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
A Message To You Rudy
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
Creating problems in town (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
A message to you
Stop your fooling around (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
Else you'll wind up in jail (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
A message to you
Stop your messing around (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
Creating problems in town (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
Oh, it's a message to you, Rudy
Yeah, it's a message to you, Rudy
Yeah, it's a message to you, Rudy
Oh, it's a message to you, Rudy
Yeah, it's a message to you, Rudy
Oh, it's a message to you, Rudy
The Specials' song "A Message to You Rudy" is a call for attention and change directed towards a young man named Rudy. The song begins with an invitation to stop messing around, think about his future, and straighten himself out, since his actions are creating problems in town. The repetition of these lines emphasises the urgency and the importance of Rudy's need to change his ways. The chorus then reiterates that the message is for Rudy, highlighting the targeted nature of the song's message.
Although the lyrics may appear solemn in message, the upbeat ska rhythm and the repetitiveness of the lines ensure that the song remains energetic and uplifting. The song's use of "ah-ah-ah" adds to its catchiness, a linguistic element that unites listeners and ultimately reinforces the significance of the message.
In essence, the song is an anthem for change that cries out for young people to be mindful of their actions and their impact on society. It sends the message that the future is in their hands, and they should take the responsibility to make positive changes in order to avoid ending up in jail or causing problems in town.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop your messing around (ah-ah-ah)
Cease your trivial actions and behavior (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
It is advisable to consider your long-term plans and goals (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
It's time to behave in a more responsible and respectable way (ah-ah-ah)
Creating problems in town (ah-ah-ah)
Your actions are causing issues and trouble in the community (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
The song is directed at a person named Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
This song is meant to convey a message to Rudy
Stop your fooling around (ah-ah-ah)
Stop playing tricks and jokes (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
It is time to change your ways and start being more mature (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
You need to plan ahead for what's to come (ah-ah-ah)
Else you'll wind up in jail (ah-ah-ah)
Otherwise, you might end up being arrested or imprisoned (ah-ah-ah)
Oh, it's a message to you, Rudy
The purpose of this song is to communicate a lesson to Paul
Yeah, it's a message to you, Rudy
That message is specifically targeted toward Rudy (the song's subject)
Yeah, it's a message to you, Rudy
The song repeats that it is a message for Rudy
Oh, it's a message to you, Rudy
The song ends by reiterating that the message is intended for Rudy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robert Livingstone Thompson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Stop your messing around (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
Creating problems in town (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
A message to you
Stop your fooling around (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
Else you'll wind up in jail (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
A message to you
Stop your messing around (ah-ah-ah)
Better think of your future (ah-ah-ah)
Time you straighten right out (ah-ah-ah)
Creating problems in town (ah-ah-ah)
Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
A message to you, Rudy
Oh, it's a message to you, Rudy
Yeah, it's a message to you, Rudy
[Continues as music fades out]
@thespecials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
@eclectikmusic1942
Love your music
@benoitlapierre9075
2
@ichwanrasyid8638
RIP Terry Hall. Very sad to hear this news tonight. You made the world a better place with your lyrics and tunes. Rest easy ❤️
@lionofjudahlambofgod9132
Jesus is King.
@erichill7560
Le roi est mort.
@richardbwanika2166
R.I.P Terry. Thank you for the music
@alassinsane1588
I'm so sad to hear about Terry Hall's passing. I grew up on ska punk & reggae. This was one of the bands biggest hits. It still gets my head bobbing. R.I.P. Terry.
@karldittersdorf4508
Listened to this many years ago. It's just as good as ever. Some music can't pass the test of time, but this song will be played forever. Must be kind of nice to be immortal, eh Specials?
@myoung8951
I'm not sure why this is my fave Specials tune. I usually like the high energy stuff, but it's got me jumping about in 2023. xx