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
10 Commandments
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thou shall not listen to Prince Buster
Or any other man offering kindly advice
In matters of my own conduct
You may call me a feminazi or a femoid
And then see if I give a stinking shit
Pseudointellectuals on the internet
Failing to consider that I may be unhappy
Because it's 3 AM and I'm in the depths of YouTube
Watching them, whining
Thou may catcall me on the street
But thou should take note that I'll catcall you right back
To tell you that you look pretty sexy too in your joggers
Or your suit, or your new-found look of confusion
Girls should not turn on each other
Or use man-made ideals like paths
Don't you realize that you're only making a fool of yourself
When you ask, "Why don't you wear makeup?"
Is that what it takes to impress a bloke
Whose brain is made up of promises of curvy size zeros
And anti-gravity tits?
Thou shall not tell a girl she deserved it
Because her skirt was too short
She walked home, streets lights illuminating her as a target
But she started it, because she looked at him
And he finished it 'cause he wanted to
And they'll bring out her skirt as "exhibit A" before the judge
And she should have the right to say
"Thou shall not tell me what to wear
Nor how to wear it"
I shall not be the icing on your cake
And I shall not be the candy on your arm
But I shall be seen
And I will be heard
The commandments of I, Saffiyah Khan
Pseudointellectuals
on the internet will tell you that The Specials' song "10 Commandments" is a feminist call to arms against patriarchal society. However, a closer look reveals that it is more of a personal manifesto by Saffiyah Khan, the person to whom the "commandments" are addressed. In the song, Saffiyah is advocating for her right to free expression and her disdain for societal norms that demean women's identity and liberty.
The song's opening lines introduce Saffiyah's skepticism towards men who offer her advice on how she should conduct herself. She refuses to be boxed in by societal expectations of what a woman should be and how she should act. She goes on to highlight the hypocrisy of online "pseudointellectuals" who criticize her for not fitting into their narrow definition of femininity. She asserts that their judgments only serve to bring her down and make her feel worse about herself.
The later sections of the song tackle issues like victim-blaming, slut-shaming, and the objectification of women's bodies. Saffiyah implores women not to turn on each other and not to fall prey to male-gaze-inspired ideals of appearance. She stresses that women have the right to choose their own outfits and that no one has the right to tell them how to dress.
Overall, "10 Commandments" is a fierce and passionate statement of self-assertion and self-ownership by Saffiyah Khan. It challenges patriarchal values and societal norms that seek to constrain women's identities and behaviors.
Line by Line Meaning
Pseudointellectuals on the internet
People who pretend to be intellectual on the internet
They tell me I'm unhappy because I'm not feminine
They claim that I'm unhappy because I'm not conforming to traditional female stereotypes
Thou shall not listen to Prince Buster
I will not take advice from men like Prince Buster
Or any other man offering kindly advice
Or any other man who tries to tell me how to act or what to do
You may call me a feminazi or a femoid
You are free to call me derogatory names such as feminazi or femoid
And then see if I give a stinking shit
But I won't care at all about your words
Thou may catcall me on the street
You are allowed to catcall me on the street
But thou should take note that I'll catcall you right back
But beware that I will do the same to you
To tell you that you look pretty sexy too in your joggers
To sarcastically compliment you on your outfit
Girls should not turn on each other
Girls should support each other instead of tearing each other down
Or use man-made ideals like paths
Or use societal expectations and stereotypes to judge and shame each other
Is that what it takes to impress a bloke
Is that really what women need to do to impress men?
Whose brain is made up of promises of curvy size zeros and anti-gravity tits?
Who only value women based on their body shape and size?
Thou shall not tell a girl she deserved it
You should never blame a girl for being a victim
Because her skirt was too short
Just because she was wearing short clothing
And she should have the right to say
She should have the right to speak up
Nor how to wear it
And wear whatever she likes
I shall not be the icing on your cake
I am not here to simply decorate your life
And I shall not be the candy on your arm
And I am not a mere accessory to be shown off
But I shall be seen
But I will make myself visible
And I will be heard
And my voice will be heard
The commandments of I, Saffiyah Khan
These are my personal rules to live by, as Saffiyah Khan
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Saffiyah Khan, Cecil Campbell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@harveysmith100
This is the Specials with their DNA fully intact,
Go back and listen to their first two albums, "Specials" and "More Specials."
You will find the lyrics political and thought provoking.
In the late seventies and early eighties they woke up a generation that have been awake ever since.
It is time the youngsters woke up in 2019. I doubt if they will pay attention as we did but if one or two young bands take inspiration and pick up the flag, anything could happen.
What a brave record to put out, I thought Vote For Me Was worthy of the name but this is "More Specials" with a modern twist.
It seems the fire has not gone out in the souls of the men who did so much for my generation.
Maybe I am hoping for to much from the new album, but just maybe they could influence some new political song writers.
Emotional
@jorjicostava6657
Specials as relevant as always! Where a lot of bands struggle to keep open minds and stay true to their ideas. RIP Terry, you made me a better person.
@jaliakosovo7250
Papers please
@tomasmorey1269
Very interesting fusion.
Best from PALMA DE MALLORCA.
@AtZero138
Long Live Prince Buster.. all others fail.. Stay Rude Stay Roots and keep your Boots Stomping..
@AtZero138
@@deonlymero Much Respect to You.. just hit the Link.. Cheers from Southern California..
@davidgadd5377
Cracking tune..
@chimalhuacaneneltiempo1467
Estoy encantado con esta cantante, gracias por compartir, saludos desde Chimalhuacán México.
@blakebennett5358
Ella quedo famosa por una foto de ella vestida en un t-shirt de The Specials enfrentando un pinche supremacista blanco, y the Specials convidaron ella cantar con ellos
@jdr947
Love the tune! I'd wish Saffiyah Khan would be recognised in the title or at least in the description. Her lyrics and power after all!
@m.h.hanifbohari7481
Rebellious as fuck, great dub music. Thou shalt not claim a Specials fan if your mind narrow as hell