The Specials (also known as The Special AKA) is an English “2 Tone” ska rev… Read Full Bio ↴The Specials (also known as The Special AKA) is an English “2 Tone” ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry, England. Their music combines a danceable ska beat with punk’s energy, underpinned by an informed political and social stance.

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

Racist Friend
The Specials Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you have a racist friend
Now is the time, now is the time for your friendship to end

Be it your sister
Be it your brother
Be it your cousin or your, uncle or your lover

If you have a racist friend

now is the time, now is the time for your friendship to end

Be it your best friend
Or any other
Is it your husband or your father or your mother?

Tell them to change their views
Or change their friends
Now is the time, now is the time, for your friendship to end

So if you know a racist who thinks he is your friend
Now is the time, now is the time for your friendship to end

Call yourself my friend?
Now is the time to make up your mind, don't try to pretend

Be it your sister
Be it your brother
Be it your cousin or your uncle or your lover

So if you are a racist
Our friendship has got to end
And if your friends are racists don't pretend to be my friend

So if you have a racist friend
Now is the time, now is the time for our friendship to end

Goodbye

Overall Meaning

The song 'Racist Friend' by The Special A.K.A. is a protest against racism and prejudice. The song speaks about the need to end relationships with people who hold racist views, even if they are close family members, friends or lovers. The lyrics emphasize that the time for friendship with racists is over and that we need to take a stand against racism. The song insists that if you have a racist friend, it is time to end the friendship, whether it's your best friend, brother, sister, cousin, uncle or lover. It even goes on to suggest that if you are a racist, then the friendship with the singer needs to end. The song urges people to change their views or change their friends because there is simply no place for racism in our society.

The song was released in 1983 and became one of The Special A.K.A.'s biggest hits. The song was written by Jerry Dammers, the band's lead singer and keyboardist, who was known for his anti-racist activism. Dammers was inspired to write the song after attending an anti-racist demonstration in London. The song was a response to the rise of racism in England, and particularly the National Front, a far-right political movement that was gaining popularity at the time. The song was dedicated to Blair Peach, an anti-racist campaigner who was killed by police during a demonstration in London in 1979.

Line by Line Meaning

If you have a racist friend
If you associate with someone who holds prejudice against certain ethnic groups

Now is the time, now is the time for your friendship to end
It is imperative that you sever your friendship with them as soon as possible

Be it your sister
Whether they are your sibling, particularly your sister

Be it your brother
Whether they are your sibling, particularly your brother

Be it your cousin or your, uncle or your lover
Whether they are your cousin, uncle, or even romantic partner

Or any other
No matter the relation or connection you have with them

Is it your husband or your father or your mother?
Even if they are your spouse, parent, or any significant figure in your life

Tell them to change their views
Encourage them to rethink and reject their discriminatory beliefs

Or change their friends
If they refuse to change, then encourage them to seek out friendships with more tolerant people

So if you know a racist who thinks he is your friend
If you are acquainted with someone who holds prejudiced views and yet still calls themselves your friend

Now is the time, now is the time for your friendship to end
It is essential to terminate your association with them immediately

Call yourself my friend?
Are you really deserving of being regarded as my friend?

Now is the time to make up your mind, don't try to pretend
It is time to decide, and there is no sense in pretending to be something you are not

So if you are a racist
If you, yourself have prejudiced beliefs

Our friendship has got to end
Our friendship can no longer exist

And if your friends are racists don't pretend to be my friend
Furthermore, if those you associate with hold prejudiced beliefs, then you have no place among my friends

So if you have a racist friend
Once again, if you associate with someone who holds prejudice against certain ethnic groups

Now is the time, now is the time for our friendship to end
It is essential that we sever our friendship as soon as possible

Goodbye
Farewell

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Dick Cuthell, Jerry Dammers, John Edward Bradbury

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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