!!! So many memories back there... :-)

[MissHannaDay]

It's hard to believe the man playing the keyboard is my film studies teacher.

[AntGirl71]

@MissHannaDay Well, you give your teacher a big hug from me because this is one of the greatest hits of he 80's xxx

[a217andy]

whats he singing about?

[komputerwelt]

@a217andy Unrequited love, obviously. Scritti's Lyrics were always quite Illusive, but this one is pretty simple, per my interpretation: It's a word game. Love is sweet like honey, but is guarded by stingy bees. he wants the girl, but the girl (probably) doesn't want him. so he's a would be, would be, WOOD BEEZ, W.O.O.D B.E.E.Z. I'm not sure about the "EZ" part, but I think he means he would have just wanted this to be easier. this song is also a clear tribute to Aretha Franklin and R&B.

[cjs33139]

What the hell was a Wood Beez anyway? I am an 80s child but this song is weird.

[RainPoetry]

I miss the 80s. Its quirkiness, uniqueness, and tongue-in-cheek irony. Epitomized in Green from Scritti Politti.

[cisco9x]

Love his voice

[vaughntrapp]

wtf

The music was very cutting edge of course but the video is pure 80's kitsch that HASN'T aged very well...never saw this back in the day...

[huwgethynrichards]

Scritti politti - the best of the 80's! 

[tonyzackery]

if your head's not noddin' to this cut, you must DEAD!

[emberglance]

@RefurbishedBrain There was a thesis published recently which said women go for macho types during times of economic uncertainty but when everyone's financially secure the effete guys get more of the action.

The 80's were a good time for me.

[beebeeguy69]

bee keepers, mountain climbers, fencers, effeminate boys in bed, oh the 80's! and the dancer is genius.

[tonyzackery]

this was the shizzle! back in my 'coming of age' years!  hell yeah!!

[CreoleCW]

If I recall correctly, the late Arif Mardin co-produced these cuts with Garthside. Mardin had just produced Chaka Khan ("I'm Every Woman," on which Mardin arranged the strings) and George Benson ("Lady Love Me One More Time"), among others, at the time.

[marinac00]

@CreoleCW Arif Mardin also produced Hall and Oates' first 'commercial' album 'Abandoned Luncheonette' which spawned 'Shes Gone'.....

[yeoviljunction]

Very silly. I'm off to find The Sweetest Girl.

[scorpio1066]

what a base line

[littlenige]

It's like white man's funk. In 1985 there was nothing quite like this for my money - clinical precision pop-funk with soul thrown in. Production Production Production!!! The SOUND!!!!! Many folks I'm sure hated them because they had an effeminate sound in Green Gartside, but the rest of us didn't care - it was just BRILLIANT pop music!!

[preciousstarify1]

@littlenige

it certainly is fab one of the best of the 80s after all this time ive bought his cd even tho ive had the vinyl for yrs

[aaronb7135]

does anyone know what keyboard(synthesiser) that guys is playing, looks like a roland d-50

[HolyStriver]

@aaronb7135 it's a roland jupiter 8

[ginpoodle]

I love this song, who is that dancer? Its not Michael Clarke is it??

[planetjanet]

@ginpoodle indeed it is

[adamtocock]

@planetjanet you bet it's clarkey! whatadancer!

[samantha3165]

@planetjanet thanx for clearing that up, he's always been 'dancing mohican man' to me! Cheers :0)

[Naoisevl]

@ginpoodle fae Aberdeen

[TJWELCH1966]

This music lacks any masculinity.

[aneworderfan]

Green is a bastard of a genius, this is one of the silliest videos ever, if not the silliest at all, but the song is frightening in its ambition and perfection, I especially adore the simple but terrificly effective funky guitar..

[DrWhiggs]

So is this music for people too anemic and effete to listen to Culture Club?

[Aaronator19842009]

This is one of the best 80s hits in the world.... Ever!!!

[debowiec3]

Great 80's music, excellent video!!!

[ronald2394]

I just watch one of greens vids and the years fall away and I am 63....magic

[TheSluddsy1]

Love this tune....

[ScrittiSparkle]

i really want this song to go on another 10 minutes,i love it so much.

[sweetassnumba7]

Love love love love this band; their music makes me feel... gives me that indescribable feeling

[ScrittiSparkle]

@sweetassnumba7 me too!!!!

[jaseywasey49]

Yeah but the lead singer looks like Jimmy Bullard here.

[chris1968uk]

well iwood b well all enjoy;songs from u know when.

[Aaronator19842009]

The 80s are the best decade for music and the hair along with the fashion.

[psaras65]

Song is in Grand Theft Auto, Episodes of Liberty City.

