Open question to the floor: what is the most “Ska” song I could send to someone? Like the most iconic or the most stereotypical “Ska” a song could possibly be.
Edit: I’ve got some listening to do, thanks for the responses, keep them coming! I’ve never heard of half these bands, and while Ska isn’t usually my thing I definitely vibe with some of them.
Commenting both to track these Ska recommendations, I fucking love Ska. But also to recommend Life Sucks…Let’s Dance by Reel Big Fish, to my that song really hits the nail on the head in a cliché way. I constantly tell my wife, who reminds me I tell her that every time we are listening to it lol
AAA and Link80 are very much not “the most ska”, they are very hardcore leanleaning ska, which is really a few steps too farfar from The Specials or Toots and the Maytals to be a good introduction to ska.
Open question to the floor: what is the most “Ska” song I could send to someone? Like the most iconic or the most stereotypical “Ska” a song could possibly be.
Edit: I’ve got some listening to do, thanks for the responses, keep them coming! I’ve never heard of half these bands, and while Ska isn’t usually my thing I definitely vibe with some of them.
Legalization by skap
For the 90s ska revival, I think Reel Big Fish takes the cake for most ska-ish ska band
Commenting both to track these Ska recommendations, I fucking love Ska. But also to recommend Life Sucks…Let’s Dance by Reel Big Fish, to my that song really hits the nail on the head in a cliché way. I constantly tell my wife, who reminds me I tell her that every time we are listening to it lol
Modern Ska i’d say
Flying Raccoon Suit afterglow
We Are The Union Out Of Patience
Half Past Two Barrier For Entry
of the older stuff, a few greats i havent seen mentione yet would be
Against All Authority All Fall Down
Link 80 enough
AAA and Link80 are very much not “the most ska”, they are very hardcore leanleaning ska, which is really a few steps too farfar from The Specials or Toots and the Maytals to be a good introduction to ska.
Streetlight manifesto is probably one of the more popular ska bands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOqenYis1iQ
Streetlight fucking slaps. I can’t name a bad song of theirs.
We’re getting a new album sometime totally soon, for real this time, and they still won’t have a bad song
None of these are stereotypical but I think I covered part of the range.
The Science of Selling Yourself Short, Less than Jake
Ghost Town, The Specials
Beer, Reel Big Fish
I know you too well to like you anymore, Reel big fish
Keasby Nights, Catch 22
A Better Place, A Better Time, Streetlight Manifesto.
To me, madness - one step beyond is definitive ska
It’s a cover, btw.
Millie Small’s ‘My Boy Lollipop’ from 1964 is the original ska song that made the genre popular outside Jamaica.
Of the second-wave aka two-tone ska: The Selecter’s ‘On My Radio’, Madness’ ‘Night Boat To Cairo’, The Specials’ ‘A Message To You Rudy’.
https://youtu.be/NIGMUAMevH0
It’s not the best ska song by a country mile, but it’s definitely the most ska song. At least as far as third wave goes.
surprised this isnt #1. Def the most stereotypical and well known ska song
for the lazy, it’s The Impression that I get
Definitely the first one I thought of. If you’re going by most well known, and recognizably ska, then yes this.
Saba
Crack Rock Steady by Choking Victim
Not what you asked for but https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uPRG6klixus
https://youtu.be/9NxMlG3M40k
Varies by generation of ska.
Which is a cover of Prince Buster’s track from 1964.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5jGyy2qL84&t=43s
https://youtu.be/09q6cUlDJ_k
Brings back memories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAfqguL88tA