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
Too Much Too Young
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Much too young
Now you're married with a kid
When you could be having fun with me
(Oh no, no give me no more pickni)
You've done too much
Now you're married with a son
When you should be having fun with me
We don't want, we don't want we don't want no more pickni
Ain't he cute?
No he ain't
He's just another burden on the welfare state
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a kid
When you could be having fun with me
No gimme, no gimme, no gimme no more pickni
Call me immature, call me a poser
I'd love to spread manure in your bed of roses
Don't want to be rich, don't want to be famous
But I'd really hate to have the same name as you
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a kid
When you could be having fun with me
(Gi we de birth control, we no want no pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're chained to the cooker
Making currant buns for tea
(Oh no, no gimme no more pickni)
Ain't you heard of the starving millions
Ain't you heard of contraception
Do you really a program of sterilization
State control of the population boom
It's in your living room
Keep a generation gap
Try wearing a cap
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a kid
When you could be having fun with me
(Oh no, no gimme no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you stay in every night watching programs on TV
(We don't want, we don't want, we don't want no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a son
When you could be having fun with me
(No gimme, no gimme, no gimme, no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're chained to the cooker
Making currant buns for tea
(Gi we de birth control, we no want no pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married to a man
When you could be having fun with me
(Oh, no, no gimme no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're chained to the cooker
Making beans on toast for tea
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a kid
When you could be having fun with me
(Oh, no, no gimme no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you stay in every night watching programs on TV
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married to a man
When you could be having fun with me
(We don't want, we don't want, we don't want no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're chained to the cooker
Making cheese on toast for tea
(No gimme, no gimme, no gimme, no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a kid
When you could be having fun with me
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you stay in every night watching programs on TV
(Oh, no, no gimme no more pickni)
You've done too much
Much too young
Now you're married with a son
When you could be having fun with me
(Oh, no, no gimme no more pickni)
The Specials's song "Too Much Too Young" tells the story of a young girl who is now married with a child at a very young age, which the singer believes is too soon for her. The song emphasizes the idea that people should be allowed to enjoy their youth and not be burdened with the responsibilities of parenthood. The opening lines of "You've done too much, much too young, now you're married with a kid when you could be having fun with me" set the stage for the rest of the song, as the singer laments the lost opportunities of the young mother. The song continues with a biting critique of the young mother's choices, including a reference to her child as "just another burden on the welfare state" and a suggestion that she should have used birth control.
Throughout the song, The Specials's use of Jamaican-inflected rhythms and slang adds to the sense of rebellion and youthful energy. The repeated refrain of "no gimme no more pickni" represents a defiant cry against societal expectations and the pressures to conform to traditional gender roles. Additionally, the song's lyrics are also seen as a commentary on the issue of teenage pregnancy and the lack of opportunities available to young people in working-class communities, where early parenthood is often seen as the only viable path to stability and financial security.
Line by Line Meaning
You've done too much
You've taken on too much responsibility at a young age
Much too young
You are too young to be married and have children
Now you're married with a son
You are now married and have a son
When you could be having fun with me
Instead of settling down, you could be having a good time with me
(Oh no, no give me no more pickni)
We don't want any more children, don't give them to us
Ain't he cute?
The child may be cute, but that does not change the situation
No he ain't
Despite being cute, the child is still a burden
He's just another burden on the welfare state
The child will require government assistance, adding to the strain of the welfare system
Call me immature, call me a poser
You may label me as childish or inauthentic
I'd love to spread manure in your bed of roses
I have no interest in the trappings of wealth and luxury
Don't want to be rich, don't want to be famous
I have no aspiration for material success or widespread recognition
But I'd really hate to have the same name as you
I'd rather not be associated with someone who has made a poor life decision
(Gi we de birth control, we no want no pickni)
Provide us with birth control, we do not want any more children
Now you're chained to the cooker
Your life is consumed by domestic responsibilities
Making currant buns for tea
Your daily routine involves mundane tasks
Ain't you heard of the starving millions
There are many people in the world who are suffering from hunger and deprivation
Ain't you heard of contraception
There are ways to avoid unwanted pregnancies and the resulting burden
Do you really a program of sterilization
Would you support a government-led initiative to prevent overpopulation?
State control of the population boom
Allowing the government to regulate the number of children born
It's in your living room
Discussion about population control is happening in your daily life, not just abstractly
Keep a generation gap, Try wearing a cap
It's important to avoid having children too soon, and use proper methods of contraception
Now you stay in every night watching programs on TV
Your life is now mundane and devoid of excitement
Now you're married to a man
You have committed yourself to someone for life, and now have a family to support
Making beans on toast for tea
Your daily routine involves mundane tasks
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Jerry Dammers
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Specials
More music from The Specials: https://TheSpecials.lnk.to/Listen
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