Be Stiff
Encyclopedia
"Be Stiff" is the third single by New Wave
group Devo
, released in 1977. The song was taken from the sessions for Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
that were being produced by Brian Eno
at the time.
It became an anthem for Stiff Records
, and a minor success in the UK. It was covered multiple times, including on a Stiff-released EP of their own artists's interpretations. It was performed in 1980 and live recordings appear on DEV-O Live
and Devo Live 1980
. It was also performed as an encore on the Freedom of Choice
shows of Devo's November 2009 tour.
, recorded in either 1974 or 1975. Live recordings of the song from Devo's 1980 tour have been released on DEV-O Live
and Devo Live 1980
and an alternate demo version (erroneously labeled as an "alternate mix" of the single version) appears on the compilation Recombo DNA
.
In 1978, Stiff released an EP (catalog number ODD-2) featuring six artists from the "Be Stiff '78" tour performing version of "Be Stiff". The artists were Lene Lovich
, Mickey Jupp
, Wreckless Eric
, Rachel Sweet
, Jona Lewie
and The Be Stiff Ensemble (led by Lene Lovich). A site devoted to Mickey Jupp gives the following regarding this recording: "All versions were recorded on the Stiff mobile at a sound check during the tour one very cold October afternoon. Mickey Jupp's version is simply a twelve-bar. The guitar player, Peter Gosling. said, "We just played a twelve-bar a couple of times, Mickey wrote down some words and we recorded it the third time round. It was all over in half an hour," Wreckless Eric's version was done on the second play-through. He just sang the words, "Be Stiff" over and over again, then Brady suddenly decided to put in a bit out of Hendrix's "Purple Haze". "I fluffed it the first time but got it right two bars later," he reported. It's all there on the record. Rachel's version is plain country and Jona's is just Jonas., The final version on the album is the full blown live version. It was always moving to see five bands on stage laughing and joking their way through this last number in the set. The rhythm section is great... three drummers!"
In 1982, Toni Basil
released a version of "Be Stiff" on her album Word of Mouth
, featuring music recorded by Devo.
The version of "Social Fools" featured on the b-side of the single is a Devo-produced studio version. A second studio version produced by Brian Eno was later issued as the b-side of the "Come Back Jonee" 7" single.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
group Devo
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
, released in 1977. The song was taken from the sessions for Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Question: Are We Not Men? Answer: We Are Devo!
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! is the debut album by the American new wave music band Devo. Produced by Brian Eno, it was recorded primarily in Cologne, Germany and released in the U.S. by Warner Bros. Records company in 1978....
that were being produced by Brian Eno
Brian Eno
Brian Peter George St. John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno , commonly known as Brian Eno or simply as Eno , is an English musician, composer, record producer, singer and visual artist, known as one of the principal innovators of ambient music.Eno studied at Colchester Institute art school in Essex,...
at the time.
It became an anthem for Stiff Records
Stiff Records
Stiff Records is a record label created in London in 1976, by entrepreneurs Dave Robinson and Andrew Jakeman , and active until 1985. It was reactivated in 2007....
, and a minor success in the UK. It was covered multiple times, including on a Stiff-released EP of their own artists's interpretations. It was performed in 1980 and live recordings appear on DEV-O Live
DEV-O Live
DEV-O LIVE is a live EP by the New Wave band Devo. It was recorded during the Freedom of Choice tour of 1980, at The Fox Warfield Theatre. Initially only six songs from the show were released on an EP in 1981, intended for airplay use...
and Devo Live 1980
Devo Live 1980
DEVO Live 1980 is a DualDisc release by pioneering New Wave/Alternative rock band Devo.The release documents a performance by the influential quintet during their Freedom of Choice tour, when the band was gaining mainstream success on the strength of the Freedom of Choice album and their first...
. It was also performed as an encore on the Freedom of Choice
Freedom of Choice
Freedom of Choice is the third album by New Wave musicians Devo, released on May 16, 1980. It saw the band moving in more of an overt synthpop direction, even though guitars still played a prominent role....
shows of Devo's November 2009 tour.
