Gosh It's ... Bad Manners
Bad Manners · 1981
58 min · 18 tracks · ska
A buoyant blend of ska rhythms and playful lyrics, radiating an infectious sense of fun and energy throughout its runtime.
Top tracks — play these first
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Walking in the Sunshine — This track encapsulates the band's joyous sound and became their signature song, characterized by its catchy hook and danceable beat.
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Weeping and Wailing — A standout for its engaging rhythm and clever lyrical play, this track showcases Bad Manners' ability to blend humor with social commentary.
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End of the World — This track's energetic tempo and witty lyrics highlight the band's knack for creating songs that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid ska compositions but lacks some cohesion due to bonus tracks disrupting flow.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'Can Can' and 'Armchair Disco' incorporate playful lyrics and energetic rhythms, maintaining a consistent ska vibe throughout.
- The sequencing features several tracks that blend seamlessly into one another, creating a continuous flow of music that encourages dancing.
- The last three tracks include two versions of 'Walking in the Sunshine,' which may disrupt the album's pacing by repeating a previously established theme.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- upbeat tracks for social gatherings
- playful energy for dancing
- wave-like pacing keeps interest
- sing-along moments with friends
- nostalgic vibes of early '80s
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, introspective sounds
- dislike playful, upbeat tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1981, Gosh It's ... Bad Manners marks the band's third studio album, following their previous release, Loonee Tunes! in 1980. At this point, Bad Manners were solidifying their place in the UK ska revival scene, building on their growing popularity with a sound that mixed upbeat melodies and humorous lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Madness· The Specials· Toots and the Maytals
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Weeping and Wailing
The narrative pivots from humor to a more serious tone as it addresses societal struggles directly.
This shift enhances the song's depth, contrasting lighthearted elements with poignant reflections on life’s challenges.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Walking in the Sunshine 3:30
- 2 Dansetta 3:14
- 3 Can Can 2:50
- 4 Weeping and Wailing 3:40
- 5 Casablanca (Rags and Riches) 4:50
- 6 Don’t Be Angry 2:34
- 7 Ben E. Wriggle 3:49
- 8 Runaway 3:08
- 9 Never Will Change 3:05
- 10 Only Funkin’ 3:36
- 11 End of the World 3:00
- 12 Gherkin 4:41
- 13 Armchair Disco 3:12
- 14 Night Bus to Dalston (vocal version) 2:14
- 15 Buona Sera 2:52
- 16 The New One 1:05
- 17 No Respect 1:58
- 18 Walking in Sunshine (extended 12″ version) 5:33
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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