The Specials | ||
| Allmusic Biography : True innovators of the punk era, the Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punks energy and attitude, and taking on a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers. The band was originally formed in Coventry, in 1977, as the Coventry Automatics and later the Special A.K.A. by songwriter/keyboardist Jerry Dammers, with Terry Hall (vocals), Lynval Golding (guitar, vocals), Neville Staples (vocals, percussion), Roddy Radiation (guitar), Sir Horace Gentleman (bass), and John Bradbury (drums). An opening slot for the Clash stirred up interest with the major labels, but Dammers instead opted to start his own 2-Tone label, named for its multiracial agenda and after the two-tone tonic suits favored by the like-minded mods of the 60s. The Dammers-designed logos, based in 60s pop art with black and white checks, gave the label an instantly identifiable look. Dammers eye for detail and authenticity also led to the band adopting 60s-period rude-boy outfits (porkpie hats, tonic and mohair suits, and loafers). The Specials debuted with the "Gangsters" single, which reached the U.K. Top Ten in 1979. Soon after, hordes of bands and fans followed in the same tradition, and the movement reached full swing. Over the next several months, 2-Tone enjoyed hits by similar-sounding bands such as Madness, the (English) Beat, and the Selecter. Late in 1979, the band released its landmark debut album, The Specials, produced by Elvis Costello. They followed with several 2-Tone package tours and a live EP, Too Much Too Young (confusingly credited to Special A.K.A.). The title track, a pro-contraception song, was banned by the BBC but reached the number one spot in the U.K. At this time, the band switched musical directions, releasing album number two, More Specials, with a new neo-lounge persona. Signs indicated that the movement was fading and 2-Tone began to experience financial troubles. Nevertheless, a film documenting the 2-Tone package tours, Dance Craze, as well as its companion album, saw considerable success. "Ghost Town," one of the bands most significant singles, was issued in 1981 amid race-related unemployment riots in Brixton and Liverpool. The song jumped to number one, but the band was falling apart. Hall, Staples, and Golding left to form Fun Boy Three, leaving the band without its trademark voice. Dammers held on, reverting back to the old name, Special A.K.A., and enlisted a new vocalist, Stan Campbell. After several years, they returned with In the Studio in 1984. They managed a few hits, including "Racist Friend" and "Free Nelson Mandela," but the album stiffed. The bands final single, "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend," failed to break the British Top 40. Dammers dissolved the unit and pursued political causes such as Artists Against Apartheid. Shortly after the official breakup, various members of the band joined up with other ska revivalists (English Beat, etc.) to form a touring unit named Special Beat. By the mid-90s, in response to the third wave ska revival, a Dammers-less version of the Specials reappeared with a series of shameful cash-in albums: Todays Specials (1996), Guilty Til Proved Innocent! (1998), and Conquering Ruler (2002). The Specials reunited again in 2008 (still without Dammers) and toured until 2015, when John Bradbury, the backbone of the 2-Tone sound, passed away in December at the age of 62. Trombonist Rico Rodriguez had died three months earlier, on September 4. He was 80 years old. The Specials, headed by Golding, Panter, and Hall, released Encore -- their first album of new material since their reunion -- in early 2019. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 24 Title: Specials Released: 1979-10-19 Tracks: 15 Duration: 47:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 A Message to You Rudy (02:53) 2 Do the Dog (02:11) 3 It’s Up to You (03:25) 4 Nite Klub (03:24) 5 Doesn’t Make It Alright (03:26) 6 Concrete Jungle (03:22) 7 Too Hot (03:11) 8 Monkey Man (02:45) 9 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:26) 10 Blank Expression (02:44) 11 Stupid Marriage (03:51) 12 Too Much Too Young (06:05) 13 Gangsters (02:47) 14 Little Bitch (02:32) 15 You’re Wondering Now (02:36) |
