THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

392-The Shamen-Ebeneezer Goode.

1992-Number 1 single.

Best Bit-At 1.09.When The Shamen appeared on Top of the Pops they had to tone down the song due to it’s drug references. The groups Rapper Mr C replaced the final lyric ‘Got any salmon?'(salmon is rhyming slang for ‘salmon and trout,’-‘snout’) to ‘Got any underlay?’ He was later asked about this in a radio interview, to which he replied that it was not a drug reference, but a ‘rug’ reference.

The Shamen were formed in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1985, in total 13 different members came and went until the band were retired in 1999. The three founding members were Colin Angus, Derek McKenzie, and Keith McKenzie, they were soon joined by Peter Stephenson. Their debut Album ‘Drop’ released in 1987 was a mixture of Psychedelic Rock, and Alternative Rock, a far cry from what they would eventually become best known for. By mid 1987 frontman Colin Angus was becoming interested in Dance music, which was integrated in to the bands sound, and was furthered by the addition of a new member Will Sinnott (1960-1991.) Angus and Sinnott’s interest in Acid House music grew, causing the departure of Keith McKenzie, and Peter Stephenson, who were not fans of the bands new direction. The Shamen’s transition to a Dance Music act was complete with the addition of Richard West (Mr C) and ‘Evil’ Eddie Edwards in 1989. In total The Shamen released eight studio Albums between 1987-1998, and 28 singles between 1985-1998, of which 11 reached the UK top 40.

‘Ebeneezer Goode’ was co-written by Colin Angus, and Mr C, the original version of the song appears on The Shamen’s fifth studio Album ‘Boss Drum’ from 1992. For it’s single release ‘Ebeneezer Goode’ received a remix by the ‘Beatmasters’ who were then the duo of Manda Glanfield, and Paul Carter, they had also previously worked on The Shamen’s 1991 UK Number 4 hit ‘Move Any Mountain.’ The Beatmasters had previously had success with four UK top 20 hits in the late 1980’s, including ‘Rok da House’ which was recorded in 1986, and is considered one of the earliest examples of ‘Hip House,’ and thought by many to be the first song of that genre.

‘Ebeneezer Goode’ is one of the most controversial songs to reach Number 1, due to it’s perceived endorsement of recreational drug use, although it does warn us to be careful in how many we take, as they can be harmful. The songs chorus ‘Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode’ is audibly identical to ‘E’s are good,’E’ being common slang for the drug ecstasy. The songs opening line ‘A great philosopher once wrote,’ is a sample of the voice of the actor Malcolm McDowell, taken from the 1973 film ‘O Lucky Man!’

‘There’s a guy in the place who’s got a bittersweet face, and he goes by the name of Ebeneezer Goode. His friends call him ‘Ezeer and he is the main geezer, and he’ll vibe up the place like no other man could.’