Why Do We Dislike Al Wilson's The Snake So Much?

[Dave Bishop FM]

Hi Folks,

It's the first time I've posted on this part of the site, but thoroughly enjoy reading the many subjects up for discussion. So here's my question.

Why do many of us (myself included) dislike Al Wilson's The Snake so much? I've never liked it, but I remember it filling the floor at some venues all those years ago.

[Maxwell]

May be because it got played in mainstream night clubs,along with Dobie Gray, just standard northern records to get the dance floor going.I myself like the tune.Just reminds me of happy carefree time's

[Andreas B]

Because its corny as all get-out?

[Roxie]

Its very well known by everybody so a certain amount of music snobbery can creep in IMO.

[good angel]

Its corny pop music.

Atb,Kev.

[kevinsoulman]

Its corny pop music.

Atb,Kev.

LIKE A LOT OF NORTHERN SOUL OF ITS TIME THE EXCEPTION BEING MOST OF IT NEVER CHARTED

KEV

[Guest Frank Jr]

Btw Andreas, I realize you're the american chap from Copenhagen! I'm the guy from Gothenburg you met couple of months ago at your venue.

I strongly recomend you getting your fat ass here the weekend 22-23 of February as Static is having their anniv weekender then, Heard rumours of a No snakes policy, but still has to be confirmed..

[dedji1955]

A few of us where reading a old Northern Soul fanzine yesterday and where commenting on Richard Searlings top 40 northern tunes of the time, the Snake was near the top.

It's down to elitism and people being concerned about how other folks view them

[Guest Frank Jr]

Well, if you haven't grown up dancing to it at clubs and don't have any fond youth hay-days memories to it, then I'm afraid it's down to something else. I'd prefer any Motown top ten track any day, even bloody "tears of a clown", so can't be elitism, can it?

[Guest scottie]

couldnt say why its so disliked now funny really because for a lot of people it was those type of records that were the door into northern before you started to dig a bit deeper

[Guest]

Cos it's been adopted by fat Scooterists that think it's real Northern Soul. But if you play them something like The Tangeers they turn their noses up at it..

On the plus side Al Wilson did make one of the greatest records ever made in Show and Tell.

[Mrtag]

It's probably one of the most requested records at northern nights!....... some lady asked me if it was really rare as nearly every DJ she asked to play it never had it.............I Wonder Why.....

[Premium Stuff]

It's a very corny, cheesy, poppy record - a bit of pop novelty. The backing isn't great - compared to many other Northern classics and the vocal performance is more pop than soul (no doubt deliberate).

Plus, the topic is a weird story about a snake - which again is very 'novelty'. If it was "... I love you baby ..." or some other storyline things might be different.

It's a record I really dislike and I disliked it from the opening moments on the first time I heard it.

Richard

Edited January 12, 2013 by Premium Stuff

[Soultown andy]

Never understood peoples obsession with the snake its a commercial poppy souly disco record that did exactly what it was made for,to chart at the time.It was very popular in youth clubs discos at the time, and records like this led a lot of us to dig deeper into the world of sou music.Its quite understandable that people hearing it today or returning to the soul scene find it catchy.I would think most people like most of us soon become bored with it,and delve a little deeper.Personaly dont dislike it, but dont frequent places its played either .

[Dekka]

Cos it's been adopted by fat Scooterists that think it's real Northern Soul. But if you play them something like The Tangeers they turn their noses up at it..

On the plus side Al Wilson did make one of the greatest records ever made in Show and Tell.

How very true

[Only Dreaming]

"The Snake" is really a victim of it's own success and is probably disliked as it's been so overplayed. Personally I think it should never have been released as a single. If you listen to his "Searching for the dolphins" LP the track fits in well with the rest of the compositions. As for the track sounding weird, that's probably because it has it's origins in the church as a parable warning of the dangers of sin, and doesn't suit the contemporary arrangement given to it. The original version by Oscar Brown Jr is true to it's gospel roots.

Dave

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP92tBs6cx8

[Soultown andy]

How very true

You 2 are going to the wrong scooter events lol.

[spot]

If truth be told 99% of us loved it at the time & danced our little socks off to it, anytime,any place, I know I did but hind sights a wonderful thing & we now realise it was a poor pop tune with great dance beat & Daddies little helpers made it sound even better. I don't think it becoming mainstream had an effect as there are a lot that became mainstream, like Dobie Gray etc & in my opinion they are still valid tunes worth hearing today btw Show & Tell, Touch & Go, Now I know what love is, plus the superb Help Me, are definitely his better sounds.

Take care, be safe & remember," Now I know what love is",

Spot.

[Davetay]

If truth be told 99% of us loved it at the time & danced our little socks off to it, anytime,any place, I know I did but hind sights a wonderful thing & we now realise it was a poor pop tune with great dance beat & Daddies little helpers made it sound even better. I don't think it becoming mainstream had an effect as there are a lot that became mainstream, like Dobie Gray etc & in my opinion they are still valid tunes worth hearing today btw Show & Tell, Touch & Go, Now I know what love is, plus the superb Help Me, are definitely his better sounds.

Take care, be safe & remember," Now I know what love is",

Spot.

I was always led to believe that the Al Wilson on Wand ("Help Me") was not the same Al Wilson.

I still like "Passport" played from the LP in the 70s. Also "50/50" from the same LP.

As far as the "The Snake" goes yes I did dance to it back in the day, but wouldn't want to hear it played out.

I don't hate it, there are loads records that have been played that are worse.

[TOAD]

yes two differant als !

[Guest Nick Harrison]

It's down to elitism and people being concerned about how other folks view them.

Spot on reply - as is common practice on this forum.

So ending/closure of this topic.

(Ha ha yeah - but it won't because other's always know better)

Edited January 13, 2013 by Nick Harrison

[Jaco]

A few of us where reading a old Northern Soul fanzine yesterday and where commenting on Richard Searlings top 40 northern tunes of the time, the Snake was near the top.

It's down to elitism and people being concerned about how other folks view them

Why if you don't like something does it become about elitism?

It's just not a very good record in my opinion. It has limited appeal to me because of it's lyrical content and general all round pop styling and whilst it might well get people to the dance floor on a regular basis, I am not one of them.

[Dekka]

As a fat scooterist I much prefer The Snake to the tangeers

Let my heart and soul be free, or

This empty place

boring bloody rubbish

[Godzilla]

"The Snake" is really a victim of it's own success and is probably disliked as it's been so overplayed. Personally I think it should never have been released as a single. If you listen to his "Searching for the dolphins" LP the track fits in well with the rest of the compositions. As for the track sounding weird, that's probably because it has it's origins in the church as a parable warning of the dangers of sin, and doesn't suit the contemporary arrangement given to it. The original version by Oscar Brown Jr is true to it's gospel roots.

Dave

With respect Dave that's some pretty twisted logic: You don't think an internationally successful song should have been released by the artist as a single? Wouldn't want to ruin a record's credibility by selling too many copies eh

I don't think there's any gospel roots to this song at all either. If anything Oscar Brown Jr was a jazz singer (as well as actor. political activist etc etc). Other than Sing Hallelujah, which is a cracking tune, I can't think of much else he did with a religious theme. I love his song lyrics and the way he tells stories with great wit and visual imagery - think Work Song, Mr Kicks, The Lone Ranger and so on. Surely The Snake is just another one of these albeit a bit more risque and with a not particularly subtle metaphor?

[Guest Matt Male]

Hi Folks,

It's the first time I've posted on this part of the site, but thoroughly enjoy reading the many subjects up for discussion. So here's my question.

Why do many of us (myself included) dislike Al Wilson's The Snake so much? I've never liked it, but I remember it filling the floor at some venues all those years ago.

