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
Stand Up
The Specials Lyrics
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And now I have to break nearly every rule
Just to get survive
I need to get by
I get up in the morning and go to town
There's nothing there so I just hang around
Time passes by
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
Been living here from day to day
Now I found out it's the only way
Where did I go wrong?
My life carries on, yeah
So now what's left for me to do?
I can't see no other way through
I don't want to steal
Just to get my next meal, yeah
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
I never thought life could be so cruel
And now I have to break nearly every rule
Just to get survive
'cause I need to get by
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
The lyrics of The Specials' song "Stand Up" deal with the struggle of living in poverty and the lengths one may have to go to just to survive. The singer talks about breaking rules and hanging around a town with nothing to do in order to get by. They wonder where they went wrong, but ultimately decide that they must do whatever it takes to survive, even if it means standing up and breaking rules.
The line "Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs" is a powerful message about advocating for oneself and taking action to improve one's situation. The song suggests that it may not be easy, and one may have to break rules, but ultimately, if one makes up their mind to succeed, they will.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of standing up for oneself and taking action. It encourages listeners to believe in themselves and fight for what they need, even if it means going against the status quo.
Line by Line Meaning
I never thought life could be so cruel
Life can be cruel and it has come as a surprise to me.
And now I have to break nearly every rule
To survive, I have to do things that are not allowed by the rules.
Just to get survive
I am only doing these things to survive.
I need to get by
I need to survive no matter what.
I get up in the morning and go to town
I start my day by going to the town.
There's nothing there so I just hang around
There is nothing to do in the town, so I just waste my time.
Time passes by
Time keeps moving, whether I do something or not.
But I still have to try
Even if there seems to be no hope, I still have to keep trying.
Stand up for what you want, stand up for all your needs
Fight for the things you want and need in life.
If you make your mind up, then you will succeed
If you have a strong determination, you will succeed in your goals.
Been living here from day to day
I have been living my life just trying to get by day by day.
Now I found out it's the only way
I have realized that this is the only way to survive.
Where did I go wrong?
I am reflecting on where I made a mistake in life.
My life carries on, yeah
Despite all the struggles, my life keeps moving forward.
So now what's left for me to do?
I am hopeless and unsure about what to do next.
I can't see no other way through
I cannot see any other way to solve my problems.
I don't want to steal
I do not want to break any laws or harm anyone else to survive.
Just to get my next meal, yeah
I am struggling to get even basic necessities like food.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIFFORD HARRIS, MAURICE YOUNG, JONATHAN SMITH, DWAYNE CARTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind