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
Monkey Man
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big, big monkey man
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up a big monkey man
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up a big monkey man
Huggin' up the big monkey man
I never saw you, I only heard of you
Huggin' up the big monkey man
It's no lie, it's no lie
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man
It's no lie, it's no lie
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man
Now I know that, now I understand
You're turning a monkey on me
Now I know that, now I understand
You're turning a monkey on me
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up the big monkey man
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la
I was on my way to Banbury Cross
Then I see a monkey upon a white horse
With rings on he fingers, bells on him toes
Sing a little song, wherever he be
'Cause he's a monkey, 'cause he's a monkey
'Cause he's a weedy-weedy-tweedy-weedy monkey man
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
Never should you huggin' up the big monkey man
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
Never should you huggin' up the big monkey man
The Specials' song "Monkey Man" has a catchy melody but a deep message that showcased the tension between the Jamaican and British cultures in the 1970s. The lyrics are told from the point of view of someone who has heard that their lover is hugging up a big monkey man. The big monkey man is a term used to describe a Jamaican immigrant, and the song is an exploration of racist stereotypes that were commonly held by many Britons at the time. The song goes on to say that the singer has never seen the monkey man and is only going off of what they've heard. The lyrics aren't so much about the monkey man himself but the stereotypes that were attached to Jamaicans.
The song goes on to say that "now I know that, now I understand, you're turning a monkey on me." This can be interpreted to mean that the singer's lover is cheating on them with a Jamaican man. But the deeper meaning is that they are being replaced by the image that they had in their head of a Jamaican immigrant. The song doesn't blame the Jamaican man, but instead suggests that the problem is the stereotypes that the British have attached to them.
Line by Line Meaning
This one's for the bouncers
The song is dedicated to the bouncers.
Big, big monkey man
The monkey man is described as big.
Ay-ay-ay, ay-ay-ay
An expression of surprise, wonder, or dismay.
Them a-tell me, you huggin' up a big monkey man
They say that you are fond of the big monkey man.
I never saw you, I only heard of you
The singer has not seen the person but has heard of them.
Huggin' up the big monkey man
The person is close to the big monkey man.
It's no lie, it's no lie
The singer affirms that what they heard is true.
Now I know that, now I understand
The singer has gained knowledge and comprehension.
You're turning a monkey on me
The person's behavior is likened to that of a monkey.
La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la
Nonsensical lyrical expression
La-la-la-la
Nonsensical lyrical expression
I was on my way to Banbury Cross
Narrative of the singer's journey to Banbury Cross
Then I see a monkey upon a white horse
The singer sees a monkey riding a white horse.
With rings on he fingers, bells on him toes
The monkey is adorned with rings and bells.
Sing a little song, wherever he be
The monkey sings a song wherever he is.
'Cause he's a monkey, 'cause he's a monkey
The monkey is identified as such.
'Cause he's a weedy-weedy-tweedy-weedy monkey man
A description of the monkey in a playful manner.
Never should you huggin' up the big monkey man
The singer advises against hugging the big monkey man.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frederick Hibbert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
KOMBAT MUV
This one's for the bouncers. Big, big Monkey Man
Aye aye aye, aye aye aye
Tell you baby, you huggin up the big monkey man
Aye aye aye, aye aye aye
Tell you baby, you huggin up the big monkey man
I never saw you, I only heard of you
huggin up the big monkey man
I never saw you, I only heard of you
huggin up the big monkey man
It's no lie, it's no lie
Them a tell me, you huggin up the big monkey man
It's no lie, it's no lie
Them a tell me, you huggin up the big monkey man
Now I know that, now I understand
You're turning a monkey on me
Now I know that, now I understand
You're turning a monkey on me
Aye aye aye, aye aye aye
Tell you baby, you huggin up the big monkey man
Aye aye aye, aye aye aye
Tell you baby, you huggin up the big monkey man
I was on my way to Banbury Cross,
Then I see a monkey upon a white horse
With rings on he fingers, bells on him toes
Sing a little song, wherever he be
'Cos he's a monkey, 'cos he's a monkey
'Cos he's a weedy little monkey man
Aye aye aye, aye aye aye
Tell you baby, you huggin up the big monkey man
Aye aye aye, aye aye aye
Tell you baby, you huggin up the big monkey man
OlDirtyDasher
Rest in peace Toots! Thank you for this great song! It will live forever in our hearts!! 2020 sucks!!
Robert McCluskey
Sleep peacefully, Terry lad. You touched so many of us. Far, far too soon brother x
Richard John Crouch
Couldn't have it better. RIP Terry. You were a beacon in dark times. So glad I got to see the specials one time only. Simply superb
CJA Truck Photos
My uncle recently passed away and ska was his favourite genre. I was given this for music and to me this is a sign that he is ok and that he is making sure I get a good musical education.
Vincent James
My condolences man
Good human be happy
It's true believe it or not. The dead aren't dead they still carry on and they tell me to pass it on.
Jason Read
I’m sure he is dancing to this in heaven right now 👍
Gamer girl Maizie
@Vincent James I eqe
Dan The Man
I’m sorry about that I lost my uncle too and he loved ska too 😢
Offramp Tavanipupu
I remember the incredible energy of the Specials on stage. It could light up Europe.