…blended into ‘Ebeneezer Goode’ as we moved out of the corridor
From Work of Art
So for another track for an early 90s party to pair with ‘Jump Around’ this monster was an obvious choice. It’s also a nice coincidence that though The Shamen produced a number of albums and had several high-charting singles to the public conciousness, like House of Pain, they were essentially also a one-hit wonder.
The idea that ‘they got away with it’ creating a massive drug anthem with the repeated chorus of ‘Ebeneezer Goode’ sounding like ‘Es are good!’ that the ‘athurities’ failed to recognise or ignored is a bit of an urban legend. The BBC banned it for a while, the video was edited for some television channels to tone down the strobe effects and the single was eventually withdrawn after four weeks due to sustained tabloid pressure. I’m also not entirely convinced they got on Top Of The Pops by claiming that Ebeneezer Goode was some sort of ‘Dickensian character’ they had created to put a bit of fun in the programme, as claimed in a ‘we love the 90s’ clip show I once saw.
Still, even ignoring all the controversy it’s still a bloody good tune, I liked it then and I still like it now (even through at the time I had no idea what ‘Salmon’ or ‘Veras’ were)
That’s Jerry Sadowitz in the video by the way, personifying old Ebeneezer. I once saw him live with Logan Murray in the Bib & Bob show. He was both mind-meltingly offensive and utterly hilarious. I’d like to say he swore directly at me, but that was his partner Logan… still, a proud moment.
How we made … Ebeneezer Goode by the Shamen
Extraordinary fellow, like Mr. Punchinello
