Remarks:
Back in 1989 they played this song to death and I hated it, but now I like it. It went to number one in Britain, the Netherlands and Black America.
Lyrics:
Back to life, back to reality
Back to life, back to reality
Back to life, back to reality
Back to the here and now yeah
Show me how, decide what you want from me
Tell me may be
I could be there for you
However do you want me,
However do you need me
How, however do you want me,
However do you need me.
Back to life, back to the present time,
Back from a fantasy
Yeah, tell me now, take the initiative
I’ll leave it in your hands until you’re ready oh
However do you want me,
However do you need me
How, however do you want me
However do you need me,
However do you want me
However do you need me
How, however do you want me
However do you need me
However do you need me
However do you need me
However do you need me
However do you need me
I live at the top of the block,
No more room for trouble or fuss
Need a change, a positive change look
Look it’s me writing on the wall
However do you want
However do you
Back to life, back to the day we have
Let’s end this foolish game
Hear me out don’t let me waste away
Make up your mind so
I know where I stand
The classic Soul II Soul with the lovely Caron Wheeler (ex Reggae/Lovers Rock singer) on vocal and a riff taken from a rather obscure Soul track from the U.S, which no-one could work out, in the days of ‘Rare Grooves’ in the London music dance scene that turned Jazzie B (MBE) the sound system operator into a hero, a millionaire and later to be knighted by the Queen.
Still a classic, even now…Love the strings.
Though I did not know they had a extended remix – prefer the original.
Perhaps because the extended remix sounds as if it is made for the US Hip-Hop/RnB market – could be wrong though.
The original
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My My My…The Memories
Caron Wheeler, again from her Soul II Soul days, but a solo project on a beautiful song about slavery as performed live on BBC TV.
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You welcome back to DJ Jay on WBLS Radio the time in the UK is 12.34 pm… Still in th emusical mix ha ha ha
Soul 11 Soul first release that only did well on the underground scene
Nice tune though
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And the tune that exposed Soul 11 Soul to the UK mainstream
Their second production…
Again the strings…lovely tune
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@ J: so what was the obscure soul track that it sampled?
Can’t leave me hanging like that, man.
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ha ha ha ES
As I was typing I tried for the life, ‘Back to life’ – of me to remember – unfortunately I can’t. If I get the chance will have to try google it
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No luck so far ES,
Managed to find the acapella though – and reveals what a talent Caron Wheeler is/was
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Maybe I am getting my memories muddled up ES.
Check this link below.
http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1709
“The beat is based on the 1987 Eric B. & Rakim song “Paid In Full.” Soul II Soul used it on this and their previous hit, “Keep On Movin'”
Now where did ‘Paid In Full’ sample come from is that not a Lyn Collins or JB sample??
Either way not the rae tune which I thought
I do not know if I am confusing my facts for another popular UK tune
Do you know this one ES??
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Here’s one for you ES,
Name and identify that Hip Hop Sample on ?? – On DJ Jay still in the mix internet show he he he
At the beginning of Caron Wheeler’s song, ‘Living In The Light’ it starts with the line:
‘Hold the beat stop the beat, drop the beat?’
What classic Hip Hop song is that sample taken from??
I just had to check to give you a clue, never knew it was that old. Still a classic Hip Hope tune in the underground scene in the UK??
The year is 1987…
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@ J,
My hip-hop knowledge doesn’t really kick in until ’88. 😉
But “Paid in Full” samples the beat from The Soul Searchers’ “Ashley’s Roachclip”. Bassline from “Don’t Look Any Further” by Dennis Edwards.
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Cheers ES,
My memory has now deserted me. I cannot even remember ‘Paid in Full’ I am going to have to youtube it.
Don’t Look Any Further by Dennis Edward is a classic on the UK/Rare Groove Soul scene
One second…
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I should have said that I do not know the song:
The Soul Searchers’ “Ashley’s Roachclip”.
And the Caron Wheeler’s sample of ‘hold the beat, stop the beat, drop the beat’
If you go to 1.49 secs of the song, and let it roll for a little you will hear the line.
And if you like the ‘Chrous Line’ ES remember to join in too
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Thanks for the reminder. This tune was indeed played out when it first came out. It brings me back to a time when there was a brief moment of black consciousness; myself and my cohorts were coming of age and it was songs like that this that seemed to play in the background of that formation. Summers of pseudo-intellectualize. It was all in good spirit and we certainly had some good times.
Many thanks,
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Ahhh, 1989 The Summer of Love. This music was part of the soundtrack for my generation – Remember it well and the other tracks commenters have posted too.
This was an excellent year for music…
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Love it! A classic hit! Good grooves on the dance floor!
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You must be an ‘old timer’ like me then Hannu 🙂
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44 less than a month ago…
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Aha! Are you a Water sign or a Fire sign?
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Water: Scorpio
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That says it all….. 🙂
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So I’ve been told 😀
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I couldn’t get enough of this song back in 89. Still love it to this day.
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