Geno (song)

The song is a tribute to soul singer Geno Washington, and performed in approximately the style of Geno Washington's Ram Jam Band. Rowland and Archer began working on the song in early 1979, with Rowland writing lyrics to Archer's music. The song bears resemblance to Zoot Money's Big Roll Band's "One and Only Man" and the Turtles' "Happy Together". The crowd noises during the "Geno! Geno! Geno!" chant at the beginning and end of the song are sampled from Van Morrison's acclaimed 1974 live album ''It's Too Late to Stop Now'', a favourite of Rowland's. The chant is reminiscent of Washington's 1960s performances, whereby the shows' compères would excite the audience before Washington took to the stage. The song's saxophone riff was inspired by Washington's "(I Gotta) Hold On to My Love", the B-side to "Michael (the Lover)". == Release and reception ==

EMI, the band's record label, wanted their recording of Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon's "Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache" to be released, feeling that "Geno" was only suitable as a B-side. The band refused, though the possibility of a double A-side was suggested. However, "Geno" was released (backed with "Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache") on 15 March 1980. It slowly climbed the charts until it reached number one on 3 May. Record Mirror described "Geno" as "a turgid eulogy with few redeeming features", stating that they believed Dexys Midnight Runners had missed the opportunity to have the same success as Madness and the Specials. The song is included in 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, where it is written that the song was inspired by Washington's "Michael (the Lover)" and subsequently inspired the Specials' "Ghost Town". ==Personnel==

• Kevin Rowland: vocals • Kevin "Al" Archer: guitar, vocals • Pete Williams: bass • Andy "Stoker" Growcott: drums • Andy Leek: organ • Pete Saunders: organ • Geoff Blythe: saxophone • Steve Spooner: alto saxophone • "Big" Jim Paterson: trombone == References ==