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
I Can't Stand It
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a cold room with damp sheets, and a pain in my head
I saw you last night and you drove me insane
Why must you hurt me again and again
I've had enough, if I don't come back for more that's tough
Cause I can't stand it, the way you've planned it
No I can't stand it any longer
Sometimes I get so I tired I can't get no sleep
I'm so drunk I can't stand up on my own two feet
I'm feeling so hungry I don't want to eat
You make me so angry I can't even speak
I'll stay at home where I can be alone
Because I just can't stand it, the way you've planned it
No I can't stand it any longer
Try not to cry as I lie in the rain
Feel like walking through walls just to get back home again
I saw you last night and I'll see you again
Maybe you're trying to drive me insane
I've had enough, if I don't come back for more that's tough
Cause I can't take it any more
I'm going home where I can be alone
Because I just can't stand it, no I can't stand it
No I can't stand it any longer
Goodnight Terry
Goodnight Rhoda
The lyrics to The Specials' song "I Can't Stand It" vividly portray the pain and frustration of being in a toxic relationship. The first verse describes waking up alone with a hangover, after a night spent with someone who has caused the singer pain. The second verse continues to detail the mental and physical toll of the relationship, with lines about sleeplessness, drunkenness, and hunger. The chorus repeatedly states that the singer "can't stand it" anymore, reflecting a desire to break free from the cycle of hurt caused by this person.
The final verse adds a sense of desperation to the situation, with lines about lying in the rain and feeling like the singer may need to literally walk through walls to escape. The repetition of "I've had enough" and "I'm going home where I can be alone" drive home the idea that the singer has reached their breaking point and needs to prioritize their own well-being over trying to make things work with this person. The inclusion of the closing line "Goodnight Terry/Goodnight Rhoda" seems to imply that the song is addressed to specific people, potentially making the lyrics even more personal and specific in their meaning.
Line by Line Meaning
When I woke up this morning alone in my bed
I woke up alone in my bed and felt lonely
In a cold room with damp sheets, and a pain in my head
The room was cold and the sheets were damp and I had a headache
I saw you last night and you drove me insane
I saw you last night and you made me feel crazy
Why must you hurt me again and again
Why do you keep hurting me repeatedly?
I've had enough, if I don't come back for more that's tough
I've had enough, I won't be returning for more
Cause I can't stand it, the way you've planned it
I can't stand the way you've planned everything
No I can't stand it any longer
I can't tolerate it any longer
Sometimes I get so I tired I can't get no sleep
Sometimes I get so tired that I can't sleep
I'm so drunk I can't stand up on my own two feet
I'm extremely drunk and can't stand up straight
I'm feeling so hungry I don't want to eat
I'm so hungry that I don't even want to eat
You make me so angry I can't even speak
You make me so angry that I can't speak
I'll stay at home where I can be alone
I will stay at home where I can be by myself
Because I just can't stand it, the way you've planned it
I just can't bear the way you've planned everything
No I can't stand it any longer
I can't tolerate it any longer
Try not to cry as I lie in the rain
I'll try not to cry while I lie in the rain
Feel like walking through walls just to get back home again
I feel like I need to walk through walls to get back home
I saw you last night and I'll see you again
I saw you last night and I'll see you again
Maybe you're trying to drive me insane
Perhaps you're intentionally trying to make me crazy
I've had enough, if I don't come back for more that's tough
I've had enough, I won't be returning for more
Cause I can't take it any more
I can't endure it anymore
I'm going home where I can be alone
I'm going home where I can be by myself
Because I just can't stand it, no I can't stand it
I just can't bear it anymore
No I can't stand it any longer
I can't tolerate it any longer
Goodnight Terry
Goodnight Terry
Goodnight Rhoda
Goodnight Rhoda
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JERRY DAMMERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thespecials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
@Noelito40
Goodnight Terry...your music lives on!
@westsidecrew5578
I remember telling a school friend about this track when it came out. He looked high and low for it but couldn't find it. He was a huge Specials fan. Ironic that I have found it now 40+ years later. Thank goodness for YouTube!!!
@wizfoz
20/12/22… Goodnight Terry… Thanks!
@KienNguyenParis
RiP Terry. I don't know how many times I listened to this song when I was young...
@urukyb6975
—Good night Terry...
—Good night Rhoda...
@bga9388
Listened to this song when I was 14. Now at mid fifty I realize how great this song actually is. I love The Specials and always will.
@user-ot3lo6jt9i
Best specials track stull sounds class
@DeviantincTV
RIP Terry x
@changn2016
When I was student I listened this song everyday such a great song is all for second!