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
Call Me Names
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The things you say are terrible
You make me feel ashamed
When you call me names
How come you think it's wise
To tell those wicked lies
You play such silly games
Stones and sticks don't hurt like bricks
No skin off my nose
I'll take the flack and hand it back
It's just the way that it goes
You dish the dirt but names don't hurt
You never break my bones
I'll grit my teeth but underneath
It' only sticks and stones
You think you win a prize
To cut me down to size
You make outrageous claims
When you call me names
Stones and sticks don't hurt like bricks
No skin off my nose
I'll take the flack and hand it back
It's just the way that it goes
You dish the dirt but names don't hurt
You never break my bones
I'll grit my teeth but underneath
It' only sticks and stones
How can you say those things
When they aim to sting
It always sounds the same
When you call me names
Stones and sticks don't hurt like bricks
No skin off my nose
I'll take the flack and hand it back
It's just the way that it goes
You dish the dirt but names don't hurt
You never break my bones
I'll grit my teeth but underneath
It' only sticks and stones
You never say what you mean
You never mean what you say
You never say what you mean
You never mean what you say
You never say what you mean
When you call me names
When you call me names
When you call me names
When you call me names
The Specials' song "Call Me Names" is a powerful commentary on the effects of name-calling and verbal abuse. The lyrics express the hurt and humiliation caused by the cruel words of others. The refrain of "Stones and sticks don't hurt like bricks, no skin off my nose" is a defiant response, suggesting that the singer will not be beaten down by these words. However, it is clear that the words still have an impact, and the repetition of "When you call me names" throughout the song emphasizes the emotional weight of the insults.
The bridge of the song is particularly poignant, with the lines "You never say what you mean, you never mean what you say." This suggests that the insults may be empty and meaningless, yet they still sting just as much. It also highlights the power dynamic at play, with the singer being subject to the whims and cruelty of another person.
Overall, "Call Me Names" is a powerful reminder of the impact of verbal abuse and the importance of standing up against it. The song encourages listeners to take a stand for themselves and others, to not accept cruel words as a part of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
How can you be so horrible?
Why are you so mean and cruel?
The things you say are terrible
Your words are hurtful and harmful
You make me feel ashamed
Your insults make me embarrassed and humiliated
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
How come you think it's wise
Why do you believe it's a good idea
To tell those wicked lies
To spread deceitful and untrue information
You play such silly games
You engage in immature and foolish behavior
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
Stones and sticks don't hurt like bricks
Physical objects like stones and sticks don't hurt as much as verbal insults
No skin off my nose
It doesn't bother me
I'll take the flack and hand it back
I'll endure the insults and respond with my own
It's just the way that it goes
It's an expected outcome of conflict
You dish the dirt but names don't hurt
You verbally attack me, but your insults don't have a lasting impact
You never break my bones
Your words can't cause physical harm
I'll grit my teeth but underneath
I'll try to remain composed even though it bothers me
It' only sticks and stones
Your insults are insignificant in the grand scheme of things
How can you say those things
Why do you choose to utter those hurtful words
When they aim to sting
When your insults are intended to cause pain
It always sounds the same
Your verbal attacks are repetitive and unoriginal
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
You never say what you mean
You don't speak the truth
You never mean what you say
Your words are insincere
You never say what you mean
You don't speak the truth
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
When you call me names
When you insult and belittle me
Lyrics © SENTRIC MUSIC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Munro
I bought this vinyl as an import still sealed to this very day, then bought the cd and have played it to death, a very underated album , truly exceptional 👍🏻🕴️🏁
kevin ska'd 4 life
Listen to the album you be glad you did its a great album
Larz Gustafsson
Reminds me of "My Girl Lollipop"...
Vincent Barango
the remake of lollipop by Millie Small was a Ska version
maxpain912
rude boys rude boys!!!!!!
Alan Tyas
TI WAZERE
Judokaboxer1979
Lynval singing here?