| Specials : Allmusic album Review : A perfect moment in time captured on vinyl forever, such is the Specials eponymous debut album; it arrived in shops in the middle of October 1979 and soared into the U.K. Top Five. It was an utter revelation -- except for anyone who had seen the band on-stage, for the album was at its core a studio recording of their live set, and at times even masquerades as a gig. There were some notable omissions: "Gangsters," for one, but that had already spun on 45, as well as the quartet of covers that would appear on their live Too Much Too Young EP in the new year. But the rest are all here, 14 songs strong, mostly originals, with a few covers of classics thrown in for good measure. That includes their fabulous take on Dandy Livingstones "A Message to You Rudy," an equally stellar version of the Maytals "Monkey Man," and the sizzling take on Prince Busters "Too Hot." If those were fabulous, their own compositions were magnificent. The Specials managed to distill all the anger, disenchantment, and bitterness of the day straight into their music. The vicious "Nite Klub" -- with its unforgettable line, "All the girls are slags and the beer tastes just like piss" -- perfectly skewered every bad night the members had ever spent out on the town; "Blank Expression" extended the misery into unwelcoming pubs, while "Concrete Jungle" moved the action onto the streets, capturing the fear and violence that stalked the inner cities. And then it gets personal. "Its Up to You" throws down the gauntlet for those who disliked the group, its music, and its stance, while simultaneously acting as a rallying cry for supporters. "Too Much Too Young" shows the Specials disdain for teen pregnancy and marriage; "Stupid Marriage" drags two such offenders before a Judge Dread-esque magistrate, with Terry Hall playing the outraged and sniping prosecutor; while "Little Bitch" is downright nasty. Those were polemics; "It Doesnt Make It Alright" reaches a hand out to listeners and, with conviction, delivers up a heartfelt plea against racism, but even this number contains a sharp sting in its tail. Its a bitter brew, aggressively delivered, with even the slower numbers sharply edged, and therefore the band wisely scattered sparkling covers across the album to help lift its mood. The set appropriately ends with the rocksteady-esque yearning of "Youre Wondering Now," the song that invariably closed their live shows. Even though producer Elvis Costello gave the record a bright sound, it doesnt lighten the dark currents that run through the groups songs; if anything, his production heightens them. Its left to guests Rico Rodriguez and Dick Cuthell to provide a little Caribbean sun to the Specials sound, their brass sweetening the flashes of anger and disaffection that sweep across the record. And so, this was Britain in late 1979, an unhappy island about to explode. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 24 Title: More Specials Released: 1980-10-04 Tracks: 12 Duration: 45:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Enjoy Yourself (Its Later Than You Think) (03:39) 2 Rat Race (03:10) 3 Man at C&A (03:38) 4 Hey, Little Rich Girl (03:39) 5 Do Nothing (03:44) 6 Pearls Cafe (03:10) 7 Sock It to em J.B. (02:59) 8 Stereotypes / Stereotypes, Part 2 (07:25) 9 Holiday Fortnight (02:46) 10 I Can’t Stand It (04:03) 11 International Jet Set (05:38) 12 Enjoy Yourself (reprise) (01:47) |
