THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

465-The Mock Turtles-Can You Dig It?

1991-Number 18 single. It was also remixed and reissued in 2003, reaching Number 19.

Best Bit-At 0.27. In 2002 Vodafone wanted to use the track in a £25 million advertising campaign and needed the songs writer Martin Coogan’s permission, he said, ‘Where do I sign.’

The Mock Turtles were formed in 1985, in Middleton, Greater Manchester, England, by Martin Coogan, (vocals, guitar, and percussion) Martin Glyn Murray, (guitar) Steve Cowan, (drums) Steve Green, (bass) and Krzysztof Korab, (keyboards) the group have never officially split, although there has been no new music since 1991. There have been eight different official members come and go, with Martin Coogan, and Martin Glyn Murray, being the groups only two constants. Martin Coogan is the elder brother of both the comedian Steve Coogan, and the television presenter Brendan Coogan. The Mock Turtles took their name from the fictional character devised by Lewis Carroll (1832-1898) (see also best songs 512-157 and 80) in his 1865 book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ Because of the bands name some people thought (including myself) that The Mock Turtles were a spoof band, and were just imitating the ‘Madchester’ (see also best songs 844-580-490 and 489) sound of the early 1990’s. The discography of The Mock Turtles includes one studio Album ‘Turtle Soup,’ released in 1990, and 10 singles and extended plays (EP’s) released between 1987-2003, there are are also three official compilation Albums available. In the UK, ‘Can You Dig It?’ is their only top 40 hit, having charted twice, in 1991, and then as a remix in 2003, while that songs follow up in 1991, ‘And Then She Smiles,’ made Number 44.

‘Can You Dig It?’ was one of four singles released from The Mock Turtles only studio Album to date ‘Turtle Soup,’ from 1990, the song was co-written by Martin Coogan, with the production being by Martin Coogan, and Pete Smith, who began his career as an engineer in 1979. His first work as a producer was with the English ‘New Wave’ band ‘Re-Flex’ in 1980, who were on tour with the ‘Police,’ (see also best songs 1020 and 727) which led to him producing the Police’s 1983 live Album ‘Live!’ He has since gone on to produce two solo Albums for Sting, and worked with other artists of the calibre of Gary Moore, (1952-2011) Squeeze, and Joe Cocker (1944-2014.)

‘Can You Dig It?’ was originally released as the ‘B’ side to The Mock Turtles fourth single release ‘Lay Me Down,’ from 1990, but after new guitar parts were added, it was deemed worthy of an ‘A’ side release. Martin Coogan had been watching the 1979 American thriller film ‘The Warrior’ which features the rallying call ‘Can You Dig It? and thought it would make a good title for a song. Martin Coogan has said, ‘We recorded a track called ‘Lay Me Down’ and my manager said: ‘What’s the B-side?’ I said: ‘I haven’t written it yet.’ He said: ‘Just give me a title.’ I said: ‘Can You Dig It?’ The following evening I had friends round for dinner and had to excuse myself to write the song in the back room. When we signed to Siren they wanted us to re-record ‘Can You Dig It?’ and it was a hit.’ Coogan has also said that the song had been loosely based on the theme from a children’s television programme with ghosts and a pantomime horse.

The Mock Turtles can be filed under the musical genres of ‘Indie Dance,’ ‘Baggy,’ and ‘Shoegazing,’ (see also best songs 336.) ‘Baggy’ is a British ‘Alternative Dance’ genre which was popular in the late 1980’s, and early 1990’s, and was generally associated with the Northern UK’s ‘Madchester’ scene. The style saw ‘Alternative Rock’ bands draw influence from ‘Psychedelia,’ as well as ‘Dance Music.’ The genesis of ‘Indie-Dance’ was the ‘Balearic’ beat scene where there were DJ’s playing an eclectic mix of records, including such ‘Rock/Dance’ crossovers like the 1987 track ‘Jesus on the Payroll,’ by the English Rock band Thrashing Doves, and there were also producers like Paul Oakenfold, (see also best songs 580) and also the ‘Indie Music’ scene in the North West of England, which featured Tony Wilson’s (1950-2007) (see also best songs 844) ‘Factory Records,’ and former ‘Post-Punk’ band the Stone Roses (see also best songs 979 and 253) in Manchester. The name ‘Baggy’ came from the way that followers of the genre dressed, wearing baggy jeans, often flared, alongside brightly coloured or tie-dye casual tops, and in general 1960’s style became fashionable, first in Manchester, and then across the country, frequently topped off with a fishing hat in the style sported by the Stone Roses’ drummer Reni.

In 2002 the British multinational telecommunications company. ‘Vodafone’ used ‘Can You Dig It?’ in UK television advertisements. On the strength of that Martin Coogan commissioned a remix of the track by Fatboy Slim (see also best songs 760-387 and 95) and Simon Thornton, which saw the new version re-enter the UK top 40, and reach Number 19 in 2003, Vodafone continued their advertising campaign using the remix instead of the original.

‘Can You Dig It?’ tells the story of someone coming out of a relationship where he has been mistreated. His ex partner thinks they only have to snap their fingers and he will come running back, but they are wrong because now he is stronger.

‘Can you understand me now, I’ll get through somehow. You won’t ever get me down, won’t see me hanging around.’