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
Lonely Crowd
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And switch off the TV set
This is not the life for me
I'm going out tonight
Put on my trendy clothes
And head for where the in crowd goes
Might find true love who knows
Tonight might be the night
In the lonely crowd
I can hear you can you hear me?
Everybody's talking so loud
I want some freedom from the tedium
I've got no where to go tonight
I'm in the lonely crowd
So turn the lights down low
And play the music loud
What the hell is wrong in here?
There's nothing going on and on
Did someone cut the atmosphere with a knife?
Stare at each other wondering what's the matter
Mutter in a nervous stutter
Do you call this life?
I can see you can you see me?
In the lonely crowd
I can hear you can you hear me?
Everybody's shouting loud
Give me some freedom from the tedium.
We've got nowhere to go tonight
I'm in the lonely crowd
So turn the lights down low
And play the music loud
The Lonely Crowd by The Special A.K.A. is a song about the feeling of isolation and disconnection that can come from being in a crowded, noisy environment. The singer of the song is fed up with the monotony of his life and decides to go out and try to find something more meaningful. He puts on his trendy clothes and heads out into the night, hoping to find love or some kind of excitement. But when he gets to the club where "the in crowd goes," he finds that everyone is just shouting over each other and there's no real connection or meaning to be found. He feels lost in the crowd, searching for someone who might understand him or see him for who he is.
The song's lyrics expertly capture the claustrophobia and sense of alienation that can come from being surrounded by people but feeling utterly alone. The repetition of the phrase "I'm in the lonely crowd" emphasizes the feeling of being trapped and unseen, while the line "Did someone cut the atmosphere with a knife?" perfectly captures the sense of unease and tension that can build up in a crowded space. The song's chorus, with its plea for "freedom from the tedium," represents the singer's desire to break free from the monotony of his life and find some kind of real connection with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Put out my cigarette
I am feeling dissatisfied and restless in my current situation.
And switch off the TV set
I am disengaging from the distractions of modern life.
This is not the life for me
I don't want to be a part of the societal norms and standards.
I'm going out tonight
I want to explore my options and search for something new and exciting.
Put on my trendy clothes
I want to fit in and be accepted by those around me.
And head for where the in crowd goes
I want to find the people who are living the exciting and fulfilling life I desire.
Might find true love who knows
Perhaps this is the night I'll meet someone special who shares my passions and desires.
Tonight might be the night
I am hopeful and optimistic about the possibilities this evening may bring.
Will you be there will you see me?
I am searching for someone to share my experiences with, and hoping to be noticed and appreciated.
In the lonely crowd
Despite being surrounded by people, I feel disconnected and alone.
I can hear you can you hear me?
I am reaching out in an attempt to connect with someone who understands my feelings.
Everybody's talking so loud
The noise and chaos of the crowd is overwhelming and suffocating.
I want some freedom from the tedium
I am seeking relief from the dull and monotonous routine of daily life.
I've got no where to go tonight
Despite my earlier optimistic hopes, I am realizing that there may not be any exciting possibilities for this evening after all.
So turn the lights down low
I am looking for a change in atmosphere, and hoping to change the tone of the evening.
And play the music loud
By changing the environment, I am hoping to make a fresh start and find new opportunities for enjoyment and excitement.
What the hell is wrong in here?
I am frustrated and confused by the lack of energy and excitement in the crowd.
There's nothing going on and on
Despite my attempts to find something exciting and engaging, I am realizing that this evening is a disappointment.
Did someone cut the atmosphere with a knife?
The silence and uneventfulness of the crowd is palpable and oppressive.
Stare at each other wondering what's the matter
Everyone is feeling the same sense of disappointment and confusion, and no one knows quite what to do about it.
Mutter in a nervous stutter
The awkwardness of the situation is causing everyone to falter in their attempts to connect and engage with others.
Do you call this life?
I am questioning the meaning and purpose of the mundane and unfulfilling existence that I find myself in.
Give me some freedom from the tedium
I am still searching for an escape from the banalities of daily life.
We've got nowhere to go tonight
Despite being surrounded by people, there are no viable options for excitement or engagement.
I'm in the lonely crowd
The sense of isolation and emptiness is still pervasive, despite being in a crowded space.
So turn the lights down low
I am still searching for a change in environment and energy, hoping to find something more engaging and exciting.
And play the music loud
Perhaps by changing the atmosphere, I can find the energy and excitement that I've been searching for all night.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: STANLEY HALL CAMPBELL, JERRY DAMMERS, PETER JOHN SHIPLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sassy1970sy
What an amazing song! Legends
@jukeboxjonnie
The maddest sax solo you'll ever hear... :)
@ryxtell
👏great song!
@therealsoulproduct
These cats might have inadvertently created Trip-Hop. Way ahead of their time. Classic tune. #RIP John Bradbury & Gary McManus (the ryvvum section).
@siborgjonnie7497
Super Tune !
@johantrejtinbergbordon2238
Gracias por compartir!!! La música es cultura!
@schrodingerscat3912
this band fucking rules 1:25 i love this part
@greeninc.6202
Tnx for increasing my durability
Edit: who gets the reference? :D
@sewerslidemg
I've seen a shit ton of cult films u stumped me... what is it circuit?
@UltraValican
@@sewerslidemg 2 Weeks late. But there is a fan made video game based off the popular anime Series Jojo's Bizare Adventure: Stardust Crusaders. The creator of the anime series is a huge fan of western music and regularly names character and powers(known as Stands) after songs and musicians. In the fan made video game "The 7th Stand User" the protagonist can have a Stand known as "Specials" named after this band, which takes the form of six secret agents in black masks. One of their abilities is even called "Lonely Crowd".
EDIT-Durability is a stat in the game. Granted iirc Specials doesn't do anything to YOUR durability as a player with its skills.