The Beat Assembly's debut album is a loud, proud, and unfiltered blast of authentic British ska. Driven by infectious offbeat rhythms and a blazing horn section, this record is the soundtrack for real life, telling stories of rowdy nights out, unwavering friendship, and rejecting the curated perfection of the social media age. It’s a celebration of the daily grind, finding joy in the simple truths, and the defiant spirit of just "keeping it real". This isn't background music; it's an honest, high-energy call to the dance floor that's impossible to ignore.
Why Me?
No Hesitation
Description:
"No Hesitation" is a high-octane ska-punk anthem fueled by a defiant and rebellious spirit. The track's lyrics are a bold declaration of independence, expressing a disregard for reputation and a refusal to follow "silly rules". It champions a philosophy of living life freely and without fear, with the chorus proclaiming, "I'm living free, no hesitation". This energetic track is about facing whatever challenges arise and never looking back.
Lyrics:
They say I’m trouble, but I don’t care,
I’ll do what I want without a scare,
No need to follow their silly rules,
I’ll live my life, break all the fools.
Chorus:
I’m living free, no hesitation,
Whatever comes, I’ll take it all,
No looking back, no fear to fall.
They talk behind, but I just laugh,
They try to judge, but it won’t last,
Every choice I make is mine,
I’ll keep dancing on that line.
Chorus:
I’m living free, no hesitation,
Whatever comes, I’ll take it all,
No looking back, no fear to fall.
I won’t conform, I won’t bow down,
I’ll wear my chaos like a crown,
Let them whisper, let them stare,
I’m out here breathing wild air.
Chorus (Variation):
I’m living free, no hesitation,
Whatever comes, I’ll take it all,
No looking back, no fear to fall.
Bridge:
In this world, I’ll make my mark,
Blazing trails, leaving sparks,
No regrets, no need to plead,
I’ll do what I want, I’ll take the lead.
Final Chorus:
I’m living free, no hesitation,
Whatever comes, I’ll take it all,
No looking back, no fear to fall!
Flying Heys
Description:
"Flying Heys" is a fast-paced and exhilarating ska track, propelled by a classic driving organ and an energetic horn section. The song tells a story of escapism, following a character who soars "above the crowd" in his dreams to "break the chains" of his mundane life. It is a joyous and upbeat ode to the freedom found in imagination, celebrating the thrill of flight and leaving the "city streets and skies of grey" behind.
Lyrics:
Mr. Heys wakes up, same old day,
City streets and skies of grey,
He's clocking in, no time to dream,
But in his mind, he's free, it seems.
The circus calls from far away,
To swing and fly, to feel okay.
Chorus:
Mr. Heys, Flying Heys,
Above the crowd, he's on his way,
From the ground, he'll break the chains,
In the sky, he’ll make his name.
Flying Heys, Flying Heys,
No more ordinary days.
Every day, he walks the line,
Punch the clock, ignore the signs,
But in his heart, the circus roars,
He flips and spins, defying laws.
Through rings of fire, he dares to leap,
In the air, his soul’s at peace.
Chorus:
Mr. Heys, Flying Heys,
Above the crowd, he's on his way,
From the ground, he’ll break the chains,
In the sky, he’ll make his name.
Flying Heys, Flying Heys,
No more ordinary days.
Bridge:
But here he stands, a simple man,
Tied to tasks, no circus plan,
Yet when the night falls, and he sleeps,
The circus comes, in dreams so deep.
Chorus:
Mr. Heys, Flying Heys,
Above the crowd, he's on his way,
From the ground, he’ll break the chains,
In the sky, he’ll make his name.
Flying Heys, Flying Heys,
No more ordinary days.
Outro:
Mr. Heys, Flying Heys,
Forever free in circus ways.
Hey, Hey, Watch Her Sway
Description:
With its hypnotic, reggae-infused groove, "Hey, Hey, Watch Her Sway" paints a vivid picture of a woman gracefully navigating the chaos of her day. The lyrics describe her "whirlwind life" as her "own ballet," where she turns "her trials into her craft". It’s an infectious and cool-headed tribute to everyday resilience, celebrating the person who can smile "through the hectic haze" and handle it all with "grace under pressure".
