The Bedrocks - Ob La Di, Ob La Da (1968)

[uncomely]

"The Bedrocks from Chapeltown. Formed in 1966 as The Bedrock Sunshine Band, they played a mix of Soul, Ska and Rocksteady Reggae at pubs and clubs across the country including gigs as far as London. The six piece band had a unique style, going from one song to another without stopping. They shortened their name to The Bedrocks in December 1967 and turned professional in 1968. After being spotted by Norman Smith at a concert at Barnsley Town Hall in the autumn of 1968, the Bedrocks were signed to Columbia Records. The group borrowed £25 to hire a van and traveled to London in December 1968 where they recorded their debut single, ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’, at Abbey Road Studios, making them the first home-grown Reggae group to record in the UK.The single was recorded, mixed, pressed and in the shops within two day, by which time the band had returned to Leeds. ‘Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da’ was a success and peaked at number 17 on the NME chart in January 1969."

[MrShettyman]

Nice... No wonder Paul stated that out of all the cover versions this was his Bops....

[ChristopherNewman-vp]

Great version of this fun number as it has soul and a great RnB boogie bass line. The Bedrocks really cracked this number with that reggae lilt to it. Fine vocalisation (s) too. Really dug it…

Chris Newman, Southampton Uk 🇬🇧

[nataliehewitt]

Happy birthday dad, miss your singing so much x

[chasfaulkner]

This was the version I purchased, even though I had the White album, I just like this one better.

[elirosen]

Wow! And authentic reggae version of the song! Pauly never could have compared to this one. Heck, it sounds more like the Esher demo of the song.

[stephenyoxall]

Can't believe they were discovered in my home town of barnsley at the civic Hall were I watched loads of bands none anywhere near as good as these brilliant

[g.g.dunnitt]

This is the best version of this song by a country mile.

[stevepettit]

I was only two when this came out as marmalade the original i used to bounce to it cos my sister and parents loved it did not know about this until i was a teen my cousin she taught me all about early reggae ska trojan etc forget marmalade this is fantastic i love it!!! this is the one.

[jamesharrison]

sounds like he sings " In a couple of beers "...

[steveelliott]

Theres a DJ who lives on Oldham called Murray The Mint who says he was in this band. Dont know if he was....

[michaelnovak]

Apparently The Beatles met Bedrock and hold them that they thought Bedrock’s cover was their favourite - over The Marmalade’s, and the versions by a few other bands at the time.
I reckon this is a good version - I reckon it’s got more of a skinhead reggae feel with the slightly more drawn-out & it so clean guitar skanks - but I grew up with my parents listening to the original Beatles’ song, so I personally prefer that.

[CarlosMorales-xhlb]

Me gusta mucho este the bedrocks the beatles

[northnsouth]

Marmalade nailed the song written by Paul McCartney. Whilst on holiday talking to a local the response was "Ob La Di, Ob La Da Life go's on" which he lifted and used on the record.

[antonymoore]

Brilliant version, certainly suits a reggae style. Far better than the original.

[upthepole]

so much better than the beatles rendition

[Mark-ewhn]

Good version and different but much prefer The Marmalade cover and The Beatles original