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
It
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We won't go away, 'cause we've come out to stay
Stand there like parked cars if you want to
We can't force you to enjoy this music
Take it or leave it we'll carry on regardless
If you don't like it you don't have to use it
It's up to you, up to you
It's up to you, up to you
It's up to you, up to you
Looks like a case of the blind leading the deaf to me
You must be bored out of your pants
Take it or leave it we'll carry on regardless
If you don't like it you don't have to dance
It's up to you, up to you, black
It's up to you, up to you, white
It's up to you, up to you, unite
It's up to you, up to you, or fight
In London town you can hear the youth them say "Take warning"
It's up to you what you really want to do
For you were standing on the corner giving trouble
When the policeman come he say you have to move on the double, yeah
So, steppin' up the street with my little rude girl
With her 'stay-pressed' to her ankles
It's up to her what she really wants to do
It's up to you, you and strictly you and you
What you gonna do, when morons come for you?
They won't go away, they want the whole world painted grey
It's up to you, up to you
It's up to you, up to you
It's up to you, up to you
It's up to you, up to you
The Specials' song "It" is a critique of conformity and the rejection of individuality in society. The lyrics challenge the listener to make their own choices and embrace their own preferences, regardless of what others may think or say. The song starts by addressing the listener's reaction to unexpected guests, mocking the idea of standing still like a "parked car" and not being able to "enjoy this music" if they don't want to. The repetition of "It's up to you" emphasizes the power of individual decision-making and the importance of taking responsibility for one's choices.
The second verse takes a harsher tone, accusing the listeners of being blind and deaf to the uniqueness of the music and mocking them for being bored. The line "Take it or leave it we'll carry on regardless" serves as a reminder that the musicians will continue to play their music whether the listeners like it or not. The verse ends with an appeal to unity, demonstrating that the song is not simply about rebellion but also about the power of collective action against conformity and oppression.
The final verse recounts a story of a young couple being hassled by the police for no reason, highlighting the injustices that individuals may face for being themselves. The lyrics suggest that even in the face of oppression, the individual still has a choice in how they react and what they do. The ending echoes the first verse, once again stating "It's up to you" and emphasizing the importance of personal freedom and the rejection of conformity.
Line by Line Meaning
What you gonna do, when guests drop in on you?
What will you do when unexpected visitors arrive?
We won't go away, 'cause we've come out to stay
We are here to stay and won't leave just because you don't like us.
Stand there like parked cars if you want to
You can choose to be passive and not enjoy our music.
We can't force you to enjoy this music
We cannot make you like our music, it's your choice.
Take it or leave it we'll carry on regardless
We will continue to play our music whether you like it or not.
If you don't like it you don't have to use it
If you don't enjoy our music, you don't have to listen to it.
Looks like a case of the blind leading the deaf to me
It seems like people are blindly following others even if they don't really like it.
You must be bored out of your pants
You must be really bored if you don't enjoy our music.
It's up to you, up to you, black
It's your decision, whether you're black or not.
It's up to you, up to you, white
It's your decision, whether you're white or not.
It's up to you, up to you, unite
It's your choice whether to come together and unite.
It's up to you, up to you, or fight
You can choose to either unite or fight against each other.
In London town you can hear the youth them say "Take warning"
The young people in London are warning you.
It's up to you what you really want to do
It's your decision on what path you want to take.
For you were standing on the corner giving trouble
You were causing a disturbance on the street corner.
When the policeman come he say you have to move on the double, yeah
The police asked you to move quickly and swiftly.
So, steppin' up the street with my little rude girl
Walking down the street with my girlfriend who has an attitude.
With her 'stay-pressed' to her ankles
Her trousers are tightly pressed against her ankles.
It's up to her what she really wants to do
It's her choice on what she wants to do.
It's up to you, you and strictly you and you
It's solely up to you and you alone to make your own decisions.
What you gonna do, when morons come for you?
What will you do when idiots come to bother you?
They won't go away, they want the whole world painted grey
They won't leave until everything is as miserable and boring as they are.
It's up to you, up to you
It's your choice to make.
It's up to you, up to you
Only you can decide what path to take.
It's up to you, up to you
You hold the power to make the right decision.
It's up to you, up to you
The choice is yours.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JERRY DAMMERS, JOHN EDWARD BRADBURY, LYNVAL GOLDING, NEVILLE EGUNTON STAPLES, RODERICK JAMES BYERS, STEPHEN GRAHAM PANTER, TERRY HALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DESPICABLE PERSON
Just because you're nobody
It doesn't mean that you're no good
Just because there's a reason
It doesn't mean it's understood
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Some people think they're really clever
To smash your head against the wall
Then they say "you got it my way"
They really think they know it all
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Just because you're a black boy
Just because you're a white
It doesn't mean you've got to hate him
It doesn't mean you've got to fight
It doesn't make it alright
It doesn't make it alright
It's the worst excuse in the world
And it, it doesn't make it alright
Just because you're nobody
Gerard
i love you too, i do.
and somehow ...
typing it all
you fellt it all
it heals for a while
wanna write a new song?
one that makes it . . . alright ...
there's only somuch negative without something positive
peace bro
The Specials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
Kay Van Cooten
My favourite song by The Specials.
RIP Terry Hall.🕯💔🕊
Thank you for your contribution to the music of my era
fkore kore
My favourite one too, this one is truly special
'Just because you're nobody
it doesn't mean that you are no good'
that big phrase with his phrasing is a powerful and tender love message itself, like a gospel kind of "you are not alone". Also the mood and the melodies.. a perfect song, a present to the history of humanity . RIP Terry. Peace to everybody 🖖
Kay Van Cooten
Well expressed. 👍🏽❤️🎶
Darren Macey
'Enjoy yourself it's later than you think', RIP Terry Hall, a true working-class hero.
al clarkey
I remember saving up my pocket money to buy this album. I still love it. Just listened to it again, for the first time in years after clicking this link. Thanks.
Andy Carroll
In tears listening this morning. Rip Terry and thanks for the message and the memories
mpeer3
This album is my life-long favorite, every song of it!!
Meg Peace
Rest easy Terry 🖤 you may be gone but you’ll be opening the minds and hearts of people forever with these amazing tunes you left behind.
Tim Talbot
Whilst the music goes on so does terry