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
Simmer Down
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Simmer down, soon you'll get dropped, so
Simmer down, can you hear what I say
Simmer down, that why won't you, why won't you, why won't you simmer down
Simmer down.
Long time people dem used to say
What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly, so
Simmer down, oh control your temper
Simmer down, can you hear what I say
Simmer down, oh that I'm a leaving you today
Simmer down.
Simmer down, oh you hear what I say
Simmer down, a that I'm leaving you today
Simmer down, can you hear what I say
Simmer down.
Chicken Mary, hawk de near and when him de near, you must beware, so
Simmer down, oh control your temper
Simmer down, for the battle will be hotter
Simmer down, and you won't get no supper
Simmer down, and you know you bound to suffer
Simmer down, simmer, simmer, simmer right down
Simmer down, like you never did before
Simmer down, oh, oh, oh
Simmer down, can you hear what I say
Simmer down, you lickin' too hot so
Simmer down, and you know soon you'll get dropped, so
Simmer down, why won't you simmer, simmer down
Simmer down, simmer down, simmer down
Simmer down, simmer, simmer down
Simmer down, oh simmer, simmer down
Simmer down, like you never did before.
The Specials' song "Simmer Down" is an energetic and lively call for people to calm down and control their emotions. The lyrics address someone who is behaving aggressively and need to simmer down before they face the consequences. The opening lines of the song set the tone for the rest of the lyrics as the singer tells the person to slow down before they get dropped, implying that their behavior will lead to their downfall. The refrain of "simmer down" is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the need for the person to calm down and control their temper.
The second verse of the song refers to a popular Jamaican saying "What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly." This proverb means that someone who indulges too much in something pleasant will ultimately suffer the consequences. In this context, the singer is telling the person that their aggressive behavior will come back to haunt them, so they need to simmer down and control their temper before it is too late. The lyrics also warn of the dangers of revenge and holding grudges, warning the person that the "battle will be hotter" if they do not control their emotions.
Overall, "Simmer Down" is a fun and lively song that advocates for peace and understanding between people. The lyrics encourage listeners to control their emotions and not lash out in anger as it will only lead to more problems.
Line by Line Meaning
Simmer down, you lickin' too hot, so
Calm down, you're getting too hot-headed
Simmer down, soon you'll get dropped, so
Calm down before things escalate and you end up getting hurt
Simmer down, can you hear what I say
Please listen to what I am trying to tell you
Simmer down, that why won't you, why won't you, why won't you simmer down
Please calm down, why won't you just listen and de-escalate the situation?
Simmer down.
Please calm down.
Long time people dem used to say
It's an old saying that people have been repeating for a long time
What sweet nanny goat a go run him belly, so
If you indulge in too many sweet things, you will eventually suffer the consequences
Simmer down, oh control your temper
Please calm down and control your anger
Simmer down, for the battle will be hotter
If you don't calm down, things will only get worse
Simmer down, oh that I'm a leaving you today
If you don't calm down, I will have to leave you
Simmer down, oh you hear what I say
Please listen to me and calm down
Simmer down, can you hear what I say
Please listen to what I am saying and calm down
Chicken Mary, hawk de near and when him de near, you must beware, so
Be careful when danger is lurking nearby
Simmer down, and you won't get no supper
If you don't calm down, you won't get any food
Simmer down, and you know you bound to suffer
If you don't calm down, you will suffer the consequences
Simmer down, simmer, simmer, simmer right down
Please calm down and cool off
Simmer down, like you never did before
Calm down more than you ever have before
Simmer down, oh, oh, oh
Please calm down, it's important
Simmer down, and you know soon you'll get dropped, so
If you don't calm down, things will escalate and you will get hurt
Simmer down, why won't you simmer, simmer down
Please calm down, why won't you just listen and de-escalate the situation?
Simmer down, oh simmer, simmer down
Please calm down
Simmer down, like you never did before.
Calm down more than you ever have before
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BOB MARLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LOVEDAVEGAHAN
I love this.....blows me away!
Elise Rozling
Not a Bob Marley Cover, a Bob Marley & the Skatalites cover. "Simmer Down" was the first single released by The Wailers, accompanied by the ska supergroup, The Skatalites, and produced by Clement "Coxsone" Dodd in 1963. It was the number one hit in Jamaica in February, 1964.
dange160650
Stunning
ExplorerDS6789
Fathers Day (1997) brought me here.