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
Break Down the Door
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But one day I'm gonna breakout because at last I've realised
Breakdown the door of the trap that you're in
You've got to breakout before the four walls have closed in
Breakdown the door
You've gotta do what?
You've gotta do what you wanna
You've gotta get out
But you can't because you're up to your neck
And there's no turning back so you try to forget
The cracks have started to appear
You want to get away
Before the fun turns into tears
You wish that you could
Breakdown the door
You've got to breakdown
Before you breakdown
You've got to breakdown, breakdown the door
Go, where?, wherever you want
You'd better go if your gonna
Do what you want
But you can't because you're up to your neck
And there's no turning back so you try to forget
Before the cracks start to appear you want to get away
Before the days turn into the years you wish that you could
Breakdown the door
Everybody wants to breakdown the door Of the trap that they're in
Breakout before the four walls have closed in
Breakdown the door
Breakdown the door Of the trap that you're in
Breakout before the four walls have closed in
The Specials' song "Break Down the Door" is about breaking free from the limitations that society imposes on us. It's about feeling trapped in a life that doesn't fulfill us and realizing that the only way to escape is to take action and make a change. The lyrics are full of urgency and frustration, as the singer feels like they're suffocating in their current situation and knows they need to break free before it's too late.
Throughout the song, the singer encourages themselves (and others) to "breakdown the door" of their trap. They urge people to do what they want and not let anyone else hold them back. The imagery of a trap is used to illustrate the feeling of being stuck and unable to escape. However, the singer doesn't want to give in to this feeling and instead is determined to take action and find a way out.
The song's lyrics highlight the importance of taking control of your life and making changes when necessary. It's about the struggle to break free from the limitations that society imposes on us, but also about the hope and determination that comes with overcoming these obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
For too long, i have lived in a trap built of lies
I have been stuck in a life full of lies and deceit for a long time.
But one day I'm gonna breakout because at last I've realised
Finally, I have come to the realization that I need to break out of my current situation.
Breakdown the door of the trap that you're in
You need to break free from the confinement that you are currently in.
You've got to breakout before the four walls have closed in
You have to escape before your situation becomes completely hopeless.
Do it you've gotta
You have to take action to make a change.
You've gotta do what?
You need to do what it takes to break free from your current situation.
You've gotta do what you wanna
You must do whatever is necessary to achieve your desired goals.
You've gotta get out
You must escape from the trap that you are currently in.
But you can't because you're up to your neck
You feel trapped and overwhelmed by your current situation.
And there's no turning back so you try to forget
You feel like you can't go back to your previous life, so you try to forget and move forward.
The cracks have started to appear
You begin to see signs that your situation is starting to become unstable.
You want to get away
You have a strong desire to escape your current situation.
Before the fun turns into tears
You want to escape before your current situation completely falls apart and causes you distress.
You wish that you could
You dream of being able to break free from your current situation.
Go, where?, wherever you want
You have the freedom to go wherever you desire.
You'd better go if your gonna
If you want to break free from your current situation, you better take action now.
Before the cracks start to appear you want to get away
You want to escape before your situation becomes too unstable and difficult to manage.
Before the days turn into the years you wish that you could
You want to escape your current situation before more time passes and it becomes even more difficult to do so.
Everybody wants to breakdown the door
Many people feel trapped in their current situation and want to escape.
Of the trap that they're in
People want to break free from their current confinement and move on to something better.
Breakout before the four walls have closed in
It is essential to escape before your current situation becomes completely hopeless.
Breakdown the door
You must take action to break free and move on to something better.
Breakdown the door Of the trap that you're in
You must escape the confinement that is holding you back from achieving your full potential.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JERRY DAMMERS, PETER JOHN SHIPLEY, STANLEY HALL CAMPBELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MB65Sax
The genius Jerry Dammer, the creative force behind the Specials is on the Keyboards, Special A.K.A from the album In the Studio. Great vocal from Stan Campbell
@jasonpfinch
It really is a great vocal.
@mtbhomegrownhoney.1750
I love creatively with any artistic style that's comes from the soul of the musicians and artists..great vibe
@kristinamercado5737
Great job everybody 👏
@2ndbaritone
absolute gem
@katoness
If only the other Specials had listened to Jerry more. They should have left let their egos at the door and realised they where working with a genius.
@davidcheevers517
Class!!!!
@bobcvetichan4426
Reminds me of the Style Council.
@TheKinoEye
Still breaking it down Jerr
@thespecials
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