Ska revivalists The Selecter were formed in Coventry in 1979 by guitarist Neol Davies with drummer John Bradbury. Their debut single, also called "The Selecter," was the flip side of the Special AKA's hit single "Gangsters." By the time they'd released it, Bradbury had left The Selecter to join The Specials and he actually plays on both songs. Following the success of The Selecter's eponymous song, Davies recruited further band members, including vocalist Pauline Black. They released "On My Radio" as their debut single as a seven-piece.
The song is a none-too-sly joke at radio's expense. Pauline Black bemoans that her beau prefers the beats to her. I bought my baby a red radio He played it all day a-go-go a-go-go He liked to dance to it down in the streets Then comes the payoff: It's just the same old show on my radio!
Despite the song's criticism of the woefully limited state of Britain's airwaves, the DJs still played it. "On My Radio" became The Selecter's biggest hit, peaking at #8, staying on the UK chart for nine weeks.
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