The Specials - Do Nothing TOTPs

[johnno6999]

Aah, Christmas jumpers, very fashionable AGAIN!!!

[woodseatswurzel]

Boomerang905...the Specials were about as cute as Anne Widecombe is gorgeous. They were and still are class and after The Clash, helped many of us realise that there was a reason to say "fuck you" to the scumbags that "led" us

[boomerang905]

Have no idea who these guys are but they are certainly full of energy with a little calipso beat going here. They are really cute but it's odd, I can't even figure out what year this is....thanks!

[MrOwenmike]

@boomerang905 its about 1980 , i think it was the x.mass number 1. they also played at glastonbury last year .

[boomerang905]

@MrOwenmike Thanks for that info! : )

[Salfordbluemoon]

haha..Neville is like an early black Bez

[TheGodParticle]

Damn i need a drink now...

[MsSaucepot]

OMFG this is the cutetest thing EVER!!!! haha I LOVE THIS BAND!!! saw them the other day at brighton and they were amaaazing!!!!

[MrLiamkeily]

1.23 Looks like gadaffi

[dallass118]

Ha ha ha...Are you all blind...Can't you see that 'The Beats' bass player Dave Steele has been substituted for Horace Panter? Also...Horace was substituted for Dave in 'The Beats' performance on the same TOTP show.

Nice wind up :o)

[nik1969100]

They were the most original lyricists ever, totally brilliant!

[TheLoopylou01]

how can anyone top the specials? was my era lol

[bond007trojanskin]

son fantasticos.saludos desde bcn

[mrwheeze360]

Close to the end this one, great to hear it again brings back fond memories. Going to see them in Oct...last time was 30 yrs ago cant wait

[ykb932]

The Specials and The Beat played in Cork when this song was out,venue was the Arc...me and my friend Tracy didn't have tickets but we queued up outside for a couple of hours only to be pushed aside when the doors opened "tickets only luv"..so we walked dejectedly back into town..only to meet Terry Hall and Dave Wakeling heading back to the gig ..Terry was wearing those same tartan pants he wore on TOTP the week before...so anyway that's my claim to fame, I met Terry Hall and Dave Wakeling :-)

[ykb932]

The Specials and The Beat played in Cork when this song was out,venue was the Arc...me and my friend Tracy didn't have tickets but we queued up outside for a couple of hours only to be pushed aside when the doors opened "tickets only luv"..so we walked dejectedly back into town..only to meet Terry Hall and Dave Wakeling heading back to the gig ..Terry was wearing those same tartan pants he wore on TOTP the week before...so anyway that's my claim to fame, I met Terry Hall and Dave Wakeling :-)

[melitosse]

Jerry Dammers gives another dimention to this. These little organ notes make everything sound weirder. A kind of early 1960's supermarket music feel. Great !

[sirkevin1967]

@melitosse Not supermarket but fun fair....on the coast somewhere

[MrCorfuz]

True story--- Jerry got the jumpers for every one, but Horrace refused to wear it. The Beat were also on this Top of the Pops, so David Steele from The Beat swaped bands. Did any one notice?

[citta144]

@truthhunter46, probably more oppression today to be honest, it probably was a bit more polarised back then and clear cut, nowdays could it be that it's more subtle and those who sing or criticise society at any level are seen as 'Negative' and outta date, just a thought ??

[MrBRIT234]

where can i find this version with synth sounding?

[MrMbentley73]

what a tune!!! can't get enough of the specials. one of there best!

[savepunk]

Ha. My dad still has some of those sweaters in the back of the closet.

[ginny1264]

I,m Throwing a 40th party for my partner on sat and the theme is ska!! cant wait to hear all those fab tunes again.

[ExodusPessoa]

@ginny1264 Have a great time my friend

[TheSka2Tone]

im 17 and what id actually do to livei n those days, i just want this to come on in clubs and everyone to skant! but no everyone cares how they look and how they dress

[tracylooloo]

Fab song!! Those jumpers were all the rage back then, I had a black n white one with snowflakes on!!

