People Do Rock Steady

The Bodysnatchers cut a speeded-up cover of Dandy Livingstone’s “Let’s Do Rock Steady” in January 1980, with Roger Lomas producing the single. It was issued as a double A-side with “Ruder Than You” on 2 Tone/Chrysalis. Released at the height of the 2 Tone boom, the single became the band’s breakthrough and reached No. 22 on the UK Singles Chart. Contemporary coverage singled it out as one of the label’s catchiest releases. It remains the Bodysnatchers’ best-known recording and a standard reference point for the all-female 2 Tone lineup. The track also continued to circulate through later compilations and the band’s Dance Craze appearances, keeping it visible in ska revival histories.