When a song title casually pops into your head, and it resonates so perfectly with the day, it feels like more than just coincidence. That’s exactly what happened when “Save It for Later” by The Beat surfaced while reflecting on another tune. It was a pleasant reminder of a track I hadn’t heard in ages, and as it turned out, an unexpectedly fitting choice for today’s exploration.
The Beat, known as The English Beat in North America and The British Beat in Australia, emerged from Birmingham, England in 1978. Pioneers of the new wave and ska revival scene, they delivered infectious rhythms and socially conscious lyrics until their initial split in 1983. Though they’ve reformed in later years, their early material cemented their place in music history.
Thinking about The Beat brings back memories of my younger days. As mentioned in a previous post about The The’s “Uncertain Smile,” a friend once took me to see a band around the early 80s. For years, I’ve pondered whether it was actually The Beat or their offshoot band, General Public. The hazy recollections point towards General Public, especially since I vaguely recall hearing “Tenderness,” their 1984 hit. Concert archives from Winnipeg during that period are elusive, adding to the mystery. Perhaps the details will forever remain in the fog of time, much like memories from high school reunions.
Regardless of the specific concert, the music of The Beat, General Public, and Fine Young Cannibals formed the soundtrack of those vibrant 80s nights. Their danceable tracks were staples in the nightclubs where my “friends 2.0” crew and I spent our evenings, forging friendships and memories to a ska-infused beat.
But beyond the personal nostalgia, “Save It for Later” stands on its own as a compelling song. Let’s delve into the lyrics:
Two dozen other dirty lovers
Must be a sucker for it
Cry cry but I don’t need my mother
Just hold my hand while I come to a decision on it
Sooner or later
Your legs give way, you hit the ground
Save it for later
Don’t run away and let me down
Sooner or later
You hit the deck, you get found out
Save it for later
Don’t run away and let me down
You let me down
Black air and seven seas are rotten through
But what can you do?
I don’t know how I’m meant to act with all of you lot
Sometimes you don’t try
Just now now now now now now now now now now now
Now now now now now now now now now now now
Sooner or later
Your legs give way, you hit the ground
Save it for later
Don’t run away and let me down
Sooner or later
You hit the deck, you get found out
Save it for later
Don’t run away and let me down
You let me down
You runaway, runaway and let me down
Two dozen other stupid reasons
Why we should suffer for this
Don’t bother trying to explain them
Just hold my hand while I come to a decision on it
Sooner or later
Your legs give way, you hit the ground
Save it for later
Don’t run away and let me down
Sooner or later
You hit the deck, you get found out
Save it for later
Don’t run away and let me down
You let me down
You run away run away
Runaway runaway runaway, runaway, and let me down
These lyrics, penned by Andy Cox, Dave Wakeling, David Steele, Everett Morton, and Roger Charlery (aka Ranking Roger), capture a sense of youthful confusion and defiance.
In an interview with SongFacts, Dave Wakeling, The Beat’s vocalist and guitarist, revealed the song’s origins: “I wrote it when I was a teenager… It was about turning from a teenager to someone in their 20s, and realizing that the effortless promise for your teenage years was not necessarily going to show that life was so simple as you started to grow up. So it was about being lost, about not really knowing your role in the world, trying to find your place in the world… So it was like ‘keep your advice to yourself. Save it – for later.’”
This explanation resonates deeply with the song’s title and its recurring plea to “save it for later.” It’s an anthem of youthful impatience, a rejection of unsolicited advice, and a yearning for self-discovery. The energetic ska rhythm, however, contrasts with the lyrical themes of uncertainty, creating a dynamic tension that makes the song so compelling.
Speaking of “saving it for later,” there’s an amusing parallel in my recent experience. My partner and I managed an unusual feat of self-control: resisting the lure of Halloween candy. We bought boxes of discounted treats a month prior, anticipating the usual pre-Halloween indulgence, but remarkably, we haven’t touched them. This unexpected restraint might just pay off, especially with the unusually cold Halloween weather this year. Perhaps we’ll have a surplus to “save for later” indeed!
The official music video for “Save It for Later” amplifies the song’s playful yet slightly eerie vibe. Set in a cavernous club filled with costumed figures and skeletons, the video perfectly captures a Halloween atmosphere. Initially, the club-goers are hesitant, but the infectious energy of The Beat soon has everyone dancing. It’s a visual representation of the song’s ability to win people over, to get them moving, even if they were initially reluctant.
“Save It for Later” was a single from Special Beat Service (1982), The Beat’s final studio album before their initial disbandment. It’s a fitting track to represent their blend of ska, reggae, and new wave, and its enduring appeal speaks volumes about its quality and relatability.
So, there you have it – the story behind “Save It for Later,” my Song of the Day. It’s a track that blends youthful angst with irresistible rhythm, a song that encourages you to think about finding your own path while moving your feet.
Check out the official music video on The Beat’s YouTube channel:
Stay Spooky,
Steve
