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
Bright Lights
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The bright lights, the bright lights, the bright lights
I thought I might move down to London Town
I could get in a band, have fun all the year round
The living down there must be pretty easy
I could rip up my jeans deliberately
If everybody goes WHAM! and has fun on the dole
Imagine what it would be like for me
I've seen the pictures in the magazines
Because I've been down too long now
I don't understand why
But something's gotta change soon
Because I can't just sit and cry
Something better come right
Something better come right
Something better come right soon
Something got to come right
Something got to come right
Something got to come right soon
The bright lights, the bright lights, the bright lights
The bright lights, the bright lights, the bright lights
Something better come right
Something better come right
Something better come right soon
I got down to London and what did I see?
A thousand policemen all over the street
The people were shouting and looking at me
They said 'the Colin Roach's family demand an enquiry'
I woke up from a terrible dream
I saw millions of people replaced by machines
I thought, I've got to change more than my clothes
If I want to do something more than just pose
I've been down too long now
I must go up from here
Somethings got to change soon
Because I can't just disappear
Something's got to come right
Something's got to come right
Something's got to come right soon
Something better come right
Something better come right
Something better come right soon
The Specials' "Bright Lights" is a song that delves into the experience of moving to London in search of a better life. The song starts with the singer pining for a new beginning in London, where he hopes to join a band and have fun throughout the year. However, his romanticized vision of the city is shattered upon arrival, as he is met with a harsh reality of police presence, social unrest, and the struggle to survive.
The second verse takes a darker turn as the singer describes a dream where he sees the depersonalization of society and how machines have replaced humans. This experience leads him to realize that he needs to change more than just his clothes if he wants to make a difference.
The refrain of "Something better come right soon" portrays the singer's frustration with his current situation and his hope for a brighter future. The repetition of "The bright lights" throughout the song emphasizes the allure and myth of London's urban environment, which many young people at the time were drawn to in search of adventure and escape.
Overall, "Bright Lights" is a commentary on the social and economic issues facing young people during the UK's Thatcher-era in the 1980s. The song speaks to the disillusionment and struggle of working-class youth who were promised a better life but found themselves facing poverty, unemployment, and police brutality in London.
Line by Line Meaning
The bright lights, the bright lights, the bright lights
The singer is possibly entranced by the bright lights of London and mentions it multiple times in the song.
I thought I might move down to London Town
The singer is contemplating moving to London in search of opportunity and excitement.
I could get in a band, have fun all the year round
The singer is considering forming a band and enjoying a hedonistic lifestyle in London.
The living down there must be pretty easy
The artist believes that London would be an easy place to live.
I could rip up my jeans deliberately
The artist is contemplating making a fashion statement and rebelling against norms.
The streets really must be paved with gold
The singer believes that London is a place of immense wealth and opportunity.
If everybody goes WHAM! and has fun on the dole
The singer is sarcastically pointing out that it's not easy for everyone to have fun and make money in London.
Imagine what it would be like for me
The artist is reflecting on how their life would change if they moved to London.
I've seen the pictures in the magazines
The artist has a preconceived notion of what life in London is like, based on popular media.
Because I've been down too long now
The artist has been in a stagnant or negative situation for too long and wants a change.
I don't understand why
The singer is unsure why their life hasn't improved yet.
But something's gotta change soon
The artist is confident that things will turn around for them soon.
Because I can't just sit and cry
The singer is motivated to take action and improve their situation, rather than giving up.
Something better come right
The singer is hoping for something good to happen to them.
Something got to come right soon
The singer believes that good things will happen to them soon.
I got down to London and what did I see?
The artist has finally arrived in London and is eager to explore the city.
A thousand policemen all over the street
The artist is shocked by the heavy police presence in London.
The people were shouting and looking at me
The singer feels like an outsider in London, and people are paying attention to them.
They said 'the Colin Roach's family demand an enquiry'
The singer overhears a political protest or demand for justice on the street.
I woke up from a terrible dream
The artist is reflecting on a nightmare they had.
I saw millions of people replaced by machines
The artist dreams of a dystopian future where humans are replaced by technology.
I thought, I've got to change more than my clothes
The artist realizes that changing their outfit or superficial appearance isn't enough to make a real change in their life.
If I want to do something more than just pose
The singer wants to take real action and make a positive impact on their life or society at large.
I must go up from here
The artist is determined to move forward and improve their situation.
Because I can't just disappear
The singer doesn't want to give up or fade away into obscurity.
Something's got to come right
The singer is still hopeful that something good will happen to them.
Something better come right soon
The singer is eagerly awaiting positive change in their life or situation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JOHN EDWARD BRADBURY, STANLEY HALL CAMPBELL, DICK CUTHELL, JERRY DAMMERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind