Just Be Good to Green
Encyclopedia
"Just Be Good to Green" is a reworked cover of "Dub Be Good to Me
" by British recording artist Professor Green
from his second studio album
, Alive Till I'm Dead
. Featuring pop singer Lily Allen
, the song was released as the second single
by Virgin Records
in Australia on 25 June 2010, and in the UK on 11 July 2010.
and, at the time, featured Neon Hitch
on the chorus. Though when The Beats folded the track was put on hold.
In 2009, Professor Green stated that the collaboration between him and Allen started after a conversation on Facebook
:
However, the vocal's melody comes from the original song by The SOS Band
, "Just Be Good to Me
" (from the album On the Rise
, 1983, Tabu Records). This vocal part has been since covered many times in different house tracks, such as Kandy Wesley (Airplay Records, 1999) and Dr Kucho! (Spinnin' Record, 2009). The bass line originally comes from the famous song by The Clash
"The Guns of Brixton
".
gave the song three out of five stars, stating "[Green's] rhymes aren't as ear-snagging as they were last time out, but Allen certainly does justice to that melody".
premiered on 21 May 2010 on Professor Green's official YouTube
account. He commented,
. On 23 June 2010, Camden Venue Proud Gallery celebrated its second birthday with Professor Green performing on the night. Though as he went through his set, Amy Winehouse
unexpectedly joined him live on stage to sing Allen's part on "Just Be Good to Green". The track was also supposed to be promoted on Scott Mills
' Radio 1 Show
and Alan Carr: Chatty Man
, but Allen canceled due to illness. Alan Carr
responded by calling the singer "a fucking bitch" for pulling out two hours before the filming of the show, but it was unclear as to whether his comments were sarcastic or not.
Dub Be Good to Me
"Dub Be Good to Me" is a popular single by the club music group Beats International, released in 1990. It is generally considered the band's signature song.-Song information:Written by Norman Cook aka...
" by British recording artist Professor Green
Professor Green
Professor Green , better known by his stage name Professor Green, is a British rapper. He was signed to The Beats, a record label run by Mike Skinner and Ted Mayhem, until 12 February 2008, as the label went under. He won the inaugural JumpOff MySpace £50,000 battle rap tournament in July 2008...
from his second studio album
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
, Alive Till I'm Dead
Alive Till I'm Dead
Alive Till I'm Dead has received positive reviews from music critics, with BBC Music stating that the album is "As fizzy, dramatic and inventive as pop should be without losing his initial grime edge". Paul MacInnes of The Guardian gave a similar review, agreeging that it was "Pop music, yes, but...
. Featuring pop singer Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
, the song was released as the second single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
by Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
in Australia on 25 June 2010, and in the UK on 11 July 2010.
Background and composition
The track was originally made back in 2007, when Professor Green was signed to The Beats. The song was composed and produced by Semothy JonesSemothy Jones
Andrew Hughes, better known as Semothy Jones or Sem for short, is an English songwriter and record producer from Islington, London. Semothy first gained attention in 2007 after working closely with old friend Plan B on a bootleg Mixtape called Paint It Blacker...
and, at the time, featured Neon Hitch
Neon Hitch
Neon Hitch is a British singer and songwriter. She was signed to Mike Skinner and Ted Mayhem's label, The Beats, before it closed down. She was later discovered on MySpace by Benny Blanco who flew her to New York to work with him. Their work together earned her a music publishing deal with EMI and...
on the chorus. Though when The Beats folded the track was put on hold.
In 2009, Professor Green stated that the collaboration between him and Allen started after a conversation on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
:
"We got chatting on Facebook and I mentioned the track, which turned out to be one of her favourite songs. She suggested her singing the chorus. I didn't take much persuading! Lily's wicked. She's straightforward and honest, you always know where you're at with her."
However, the vocal's melody comes from the original song by The SOS Band
The SOS Band
The SOS Band is an American musical ensemble, founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1977. Originally known as Santa Monica, the 'SOS' initialism in the band's name stands for Sounds of Success.-History:...
, "Just Be Good to Me
Just Be Good to Me
"Just Be Good to Me" is a 1983 single by The SOS Band, written and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The single reached number two on the U.S. R&B chart, number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number three on the dance chart that year...
" (from the album On the Rise
On the Rise
The album spawned two hit singles, including "Just Be Good to Me" and "Tell Me If You Still Care" . A third single, "For Your Love" , was also released-Samples:...
, 1983, Tabu Records). This vocal part has been since covered many times in different house tracks, such as Kandy Wesley (Airplay Records, 1999) and Dr Kucho! (Spinnin' Record, 2009). The bass line originally comes from the famous song by The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
"The Guns of Brixton
The Guns of Brixton
"The Guns of Brixton" is a song by the English punk rock band The Clash. It was written and sung by bassist Paul Simonon, who grew up in Brixton, south London...
".
Critical reception
Robert Copsey of Digital SpyDigital Spy
Digital Spy is a British entertainment and media news website. According to Alexa Internet traffic statistics, as of February 2011, Digital Spy is the 93rd most popular website in the United Kingdom, with an overall Alexa ranking of 2,088....
gave the song three out of five stars, stating "[Green's] rhymes aren't as ear-snagging as they were last time out, but Allen certainly does justice to that melody".
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
premiered on 21 May 2010 on Professor Green's official YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
account. He commented,
"Lily is wicked. She's looking iconic, as she always does.[...] And there are girls everywhere who are not wearing much. Girls is the theme. There is also a conveyor belt which was nicked from The Price is RightThe Price Is RightThe Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...
set next door. The video has been great fun."
Live performances
On Allen's tour, Green used to join her on stage to perform the song together. Green also performed it live on Big BrotherBig Brother (UK)
Big Brother UK is the British version of the Dutch Big Brother television format, which takes its name from the character in George Orwell's 1948 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four...
. On 23 June 2010, Camden Venue Proud Gallery celebrated its second birthday with Professor Green performing on the night. Though as he went through his set, Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
unexpectedly joined him live on stage to sing Allen's part on "Just Be Good to Green". The track was also supposed to be promoted on Scott Mills
Scott Mills
Scott Robert Mills is a British radio DJ, television presenter and occasional actor, best known for presenting The Scott Mills Show on BBC Radio 1...
' Radio 1 Show
The Scott Mills Show
The Scott Mills Show is a Sony Radio Academy Award-winning drive time radio show, broadcast every week-day on BBC Radio 1 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a short break at 5:45 pm for Newsbeat. The show began in its present form on 7 June 2004, and highlights of the show first became available...
and Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Alan Carr: Chatty Man
Alan Carr: Chatty Man is a British comedy chat show presented by comedian Alan Carr. The award-winning show is on Channel 4. The show features interviews with celebrity guests, sketches, topical chat and music....
, but Allen canceled due to illness. Alan Carr
Alan Carr
Alan Carr is an English comedian and television personality. Born in Weymouth, he was raised in Northampton before moving to Manchester during his early 20's....
responded by calling the singer "a fucking bitch" for pulling out two hours before the filming of the show, but it was unclear as to whether his comments were sarcastic or not.
Track listings and formats
Chart performance
| Chart (2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
External links
- "Just Be Good to Green" video at professorgreen.co.uk