Thirty years ago today, 2 Tone ska kings The Specials released their landmark single “Ghost Town,” a haunting soundtrack to England’s early-’80s economic despair and civil unrest. The song, which hit No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart, also effectively capped the recording career of the original Specials lineup.
As a look back at this highly unlikely and somewhat creepy pop hit, we offer, below, the band’s official music video for the track, plus its July 9, 1981, appearance on “Top of the Pops,” a live version (audio only) recorded Aug. 23, 1981, in Toronto and, finally, the reunited band’s performance of the song last year at Royal Albert Hall.
For a more in-depth look at the track, the BBC spoke to members of the now-reunited band (as well as original songwriter Jerry Dammers), and the always-excellent ska blog Marco on the Bass delves into “the story behind the iconic song.”
See video of The Specials performing ‘Ghost Town’ after the jump…
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS:
- The Specials announce 23-date tour of Europe, U.K. for next fall
- Terry Hall: The Specials to tour in 2011, play debut, ‘More Specials’ live
- The Specials cancel New York SummerStage concert, plan U.S. tour in 2011
- Video: The Specials play ‘Jimmy Kimmel,’ set North American concerts
- The Specials add Los Angeles, Toronto dates to short April tour of North America
- The Specials to play ‘Jimmy Fallon,’ New York in April; full U.S. tour later in 2010
