The Complete Beat cover

The Complete Beat

The Beat · 2012

294 min · 80 tracks · new wave

A vibrant fusion of reggae rhythms and punk energy, encapsulating the essence of early 80s British new wave.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Mirror in the Bathroom — This track exemplifies The Beat's signature sound with its infectious melody and sharp commentary on personal isolation amidst societal pressures.
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    Save It for Later — With its captivating hooks and lyrical urgency, this song has become emblematic of the band's ability to merge pop sensibilities with deeper emotional themes.
  • →
    Ranking Full Stop — This track showcases the band's dynamic instrumentation and intricate vocal harmonies while addressing themes of social awareness and self-identity.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • high-energy party starter tracks
  • short bursts of vibrant fun
  • playful irreverence throughout sessions
  • nostalgic vibes for retro enthusiasts
  • varied tempos keeping engagement high

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer lengthy, immersive pieces
  • seek deep emotional introspection

Where this album fits

Career context
The Complete Beat was released in 2012 as a comprehensive anthology capturing The Beat's work from their peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This collection comes after several years of hiatus and reflects on their significant impact in the ska and new wave scenes. By this time, the band's legacy had solidified, particularly through hits like ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’ and ‘Save It for Later.’
Stylistic neighbors
Madness· Squeeze· The Specials

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Save It for Later

    The bridge introduces a shift in perspective, moving from reflection to direct address as it confronts fleeting moments of connection.

    This pivot emphasizes urgency and immediacy, contrasting with the introspective verses and enhancing the song's emotional depth.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Mirror in the Bathroom 3:08
  • 2 Hands Off . . . She's Mine 2:59
  • 3 Two Swords 2:18
  • 4 Twist & Crawl 2:34
  • 5 Tears of a Clown 2:39
  • 6 Rough Rider 4:52
  • 7 Click Click 1:27
  • 8 Ranking Full Stop 2:47
  • 9 Big Shot 2:32
  • 10 Whine & Grine / Stand Down Margaret 3:46
  • 11 Noise in This World 2:16
  • 12 Can't Get Used to Losing You 3:05
  • 13 Best Friend 3:03
  • 14 Jackpot 4:17

Disc 2

  • 1 Too Nice to Talk To 3:07
  • 2 Doors of Your Heart 3:46
  • 3 All Out to Get You 2:45
  • 4 Monkey Murders 3:09
  • 5 I Am Your Flag 2:53
  • 6 French Toast (Soleil Trap Chaud) 3:28
  • 7 Drowning 3:52
  • 8 Dream Home in NZ 3:11
  • 9 Walk Away 3:11
  • 10 Over and Over 2:40
  • 11 Cheated 3:28
  • 12 Get-A-Job 3:10
  • 13 The Limits We Set 4:15
  • 14 Psychedelic Rockers 3:52
  • 15 Hit It 3:02
  • 16 Which Side of the Bed? 4:11

Disc 3

  • 1 I Confess 4:30
  • 2 Jeanette 2:48
  • 3 Sorry 2:32
  • 4 Sole Salvation 3:05
  • 5 Spar Wid Me 4:30
  • 6 Rotating Head 3:24
  • 7 Save It for Later 3:33
  • 8 She's Going 2:09
  • 9 Pato and Roger a Go Talk 3:19
  • 10 Sugar & Stress 2:55
  • 11 End of the Party 3:29
  • 12 Ackee 1 2 3 3:11
  • 13 What's Your Best Thing? 3:47
  • 14 March of the Swivel Heads 3:31
  • 15 Cool Entertainer 3:32
  • 16 A Go Talk (Tappy Luppy dub) 8:38

Disc 4

  • 1 Hands Off . . . She's Mine (extended) 4:35
  • 2 Twist & Crawl (extended) 5:00
  • 3 Stand Down Margaret (dub) 3:33
  • 4 Too Nice to Talk To (Dubweiser) 4:58
  • 5 Psychedelic Rockers (Dubweiser) 5:30
  • 6 Doors of Your Heart (extended) 5:50
  • 7 Drowning (dub) 5:14
  • 8 Hit It (extended) 6:29
  • 9 Which Side of the Bed? (extended) 7:27
  • 10 Save It for Later (extended) 4:53
  • 11 What; S Your Best Thing (dub) 3:49
  • 12 Cool Entertainer (extended) 5:50
  • 13 Jeanette (extended) 4:08
  • 14 March of the Swivel Heads (extended) 5:14
  • 15 I Confess (Dave Allen remix) 5:45

Disc 5

  • 1 Tears of a Clown (Peel Session: November 5, 1979) 2:53
  • 2 Rank Full Stop (Peel Session: November 5, 1979) 3:02
  • 3 Click Click (Peel Session: November 5, 1979) 1:30
  • 4 Mirror in the Bathroom (Peel Session: November 5, 1979) 2:24
  • 5 Big Shot (Peel Session: November 5, 1979) 1:53
  • 6 Too Nice to Talk To (Peel Session: September 22, 1980) 4:10
  • 7 Psychedelic Rockers (Peel Session: September 22, 1980) 4:19
  • 8 Monkey Murders (Peel Session: September 22, 1980) 3:12
  • 9 Walk Away (Peel Session: September 22, 1980) 3:13
  • 10 Spar Wid Me (Peel Session: March 29, 1982) 3:47
  • 11 End of the Party (Peel Session: March 29, 1982) 3:01
  • 12 She's Going (Peel Session: March 29, 1982) 2:06
  • 13 Save It for Later (Peel Session: March 29, 1982) 3:09
  • 14 Sole Salvation (Peel Session: March 29, 1982) 2:43
  • 15 Pato and Roger a Go Talk (Peel Session: March 29, 1982) 4:03
  • 16 Best Friend (Opera House - Boston, MA: November 19, 1982) 2:59
  • 17 Tears of a Clown (Opera House - Boston, MA: November 19, 1982) 3:34
  • 18 Twist & Crawl (Opera House - Boston, MA: November 19, 1982) 2:44
  • 19 Get-A-Job / Stand Down Margaret (Opera House - Boston, MA: November 19, 1982) 6:45

What to play next

Bounce
Listen next

Bounce

2016
Beat This! The best of The English Beat
Go back to

Beat This! The best of The English Beat

2001
Full The Beat discography Artists like The Beat
new wave

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata