Special

Apr 11, 2009 by John    5 Comments    Posted under: music, waffle

There really is something special about The Specials. To me at least. There’s no sound more nostalgic. Every time I hear them I’m brought right back there in a way no other music does. On the edge of my teens, exciting times, a wannabe rebel, walking the streets, a gaggle of you, trying to look tougher than you are, school nothing more than an inconvenience, somewhere else to fly your flag, your school bag a blank canvas for two tone insignia, your big black marker a prized possession to mark your territory anywhere you can. Your uniform; a challenge, make it your own, skinny the tie; turn the trousers up tight, shine the Docs; Rudeboy?

Nah, no Rudeboy; skinny little white boy with fears of the world – but you hear that music now and you’re right back there, ready for it all. There’s girl’s to be fought over, lessons to be learned, teenage memories to be etched on your brain forever. Dance around the fire. Pass the flagon. Put you arms on my shoulders, and sing the song, a song that will bring you right back there twenty years later and still burn a fire in your belly.

Original video

5 Comments + Add Comment

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  Xbox4NappyRash April 11, 2009 at 8:41 am

  Wow, that is a very very sharp snapshot.

  Loved that.

  Reply
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  Ebauche April 11, 2009 at 12:16 pm

  The Specials are great, and are definitely going to be next in my playlist.

  I love the fact that, thanks to Father Ted, Ghost Town has become an acceptable replacement for the national anthem as the last track of the night..

  Reply
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  John Braine April 11, 2009 at 7:18 pm

  Xbox I woke up this morning thinking oh god I did a drunken blog post last night. Maybe I’ll do more. Cheers!

  Alex – I love that song and I love that father Ted scene, it’s hilarious.

  Reply
• 
  Simon April 13, 2009 at 8:57 pm

  Arrrh!! Now I’m remembering the An Post ad when I hear that!

  Reply
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  PRyin May 12, 2009 at 3:21 pm

  Ska was (only just) before my time. I remember seeing ‘SKA’ written in three foot high letters… everywhere and supposing it was a rude word.

  (Indeed it was.)

  Wonderful misheard lyric note:
  Until about a year ago I thought the line was
  “Tie your straighten right out”.

  More drunken posting please.

  Reply