This song is also called “I’m In The Mood For Ska”. That’s because it’s a Ska cover of the original classic, which was written in 1935 by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields, and made popular by Frances Langford.
It have been performed by a lot of Jazz and early Pop singers, usually as a variation of the sultry and lovely original, which is very 30s, as far as I know anything about 30s music!
Lord Tanamo’s version is very different, with the fast, bouncy beat of 60s Ska. The lyrics are sung in a much more lively manner, and the song is transformed from a slow, sweet lovers tune into a dancefloor smasher.
The horns lead the song forward, with a heavy walking bassline. The whole song echos the melody of the vocals, making the effect greater.
The song is a love song, pure and simple. There’s no bittersweet nuances here, just lovely love!
The Lord Tanamo cover was released in 1965, but became a minor hit in the U.K. in 1990 after Paxo (the stuffing company) used it in a advert! It reached number 58 in the U.K. Singles Chart.