[sissyfit89]

Yay! Found it.. have been looking everywhere for this song. I love it ^_^

[salsa2good]

@sissyfit89

me too

[blacklannmuzik1]

This is truly a classic!!! I use 2 play this cassette so many times. It set a new standard on how artists should be more innovative when it came 2 writing Pop tunes. I'm a Black dude from the ghetto streets of Chicago. And, as you may know, I was looked at as being weird or having strange taste in music. I was tired of hearing the same old stuff that everyone else was listening 2. This album, or better yet, this band influenced me tremendously! GREAT song & video. Thanx 4 the post.

[dot4design]

Another one from the band...special, but very fresh for the eighties.....MORE FANTASTIC ´80´s music on my channel!!!!

[1015287]

I love GTA IV Ballad of Gay Tony

[aledbutcha]

Thanks to Rockstar Games for opening my eyes to yet another forgotten classic.

[SunRey69]

what a wonder !! where are my good teennage years ???

[fulcrum100]

Tommie Smith & John Carlos Black salute reference........... anyone know why?

[FilthyShadow]

Holy hell. Listening to this song via GTA IV TBOGT, brought back memories. Although I never saw the video. But man, how far we have come. It's like a dream you have while wearing a nicotine patch, or a story you read on a wall, but its written in shit.

[townsjim]

@FilthyShadow I'd rather watch this than that lady gaga cunt

[gordonthegoat]

No computer ?  if you don't include the fairlight sampler used here. A great album,nevertheless.

[mcbethme]

lovely to remenise about the good old days!!

[busky18]

Classic.

[jaysmic24]

cupid and psyche was one of those albums you kept playing straight without skipping songs..every song was good!

[FatherWarhol]

His real name is Julian Strohmeyer and he's red scum.

How fun it is to deconstruct the deconstructionists.

[fulcrum100]

@FatherWarhol what does that mean, red scum?

[TheSluddsy1]

LOOOOOVE THIS

[chachachaheyheyhey]

I used to love this tune in the 80s as a teenager.

Sunny afternoons. Blissful Sunday sleep-ins.

Good Times.

[channelpedronumber6]

W is for Wood.

B is for Bees.

Or ballet.

[georgeman2468]

fantastic stuff. eee the memories...

[TheNouveauxdecadence]

Loved this since 1984 when released. This track and the "Cupid & Psyche" albums is one of THE most funky and legendary pieces EVER!. I don't know why "Wood Beez" is allowed on You Tube yet "Absolute" isn't?! ... May Ia dd that the superb ballet from Michael Clarke in this video is just truly a joy to watch. Green, thank you for your beautiful angelic voice and sweet soul. Love U +

[thenjinq17]

Wow !!!!the sound of music back then had such character. I remember this song like it was yesterday. love it!!!

[TheGodParticle]

I used to go out with this girl back in 85 that looked like scritti politti, geez i have trouble watching this if you know what i mean...

[MrMedusaLvamp]

Jemiroquai was late....Prince was one of the earlier artists to do the fallsetto girl vocal style...try Neil Seddaka..Little Richerd..even Boy George!...Were way ahead of ya kids!...But I must say that Mr. Green does it for me the best! You cant get any better than this..Im Sorry...try to do a copy or redition of this or any of their songs...IMPOSSIBLE to perfect or equal the tallent!

[funkster37]

its goosebump time again.

what a tune wish i was benjamin button then in 28yrs i will be 15 again and loving this all over again.

[davymgaunt]

I am a Scritti obsessive.....what a fucking band. This reminds me of sweaty saturday nights in the Warehouse in Leeds with the mighty Ian Dewhirst DJ'ing. Check out "Provision"...perfect pop music.....

[MisAnnThorpe]

@davymgaunt 4 me Provision is the most disappointing record I EVER bought. I'd played my copy of Cupid & Psyche to death, waited 3 years, it seemed longer. Then, finally Patti. We're all thinking that's nice. Great trumpet! Within days of its release I buy Provision rush home, stick it on the turntable and discover that the production is as immaculate as C&P but it's just utterly vapid! I knew from 1st play I would never "get it". Green never made another good LP until White bread black beer.

[Whammy51]

At 2:40, They're doing the "Black Power Salute"

[quelter1]

What a great LP Cupid and Psyche was. So innovative.

[p6ulo]

Really...that was probably a defining album of the 80's....just that not enough people realised it. Scritti were genuinely grounbreaking at this time and it still sounds good!

[1016arroues]

Nope, that's his real voice.

Funny how the singer from Silversun Pickups sounds just like him.

[dubtoffee]

One of the best gigs ever Scritti Politti supporting The The in 88 i think when music was real, where are them years gone

[rhodrimarsden]

@dubtoffee Scritti didn't play any gigs between 1980 and 2006. Must have been someone else :)

[tokyojoe01]

I remember at the time there was this big debate as to wether this was really Green's real voice or if it had been altered in some way. Anyone know the truth?