| More Specials : Allmusic album Review : Less frenzied than its predecessor, but more musically adventurous, More Specials was nearly as popular in its day as its predecessor, falling just one chart place below their debut. It kicked off in similar fashion as well, with a classic cover, this time with an exuberant take on Carl Sigman and Conrad Magidsons 1940s chestnut "Enjoy Yourself." A slower, brooding version with the Go-Gos in tow brings the album to a close, taking the place of the set-sealing "Youre Wondering Now," which brought the curtain down on their first set. But there the similarities come to an end. The rest of the album is comprised of originals, including a pair of instrumentals -- the Northern soul-esque "Sock It to Em JB" and the Mexican-flavored "Holiday Fortnight" -- as well as a duo of minimally vocalized pieces, the intriguing "International Jet Set," and the overtly apocalyptic "Man at C&A.;" But fans had already been primed for the bands changing musical directions by the release the month before of "Stereotypes," its spaghetti western aura filled with the groups more mournful mood. Its an emotional despair taken to even greater heights on "Do Nothing," as the group futilely searches for a future, but musically stumbles upon a cheery, easygoing rhythm more appropriate to the pop styles of the English Beat than the angrier sounds the Specials had made their own. But to prove its no fluke, theres the equally bright and breezy "Hey, Little Rich Girl," boasting fabulous sax solos from Madness Lee Thompson. However, its an immortal line from "Pearls Cafe" that Terry Hall and the guesting Bodysnatchers Rhoda Dakar deliver up in duet that best sums up their own, and the countrys pure frustration: "Its all a load of bollocks, and bollocks to it all." It was an intensely satisfying set in its day, even if it wasnt as centered as their debut. The group seems to be moving simultaneously in too many directions, while the lyrics, too, are not quite as hard-hitting as earlier efforts. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 24 Title: The Singles Collection Released: 1991-01-09 Tracks: 16 Duration: 58:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Gangsters (02:47) 2 A Message to You Rudy (02:53) 3 Nite Klub (03:12) 4 Too Much Too Young (02:04) 5 Guns of Navarone (02:19) 6 Rat Race (03:10) 7 Stereotype (03:50) 8 International Jet Set (04:10) 9 Do Nothing (03:51) 10 Ghost Town (05:58) 11 Why? (03:55) 12 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (03:34) 13 War Crimes (04:00) 14 Racist Friend (03:49) 15 Nelson Mandela (04:33) 16 (What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend (04:03) |
| The Singles Collection : Allmusic album Review : All of the essential singles from the Specials three albums are present on this 15-track collection. Not only the perfect starting point for the curious, the inclusion of B-sides and rarities, like an inspired cover of Dylans "Maggies Farm," makes this essential for fans. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 24 Title: Live at the Moonlight Club Released: 1992 Tracks: 10 Duration: 30:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Its Up to You (03:33) 2 Do the Dog (02:10) 3 Monkey Man (02:46) 4 Blank Expression (02:11) 5 Nite Klub (03:31) 6 Concrete Jungle (03:53) 7 Too Hot (02:56) 8 Too Much Too Young (02:41) 9 Little Bitch (02:33) 10 Long Shot (Kick de Bucket) (03:49) |
 | Album: 5 of 24 Title: Live: Too Much Too Young Released: 1992 Tracks: 15 Duration: 45:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Gangsters (02:32) 2 Do the Dog (02:20) 3 Its Up to You (04:35) 4 Monkey Man (03:04) 5 Blank Expression (02:06) 6 Stupid Marriage (04:42) 7 Doesnt Make It Alright (03:24) 8 Concrete Jungle (03:40) 9 Too Hot (02:51) 10 Nite Klub (03:15) 11 Too Much Too Young (02:06) 12 Little Bitch (02:38) 13 Skinhead Moonstomp (02:38) 14 Longshot Kick de Bucket (03:08) 15 Youre Wondering Now (02:22) |
| Live: Too Much Too Young : Allmusic album Review : Though the sound quality is less than perfect, this 1979 live EP perfectly captures the raw energy of the band in its prime. The title track was the bands first number one hit in the U.K. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 24 Title: Live in Concert Selecter and Specials Released: 1992-01-01 Tracks: 18 Duration: 56:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Murder (03:04) 2 On the Streets Again (04:46) 3 James Bond (02:12) 4 Carry Go Bring Come (03:18) 5 Street Feeling (03:26) 6 Everyday Things Are Getting Worse (03:06) 7 They Make Me Mad (02:29) 8 Too Much Pressure (03:26) 9 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:26) 10 Do the Dog (01:52) 11 Rat Race (03:07) 12 Blank Expression (01:55) 13 Rude Boys Outa Jail (02:47) 14 Concrete Jungle (03:07) 15 Too Much Too Young (02:16) 16 Nite Klub (03:05) 17 Gangsters (04:37) 18 Long Shot Kick de Bucket (05:20) |
 | Album: 7 of 24 Title: King of Kings Released: 1993 Tracks: 12 Duration: 33:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sammy Dead (02:51) 2 Fat Man (02:41) 3 Easy Snapping (02:33) 4 Carry Go Bring Come (02:55) 5 Dancing Mood (03:04) 6 Humpty Dumpty (02:40) 7 King of Ska (02:51) 8 Oil in My Lamp (03:06) 9 Take It Easy (02:36) 10 Wings of a Dove (02:40) 11 King of Kings (03:00) 12 Jamaica Ska (02:22) |
| King of Kings : Allmusic album Review : One of those ideas which look great on paper, but disappoint in reality. The concept of pairing the Jamaican singing legend with the Specials is indeed brilliant, unfortunately it occurred around a dozen years too late. So this is not the adrenaline fueled two toners of yore, but a more sedate version circa 1993, accompanied by a quartet of session men. King of Kings is not a total abortion, however, the thought of what could have been weights heavily on the final result. The band run through a dozen Jamaican gems from the 1960s, hits from the likes of Eric Morris, Derrick Morgan, Justin Hines, Jimmy Cliff, Theo Beckford, Hopeton Lewis, and Dekker himself. It all swings along pleasantly enough, but few of the tracks exude enough energy to really grab ones attention. Not surprisingly, one of the stand-outs is Dekkers own "King of Ska," where everyone goes hell for leather; equally good is a smoking version of "Carry Go Bring Come." Elsewhere the bland arrangements and slick playing bleed the lifeblood right out of the songs. Dekker valiantly attempts resuscitation, and his own performances saves the album from flat lining, but it still remains on life support. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 24 Title: Best Of Released: 1996 Tracks: 16 Duration: 55:45 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rude Boys Outa Jail (04:06) 2 A Message to You Rudy (02:53) 3 Rat Race (03:10) 4 Maggies Farm (03:32) 5 Blank Expression (02:44) 6 Why? (03:55) 7 I Can’t Stand It (04:03) 8 Man at C&A (03:36) 9 Do the Dog (02:11) 10 Too Much Too Young (06:05) 11 Monkey Man (02:45) 12 Little Bitch (02:32) 13 War Crimes (04:00) 14 Nite Klub (03:12) 15 Concrete Jungle (03:19) 16 Enjoy Yourself (03:35) |
| Best Of : Allmusic album Review : Although pioneering ska revivalists the Specials only released three albums in their lifetime (SPECIALS, MORE SPECIALS and, as the Special AKA, 1984s IN THE STUDIO), compilations are essential for a full understanding of the group, because many of their best moments never made it onto a long-player. As a result, a seemingly endless supply of compilations have been released since the bands split, most of them covering the same songs and few of them staying in print for very long. Diskys BEST OF THE SPECIALS is not a perfect compilation--shockingly, it doesnt include "Ghost Town," the bands biggest hit--but in the mid-2000s, the best available. Also, by including some rarities and lesser-known songs, it gives a fuller overview of the band than many of the more narrowly focused sets. Besides familiar hits like "A Message To You Rudy," this 16-track compilation also includes comparative rarities like "War Crimes," a chilling condemnation of Middle East violence, and an African-influenced version of "Maggies Farm" that foreshadows Specials offshoot Fun Boy Threes uniquely percussive sound. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 24 Title: Gangsters Released: 1996 Tracks: 12 Duration: 35:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Too Hot (02:35) 2 Stupid Marriage (04:33) 3 Nite Klub (03:16) 4 Little Bitch (02:34) 5 Youre Wondering Now (02:17) 6 Do the Dog (02:09) 7 Long Shot Kick de Bucket (02:58) 8 Monkey Man (02:59) 9 Its Up to You (03:47) 10 Gangsters (02:33) 11 Concrete Jungle (03:17) 12 Blank Expression (02:11) |
 | Album: 10 of 24 Title: Too Much Too Young Released: 1996-05-13 Tracks: 16 Duration: 53:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Too Much Too Young (06:05) 2 Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think) (03:35) 3 Man at C&A (03:36) 4 Rude Boys Outa Jail (04:06) 5 I Can’t Stand It (04:03) 6 Do the Dog (02:11) 7 Blank Expression (02:44) 8 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:24) 9 Monkey Man (02:45) 10 Hey Little Rich Girl (03:34) 11 Pearl’s Cafe (03:09) 12 Little Bitch (02:32) 13 Rat Race (03:10) 14 A Message to You Rudy (02:53) 15 Do Nothing (03:40) 16 You’re Wondering Now (02:36) |
 | Album: 11 of 24 Title: Todays Specials Released: 1996-05-14 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Take Five (03:55) 2 Pressure Drop (04:18) 3 Hypocrite (03:25) 4 Goodbye Girl (03:57) 5 A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You (04:32) 6 Time Has Come (05:09) 7 Dirty Old Town (03:33) 8 Somebody Got Murdered (03:06) 9 Shanty Town 007 (03:57) 10 Simmer Down (03:46) 11 Maga Dog (02:54) 12 Bad Boys (05:08) |
| Today's Specials : Allmusic album Review : To dispense with the easy shot first, the Specials are but a pale imitation of yesterdays heroes, and Todays Specials not only adds nothing to their legacy, it also dissipates much of the old magic. Once the group provided vision, excitement, and inspiration, but this set is so derivative and insipid, it should come with a disclaimer. Then again, those totally out of touch with the music scene may find its blend of bland pop, tedious drum programming, and borrowed toasting both satisfying and fresh. Certainly the choice of covers is astute -- a clutch of Jamaican classics interspersed with the odd pop and punk number. In some cases "odd" is the imperative word. Their version of Neil Diamonds "A Little Bit Me, a Little Bit You" will have the listener reassessing the Monkees original, perhaps realizing for the first time just what a level of pop perfection the quartet hit. Meanwhile, the Specials are reaching new lows, arguably hitting a nadir with the club rhythm and country & western-flavored take on the Clashs "Somebody Got Murdered." Still, even they cant wreck "Simmer Down" -- this song was arguably Bob Marleys denouement, at least as far as catchy melodies go, and no matter what a band throws at it, the tune reasserts itself in all its glory. And what the group is tossing with abandonment throughout this set is a layer of digitized beats, the kind that are pre-programmed (just hit the button marked "jungle"). Perhaps its merely those omnipresent rhythms that bleed any sense of excitement right out of this set, but the glossy, spic-and-span-clean production doesnt help, nor does the ripped-straight-from-U-Roy toasting splattered about. Overall a mediocre album that kicks off strong with a smoky, clubby, atmospheric take on the ubiquitous instrumental "Take Five," but only the calypso-flavored "007" and the enthusiastic "Pressure Drop" further spice up this tapioca-esque offering. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 24 Title: Concrete Jungle Released: 1998 Tracks: 32 Duration: 1:35:18 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Wake Up (01:53) 2 Nite Club (03:00) 3 Raquel (02:47) 4 Rock & Roll Nightmare (02:00) 5 Blank Expression (02:06) 6 Little Bitch (02:39) 7 Look but Dont Touch (04:23) 8 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:41) 9 Gangsters (live) (02:31) 10 Its Up to You (live) (03:46) 11 Monkey Man (live) (02:59) 12 Concrete Jungle (live) (03:16) 13 Too Much Too Young (02:05) 14 Skinhead Moonstomp (live) (02:38) 15 Long Shot Kick de Bucket (live) (03:09) 16 Youre Wondering Now (live) (02:27) 1 Carry Go Bring Home (02:55) 2 King of Ska (02:52) 3 Sammy Dead (02:49) 4 Fat Man (02:43) 5 Easy Snappin (02:34) 6 Take It Easy (02:39) 7 King of Kings (02:59) 8 Jamaica Ska (02:23) 9 Tears of a Clown (live) (03:13) 10 Rough Rider (live) (04:43) 11 Spar Wid Me (live) (03:38) 12 Rat Race (live) (03:21) 13 Too Nice to Talk To (live) (03:24) 14 Get a Job (live) (03:30) 15 Ranking Full Stop (live) (03:06) 16 Enjoy Yourself (live) (04:04) |
 | Album: 13 of 24 Title: Guilty til Proved Innocent! Released: 1998-03-24 Tracks: 18 Duration: 59:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Tears in My Beer (03:30) 2 Call Me Names (02:47) 3 Fearful (02:20) 4 Its You (03:09) 5 Bonediggin (04:40) 6 All Gone Wrong (03:53) 7 No Big Deal (03:23) 8 Leave It Out (04:03) 9 Keep On Learning (02:39) 10 Fantasize (03:27) 11 Place in Life (03:07) 12 Stand Up (03:02) 13 My Tears Come Falling Down Like Rain (03:17) 14 The Man With No Name (02:44) 15 Running Away (02:53) 16 Rat Race (live) (02:53) 17 Concrete Jungle (live) (03:25) 18 Gangster (live) (03:54) |
 | Album: 14 of 24 Title: BBC Sessions Released: 1998-10-26 Tracks: 16 Duration: 53:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gangsters (03:02) 2 Too Much Too Young (02:06) 3 Concrete Jungle (03:20) 4 Monkey Man (02:40) 5 Rude Boys Outa Jail (02:55) 6 Rat Race (03:09) 7 The Skinhead Symphony in Three Movements: Long Shot Kick the Bucket / Liquidator / Skinhead Moonstomp (05:47) 8 Sea Cruise (03:11) 9 Stereotype (06:16) 10 Racquel (01:39) 11 Alcohol (03:46) 12 Lonely Crowd (03:21) 13 Bright Lights (04:10) 14 Blank Expression (01:53) 15 Youre Wondering Now (02:22) 16 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (03:13) |
 | Album: 15 of 24 Title: A Special Collection Released: 1999 Tracks: 16 Duration: 57:11 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Too Much Too Young (06:05) 2 Gangsters (02:47) 3 Ghost Town (05:58) 4 Youre Wondering Now (02:37) 5 Black Expression (02:42) 6 Rat Race (03:09) 7 Rude Boys Outa Jail (04:07) 8 Pearls Cafe (03:10) 9 Man at C&A (03:36) 10 Enjoy Yourself (Its Later Than You Think) (03:36) 11 Do Nothing (03:41) 12 Maggies Farm (03:32) 13 Nelson Mandela (04:09) 14 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:26) 15 Concrete Jungle (03:18) 16 Guns of Navarone (02:18) |
 | Album: 16 of 24 Title: Blue Plate Specials Released: 1999-02-23 Tracks: 15 Duration: 42:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gangsters (02:32) 2 Do the Dog (02:13) 3 Stupid Marriage (04:33) 4 Nite Klub (03:16) 5 Too Much Too Young (02:02) 6 Little Bitch (02:44) 7 Skinhead Moonstomp (02:42) 8 Concrete Jungle (03:15) 9 Rock & Roll Nightmare (01:59) 10 Look but Dont Touch (04:23) 11 Its Up to You (03:00) 12 Jay Walker (03:10) 13 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:41) 14 Blank Expression (02:07) 15 Wake Up (01:36) |