Lyrics:
Hey, hey, watch her play,
In this whirlwind life, she finds her way!
Mornings rush, the world awakes,
Porridge warms, whatever it takes.
Maps redrawn every single day,
She’s finding paths in her own ballet.
Chorus:
Step by step, she sees it through,
A dance of chaos, but her aim is true.
Laugh it off, what can you do?
In every stumble, she finds a clue.
Meetings blend into lunchtime chats,
Plans change, adapt to this and that.
Juggling lover, her friends craze,
Yet she smiles through the hectic haze.
Bridge:
Spin around, take a breath,
In her eyes, there’s no sign of defeat.
Grace under pressure, a quiet laugh,
She turns her trials into her craft.
Chorus:
Step by step, she sees it through,
A dance of chaos, but her aim is true.
Laugh it off, what can you do?
In every stumble, she finds a clue.
Evenings come, the stars take stage,
Her life’s a book, she’s her own sage.
Dreams plotted in her midnight scribbles,
Each line drawn, a riddle to kindle.
Outro:
Hey, hey, watch her sway,
In this whirlwind life, she makes her play!
Why Me?
Description:
Driven by a classic, upbeat ska rhythm, "Why Me?" is a comically tragic tale of a day where everything goes wrong. The cheerful music stands in sharp contrast to the lyrics, which detail a string of bad luck from waking up late and losing a job to a car breaking down. It’s a relatable anthem for anyone who has ever felt like the world is against them, asking the simple, universal question: "Why me?".
Lyrics:
I wake up late, my alarm didn’t ring,
Lost my job, now I’m juggling things,
Bills are piling, stress is high,
Feels like the whole world’s passing me by.
Pre-Chorus:
Why does it seem like the sky’s falling down?
Every step forward just spins me around.
Chorus:
Why me? Why me? Can’t catch a break,
Every move I make feels like a mistake,
Life keeps throwing punches, I can’t see,
I’m asking the world, why me, why me?
Missed the train, now I’m stuck in the rain,
Just when I thought I’d shake off the pain,
But the harder I try, the harder I fall,
Feels like life’s got me backed to the wall.
Chorus Variation:
Why me? Why me? Can’t catch a break,
Every move I make feels like a mistake,
Life keeps throwing punches, I can’t see,
I’m asking the world, why me, why me?
Guitar Solo
Breakdown:
Why me? Why me?
The world’s heavy, it’s pulling me down,
But somehow, I’m still holding my ground.
Final Chorus:
Why me? Why me? Can’t catch a break,
Every move I make feels like a mistake,
Life keeps throwing punches, I can’t see,
I’m asking the world, why me, why me?
True Blue Crew
Description:
"True Blue Crew" is a feel-good, high-energy ska anthem dedicated to the unbreakable bond of friendship. It’s a powerful tribute to the friends you can always count on, the ones who have been "a rock when skies were grey". While the track carries the foundational, danceable spirit of early Jamaican ska exemplified by classics like "Monkey Man", its sound is a direct nod to the British Two-Tone movement. The frantic tempo, sharp horn stabs, and an anthemic chorus made for shouting along with your mates clearly channel the energy of that era. It’s a powerful ode to "standing strong with the true blue crew".
Lyrics:
This one's for the faithful,
Strong, strong... True Blue Crew!
Chorus:
Hey hey hey, hey hey hey!
Tell you, friend,
You're part of the true blue crew.
Hey hey hey, hey hey hey!
Tell you, friend,
You're part of the true blue crew.
I never told you, I always felt it,
Standing strong with the true blue crew.
I never told you, I always felt it,
Standing strong with the true blue crew.
Bridge:
No doubt, no doubt,
Everyone sees,
You stand by the true blue crew.
Now I get that, now it’s clear,
You’ve been a rock when skies were grey.
Now I get that, now it’s clear,
You’ve been a rock when skies were grey.
Chorus:
Hey hey hey, hey hey hey!
Tell you, friend,
You're part of the true blue crew.
Hey hey hey, hey hey hey!
Tell you, friend,
You're part of the true blue crew.
Crossing paths on our journey wide,
I found a friend who always stands by.
With laughs in her pockets, courage in her heart,
Sings a song of friendship, plays the truest part.
'Cause she's a friend, 'cause she's a pal,
'Cause she’s a member of the true blue crew.
Chorus:
Hey hey hey, hey hey hey!
Tell you, friend,
You're part of the true blue crew.
Outro:
We are all the faithful,
Strong, strong... True Blue Crew!
Echoes in the Crowd
Description:
Riding a smooth, mid-tempo reggae groove, "Echoes in the Crowd" explores the classic ska contrast between danceable music and introspective lyrics. The song delves into the feeling of social isolation, telling the story of someone who stands "in a sea of faces" but feels completely "alone". It’s a thoughtful look at being "surrounded yet secluded," searching for a connection that feels just out of reach while putting on a brave face ("I nod and I smile, but inside I scream").
Lyrics:
In a sea of faces, I stand alone,
Smiles all around, but my mind's in a zone.
Laughing and dancing, they all seem to find,
A connection I miss, lost in my mind.
Chorus:
Echoes in the crowd, they just bounce around,
Trying to speak, but I can't find the sound.
Surrounded yet secluded, in thoughts I'm bound,
I'm here but I'm hidden, in plain sight but not found.
They talk and they talk, words fly like the breeze,
But their words just drift, like leaves off the trees.
I nod and I smile, but inside I scream,
Wishing my thoughts could be heard, not just seen.
Chorus:
Echoes in the crowd, they just bounce around,
Trying to speak, but I can't find the sound.
Surrounded yet secluded, in thoughts I'm bound,
I'm here but I'm hidden, in plain sight but not found.
Bridge:
In this bustling space, the silence grows deep,
A fortress of solitude, even in a heap.
Is there a key to unlock this gate,
To connect with the world, to open and relate?
Outro:
So I'll dance to the beat of my own drum,
In the midst of the crowd, to the sound of my hum.
Maybe one day, my voice will break through,
Until then, I'll find peace in my view.
I'll continue with the remaining tracks!
In My Street
Description:
With its gritty, streetwise rhythm, "In My Street" is an unflinching piece of social commentary set to a driving ska beat. The track paints an honest picture of the daily grind, describing "ordinary lives with stories untold" and people who "fight through the day just to get by". It’s a powerful observation of the struggles and resilience found in an environment where there are "no big dreams, no future in sight," just the will to survive.
Lyrics:
Early morning rise, same old shoes,
Walking to work with nothing to lose,
They carry the weight of a world gone cold,
Ordinary lives, but their stories unfold.
Refrain:
They fight through the day, just to get by,
Living on the edge, never asking why,
No big dreams, no future in sight,
But they survive through the endless night.
Neighbours on the block, they know the score,
Struggling for rent, always needing more,
Some turn to smoke, others to drink,
In the cracks of life, they try not to sink.
Refrain:
They fight through the day, just to get by,
Living on the edge, never asking why,
No big dreams, no future in sight,
But they survive through the endless night.
Interlude:
In the streetlights’ glare, shadows fall,
But these people, they stand tall.
Some days it feels like the world’s on fire,
Low-income dreams getting buried in mire,
But they find a way, they find a spark,
To keep on pushing through the dark.
Final Refrain:
They fight through the day, just to get by,
Living on the edge, never asking why,
No big dreams, no future in sight,
But they survive through the endless night.
Coda:
They survive, oh they survive…
Keeping It Real
Description:
"Keeping It Real" is a joyful anthem for authenticity, set to a classic, feel-good ska rhythm. The track is a proud and defiant response to the pressure of online perfection, declaring, "My life ain't made for your social feed / No perfect pictures, just what I need". It champions a simpler, more genuine existence, trading "trendy coffees" and "posh meals" for "a cup of tea and a well-worn chair". It’s a fun, danceable reminder to live honestly and find happiness in what's real.
Lyrics:
They all show their fancy lives, online every day,
But my flat's a mess, I’ve got nothin’ to display,
No glitter, no glam, just the grind and the grime,
While they’re on the yachts, I’m counting my time.
