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
Friday Night Saturday Morning
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Out my head by half past ten
Out with mates and dates and friends
That's what I do at weekends
I can't talk and I can't walk
But I know where I'm going to go
I'm going watch my money go
At the Locarno, no
I know what my right arm is for
Buy a drink and pull a chair
Up to the edge of the dance floor
Bouncers bouncing through the night
Trying to stop or start a fight
I sit and watch the flashing lights
Moving legs in footless tights
I go out on Friday night
and I come home on Saturday morning
I like to venture into town
I like to get a few drinks down
The floor gets packed the bar gets full
I don't like life when things get dull
The hen party have saved the night
And freed themselves from drunken stags
Having fun and dancing in
A circle round their leather bags
But two o'clock has come again
It's time to leave this paradise
Hope the chip shop isn't closed
Cos' their pies are really nice
I'll eat in the taxi queue
Standing in someone else's spew
Wish I had lipstick on my shirt
Instead of piss stains on my shoes
The Specials’ Friday Night Saturday Morning is an incredibly insightful song about the highs and lows of weekend nights out. The singer describes his typical Friday night antics – going out with mates and friends, watching his money go at the Locarno, getting drunk and losing the ability to talk or walk. The song then moves on to describe the chaos that ensues inside the club with bouncers trying to stop fights and the flashing lights of the dance floor illuminating swinging legs clad in footless tights. The chorus of the song “I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning” captures the essence of the weekend and the behaviors that come with it.
The second half of the song takes a somewhat more reflective turn. The singer acknowledges that he enjoys his drinks, but doesn’t like life when things get dull. He enjoys venturing into town and discovering new things, such as hen parties dancing in circles around their leather bags. However, as with all good nights, two o’clock inevitably rolls around and the singer must say goodbye to his friends and leave the club. The song ends with him standing in a taxi queue, wishing he had lipstick on his shirt as opposed to pee stains on his shoes.
Overall, the song tells a simple, yet relatable story about the experiences one can have on a typical Friday night. It captures the highs: the excitement of going out with friends, the dancing, the drinking. And it also captures the lows – the fights, the vomit, and the inevitable feeling of regret come the following morning.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of bed at eight am
I wake up early in the morning
Out my head by half past ten
I start drinking in the morning and continue throughout the day
Out with mates and dates and friends
I spend time with my friends and romantic partners
That's what I do at weekends
This is my weekend routine
I can't talk and I can't walk
I am inebriated and cannot communicate or move well
But I know where I'm going to go
Despite my current state, I have a destination in mind
I'm going watch my money go
I plan on spending my money on entertainment and alcohol
At the Locarno, no
This is the specific venue I am going to
When my feet go through the door
As soon as I enter the establishment
I know what my right arm is for
I am reaching for my wallet to buy drinks
Buy a drink and pull a chair
Get a drink and find a place to sit
Up to the edge of the dance floor
I am close to the area where people are dancing
Bouncers bouncing through the night
Security personnel are patrolling the venue
Trying to stop or start a fight
They are attempting to prevent altercations or break them up
I sit and watch the flashing lights
I am observing the lights on the dance floor
Moving legs in footless tights
I see people dancing in stockings or tights without feet
I go out on Friday night
This is my routine for Friday evenings
and I come home on Saturday morning
I stay out all night and return the next day
I like to venture into town
I enjoy going out
I like to get a few drinks down
I enjoy drinking alcohol
The floor gets packed the bar gets full
As the evening progresses, the venue becomes crowded
I don't like life when things get dull
I dislike being bored
The hen party have saved the night
The group of women celebrating a bachelorette party have improved the atmosphere
And freed themselves from drunken stags
They are enjoying themselves without the presence of boorish men
Having fun and dancing in
They are enjoying the music and dancing together
A circle round their leather bags
Their belongings are piled up in a circle
But two o'clock has come again
It is getting late
It's time to leave this paradise
It is time to go home
Hope the chip shop isn't closed
I hope the food establishment is still open
Cos' their pies are really nice
I like the food served there
I'll eat in the taxi queue
I will eat while waiting for a taxi
Standing in someone else's spew
I am standing in vomit
Wish I had lipstick on my shirt
I wish I had different stains on my clothes
Instead of piss stains on my shoes
There are urine stains on my footwear
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERRY HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Remi - Dutchman - Put
"Friday Night, Saturday Morning"
Out of bed at eight am
Out my head by half past ten
Out with mates and dates and friends
That's what I do at weekends
I can't talk and I can't walk
But I know where I'm going to go
I'm going watch my money go
At the Locarno, no
When my feet go through the door
I know what my right arm is for
Buy a drink and pull a chair
Up to the edge of the dance floor
Bouncers bouncing through the night
Trying to stop or start a fight
I sit and watch the flashing lights
Moving legs in footless tights
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
I like to venture into town
I like to get a few drinks down
The floor gets packed the bar gets full
I don't like life when things get dull
The hen party have saved the night
And freed themselves from drunken stags
Having fun and dancing in
A circle round their leather bags
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
But two o'clock has come again
It's time to leave this paradise
Hope the chip shop isn't closed
Cos' their pies are really nice
I'll eat it in the taxi queue
Stand in someone else's spew
Wish I had lipstick on my shirt
Instead of piss stains on my shoes
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and I come home on Saturday morning
Sing along folks !
The Specials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
Everton Silverano
Poor Terry. So poignant hearing these beautifully real lyrics now... A world away from older age and death. God bless Terry Hall, working class hero.
Patricia Olkiewicz
RiP Terry. This was the stuff, honest and real.🇬🇧
Felicien Evert
@Patricia Olkiewicz The best song he has ever written. My god, all the times I sang this song. Pissed and struggling to find my way home at 4 am. RIP Terry.
Patricia Olkiewicz
@Felicien Evert Agree!xx
Janie Runaway
Bass line, organ solo and Terry’s delivery are EVERYTHING.
John Chesterman
Amen brother!!
Janie Runaway
@John Chesterman I'm a sister, brother! Lol
John Chesterman
@Janie Runaway 😂 apologies sister 😂👍
Herivelto Jorge de souza
This song is my life from 19 till 54 years old.