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
Do Nothing
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to find, find a future
New pair of shoes are on my feet
Cause fashion is my only culture
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
It makes no sense to follow fashion
How could I be anybody else
I don't try, I've got no reason
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I talk and talk, say nothing
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
I walk along this same old lonely street
Still trying to find, find a reason
Policeman comes and smacks me in the teeth
I don't complain, it's not my function
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
They're just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
They're just playing in a life without thinking
They talk and talk, say nothing
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I walk and walk, I'm dreaming
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I talk and talk, say nothing
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
The Specials’ “Do Nothing” is a melancholy and thought-provoking song about feeling lost and disconnected in a society that values conformity and fashion over individuality and authenticity. The lyrics describe the singer’s daily routine of walking down a lonely street, desperately trying to find a purpose or direction in life. However, despite his efforts, he cannot seem to break out of his listless existence. The character is dressed in fashionable clothes and has a new pair of shoes, but these material items provide little solace for his existential crisis.
The chorus of “Nothing ever change, oh no, nothing ever change” is a somber refrain that underscores the singer's sense of hopelessness and despair. The song also critiques societal pressure to follow the latest trends and conform to arbitrary norms. People tell the singer to "just be yourself,” but he can't because he doesn't know who he is or wants to be. Toward the end of the song, the character is physically assaulted by a police officer, adding another layer of societal injustice and oppression.
Line by Line Meaning
Each day I walk along this lonely street
I am stuck in a monotonous routine and find myself walking down the same path every day.
Trying to find, find a future
I am searching for a sense of purpose or direction in my life.
New pair of shoes are on my feet
I use fashion as a means of expressing myself and finding identity in a world that feels meaningless.
Cause fashion is my only culture
I have no other outlet or community to belong to, so fashion becomes my primary source of identity and culture.
People say to me just be yourself
Others encourage me to be authentic and to not conform to societal norms or expectations.
It makes no sense to follow fashion
Following trends or fitting in with the crowd is not a fulfilling or worthwhile pursuit.
How could I be anybody else
I struggle with finding my own identity and sense of self separate from external influences and opinions.
I don't try, I've got no reason
I lack motivation or purpose to actively pursue my own interests or aspirations.
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I feel lost and empty, lacking a sense of purpose or fulfillment in my life.
I walk and walk, do nothing
I am stuck in a rut and don't take any meaningful action to change or improve my situation.
I'm just living in a life without feeling
Emotionally, I feel numb or detached from my own experiences and relationships.
I talk and talk, say nothing
My words and conversations lack depth or sincerity and don't contribute anything valuable to my life or relationships.
Policeman comes and smacks me in the teeth
I face obstacles or opposition in my life, sometimes even from those in positions of authority.
I don't complain, it's not my function
I accept the struggles and difficulties in my life, even if I don't understand or agree with them.
They're just playing in a life without thinking
Others around me also appear to lack purpose or depth in their own lives, focusing instead on superficial or meaningless activities.
I'm just living in a life without feeling
Again, I feel emotionally disconnected and unfulfilled in my own experiences and relationships.
I walk and walk, I'm dreaming
I spend my time in my own head, daydreaming or wishing for a different reality.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LYNVAL GOLDING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-hu8gw5dq5z
Each day I walk along this lonely street
Trying to find, find a future
New pair of shoes are on my feet
Cause fashion is my only culture
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
People say to me just be yourself
It makes no sense to follow fashion
How could I be anybody else
I don't try, I've got no reason
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I talk and talk, say nothing
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
I walk along this same old lonely street
Still trying to find, find a reason
Policeman comes and smacks me in the teeth
I don't complain, it's not my function
Nothing ever change, oh no
Nothing ever change
They're just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
They're just playing in a life without thinking
They talk and talk, say nothing
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I walk and walk, I'm dreaming
I'm just living in a life without feeling
I talk and talk, say nothing
I'm just living in a life without meaning
I walk and walk, do nothing
@thespecials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
@mariapaz8005
Love you, Terry. I hope you find peace wherever you are. You'll be deeply missed. </3 Thank you for your music, it always meant a lot to me.
@peterthomas3679
The song that changed my life, start of the six weeks holidays, long hair, flares, at the end off, skinhead, doc's and a red Fred Perry, would do it all again
@lostquantity445
those were the days!
@nickprica3127
the best times of my life
@willyabraham6576
i can really understand you,i think this is the right way
@halcyon289
And that is what I was treated like when , like you , I went from long hair and flares to Doc's , Fred Perry etc.....,
@SharonD369
Peter Thomas I still sporting my cherry doc shoes and Fred Perry’s. 👌👌👌
@MrFlinchenstein
Adam Curtis sent me here :)
@samanthadeans2987
my pops use to play this and sing it from the hart and said dont you ever change gurl just love this song