 | Album: 17 of 24 Title: The Very Best Of Released: 2000 Tracks: 15 Duration: 50:26 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Our Lips Are Sealed (03:46) 2 Man at C&A (re-recorded) (02:52) 3 Message to You Rudy (re-recorded) (02:49) 4 Rude Boy’s Outa Jail (re-recorded) (02:15) 5 Leave It Out (re-recorded) (03:31) 6 You’re Wondering Now (re-recorded) (02:26) 7 Running Away (re-recorded) (02:48) 8 Ghost Town (re-recorded) (05:16) 9 It Ain’t What You Do (re-recorded) (02:21) 10 It’s You (re-recorded) (03:15) 11 Gangsters (re-recorded) (03:18) 12 Lunatics (re-recorded) (02:52) 13 Too Hot (re-recorded) (02:58) 14 Ghost Town (Chemical Submission mix) (04:55) 15 Our Lips Are Sealed (Zipper mix) (04:59) |
| The Very Best Of : Allmusic album Review : Very Best of the Specials and Fun Boy Three will no doubt lure more than a few unsuspecting victims with its classic checkered jacket and instantly recognizable playlist, but a closer look at the cover will provide listeners with an important clue as to the collections content. This "unofficial" greatest-hits collection which "features Neville Staples" is filled with re-recordings. Staples, a member of both Specials and Fun Boy Three, is the sole connection to the tunes, resulting in an embarrassing mish-mash of techno-heavy bastardizations of some of skas greatest works. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 24 Title: Stereo-Typical: As, Bs & Rarities Released: 2000-08-21 Tracks: 46 Duration: 3:13:40 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gangsters (02:47) 2 A Message to You Rudy (02:53) 3 Nite Klub (03:09) 4 Too Much Too Young (02:04) 5 Guns of Navarone (02:19) 6 Skinhead Symphony (06:37) 7 Rat Race (03:10) 8 Rude Boys Outa Jail (02:40) 9 Stereotype (03:52) 10 International Jet Set (04:15) 11 Do Nothing (03:41) 12 Maggies Farm (03:33) 13 Braggin and Tryin Not to Lie (03:24) 14 Rude Boys Outa Jail (version) (04:08) 15 Ghost Town (03:40) 16 Why? (02:56) 17 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (03:34) 18 Concrete Jungle (live) (03:09) 19 Racquel (01:57) 1 The Boiler (05:43) 2 Theme From the Boiler (04:13) 3 Jungle Music (04:00) 4 Rasta Call You (03:38) 5 Easter Island (04:11) 6 War Crimes (The Crime Remains the Same) (04:03) 7 Version (03:44) 8 Racist Friend (04:03) 9 Bright Lights (03:47) 10 Nelson Mandela (04:13) 11 Break Down the Door (03:48) 12 What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend (04:05) 13 Cant Get a Break (04:56) 14 Nelson Mandela 88 (Special 70th Birthday remake) (04:46) 15 Ghost Dub 91 (04:19) 16 Let Us Unite (04:28) 1 Ghost Town (extended version) (06:02) 2 Why? (03:55) 3 War Crimes (06:10) 4 Racist Friend (instrumental) (04:10) 5 Bright Lights (instrumental) (04:41) 6 Nelson Mandela (04:34) 7 Break Down the Door (05:02) 8 What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend (05:24) 9 Cant Get a Break (06:30) 10 Nelson Mandela 88 (The Whole World Is Watching dance mix) (08:29) 11 Ghost Dub 91 / Let Us Unite (06:36) |
 | Album: 19 of 24 Title: Skinhead Girl Released: 2000-09-18 Tracks: 15 Duration: 50:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 I Cant Hide (03:32) 2 Blam Blam Fever (03:25) 3 Jezebel (02:43) 4 El Pussycat Ska (03:40) 5 Soldering (04:06) 6 You Dont Know What I Like (02:36) 7 Memphis Underground (03:56) 8 If I Didnt Love You (03:42) 9 Them a fe Get a Beatin (03:28) 10 Napoleon Solo (03:09) 11 Skinhead Girl (03:31) 12 Fire Corner (03:47) 13 Bangerang Crash (03:04) 14 I Want to Go Home (02:39) 15 Old Man Say (02:47) |
 | Album: 20 of 24 Title: Conquering Ruler Released: 2001-01-22 Tracks: 15 Duration: 52:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Jezebel (02:33) 2 Tom Drunk (03:12) 3 Take Me as I Am (03:17) 4 Conquering Ruler (03:12) 5 Decimal Currency (03:48) 6 Promise (03:16) 7 Double Barrel (03:40) 8 Keep My Love (03:33) 9 Rough and Tough (03:23) 10 Foolish Plan (03:30) 11 I Am a Madman (04:17) 12 Salvation Train (03:24) 13 Lorna Banana (04:49) 14 Return of Django (03:37) 15 I Dont Need Your Love Anymore (02:44) |
