https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuAZTWGfQTs
If only because of his name, McFadden’s roots are clearly, if distantly, connected to Scotland’s long struggle for independence. The words of his best-known hit are perfect for the next Yes parade to sing and to sway their funky hips to:
There’s been so many things that’s held us down.
But now it looks like things are finally comin’ around.
I know we’ve got, a long long way to go,
and where we’ll end up, I don’t know.
But we won’t let nothin’ hold us back,
we’re putting ourselves together,
we’re polishing up our act!
If you felt we’ve been held down before,
I know you’ll refuse to be held down anymore!
Don’t you let nothing, nothing,
Stand in your way!
I want ya’ll to listen, listen,
to every word I say, every word I say!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’re on the move!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’ve got the groove!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’re on the move!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’ve got the groove!
I know you know someone that has a negative vow,
and if you’re trying to make it they only push you aside.
They really don’t have, nowhere to go.
Ask them where they’re going, they don’t know.
But we won’t let nothin’ hold us back,
we’re gonna put ourselves together,
we’re gonna polish up our act!
And if you’ve ever been held down before,
I know you’ll refuse to be held down anymore!
Don’t you let nothing, nothing,
Stand in your way!
I want ya’ll to listen, listen,
to every word I say, every word I say!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’re on the move!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’ve got the groove!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’re on the move!
Ain’t No Stoppin Us Now!
We’ve got the groove!
(McFadden & Whitehead, 1979)
The lyrics even refer to ‘someone that has a negative vow’. Could they have imagined anything so awful as these three?
I was reminded of the song’s resonance for us now, hearing it again in that fine Ayr eatery, the Treehouse, last night. It came in a funky, bass-heavy, sequence, helping to release our digestive juices. The sequence included James Brown, after whom, coincidentally, the town’s James Brown Avenue is named.
C’mon Scotland, we got the groove!
Talking-up Scotland 
Brilliant idea!
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Should I send it to AUOB? I will!
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Yes! You have to!
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John, you are one of the best movers (for independence) I know. Keep up the good work.
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You haven’t seen me ‘dance’ but thanks anyway.
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John, Still chortling at the thought of JABBA being named after “the hardest-working man in show business.” Mind you, some say JABBA is a bit of a ghetto, particularly up at “the keyhole”. But, if we accept, a few of the residents of the street are: “Stoned to the bone,” because: “It’s too-funky in here,” you have a point.
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Wise words. Whom else could it be named after?
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