The Specials

Irish Folk Stars LANKUM Cover THE SPECIALS’ Classic ‘GHOST TOWN’ – Totally Spellbinding

Posted on by JL

4 November 2025

Band: LANKUM
Who: Indie folk pop vets from
Ireland. So far they released 4 LPs.

They have a new single out (only digitally at the moment). It’s a cover of
THE SPECIALS‘ 1981 stroke of genius GHOST TOWN (more than 88 millions
streams on Spotify. An unique song I never thought could be covered
properly.

But Lankum does a brilliant job. They slowed it down, really in slow-mo,
except for the bombastic finale, and their diversity of folk instruments
give the song a completely different resonance. They turned it into a
spellbinding chant lasting for 8+ minutes. As gloomy than the original.

The single will be released on 12″ vinyl in January. More info here.

The accompanying video is terrific too.

Original

THE SPECIALS Topped The UK Singles Chart This Day In 1980 With ‘TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG’

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

2 February 2025

45 years ago this day, on 2 February 1980, ska legends THE SPECIALS
topped the UK Singles Chart with TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG from their
The Special A.K.A. Live EP featuring reggae trombonist Rico Rodriguez.
The 3 tracks on it were recorded at a gig in their hometown of Coventry.

Contrary to what is sometimes stated the song was not banned by
the BBC due to mentions of contraception in the lyrics. However,
when the song’s video was featured on Top of the Pops, it was cut
off just before the final line, “try wearing a cap”.

Ska it!

Discography

Album Tracks That Should Have Been Singles – ‘TOO HOT’ (1979) By Ska Legends THE SPECIALS

Posted on by JL

1 December 2024

Band: THE SPECIALS

Probably the greatest ska collective ever.
They formed in Coventry, England in 1977,
and were fronted by the late great
Terry Hall (1959-2022).

Album: THE SPECIALS

Their self-titled debut LP, released
in 1979. It peaked at #4 in the UK.

Track: TOO HOT

A song written, by Jamaican star Prince Buster. Catchy, hip-swaying
tune. I guess because Hall was only doing backing vocals here that
Too Hot wasn’t hot enough to be a single.


.
Instagram – All Albums

31 May 2024 – From FRIDAY To SATURDAY With THE SPECIALS

Posted on by JL

Friday 31 May 2024

The weekend starts here with 1980 feel good tune
‘Friday Night, Saturday Morning‘ by THE SPECIALS.

Out of bed at eight am
Out my head by half past ten
Out with mates and dates and friends
That’s what I do at weekends
I can’t talk and I can’t walk
But I know where I’m going to go
I’m going to watch my money go
At the Locarno, no

When my feet go through the door
I know what my right arm is for
Buy a drink and pull a chair
Up to the edge of the dance floor
Bouncers bouncing through the night
Trying to stop or start a fight
I sit and watch the flashing lights
Moving legs in footless tights

I go out on Friday night and
I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and

I like to venture into town
I like to get a few drinks down
The floor gets packed, the bar gets full
I don’t like life when things get dull
The hen party have saved the night
And freed themselves from drunken stags
Having fun and dancing in
A circle round their leather bags

I go out on Friday night and
I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and
I come home on Saturday morning

But two o’clock has come again
It’s time to leave this paradise
Hope the chip shop isn’t closed
Cause their pies are really nice
I’ll eat it in the taxi queue
Stand in someone else’s spew
Wish I had lipstick on my shirt
Instead of piss stains on my shoes

I go out on Friday night and
I come home on Saturday morning
I go out on Friday night and
I come home on Saturday morning

A salute to the late great frontman Terry Hall

New BBC Series ‘THIS TOWN’ Focusing On The British SKA Scene Starts Tonight

Posted on by JL

THIS TOWN is a new, six-part BBC TV series. It is written and
created by Steven Knight and directed by Paul Whittington.

The series tell the story of an extended family and four young people who are drawn
into an explosive and iconic music scene. Set in a world of family ties, teenage kicks and the exhilarating music of a generation, This Town tells the story of a band’s formation against a backdrop of violence, capturing how creative genius can emerge from a time
of madness. This Town starts tonight.

TRAILER

THIS ‘GHOST’ TOWN

The series’ title is a reference to The Specials ’ 1981 hit Ghost Town, which was
“evocative of the social disruption of the time, as rioting raged in cities across Britain“.

Special Artist TERRY HALL Passed Away One Year Ago Today

Posted on by JL

18 December 2023

TERRY HALL (born Terence Edward Hall in Coventry UK), the voice/face and co-songwriter
of ska legends THE SPECIALS passed away one year ago, on 18 December 2022, due to pancreatic cancer. He was only 63.

Hall also was successful with side-projects Fun Boy Three,
The Colourfield and recorded/released 3 solo LPs. Rest in peace.

– GHOST TOWN –

– FUN BOY THREE –

TERRY HALL: Bio

THE SPECIALS Topped The UK Singles Chart This Day In 1981 With Their Doom Classic ‘GHOST TOWN’

Posted on by JL

Top singles from the past

11 July 2023

British ska heroes THE SPECIALS scored their biggest hit with
the sublime doom anthem GHOST TOWN (more than 57 million
streams on Spotify).

This day in 1981, on 11 July, it conquered the top spot
of the UK Singles Chart and stayed there for 10 weeks.

The song’s content was appropriate again when COVID-19
locked us up for about 2 years and now again, as Brex-shit
roars its ugly head.

Official clip.

R.I.P. Terry Hall

R.I.P. TERRY HALL – The Voice/Face/Songwriter Off Ska Legends Death At 63

Posted on by JL

20 December 2022

Shocking news.

TERRY HALL (born Terence Edward Hall in Coventry UK), the voice/face
and co-songwriter of ska legends THE SPECIALS has passed away following
a short illness. No further details were revealed. He was only 63.

The band broke the news on their social media.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of
Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters
and lyricists this country has ever produced. He will be deeply missed by all who knew
and loved him and leaves behind the gift of his remarkable music and profound
humanity.

Terry often left the stage at the end of The Specials’ life-affirming shows with three
words…’Love Love Love’. Terry was a wonderful husband and father and one of the
kindest, funniest, and most genuine of souls. His music and his performances encapsulated
the very essence of life… the joy, the pain, the humour, the fight for justice, but mostly the love. We would ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy at this very sad time.”

Hall also was successful with side-projects Fun Boy Three,
The Colourfield and recorded/released 3 solo LPs. Rest in peace.

– GHOST TOWN –

– FUN BOY THREE –

TERRY HALL: Bio