 | Album: 21 of 24 Title: 30th Anniversary Tour Live Released: 2003-07-13 Tracks: 16 Duration: 48:43 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Do the Dog (02:16) 2 (Dawning of a) New Era (02:28) 3 Gangsters (03:12) 4 Rat Race (03:13) 5 Monkey Man (02:41) 6 Blank Expression (02:09) 7 Concrete Jungle (03:19) 8 Friday Night / Saturday Morning (03:23) 9 A Message to You Rudy (02:50) 10 Do Nothing (03:29) 11 Nite Klub (04:29) 12 Too Much Too Young (02:16) 13 Too Hot (02:52) 14 Hey, Little Rich Girl (03:38) 15 Man at C&A (03:34) 16 Youre Wondering Now (02:50) |
 | Album: 22 of 24 Title: Greatest Hits Released: 2006-01-01 Tracks: 12 Duration: 39:55 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Man at C&A (re-recorded) (02:50) 2 A Message to Rudy (re-recorded) (02:47) 3 Rude Boys Out of Jail (re-recorded) (02:13) 4 Leave It Out (re-recorded) (03:30) 5 Youre Wondering Now (re-recorded) (02:24) 6 Running Away (re-recorded) (02:47) 7 Ghost Town (re-recorded) (05:16) 8 Its You (re-recorded) (03:14) 9 Gangsters (re-recorded) (03:16) 10 Simmer Down (demo) (re-recorded) (04:07) 11 Too Hot (re-recorded) (02:56) 12 Rude Boy Gone Jail (demo) (re-recorded) (04:35) |
 | Album: 23 of 24 Title: The Best of The Specials Released: 2008-03-31 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:16:41 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Gangsters (02:47) 2 A Message to You Rudy (02:53) 3 Nite Klub (03:24) 4 Concrete Jungle (03:18) 5 Too Much Too Young (02:06) 6 Blank Expression (02:44) 7 Doesn’t Make It Alright (03:26) 8 Rude Boys Outa Jail (02:40) 9 Rat Race (03:10) 10 Man at C&A (03:38) 11 Do Nothing (03:41) 12 Stereotypes (07:26) 13 International Jet Set (05:38) 14 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (03:34) 15 Why? (02:56) 16 Ghost Town (05:58) 17 What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend (04:52) 18 Racist Friend (04:03) 19 War Crimes (The Crime Remains the Same) (04:03) 20 Nelson Mandela (04:17) |
| The Best of The Specials : Allmusic album Review : Released in the U.K. in 2008 but not appearing in the U.S. until 2014, the Best of the Specials is far and away the most generous Specials compilation ever assembled, weighing in at a hefty 20 tracks and, in its initial pressing at least, containing an accompanying 16-track DVD featuring music videos and live performance. The real meat of the collection is that CD of 20 hits and staples, the songs that made the Specials one of the most vital bands of the early 80s: all the early singles -- "Gangsters," "Ghost Town," "Message to You Rudy," "Nite Klub" -- but also "Rat Race," "Stereotypes," "What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend," "Racist Friend," and "Nelson Mandela." All these and more are here on a compilation that encompasses the entirety of their dynamic, sometimes chaotic, career and while their debut remains peerless, this is a good way to get a sense of the whole story. | ||
 | Album: 24 of 24 Title: Encore Released: 2019-02-01 Tracks: 21 Duration: 1:20:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys (03:17) 2 B.L.M. (05:05) 3 Vote for Me (05:01) 4 The Lunatics (03:35) 5 Breaking Point (03:55) 6 Blam Blam Fever (02:46) 7 10 Commandments (03:52) 8 Embarrassed by You (03:04) 9 The Life and Times (of a Man Called Depression) (05:27) 10 We Sell Hope (04:36) 1 Gangsters (live at Le Bataclan) (03:13) 2 A Message to You, Rudy (live at Le Bataclan) (02:51) 3 Nite Klub (live at the Troxy) (04:48) 4 Friday Night, Saturday Morning (live at Le Bataclan) (03:16) 5 Stereotype (live at Le Bataclan) (04:41) 6 Redemption Song (live at the Troxy) (03:52) 7 Monkey Man (live at Le Bataclan) (02:38) 8 Too Much Too Young (live at the Troxy) (02:04) 9 Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think) (03:32) 10 Ghost Town (live at Le Bataclan) (05:40) 11 All the Time in the World (live at the Troxy) (03:24) |