Remember these 80's Gems? #1 - "I Confess"

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Cue the trumpets and the fanfare, because we're at #1 in my Remember these 80's Gems? series. This designation belongs to The Beat, and their single "I Confess." The Beat (known as The English Beat here in the States) were, along with Madness and The Specials, the band that made ska a profitable genre in the 1980's. Their classic lineup consisted of vocalist/guitarist Dave Wakeling, vocalist Ranking Roger, guitarist Andy Cox, bassist David Steele, saxophonist Saxa, and drummer Everett Morton. Their 3rd album, Special Beat Service, contained two singles, including "I Confess." Upon listening, you'll notice how very un-ska "I Confess" is. In fact, with it's lovely piano and fun horns, "I Confess" is a great pop song if I ever heard one. When The Beat imploded, we fans got two new bands out of the deal: General Public and Fine Young Cannibals. Heck, you can still (sort of) see The Beat, as there are two of them. Dave Wakeling fronts The English Beat Starring Dave Wakeling, while Ranking Roger is front and center in The Beat Featuring Ranking Roger. In other words, these guys don't care all that much for each other. In fact, according to Wikipedia, VH1 tried to get the group back together for their Bands Reunited show, only the band wanted nothing to do with it. In the meantime, until that ever happens, we'll always have "I Confess."