[AxCUNNINGxSTUNT]

Classic, and lol at the Xmas jumpers.

Boy!!!!!!!!!!!!do I remember them

[sbsteven56]

how much of you think the singer could be considered sexy nowadays ?

[yornocm]

@sbsteven56 I would be remiss if I didn’t answer your question. Short answer: Yes, absolutely!

Long answer:  Yes, absolutely, and though I can only speak for myself, with those chiseled features, velvet voice, and soulful eyes, Mr. Hall would definitely be considered sexy today.

[yornocm]

@sbsteven56 However, that said, I was a baby when this was made, too young to appreciate how lovely he was. Now, 30 years on, time has changed Mr. Hall’s looks as it does to all. Today, in my opinion, he is even more attractive than he was in this video. Gone is the brash prettiness of the boy, replaced by the rugged charms of the man. The eyes and voice are the same, but the face is one that is wiser and therefore, all the more beautiful. May the years always be kind to Mr. Hall.

[rolodub]

@yornocm Well said.. terry is my hero

[6DoKtoR3]

Still one of my all time Specials favourites. I have a few of the original vinyl singles, but mostly cd's nowadays.The Specials were the first band that I was truly devoted to and remain in my top 5 bands to this day.

[oldblue1346]

Rico..!!

[buggsmalone]

perfect..

[fcrangers1]

White socks and xmas jumpers,what more could

you ask for,cool music...

[blairbooth]

Terry Halls Terry Blair And Anouchka single Ultra Modern Nursery Rhymes is back up!

[JV110]

This song made me turn my life around. The words had a profound impact on me, I felt like I had no future growing up in a working class family in london. I went back to school, got two degrees and emigrated to Los Angeles.

[rolodub]

what an amazing band..

[CardiffBoy1927]

Wasn't this when The Beat's Bass player David Steele swapped with Horace Panter who then played with The Beat on the same Top of the Pops ??? It does look like Steele at the back.

[IMJ66]

@CardiffBoy1927 That is indeed David Steele on the bass. Horace appeared on the same edition miming to The Beat's "Too Nice to Talk To". Horace says in his book "Ska'd For Life" that he doubts anyone on the show twigged ( or cared less) that they'd swapped roles.

[TheCatusqui]

beautiful memories!!!!

[ANTIDALLARD]

I had that exact jumper, that the guitarist had. Thanks for the post.

[fatandim]

Christmas jumpers? Or something more sinister? You decide!

[Feisty1967]

This was a more innocent era when people could wear cuddly jumpers and not a tattoo or a body piercing in sight!

[wild14me]

I was 15 when this came out and I tried to dance like Neville Staples with one foot cocked in the air like Captain Morgan!

[boogybolls]

best band from coventry bar none..

i'm a fan of hazel o connor and will you is a personal favourite but these fellas set the standard and it's never been bettered..

never mind the enemy,king or the primatives...

how can 3 ppl dislike this?

[boogybolls]

best band from coventry bar none..

i'm a fan of hazel o connor and will you is a personal favourite but these fellas set the standard and it's never been bettered..

never mind the enemy,king or the primatives...

[chrisdavid4026]

great song and memories...i thought only i had christmas jumpers!!

[SoiCowboy2]

My fave Specials song...remember this like yesterday and my Mum watching TOTP with me and saying how much she loved Terry's trousers :-)

Agree below......FB3 really did suck

[RICHIEPRASOL]

nice jumpers ................... !

[shervomatic]

specials - best two tone band. however fun boy three really sucked

[gianca60]

They will be live in Turin, Italy, this summer. be there!!

[therealparanormale]

pure genious

[MsBarking]

love it to death..........4 ever

[krissi66x]

What year was this?

[SussexKeith]

@krissi66x

1980

[mw0cri]

class!!!

[gindipoyo]

gora san fermin, woooo, gora san fer min, oooooo, ten kui dado ke esto se terminaaaa...jajajaj

[Liffeyside]

Fab concert last night in NYC, great energy from a bunch of ol' geezers!

