The Specials
The Specials (also known as The Special AKA) is an English “2 Tone” ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a danceable ska beat with punk’s energy, underpinned by an informed political and social stance.
The group was formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals) and a rhythm section featuring Horace Panter (bass) and John Bradbury (drums; born 16 February 1953, died 28 December 2015). Read Full BioThe Specials (also known as The Special AKA) is an English “2 Tone” ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a danceable ska beat with punk’s energy, underpinned by an informed political and social stance.
The group was formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals) and a rhythm section featuring Horace Panter (bass) and John Bradbury (drums; born 16 February 1953, died 28 December 2015). The band wore mod-style 1960s period "rude boy" outfits (pork pie hats, mohair suits, and loafers). In 1980, their song "Too Much Too Young", the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached number one in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart. After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, the band broke up in 1984. A version of the band reformed from 1994-2001. In 2008, the band reformed again and, in2009, embarked on a 30th anniversary tour. In 2010, they toured America and Europe. In 2011 they again touring the UK.
In 1979, their debut LP hit the shelves and quickly soared into the UK Top Five. The album was produced by Elvis Costello and was released under founding member, Jerry Dammer's record label 2 Tone Records.
Following the success of their debut album, Specials, their second and final album, More Specials was released. This expanded the group's 2 tone sound to include lounge music and other influences.
After two albums and a string of very successful singles the band called it quits in 1984. The bands members moved onto their other musical projects. In 1994 they toured with the original line-up without Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers. Roddy sang Terry's parts. The line-up changed in 1996. The band split again in 2001.
In 2008, The Specials officially announced that they would reform and embark on a 30th Anniversary Tour in 2009. The founding member, Jerry Dammers was not part of the reformed Specials and relationships between him and the rest of the band have remained sore, particularly on Dammers' side of things.
In January 2013, the Specials announced the departure of Neville Staple. In February 2014 it was revealed that another original member, Roddy Radiation, had left the reformed group. In spite of this, the Specials played an extensive tour in the autumn of 2014 with Steve Cradock as lead guitarist.
www.thespecials.com
The group was formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals) and a rhythm section featuring Horace Panter (bass) and John Bradbury (drums; born 16 February 1953, died 28 December 2015). Read Full BioThe Specials (also known as The Special AKA) is an English “2 Tone” ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a danceable ska beat with punk’s energy, underpinned by an informed political and social stance.
The group was formed by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals) and a rhythm section featuring Horace Panter (bass) and John Bradbury (drums; born 16 February 1953, died 28 December 2015). The band wore mod-style 1960s period "rude boy" outfits (pork pie hats, mohair suits, and loafers). In 1980, their song "Too Much Too Young", the lead track on their The Special AKA Live! EP, reached number one in the UK. In 1981, the unemployment-themed single "Ghost Town" also hit number one in the UK Singles Chart. After seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, the band broke up in 1984. A version of the band reformed from 1994-2001. In 2008, the band reformed again and, in2009, embarked on a 30th anniversary tour. In 2010, they toured America and Europe. In 2011 they again touring the UK.
In 1979, their debut LP hit the shelves and quickly soared into the UK Top Five. The album was produced by Elvis Costello and was released under founding member, Jerry Dammer's record label 2 Tone Records.
Following the success of their debut album, Specials, their second and final album, More Specials was released. This expanded the group's 2 tone sound to include lounge music and other influences.
After two albums and a string of very successful singles the band called it quits in 1984. The bands members moved onto their other musical projects. In 1994 they toured with the original line-up without Terry Hall and Jerry Dammers. Roddy sang Terry's parts. The line-up changed in 1996. The band split again in 2001.
In 2008, The Specials officially announced that they would reform and embark on a 30th Anniversary Tour in 2009. The founding member, Jerry Dammers was not part of the reformed Specials and relationships between him and the rest of the band have remained sore, particularly on Dammers' side of things.
In January 2013, the Specials announced the departure of Neville Staple. In February 2014 it was revealed that another original member, Roddy Radiation, had left the reformed group. In spite of this, the Specials played an extensive tour in the autumn of 2014 with Steve Cradock as lead guitarist.
www.thespecials.com
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Ghost Town
The Specials Lyrics
This town is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place is coming like a ghost town
Bands won't play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang and the music played in natty-boom town
This town is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against itself?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can't go on no more
The people getting angry
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
This town is coming like a ghost town
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jerry Dammers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Christopher McLaughlin
Dated?
Regardless of Political
Social, Economic
Relevance
This Song was Unique
Then and is Now.
The
Arrangement , Orchestration,
Lyrics and The Haunting Tone
Alone
Provide So much more Than
a Market Variety 3 + minutes song.
Great Cut.
Christopher McLaughlin
Regardless of the Cultural, Economic,
Political Relevance TODAY...(yes)
This Song is Brilliant
Perhaps
Genius
on it's Instrumentation
And Musically and Lyrically Created
Tone ,
Imagery and Provocation.
First , The
Immediate , Righteous Hostility to Such a Vacuum , A Vascilating Mood
Between Past and Present
Created by underscored, distant hallway Horns, a Dusty Organ
And An Almost Mocking, and Willfully
Haunting Chorus not just
Playing with the past (Dancing, Drinking,Socializing, Fighting ,F'king ) and
AGITATING at the lads Folly of
Immediate Emotion , Feral
Intoxicated Young Manhood
BUT provocatively Orchestrating
a Hallucination ,
An INCANTATION.
IDK. Maybe the interplay of
Nostalgia (experienced, or Harkened Upon Them)
And the ever present Grasp at Current Ascension
May be the plight, Folly
Of Young manhood.
This songs is genius
Then and Now.
Rob Jones
"Do you remember the good old days/Before the Ghost Town?"
Heard this song back in 1981, just before the major riots took
place around the country. Nearly forty years later, the theme of
this song is an eerie summary of London right now due to the
outbreak of coronavirus. There was hardly anybody about, when
I went out yesterday evening.
Still creepily brilliant after all these years.
The Specials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
Luckii
Holy! I was looking for this for a while! I love this song sm!
Samsung Television
Legendary. And it show up now in my recommended in the far-flung future. From the actual band?
Smiffy
As relevant as the day it was born.
Outstep 45
Thanks Maggie 😡
Lady T
Thanks for the link. Just added you to my Spotify. Going to blast this out in the shower in a Trilby hat - without disturbing the neighbours! 😁💖
Remchaill
This plays in my head every time a waiter asks me if I'd like to hear the specials.
DomInator
"Totally, can you play 'ghost town'?"
Joe Burchfield
Audible lol
Scuzzywhitetrashbastard Scuzzy
You ask waiters to play you songs ? Then You are one spoiled arse