[JimmyTee73]

Real!! I have seen him live :)

[p6ulo]

It was him...he's a guy but just sang in this way. The same as Jay kay being mistaken for a black girl when Jamiroquai broke. What a voice, what a talent! Still awesome

[MisAnnThorpe]

@tokyojoe01 It's real in the sense that it's coming from him and isn't computer manipulated, but it's the most ridiculously affected voice you could ever wish to hear. So ultimately I think you've got to say it's fake!

[georgeman2468]

That must have been quite emotional dandreboy. Im not sure how i would have coped with that, seeing someone again who meant so much.

[dandreboy]

On the Cupid & Psyche album there is the brilliant "A Little Knowledge."This track reminds of a time in 86 when I split up from my then girlfriend and was heartbroken.The lyrics,"Now I know to love you is not to know you",were so true at that time.I met that girl again yesterday only for the 2nd time in 20 years and still melted at the sound of her voice and presence.Our lives have changed greatly but to be near to her again after all those years was something else!

[lonegroover]

wow .. that's quite a story.

[nagaempress]

@dandreboy I love that song and that album

[tokyojoe01]

cool story! Its amazing how songs are linked to memories.

[bmt27]

This video is similar to the video by new order "true faith"

[thewidowmaker31]

his real name was almost as silly Green Gartside

[georgeman2468]

Xcrement Factor LOL hahaha

[Isochest]

Great times. Better than now with a few élite backed streams such as the Xcrement Factor.

[Swagaization]

Yes, where can I find "Hypnotize"?

[eightiesrarities]

excellent track...still love it:)

[gre68]

where is "hypnotise"????

[AuntyM66]

love it . Thanx 4 posting

[avalentin83]

whenihear thi song i totally though it was ether a girl or a 14 yr old boy! lol but i do like the song

[Filmation77]

Great Bands....weird video...

[selatik1]

Jαк się мαsz? Yєs, I is lovєs тнєsє мosт ρoρulαя Kαпαδiαп яocк lєgєпδs, Яцsн!

Бцт, тнєsє мαпs is пoт looк liкє Mя Gєδδч Lєє.

[georgeman2468]

Air guitar at its best haha. His right hand must be about 6 inches away from the strings LOL

[richardf05]

Perfect Way is censored! Too good

[AcousticUplift]

Girl drummer, yeah! Green Gartside is so peculiar but there's something nearing genius in how it's expressed in songs like this. I remember this song and being affronted 4 some reason as a little girl because he mentioned Aretha. I thought 'what she got to do with the rest of the song?'. Haha. I like the reference to the Olympic/civil rights controversy. 80s was such a daring time for music; so much variety. How do you come up with a tune like this? Completely thinking outside boundaries.

[warsan63]

Arif Mardin was fabulous right about then...remember 'I feel 4 U'? What a trade up from the Bee Gees...

[koenji71]

I just rediscovered this while listening to a DJ Tony Humphries mix from Kiss FM NY 1984. Great song

[AnubisDias]

Michael Beck was good friend with Legendary Leigh Bowery .. They perform together in Michael's dance troop and Leigh supplied the fashion. checkout the documentary called the Legend of Leigh Bowery.

[TwoSet]

where the fuck is Perfect Way ?

[desypasa]

It's umbelievable!!Since 25 and more..years..finnaly i can see them..Scritti Politti:do you remember..?Real great pop music of '80th.....lovely

[komputerwelt]

ok, I've tried uploading both original videos for "Absolute" and "Perfect way" and they got zapped twice by Youtube. there's absolutely no way to get them on the site.

my question is: Wood Beez is from the same album, how come there's no problem with it's video being on here? I hope I'm not opening a mouth to the devil (so they'll remove it, god forbid) but I don't understand what's the problem? copyrights of this song belong to someone else? copyrights of the Vid? would love an explanation.

[komputerwelt]

eh, nevermind. a guy just answered that question on the hip band "perfect way" vid. it has to do with us/uk versions. well, I hope they come back in the end. they're on dailymotion though, if you wanna watch them.

[Tre404]

KOMPUTERWELT: Glad I could help. :-)

[TheRealMrLibra86]

That's because Absolute and Perftect Way are owned by WMG.

[preciousbash]

Love Scriti and thsi song and this video. Love the punk dancer.. Always thought he great!

[muziqlover416]

damn dis vid suk ass but da sng iz good

[almadora]

a sweet polished pop slice of michael clark and mr. gartside. oui.

[pistolwhipmcgee]

Scritti Politti ruled until Green decided to fashion himself into a pop star. Total shit.

[paulboggan]

sorry guys but i knida have to agree with this one.... compare sweetest girl to this...its so over produced in a bad way.... still, good to watch again...

[neilbayley1]

The bassline is awsome

[chipsotool100]

Great song, shit video