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
You
The Specials Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Better think of your future
Time you straightened right out
Creating problems in town
Rudy, a message to you
Rudy, a message to you
Time you straightened right out
Better think of your future
Else you'll wind up in jail
Rudy, a message to you
Rudy, a message to you
Stop your messing around
Better think of your future
Time you straightened right out
Creating problems in town
Rudy, a message to you
Rudy, a message to you
Rudy, a message to you
Rudy, a message to you
The lyrics of The Specials and Rico Rodriguez's song "A Message for Rudy" speak to a person named Rudy who is creating problems in town and needs to think about his future before he ends up in jail. The song urges Rudy to stop messing around and straighten out his life. The repetition of the lyrics "Rudy, a message to you" emphasizes the importance and urgency of the message being delivered.
The song's straightforward and direct message is rooted in the ska and reggae genres' tradition of social commentary and advocacy for social change. The song's upbeat tempo and horn-driven sound reflect the celebratory spirit of the music, and its message contrasts with the upbeat sound, delivering its message through a positive and hopeful lens. The song's universal message and catchy sound have made it a popular dancehall and party tune.
Line by Line Meaning
Stop your messing around
Quit being reckless with your actions
Better think of your future
Consider the potential outcomes of your behavior
Time you straightened right out
It's important to align your actions with your responsibilities
Creating problems in town
Your actions are causing disturbances and trouble for others
Rudy, a message to you
The recipient of this message is Rudy, directed specifically toward him
Stop your fooling around
Quit being careless and foolish
Else you'll wind up in jail
If your behavior continues, you may face consequences such as imprisonment
Rudy, a message to you
The recipient of this message is Rudy, directed specifically toward him
Stop your messing around
Quit being reckless with your actions
Better think of your future
Consider the potential outcomes of your behavior
Time you straightened right out
It's important to align your actions with your responsibilities
Creating problems in town
Your actions are causing disturbances and trouble for others
Rudy, a message to you
The recipient of this message is Rudy, directed specifically toward him
Rudy, a message to you
The recipient of this message is Rudy, directed specifically toward him
Rudy, a message to you
The recipient of this message is Rudy, directed specifically toward him
Rudy, a message to you
The recipient of this message is Rudy, directed specifically toward him
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: ROBERT LIVINGSTONE THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Adrianologija
Going around causing disturbances
Don't you know you'll never win
You've got your family running around
Trying to stop you from going down
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
Have you heard the latest news?
About the boy who was shot and abused
The funny thing is, that's not all
It was your name that was called
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
Now you're accused of being a gunman
Take your punishment, it's the law of the land
Now let this be a lesson to you
Rudy, I'm talking to you
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
You're going around causing disturbances
Now didn't you know you could never win
You had your family, they were running around
Trying to stop you from going down
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
@amarnaitaissa5290
The Best tune of this LP. A real Specials song ⬛⬜⬛⬜
@hansvanstaveren6952
Good music
@andramariakristina5507
yes..it's you!! 🤩■□■□■□■□👍❤️
@gioskad
The ska song
@andreaghe85
Solero
@kikiasv8582
i added to my spotify
@Adrianologija
Going around causing disturbances
Don't you know you'll never win
You've got your family running around
Trying to stop you from going down
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
Have you heard the latest news?
About the boy who was shot and abused
The funny thing is, that's not all
It was your name that was called
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
Now you're accused of being a gunman
Take your punishment, it's the law of the land
Now let this be a lesson to you
Rudy, I'm talking to you
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
You're going around causing disturbances
Now didn't you know you could never win
You had your family, they were running around
Trying to stop you from going down
It's you, that I'm talking to
It's you, that I'm talking to
@vegetasolo1221
The Theory of Flight
:)
@GetYourHandsOffMe
the intro reminds me of a 'Gillette' shaving product advertisement.
@johnnyb8825
Ska music often pops up in adverts!