Covers and alternate versions
An early demo of "Be Stiff" with a very different sound appears on the collection Hardcore Devo: Volume TwoHardcore Devo: Volume Two
Hardcore Devo: Volume Two is the second collection of demos released by the post-punk/new wave band Devo. It is currently out of print.-Overview:...
, recorded in either 1974 or 1975. Live recordings of the song from Devo's 1980 tour have been released on DEV-O Live
DEV-O Live
DEV-O LIVE is a live EP by the New Wave band Devo. It was recorded during the Freedom of Choice tour of 1980, at The Fox Warfield Theatre. Initially only six songs from the show were released on an EP in 1981, intended for airplay use...
and Devo Live 1980
Devo Live 1980
DEVO Live 1980 is a DualDisc release by pioneering New Wave/Alternative rock band Devo.The release documents a performance by the influential quintet during their Freedom of Choice tour, when the band was gaining mainstream success on the strength of the Freedom of Choice album and their first...
and an alternate demo version (erroneously labeled as an "alternate mix" of the single version) appears on the compilation Recombo DNA
Recombo DNA
Recombo DNA is a collection of studio demos and unreleased tracks by the band Devo. It was released in 2000 by Rhino Handmade and limited to 5,000 copies....
.
In 1978, Stiff released an EP (catalog number ODD-2) featuring six artists from the "Be Stiff '78" tour performing version of "Be Stiff". The artists were Lene Lovich
Lene Lovich
Lene Lovich is an American singer based in England, who first gained attention as part of the New Wave music scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Her most popular hit single was "Lucky Number", first released in 1979.-Early years:...
, Mickey Jupp
Mickey Jupp
Michael 'Mickey' Jupp is an English musician and songwriter, mainly associated with the Southend music scene....
, Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric is an English rock and roll/new wave singer-songwriter, best known for his 1977 single " Whole Wide World" on Stiff Records. More than two decades after its release, the song was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time...
, Rachel Sweet
Rachel Sweet
Rachel Sweet is an American singer, television writer and actress.-Biography:After beginning her singing career at the age of three, when she won an electric garage door opener in a singing contest, she began recording commercials at the age of six, toured with Mickey Rooney, and performed in Las...
, Jona Lewie
Jona Lewie
Jona Lewie is an English singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.-Career:Jona Lewie joined his first group, The Johnston City Jazz Band, while still at school in 1963, and by 1968 had become a blues & boogie singer and piano player...
and The Be Stiff Ensemble (led by Lene Lovich). A site devoted to Mickey Jupp gives the following regarding this recording: "All versions were recorded on the Stiff mobile at a sound check during the tour one very cold October afternoon. Mickey Jupp's version is simply a twelve-bar. The guitar player, Peter Gosling. said, "We just played a twelve-bar a couple of times, Mickey wrote down some words and we recorded it the third time round. It was all over in half an hour," Wreckless Eric's version was done on the second play-through. He just sang the words, "Be Stiff" over and over again, then Brady suddenly decided to put in a bit out of Hendrix's "Purple Haze". "I fluffed it the first time but got it right two bars later," he reported. It's all there on the record. Rachel's version is plain country and Jona's is just Jonas., The final version on the album is the full blown live version. It was always moving to see five bands on stage laughing and joking their way through this last number in the set. The rhythm section is great... three drummers!"
In 1982, Toni Basil
Toni Basil
Antonia Christina Basilotta , better known by her stage name Toni Basil, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, filmmaker, film director, choreographer, and dancer, best known for her multi-million-selling worldwide #1 hit "Mickey" from 1982.-Early life:Basil was born Antonia Christina...
released a version of "Be Stiff" on her album Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth (Toni Basil album)
Word of Mouth is Toni Basil's debut album. It was released in 1982. It was certified Gold by RIAA. It featured the #1 worldwide hit "Mickey". The album also contains 3 covers of songs by the band Devo who also performed on the songs...
, featuring music recorded by Devo.
The version of "Social Fools" featured on the b-side of the single is a Devo-produced studio version. A second studio version produced by Brian Eno was later issued as the b-side of the "Come Back Jonee" 7" single.
Chart positions
| Chart (1977) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
71 |