B-side "Nite Klub" Format 7" vinyl Length 02:54 | Released 1979 (1979) Genre Rocksteady Ska 2-Tone Label 2 Tone | |
"A Message to You, Rudy" is a 1967 rocksteady song by Dandy Livingstone. Originally entitled "Rudy, A Message to You", the song later achieved broader success when, in 1979, The Specials' cover reached number 10 in the UK Singles Chart.
Veteran trombone player Rico Rodriguez played on both Livingstone's and The Specials' versions.
Other cover versions
The song has also been covered by a number of artists, including The Specials, The Mescaleros, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Judge Dread, Barenaked Ladies, Dead Milkmen, Madness and Amy Winehouse. The Specials performed the song on the BBC2 television show The Old Grey Whistle Test in 1979.
Pete Doherty, at the Eurockéennes de Belfort, also performed the song in 2009, and Sublime featured lyrics borrowed from "A Message to You, Rudy" in their song "D.J.s." on their debut album. Propagandhi, a Canadian punk band, used the melody and partial lyrics in their song "Ska Sucks", featured on their album How to Clean Everything.
British hip hop band the Bogus MC's recorded an unofficial cover of the song for England ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Rather than "A Message to You, Rudy", the Bogus MC's sing, "A Message to You, Rooney".
Crawley Town F.C. and musician Mike Dobie recorded a cover of the song ahead of their clash with Manchester United. Rather than "A Message to You, Rudy", the Crawley Town fans sing, "A Message to You, Rooney" or "A Message to You, Fergie."
Dubmood created a chiptune cover of the song titled "A Message to You, Mom". The song was featured in the Razor 1911's keygen for Command and Conquer 3.