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.
On 19th December 2022 it was announced that Terry Hall had passed away after a short illness. He was 63.
www.thespecials.com
- Ghost Town
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All the clubs have been closed down
This place (town) 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 a de boomtown
This town (town) is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place (town) 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
The song "Ghost Town" by The Specials describes the state of a city that has been abandoned and left behind by its people. The town is a shell of its former self, with all the clubs closed down and bands no longer playing. The lyrics suggest that this is due to too much fighting on the dance floor and not enough unity among the city's inhabitants.
The chorus of the song emphasizes that the town is coming like a ghost town, with no jobs to be found and the government leaving the youth on the shelf. The people are getting angry, and the situation is becoming increasingly dire. The lyrics reflect a sense of hopelessness and despair, with the town's inhabitants resigned to their fate and unable to see a way out of their situation.
The song also includes a nostalgic reference to the good old days before the town became a ghost town. The lyrics suggest that there was once a time when people danced and sang, and the music played in a "de boomtown." However, that time is long gone, and the town is now nothing but a ghost town.
Overall, "Ghost Town" is a powerful and poignant song that reflects the feelings of many people who have lived in towns that have been left behind by modern society. The song's themes of unity, hopelessness, and nostalgia are universal, and the lyrics remain relevant to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
This town (town) is coming like a ghost town
The town is becoming deserted and lifeless, much like a ghost town.
All the clubs have been closed down
All the clubs in the town have been shut down for unknown reasons.
This place (town) is coming like a ghost town
The place is becoming lifeless and empty, like an abandoned ghost town.
Bands won't play no more
The bands that used to play in the clubs have all stopped or been prevented from playing.
Too much fighting on the dance floor
There is excessive violence and conflict among the people on the dance floor.
Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
Do you recall the days when the town was lively and bustling before it became a ghost town?
We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown
People enjoyed themselves with dancing and singing, and the music played throughout the town like a boomtown.
This town (town) is coming like a ghost town
The town continues to become quieter and emptier each day.
Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Why must young people engage in conflict with one another instead of uniting for a better cause?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
The government has neglected the younger generation and not provided for their needs or opportunities.
This place (town) is coming like a ghost town
The area is slowly losing its vibrancy, becoming more and more empty like a ghost town.
No job to be found in this country
There are no job opportunities available for the people in the town or country.
Can't go on no more
The people are at their breaking point and can no longer continue living in such conditions.
The people getting angry
The population is becoming more and more frustrated and agitated with their situation.
This town is coming like a ghost town
The town is continuing its trend towards becoming deserted and empty like a ghost town.
This town is coming like a ghost town
The town is continuing its trend towards becoming deserted and empty like a ghost town.
This town is coming like a ghost town
The town is continuing its trend towards becoming deserted and empty like a ghost town.
This town is coming like a ghost town
The town is continuing its trend towards becoming deserted and empty like a ghost town.
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JERRY DAMMERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@redrev674
RIP Terry Hall. I was 14 at comprehensive school when this came out. Loved everything Terry Hall was involved with. It was very much a track of its time but it is timeless
@davefb
About the same age.
We were leaving the uk for a family holday in france and this was the last tune we heard getting on the ferry. Just felt so 'right'.
RIP indeed. I feel broken..
@davidlester7066
RIP Terry Hall,Skinhead til i die
@Warp75
RIP Terry
@rayjr62
Agreed. One absurdly underrated singer. And admittedly even his own former band mates didn't know he was gravely ill. R.I.P..
@prbsnoop1974
Not really - it feels like we've come full circle
@purplemonkey6178
This track never ages.... it's as brilliant today as it was 40 years ago. One of the greatest songs ever to come out of this country. RIP Terry Hall
@Zootsuit1
Just like today, nothing left, people have lost themselves,now it's plastic barbies and Kens and everyones the same , no identity with them, just plain Jane's and twee
@mrmister769
@mr midnight 00 i like you. I wish i could just get shot into space and away from all this pretentious bullshit we have to put up with
@michaelphelpsaccidentalson127
i dont like it at all.... and i am from the world war so i know my history