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
Blank Expressions
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seven o'clock and the roads are blocked
So I walk downtown
There's no-one around
I walk in a bar and immediately
I sense danger
You look at me girl, as if I was some kind of a
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
The streets are dark, and there's no
One about
I wander home and all the
The lights are out, I keep wondering
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
(Where) where did you get that blank (blank)
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face?
Where did you get that blank
Expression on your face...
The Specials’ song Blank Expressions is a melancholic narrative about a person wandering alone in a deserted city in the midst of a snowstorm. The singer walks into a bar but the girl inside looks at him as if he is a complete stranger. He wonders why she has a blank expression on her face. As he wanders through the dark, empty streets he continues to question where this girl got her blank expression.
The lyrics suggest an underlying feeling of alienation and solitude. This is amplified by the use of the snowstorm as a metaphor for loneliness. The singer faces a sense of detachment as he wanders through an icy wasteland surrounded by snowfall. The use of the phrase “blank expression” implies a degree of numbness, or perhaps even detachment, indicative of depression or apathy, which amplifies the sense of isolation conveyed by the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Snow is falling all around, seven o'clock and the roads are blocked
The snowfall is so intense that it has caused the roads to be blocked and it's already seven in the evening.
So I walk down town, there's no-one around
Despite the snowfall, the singer is walking around town where there's no one else around.
I walk in a bar and immediately I sense danger
As soon as the singer enters a bar, they feel that something is not right.
You look at me girl as if I was some kind of a, a total stranger
The artist feels like the girl in the bar is looking at them like they are completely unknown and unwelcome.
Where did you get that blank expression on your face?
The artist is curious about the girl's expression, wondering where it came from and what it could mean.
The streets are dark, and there's no-one about
As the singer walks back home, the streets are dark and empty.
I wander home and all the ,the lights are out, I keep wondering
Upon reaching home, the singer notices that all the lights are out and they continue to wonder about the girl's expression.
Where did you get that blank expression on your face?
The artist's curiosity about the girl's expression persists even in the comfort of their own home.
Where did you get that blank expression on your face?
The question is repeated, further emphasizing the artist's obsession with deciphering the girl's expression.
Where did you get that blank expression on your face?
The same question is repeated once more, highlighting the intensity of the artist's curiosity and confusion.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jerry Dammers, John Bradbury, Lynval Golding, Neville Staples, Roderick Byers, Stephen Panter, Terry Hall
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Specials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
Caroline Judge
They don't get enough praise, well done specials and thank you 4 d music,
nige massey
Looking forward to seeing the best two tone band ever again in Newcastle this year,,
inserter400
The greatest band of all time !
Vj Avzone
Great !
The Specials were just GREAT 👍🏼
Denise Kirwan
Went to see them last year 25 December 2021 at the troxy limehouse it was great love this group for years an there still going strong got to see them again worth it Denise callis
Armani-Chan
My family is planning on going to a specials show one day, hope to see you whenever that happens!
BorkumRiff
Still great ……
Juan MO
This tune was sampled for Massive Attack's Eurochild from their Protection album.
Shlock-source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protection_(Massive_Attack_album)#Track_listing
Barry Catchpole
The good old days none ov the shit that's around now