I don't dislike it, in fact I think it's a great uptempo dancer with a good lyric and i'd dance to it. Unfortunately though, along with Frank Wilson it's become synonymous with lazy and unimaginative DJs playing boots of records we've heard a million times and ignoring the hundreds of thousands that we don't hear that regularly.

Maybe you should be asking the question why DJs who play The Snake and other overplayed stuff seem to hate and never play 99% of all other northern soul?

[Guest Matt Male]

A few of us where reading a old Northern Soul fanzine yesterday and where commenting on Richard Searlings top 40 northern tunes of the time, the Snake was near the top.

It's down to elitism and people being concerned about how other folks view them

I can't think of anything more elitist than only playing sounds out of the top 500 and ignoring everything else.

[Carty]

i dont mind the record at all

[KevH]

When you were 16 and off your face,The Snake was a good dancer.Lyrically its an abysmal,cringeworthy piece of turd.

[Dazdakin]

As like most others I would say it was one of many tunes that opened the door to many other much more accepted tunes so it can never be said its utter shit but along side other door openers like chuck wood, showstopper s, Judy street it really can't live with them. As a side issue I heard and have always believed that al is in fact chuck wood!! Whether it be snake al or help me al not too sure.

Someone will no doubt know on here though.

[Steve L]

Unfortunately though, along with Frank Wilson it's become synonymous with lazy and unimaginative DJs playing boots of records we've heard a million times and ignoring the hundreds of thousands that we don't hear that regularly.

Maybe you should be asking the question why DJs who play The Snake and other overplayed stuff seem to hate and never play 99% of all other northern soul?

Spot on Matt

Whats wrong with elitism BTW?

[Gene-R]

Cos it's been adopted by fat Scooterists that think it's real Northern Soul. But if you play them something like The Tangeers they turn their noses up at it..

And probably because most of them think the lyrics in the first verse relate to a "pretty coloured skinhead".

Edited January 12, 2013 by Gene-R

[Guest]

You 2 are going to the wrong scooter events lol.

I actually go to the right Scooter events.. Ones that don't play the Snake.

[Guest]

As a fat scooterist I much prefer The Snake to the tangeers

Let my heart and soul be free, or

This empty place

boring bloody rubbish

I rest my case

[Dennisoul]

Absolutely rotten to put it mildly

[Kev Cane]

Sorry, but corny record, people (like myself) don,t like reminding of the days when they were flying around in 40 inch bottom trousers and bowling shirts, I know it had to start somewhere but compared to what we know now about the music and then, to some its not worth dwelling on and they want to move on

Kev

[NEV]

Well, if you haven't grown up dancing to it at clubs and don't have any fond youth hay-days memories to it, then I'm afraid it's down to something else. I'd prefer any Motown top ten track any day, even bloody "tears of a clown", so can't be elitism, can it?

Tears of a clown is a soulful record sung and written by a soul legend ...the snake is about as soulful as Alvin Stardusts my coo ca choo

P.s

All this "dance choon" talk as the be all and end all and being more important than soulful content ..what next "oops upside yer head "

Edited January 12, 2013 by NEV

[Jim G]

it is parts of the history of the music we grew up with, i danced to it in the early 70t's and it brings good memories back when i hear it. It is corny as hell, but I still like it.

[Ian Parker]

Brilliant tune. Regardless of its genre. To me it is a great dance record, a brilliant song and a great production. I don't see the northern soul thing when I hear it, it is what it is.

In fact, I'll be covering it tonight in my band, . Proof that lots like it, that will show in the dance floor reaction and the folk singing along.

[MrsWoodsrules]

It sounds awful now, but I did love it when I was 13 and knew no better.

I just hate it when you talk to non-Northern people about what you like & they say....'oh, I like The Snake'......'do you use talcum powder too'?, the Lambrini adverts don't help either, it's a mis-concieved caricature of what 'other' people think that Northern Soul is, that is why I suspect it is not very popular, also, it's crap.

Aid.

EDIT, just my opinion.

