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
Tears in My Beer
The Specials Lyrics
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I had a dream, well so it seems
She's in the sun, not having fun
And I'm standing here, just the lonely one
Tears in my beer, here comes another year
Seen it all before, just like a closing door
There was a time, when she was mine
I know you just think that I'm just singing the blues
But I've got nothing to lose
Tears in my beer, it's getting clear
Her face I see, right next to me
She's drinking wine, and looking fine
I'm feeling sad, it's just a dream I had
I know you just think that I'm just singing the blues
But I've got nothing to lose
Tears in my beer, it just ain't clear
I had a dream, well so it seems
She's in the sun, just having fun
While I'm standing here, tears in my beer
But she ain't here
Tears in my beer
The lyrics of The Specials' song "Tears in My Beer" depicts the angst and heartbreak of unrequited love. The singer is consumed by his emotions and is unable to let go of his feelings for a woman who has moved on. The first verse sets the tone of the song by emphasizing how the singer feels lonely and left out while the woman he loves is having fun somewhere else. He is unable to comprehend why he is the only one feeling miserable, and why she is not affected by the breakup.
The second verse expresses the singer's regret for not being able to make things work with the woman he loved. He reflects on the time they had together and realizes that it was all in the past. Despite this, he is still holding on to the hope that she might want to reconcile but is uncertain if she is interested. He acknowledges that he may come across as someone who is just singing the blues, but he feels that he has nothing to lose.
The final verse of the song continues to express the singer's conflicting emotions. He has another dream about the woman he loves, where she is drinking wine and looking fine while he is feeling sad. The phrase "tears in my beer" is a metaphor for the self-pity and sorrow that the singer is experiencing. But as the song ends with the realization that she isn't there, it becomes evident that the singer is stuck in a cycle of hope and despair, unable to break free.
Line by Line Meaning
Tears in my beer, well it just ain't clear
I am crying into my drink and feeling down, but the reasons for my sadness are unclear.
I had a dream, well so it seems
I had a dream about my lost love, and it's hard to tell if it was real or not.
She's in the sun, not having fun
The person I love is out enjoying the sun, but they are not happy.
And I'm standing here, just the lonely one
I am alone and feeling lonely without my love.
Tears in my beer, here comes another year
Another year has passed, and I am still feeling the same sadness and drinking to cope with it.
Seen it all before, just like a closing door
I have experienced this heartbreak before, and it feels like a door is closing on my chances for love.
There was a time, when she was mine
I used to have a loving relationship with this person in the past.
Well it's so long ago, does she want to know?
It has been a long time since our relationship, and I wonder if she even cares or wants to know how I am feeling.
I know you just think that I'm just singing the blues
Others may think I am just being dramatic and feeling sad for no reason.
But I've got nothing to lose
Despite how others may perceive my sadness, I feel like I have nothing left to lose by expressing myself.
Tears in my beer, it's getting clear
As I continue to drink and cry, my emotions are becoming clearer.
Her face I see, right next to me
I can imagine my lost love's face as if they were right next to me.
She's drinking wine, and looking fine
In my imagination, my lost love is out enjoying themselves and looking good.
I'm feeling sad, it's just a dream I had
Despite my vivid imagination, I am still feeling sad and know that it's just a dream.
But she ain't here
The reality is that my lost love is not here with me.
Tears in my beer
Throughout it all, I am still crying into my drink.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ROD BYERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind