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The Specials, also known as The Special AKA, are an English 2 tone and ska revival band formed in 1977 in Coventry. After some early changes, the first stable lineup of the group consisted of Terry Hall and Neville Staple on vocals, Jerry Dammers on keyboards, Lynval Golding and Roddy Radiation on guitars, Horace Panter on bass, John Bradbury on drums, and Dick Cuthell and Rico Rodriguez on horns. Their music combines the danceable rhythms of ska and rocksteady with the energy and attitude of punk. Lyrically, their work (often written by primary songwriter Dammers) presented overt political and social commentary. The band wore mod-style "1960s period rude boy outfits (pork pie hats, tonic and mohair suits and loafers)". In 1980, their The Special AKA Live! EP, featuring lead track "Too Much Too Young", reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. In 1981, the recession-themed single "Ghost Town" also hit No. 1 in the UK. After seven consecutive UK top 10 singles between 1979 and 1981, main lead vocalists Hall and Staple, along with guitarist Golding, left to form Fun Boy Three. Continuing as "The Special AKA" (a name they used frequently on earlier Specials releases), a substantially revised Specials line-up issued new material until 1984, including the top 10 UK hit single "Free Nelson Mandela". After this, founder Jerry Dammers dissolved the band and pursued political activism. The group re-formed in 1993, and have continued to perform and record with varying line-ups, none of them involving Dammers.
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Albums by The Special A.K.A.Sort:By AlbumA - Z
The Best of 2 Tone [Rhino] [2014]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 6:05 |
Ska Explosion [Rhino] [2013]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:05 |
Gangsters | 2:47 |
6 X 6: Eighties [2011]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 4:52 |
Break Down the Door | 3:48 |
Racist Friend | 4:03 |
BBC Radio 1 Peel Sessions 1977-1979: Movement [2011]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 3:00 |
The Ultimate Punk & New Wave Hits [2010]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:46 |
The Ultimate Reggae & Ska Hits [2010]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Original Hits: 70s [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Original Hits: Christmas [2009]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:05 |
100 Hits Reggae [EMI] [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:46 |
Best of the Specials [2014] [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:49 |
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:05 |
Racist Friend [Version] | 4:03 |
Legendary Eighties [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 6:05 |
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:33 |
This Is 1979 [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
This Is 1980 [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:05 |
This Is 1984 [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:11 |
Top of the Pops Collection [43 CD] [2008]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters |
101 70s Hits [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Late Night Tales: Nouvelle Vague [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 4:05 |
Light Your Light [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Guns of Navarone | 3:19 |
Pure: Reggae [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Top of the Pops 1979 [2007]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:46 |
12"/80s: Pop [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela [Extended Version] | 4:32 |
The Wedding Collection: Classical/Party/Love [2006]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:45 |
Best of 1978 & 1979 [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Best of Reggae [EMI] [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
I Love Music 1975-1979: No More Heroes [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:46 |
Mod & Beyond [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Ska: A.K.A. [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Stereo-Typical: A's, B's and Rarities [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 5:24 |
Under the Influence [2005]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:03 |
One Step Beyond [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Too Much Two Tone [2004]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela |
The Original 80's Album [2003]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:05 |
Greatest Reggae & Ska Hit [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela |
Rude Boy Revival [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:04 |
The Complete Terry Hall [2002]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 6:05 |
Complete Collection [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:35 |
Totally Number 1 Hits of the 80's [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:08 |
Totally Sensational 70's: 1977-1979 [2001]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Above and Beyond: The Second Wave of Ska [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:10 |
Greatest Hits of the 70's [Disky Box] [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Totally 80s [EMI] [2000]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:08 |
Best Of [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
War Crimes | 4:00 |
British Ska [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:49 |
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:11 |
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 3:59 |
Greatest Hits of the 80's [1999 Disky] [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:35 |
Non Stop 80's Party [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 3:46 |
Now: 1980 [2 CD] [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:05 |
Now: 1984 [2 CD] [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 3:56 |
Special Collection [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
The Guns of Navarone | 2:18 |
Totally Awesome 80's: 1980-1982 [1999]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:04 |
2-Tone: A Look at Ska Retro 80's, Vol. 3 [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:04 |
Ska: The Second Wave [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:10 |
The BBC Sessions [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Alcohol | 3:46 |
Lonely Crowd | 3:21 |
The Best Ska Album in the World Ever [1998]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:03 |
Gangsters | 2:46 |
1984: 20 Original Chart Hits [1997]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:48 |
No. 1 Ska Album [1997]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
Too Much Too Young | 2:06 |
Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the 80's, Vol. 13 [1995]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:08 |
Ska Mania [1995]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | |
Free Nelson Mandela | |
Gangsters |
The Two Tone Compilation: A Checkered Past [1993]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:44 |
Guns of Navarone | 2:25 |
Racist Friend | 3:35 |
Bright Lights | 4:10 |
Break Down the Door | 3:48 |
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 4:49 |
The Collection [1994] [1992]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:47 |
The Singles Collection [1991]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:06 |
Guns of Navarone [Live] | 2:20 |
Racist Friend | 3:48 |
Free Nelson Mandela [Version] | 4:34 |
2 Tone Story [1988]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
War Crimes | 3:59 |
In the Studio [1984]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Bright Lights | 4:11 |
The Lonely Crowd | 3:52 |
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 4:52 |
Housebound | 4:13 |
House Bound | 4:10 |
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:07 |
War Crimes | 6:13 |
Racist Friend | 3:49 |
Alcohol | 5:01 |
Break Down the Door | 3:36 |
In the Studio [Special Edition] [1984]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Bright Lights | 4:10 |
Lonely Crowd | 3:52 |
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 4:50 |
War Crimes | 6:13 |
Racist Friend | 3:49 |
Alcohol | 5:01 |
Break Down the Door | 3:34 |
Dance Craze [1983]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:03 |
Guns of Navarone | 2:15 |
Specials [Special Edition] [1979]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:07 |
Guns of Navarone [Live] | 2:20 |
The Specials [1979]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 6:06 |
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | |
Guns of Navarone | 2:24 |
Encore
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 2:07 |
Playlist: New Wave
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Too Much Too Young | 1:57 |
The Best of 2 Tone [Chrysalis]
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Gangsters | 2:48 |
Unknown Album
Song | Duration |
---|---|
Free Nelson Mandela | 4:08 |
Racist Friend | |
Too Much Too Young [Live] | 2:07 |
Nelson Mandela | 4:07 |
Alcohol | 5:01 |
House Bound | 4:13 |
War Crimes | 6:13 |
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend | 4:50 |
Guns of Navarone [Live] | 2:20 |
Too Much Too Young | 2:03 |
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