Pre-Chorus:
But this is me, this is real!
No need for filters or some big deal.
Chorus:
My life ain’t made for your social feed,
No perfect pictures, just what I need,
Ain’t meeting stars, ain’t dining in style,
Just keeping it real, living all the while.
No trendy coffees, no posh meals to share,
Just a cuppa tea, and a well-worn chair,
My walls ain’t fancy, my clothes ain’t new,
But I’m getting by, with a view that’s true.
Pre-Chorus:
But this is me, this is real!
No need for filters or some big deal.
Chorus:
My life ain’t made for your social feed,
No perfect pictures, just what I need,
Ain’t meeting stars, ain’t dining in style,
Just keeping it real, living all the while.
Spoken Interlude:
"So here I am, staring at me plate,
Beans on toast, no Instagram-worthy bait,
Ain’t no avocado or fancy cuisine,
Just something simple, if you know what I mean.
No one’s gonna ‘like’ this humble spread,
But hey, it fills me up, keeps me fed."
Bridge:
They’re chasing likes, but I’ll stay grounded,
Their flashy lives, I’m just surrounded,
But here in the chaos, I find my peace,
Not living for others, my own release.
Final Chorus:
My life ain’t made for your social feed,
No perfect pictures, just what I need,
Ain’t meeting stars, ain’t dining in style,
Just keeping it real, living all the while!
Peekaboo
Description:
"Peekaboo" is a charming and playful ska tune that uses the classic children's game as a metaphor for a fun, cat-and-mouse romance. With its catchy horn lines and a fun, teasing vocal, the track captures the energy of a flirtatious game of hide-and-seek. The lyrics paint a picture of "shuffling feet, eyes meet, quick retreat," all building up to the joyful chorus of "Peekaboo, I see you". It's an irresistibly upbeat and lighthearted song that's guaranteed to make you smile.
Lyrics:
Hey, hey, let the trumpets play,
It’s a game we play in our own unique way!
Shuffling feet, eyes meet, quick retreat,
Laughing in the rhythm of the street.
Hide and seek, feelings peek, oh so sleek,
Dancing close but always cheek to cheek.
Chorus:
Peekaboo, I see you,
Hiding smiles under the moonlit hue.
Peekaboo, feelings true,
Under the stars, something new.
Tap of the drum, where's it from?
Underneath the laughter, something's begun.
Twirling around, no words found,
In the beat, our secrets are bound.
Chorus:
Peekaboo, I see you,
Giggles echo in the midnight blue.
Peekaboo, hearts pursue,
In the dance, our spirits renew.
Talk of dreams, sharing memes, flowing streams,
Finding joy in each other’s extremes.
No need to hide, side by side, in stride,
Friendship’s tune, on this ride we abide.
Outro:
Hey, hey, let’s just say,
It’s a peekaboo love in our joyful play!
Summer in Clapham
Description:
Summer in Clapham" is a high-speed, celebratory ska-punk anthem for anyone who has ever had to make their own fun close to home. The track is a joyous ode to the "staycation," for when you "couldn't make it to the beach this year" but the local vibe "will steer right here". It’s a burst of pure, chaotic energy, capturing the feeling of "Pimm's in the park" under a bright sun. The chorus is a triumphant shout: "We take our summer in Clapham town / Laughing, dancing all around!".
Lyrics:
Got our bags packed, ready to roll,
Clapham's where our summer stole,
Couldn't make it to the beach this year,
But in Clapham, we’ll cheer right here.
Chorus:
We take our summer in Clapham town!
Laughing, dancing, all around,
No seaside breeze, but it's all good,
Clapham's got the neighbourhood!
Picnics in the park, sun shining bright,
Clapham Common, feeling right,
We didn’t need no ocean view,
Clapham's vibe is something new.
Bridge:
Under trees, we find our peace,
Clapham’s charm will never cease,
No regrets, no fancy frills,
Just making memories in the hills.
Final Chorus:
We take our summer in Clapham town!
Laughing, dancing, all around,
No seaside breeze, but it's all good,
Clapham's got the neighbourhood!
Outro:
Clap, Clap, Clapham!