Ebeneezer Goode

Infobox Single
Name = Ebeneezer Goode


Artist = The Shamen
Released = September 1992
Format = Multiple
Recorded =
Genre = Techno/Dance
Length = 3:53 (Beat Edit)
Label = One Little Indian
Producer =
Chart position = * #1 (UK)
Last single = "LSI (Love Sex Intelligence)"
(1992)
This single = "Ebeneezer Goode"
(1992)
Next single = "Boss Drum"
(1992)|

"Ebeneezer Goode" is a song by British electronic music group The Shamen, which became their biggest hit when released as a single in September 1992. A heavily remixed version also featured on their album "Boss Drum".

Lyrics

The song is best known for its chorus, "'Eezer Goode, 'Eezer Goode/He's Ebeneezer Goode", which has been construed as a reference to methylenedioxymethamphetamine, better known as Ecstasy or "E": "E's are good, E's are good". [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/totp2/features/top5/drug_songs.shtml "Top 5 Drug Songs"] , BBC Top of the Pops 2] The lyrics present the advantages of the drug, though with an admonition against excessive use:

The song also contains references to rolling a spliff with the lines, "Has anybody got any Veras?" ("Vera Lynn" is rhyming slang for "skin" or rolling paper) and "Got any salmon?" ("salmon and trout" is rhyming slang for "snout" or tobacco).

Band member Mr. C got his inspiration for "Ebeneezer Goode" from the Ecstasy scene in the major London clubs, notably Limelight in the West End.

Music video

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEggVnuPcfY The video] consisted of club scenes intermixed with a caped man (played by Jerry Sadowitz) running round a wasteland.

Performance on Top of the Pops

When the Shamen appeared on Top of the Pops, it was expected that Mr C should tone down the song due to its being broadcast. The group replaced the final lyrics: "Got any Salmon?" - with "Has anyone got any underlay?". The BBC were furious, and dragged Mr C into a room off-camera, to explain himself, only to be told that it was simply a gratuitous "rug" reference. [Bussmann, Jane: "Once In A Lifetime: The Crazy Days of Acid House" (ISBN 0-7535-0260-7)]

Chart performance

The song shot to number one in the British charts (ironically during the BBC's drug awareness week), and stayed there for four weeks.

References