Why Are People Grudgeful?

"Why Are People Grudgeful?" is a 1993 single by British post-punk band the Fall. It reached number 43 on the UK singles chart. The song is based on two Jamaican recordings from 1968, "People Funny Boy" by Lee Perry, and its answer record, "People Grudgeful" by Joe Gibbs, which are regarded as being among the first reggae records.

"Why Are People Grudgeful?"
Single by The Fall
B-side"Glam-Racket"
ReleasedApril 1993
FormatVinyl, 7" and 12", 45 rpm
GenreAlternative dance
Length4:27
LabelPermanent
Songwriter(s)Lee Perry, Joe Gibbs
Producer(s)Mark E. Smith, Simon Rogers
The Fall singles chronology
"Kimble"
(1992)		 "Why Are People Grudgeful?"
(1993)		 "Behind the Counter"
(1993)

Background

In the mid-1960s Lee Perry worked with Joe Gibbs at Wirl Records in Kingston, but after a disagreement left to form his own label, Upsetter. His first release, "People Funny Boy", credited to Lee (King) Perry, was seen as a direct attack on Gibbs, and became highly popular, heralding the new reggae sound with its "loping, lazy, bass-driven beat". Gibbs retaliated with "People Grudgeful", credited to Sir Gibbs.[1][2]

Recording

Mark E. Smith combined parts of both Perry's and Gibbs' lyrics in the Fall's version. The band at the time of the recording comprised Smith (vocals), Craig Scanlon (guitar), Steve Hanley (bass), Dave Bush (keyboards), Simon Wolstencroft (drums, keyboards). The record was produced by ex-Fall member Simon Rogers.

Release

The record was released in April 1993,[2] and reached no.43 on the UK singles chart, the fourth-highest chart placing of any Fall single.[3] A different version of the song was included as a bonus track on CD edition of the album The Infotainment Scan.

References
  1. "People Funny Boy", Songfacts.com. Retrieved 16 February 2018
  2. "Why Are People Grudgeful?", Fall Tracks A-Z. Retrieved 16 February 2018
  3. Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 271. ISBN 0-00-717931-6.
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