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
Israelites
The Specials Lyrics
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So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelites, ah
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelite
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Poor me Israelites
Shirt them a-tear up, trousers is gone
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelites
After a storm there must be a calm
They catch me in the farm
You sound your alarm
Poor me Israelites
I said I get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelites
I said my wife and my kids, they are packed up and leave me
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Poor me Israelites
Look me shirts them a-tear up, trousers are gone
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelites
After a storm there must be a calm
They catch me in the farm
You sound your alarm
Poor me Israelites
Poor me Israelites, poor me Israelites, poor me Israelites
The Specials’ song “Israelites” is a commentary on poverty and the struggles of everyday life. The opening lines “Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir, so that every mouth can be fed, poor me Israelites” sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer is presenting an image of himself and his people as hardworking but impoverished individuals. The repetition of “poor me Israelites” throughout the song drives the message home and strengthens the singer’s tone of lament and frustration.
The second verse reveals a deeply personal side of the singer’s struggles as he speaks of his wife and children leaving him. He expresses the sadness and rejection he is feeling, stating that his wife packed up and left him, telling him that he was “yours to be seen.” This act is a clear indication of how poverty and struggle can tear apart the unit of the family, leaving individuals alone and vulnerable.
The final verses indicate a sense of hopelessness; the singer has nothing left to lose. He is described as wearing torn clothing and is scared of the possibility of becoming like Bonnie and Clyde, criminals who ended up dead as a result of their actions. The lines “After a storm there must be a calm, they catch me in the farm, you sound your alarm, poor me Israelites” reveal a sense of resignation towards the situation. The singer accepts that he will be found and caught, leading to his inevitable punishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
I wake up early in the morning to work hard and earn money to feed my family and others.
So that every mouth can be fed
I work hard to ensure that everyone has enough food to eat.
Poor me Israelites, ah
Despite my efforts to provide for myself and others, I still feel poor and powerless like the Israelites.
My wife and my kids, they packed up and leave me
My family has left me, adding to my struggle and making me feel alone.
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
My wife seems to suggest that she did not choose to leave me, but circumstances or fate led to her departure.
Shirt them a-tear up, trousers is gone
My clothes are torn and worn out, reflecting the hardships I face in life.
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
I do not want to become a criminal or a victim of violence like the famous duo Bonnie and Clyde.
After a storm there must be a calm
I hope for peace and an end to my struggles after enduring difficult times and challenges.
They catch me in the farm
Despite my hopes for peace, I have been caught and punished for something, adding to my troubles.
You sound your alarm
The alarm indicates that others will call attention to my actions, leading to more problems and suffering.
Poor me Israelites
Despite my hard work and best efforts, circumstance and fate have left me feeling poor and powerless.
Poor me Israelites
Repeating the phrase emphasizes the repeated struggles and feelings of powerlessness in the face of adversity.
Poor me Israelites
The final repetition echoes the same sentiment expressed in the previous lines and emphasizes the lasting impact of the struggles faced by the singer.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group,
Written by: DESMOND DEKKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind