Favorite "Talk" Songs #5 - "Too Nice to Talk To"
@teamfreak16 (43418)
Denver, Colorado
July 10, 2017 6:25am CST
This is a simple theme, songs with "talk" (or a variation) in the title, but it's been quite fun so far. We are at the midway point in my Favorite "Talk" Songs series: the #5 spot belongs to "Too Nice to Talk To" by The Beat (known as The English Beat here in the States.)
Released as a single in 1980, "Too Nice to Talk To" is a groovy piece of 80's ska, sung from the point of view of an extremely shy, introverted guy trying to work up the nerve to talk to a girl that he's been watching dance all night. Only, when he finally musters up the courage, the club closes.
As an extreme introvert, I can identify with lyrics such as "Now I think quite a lot as I stare at my shoes," and "I think quite a lot of my own point of view, is that all I have that's in common with you?" And so on. The single did quite well, reaching #7 in the UK.
Along with Madness and the Specials, The Beat spearheaded the 80's ska revival, bringing the genre to the modern rock crowd. Once, at a day-long festival in Denver, I saw vocalist Dave Wakeling front a band called Bang! Wakeling spotted a guy in the crowd wearing a Beat shirt. He made the guy give him the shirt, which he hung behind the drum riser. After the set, he signed the shirt and gave it back to the guy. Wish I'd been wearing a Beat shirt that day.
(Info verified by Wikipedia, Songfacts)
Check out this official video for The English Beat song "Too Nice To Talk To". You can grab The Complete Beat from Shout! Factory at: http://www.shoutfactory...
6 people like this
6 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
10 Jul 17
Lovely voices and having a good time on this video
4 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul 17
I like how they are all dancing. Fun video.
3 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
10 Jul 17
@teamfreak16 Yes all together.
2 people like this
@MusicalCatBird (59)
• La Jolla, California
10 Jul 17
WOW where has this song been in my life?? LOVE IT!!
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul 17
These guys were awesome. Two of them went on to form Fine Young Cannibals, if you remember them.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
11 Jul 17
A great song that could so often be about me - The Beat were a fantatic band
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
11 Jul 17
I can totally relate to this song. You're right. What a great band.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (68100)
• United States
10 Jul 17
Oh yeah, I remember that one. R.I.P. Saxa.
And I wonder if Wakeling tried that with the Beat shirt Sting wore in "Don't Stand So Close to Me."
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul 17
I'm still bummed about Saxa. I was thinking about that as I watched the video this morning.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Jul 17
Oh yeah, and the hits from the 80s keep on rolling! Dave Wakeling without Ranking Roger on stage?
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul 17
Unfortunately. I also saw him as The English Beat, but it was just him and touring musicians. Ranking Roger does his own English Beat as well. Confusing.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jul 17
I know. I could just take them off after each band!
2 people like this