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
Skinhead Symphony
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park
Long Shot - him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
Get up, get up in the first race
and them pull up the pace
Get up, get up in the first race
and Long Shot - him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
Them wail, them wail, them reel
but they couldn't take the trail
Them wail, them wail, them reel
but they couldn't take the trail
and Long Shot - him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon Long Shot on the rear
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon Long Shot on the rear
Combat fell, Long Shot fell all we money gone a hell
all we money gone a hell
and Long Shot - him kick de bucket
Long Shot kick de bucket
The lyrics of The Specials' song Long Shot tell a story about a day at Caymanas Park, a horse racing track in Jamaica. The first two lines evoke a sense of sorrowful lamentation surrounding a particular event that took place at the track. The repetition of "What a weepin' and wailin'" emphasizes the intense sadness and grief that the event caused. The next two lines provide some clarity about the cause of the mourning: the horse Long Shot has died. The repetition of "Long Shot kick de bucket" is used for emphasis and to describe the event in a uniquely Jamaican vernacular.
The rest of the song goes on to provide more detail into what happened at the race. The first verse describes the start of the race and Long Shot's involvement, suggesting that he wasn't doing very well throughout the race. The chorus then repeats the refrain of Long Shot's death with additional detail about the crowd's reactions. The final verse provides more information about the other horses in the race, including Combat who also suffered a fall. The line "all we money gone a hell" alludes to the gamblers who lost their bets when Long Shot and Combat didn't finish the race.
Overall, the song is a commentary on Jamaica's horse racing culture, where both the joy of winning and the despair of losing are deeply felt. The lyrics also highlight the unique linguistic and cultural characteristics of Jamaica, which are celebrated in the song's use of Reggae music and Jamaican Patois.
Line by Line Meaning
What a weepin' and wailin' dung a Caymanas park
There was loud crying and wailing at the Caymanas park horse racing track.
Long Shot - him kick de bucket
A horse named Long Shot has died.
Get up, get up in the first race
and them pull up the pace
Encouragement to the jockeys to speed up during the first race.
Them wail, them wail, them reel
but they couldn't take the trail
Spectators were wailing and in shock because the other horses could not beat Long Shot.
It was Starbright, Combat, Corazon Long Shot on the rear
Combat fell, Long Shot fell all we money gone a hell
and Long Shot - him kick de bucket
Starbright, Combat, Corazon, and Long Shot were the horses running in the race. Both Combat and Long Shot fell and everyone who bet on them lost money. Long Shot died.
Contributed by Camilla C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@user-dw1yr5lq3h
RIP Terry Hall .. he was such an icon to many of us and a huge legend in the ska scene. He will be sadly missed!
@needtashow
I couldn't stop a tear.
@Bri-254
Terry @ 4:40 that's a great remembrance of him.
@NinjaTylerBlack
Didn't know he died just wanted to hear some specials today
@mushroomcapd11975
Yes. I'M GOING TO MISS TERRY
@heathcornbeef
It's bloody sad alright 😢 THANK YOU TERRY FOR YOUR MUSIC AND THE GREAT MEMORIES WITH YOU AS THE BACK BEAT
@andrewsykes1969
RIP John Bradbury. Fantastic drummer who never really got the credit he deserved.
@captainswoop8722
One of the best. could share a stool with any of them!
@Adriano9966
I cannot agree more a legend is how I would describe him myself
@shanejohnson7603
The thing about JB is he came from a Northern soul and reggae background and that describes his sound right there...he never overplayed and what he does play he made damn sure you knew about it...he set the bar... and he tuned his pearl ultracast in such a way that it was unmistakable... those snare and cymbal smashes are his trademark...he was the best and the specials haven't sounded the same since he passed...that tells you everything ✋🏻😎