Edited January 12, 2013 by MrsWoodsrules

[Premium Stuff]

the Lambrini adverts don't help either

Aid.

EDIT, just my opinion.

What Lambrini adverts Aid? Must have missed those

Richard

[MrsWoodsrules]

What Lambrini adverts Aid? Must have missed those

Richard

Could be wrong, but I thought it was used on the Lambrini Wine ad campaign a few years ago.

Some girls dancing round their handbags, although I could have dreamed it

Aid.

[Mike Lofthouse]

Poor old Al Wilson - he always had his eye on something beyond the pigeon hole that was 'Soul' and his musical output reflects that - a bit like OC Smith, Freddie Scott, Nolan Porter and few others (to these ears of course). Take the album from which 'The Snake was taken - 'Searching For The Dolphins' - never a Soul song by the great Fred Neil and made famous by Tim Buckley (Poor Side Of Town was the flip of the Al Wilson version too). So how people can say 'the Snake' - in the context of that album or his output - is a terrible song I don't know, its a very, very clever song indeed! Because it was adopted by the UK Northern scene and played to death ever since was not his fault and he probably never even had the consolation of making any money out of it to boot!!

Mike

Edited January 12, 2013 by Mike Lofthouse

[Agentsmith]

poor al wilson,...if only he were reviewing the controversy he so inadvertantly created...i really though passport wasTHE get-on-board tune from the lp, played at the casino, but underplayed and almost instantly forgotten in the wake of the snake edification...its endurance may well be an annoyance to the vast majority now but alas, its place in the archive is cemented....you may all choose to browse another page, but it aint never going to be erased....afterall, were here talking about it now...this very minute......SO WHATS EASIER TO SWALLOW...A SNAKE OR A SHODDY GLASS OF WINE WITH NO CLASS?.

[Wiggyflat]

Snake....overplayed record by boring deejays....if you have just come back then it probably sounds great.SOUlJIHAD...theres a year in front of me and the AF250 will be getting pulled out....i cant face another year of ska coverbands...modspaulwellers tribute bands...and join the dots northern from.bootlegs.Isle Of Wight was the last straw and a lot of us are thinking of goung to brighton aug bank holiday and taking over a pub...where are the mystical rally places you speak of ?

[Paul Shirley]

it did the trick all them years ago in mrm's . folks off their heads packed dance floor along with the atmosphere ,what was acceptable then is now seen as old this that n the other . but would some of todays stuff be acceptable back then .....not a chance ! peoples tastes change along with the music for me it was good at the time and i would never disrespect it , ive heard much worse on the present northern (scene) i meant lol

Edited January 12, 2013 by steptoe

[Britmusicsoulfan]

On the plus side Al Wilson did make one of the greatest records ever made in Show and Tell.

Too true. Show and Tell is one of those 45s you hear and think, "Why is this only worth $5?" It's quality soul all the same.

[Britmusicsoulfan]

As someone who's still fairly new to soul (5 years), The Snake was the first "Northern Soul" record I heard. I had a chap from Fargo, North Dakota who'd moved there from the UK buy a copy of of me about 5-6 years ago, and sell every single copy I come across (except mine). Blimey, it's been a $10 record as far as I can remember, but lately, it seems like it's bringing closer to $20-$30 if it's a minter.

[Soultown andy]

I actually go to the right Scooter events.. Ones that don't play the Snake.

That was my point that not all soul rooms at scooter events play the snake, after you made the sweeping comment about fat scooterist .

[Ian Parker]

it did the trick all them years ago in mrm's . folks off their heads packed dance floor along with the atmosphere ,what was acceptable then is now seen as old this that n the other . but would some of todays stuff be acceptable back then .....not a chance ! peoples tastes change along with the music for me it was good at the time and i would never disrespect it , ive heard much worse on the present northern seen

Word !

[Zed1]

I only wish the 'Silly Woman' had left the freezing reptile where it was then Poor old Al would have had nothing to sing about.....