THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

554-Scritti Politti-Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin.)

1984-Number 10 single.

Best Bit-At 1.03.’The moment I wake up, before I put on my makeup.’ (see also best songs 644.)

Scritti Politti were formed in Leeds, England, in 1977 by Green Gartside, who was born Paul Strohmeyer on June 22nd, 1955, in Cardiff, Wales, and his childhood friend Nial Jinks, the original trio were completed by Tom Morley who Gartside had met while the two were studying at Leeds Polytechnic.The name ‘Scritti Politti’ was chosen as a homage to the Italian Marxist writer Antonio Gramsci (1891-1937.) The correct spelling in Italian to refer to ‘Political Writings’ would have produced ‘Scritti Politici,’ but Gartside changed it to ‘Scritti Politti,’ as he thought it sounded more ‘Rock N’ Roll.

‘Scritti Politti originally started out life as a Punk Rock group, inspired by the Sex Pistols, and The Damned, but after the release of their debut Album ‘Songs to Remember’ in 1982, Gartside grew tired of their musical style, and was becoming influenced by American Funk/Soul acts like Chic, The Jacksons, and Aretha Franklin. This caused the parting of the ways with Jinks, and Morley, who were replaced by David Gamson, and Fred Maher, for the bands second Album. In total there have been five studio Albums released between 1982-2006, with Gartside being the bands one constant.

‘Wood Beez’ was the seventh single release by Scritti Politti in 1984, becoming their first UK hit, it was later added to their second studio Album ‘Cupid & Psyche 85,’ from 1985. The song was written by Green Gartside, and produced by the legendary music producer, and arranger Arif Mardin (1932-2006,) who had worked with Aretha Franklin previously.

‘Wood Beez’ isn’t just a declaration of love, it borders on complete infatuation of someone. The narrator states that there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for this person, stating that he prays every night just like Aretha Franklin, in her 1968 hit ‘I Say a Little Prayer.’

‘There’s nothing I wouldn’t take oh, even intravenous. There’s nothing I wouldn’t take, to get to be approved. There’s nothing I wouldn’t be, oh that’s the gift of schizo.’