[adamluedtke]

Saw them in NYC last night - Terry has aged well and they still have the magic - what a show!

[bri444844]

was a skinhead in this era......... not got any choice now lol ;)

[vezzahr]

that is the bassist from the beat. they swapped on that totp. honest

[LukeAChapmanblog]

Still reins true today, nothing ever change.

[acitonj]

lol David Steele.

[sduddy]

love the jumpers

[ABITTERSWEETGIRL]

this song, will always remind me of my youth, endless nights, spent walking the streets, getting thrown out of the youth club..lol.. i only have to hear the intro, and im right back there..thank you Terry Hall..and the boys

[Theoppositesex]

This song is my life story.

[bri444844]

me too lol

[BlackBoba]

Man I had that orange jumper when i was 4 :)

[gazwilwah]

Nice to see them all the jumpers they got for xmas.

[cooolsaj]

This songs brings back memories when we had good music

[madtibness]

If you watch The Beats "too nice to talk to" on totp2 you,ll see Horace playing base for them,Same night. lol

Was there not a band that had members of the public up miming?

[ColumRogers]

I think this is the song i heard on BBC6 Music. Yaaaaaaaaaay i fund it, amazing band and amazing tune.

[SuperDelski]

The Specials,,, what a group

[jamzo261]

brilliant gerry damners! takes me back to my youth!

[idonthavealoginname]

What a classic track.Great days with great music.

I miss my youth :(

[chunkyhugo]

Nev Staples dancing is even better than the fake Jamacan accent he used to put on occasionally! What a star.

[bushkilledtowers]

anybody noticed the beat's bass player is in the line up?

[bert031078]

whats he doing there!

[bushkilledtowers]

I don't know really, it is a possibility that Sir Horace Panter might have been ill, but that is just a guess

[lolabeaz]

The Beat were on the same TOTP that night, They swapped band members slightly that night to see if anyone would notice. Well done!! Blue Peter badge for you!!!

[bushkilledtowers]

yeah, great, do I get to kiss leslie judd, and val singleton too. please

[SoiCowboy2]

That's right remember this well. My Mum loved Terry's tartan pants. Well remembered lola.

[kipper309]

@bushkilledtowers

i did , they did a swap over right

the jokes on the bbc man, stick to the man or should that be auntie

[bretadounitedfc]

brings tears 2 my eyes

[bigredfan100]

classic, classic classic.

[forncettjesus]

saw them at rock city and they haven't lost it at all

[fubarooooo]

saw them in notts last night awesome gig - love the jumpers !!

[johnps65]

It must have been Christmas lads judging by your jumpers! Bet your Grans had the knitting needles out in November didn't they! ;)

[allenmark]

Will be seeing the boys at Rock City tonight.. saw them earlier in the year at Brum and they were amazing!! Its made my year them touring again :)

[armalyte]

Saw them at rock city last night, and it was a top night!

[Markmywordmanchester]

Saw them about 30 years ago and they were fansastic. I am now 50 odd and this video still reminds me just how good they were and still are. I just love this video and could watch the guys til the day I die.

[rolodub]

Going to see them playing in Dublin tonight.. reckon it will be a good night!

[Theoppositesex]

This is beautiful

[truthhunter46]

best days of my life.. just been dancing to it like crazy and thought i will check out on youtube.. WOW great days..

[chillipickle3]

@truthhunter46 yeh great days bad jumpers.......... still luv it tho xxxxx

[citta144]

Superb totally exhilarating, those certainly were the days, the voice and songs of the oppressed in their own time and in the times that were to be. Magic.

[truthhunter46]

@citta144 were we anymore oppressed than we are now tho? ace song!!

[sduddy]

I to have a jumper like that lol they were the days

[dankman104]

awesome video...the way it starts already in progress and then cuts back to commercial while the band is still playing makes me think they could go on playing that song forever

[WrongRoadRailways]

Terry was chewing gum in this, but in the 1980 Japan concert uploaded by FramatMalmoe, during Enjoy Yourself Terry and Brad are smoking!

[mbdfilms]

great live performance. & it's all about playing live in my book. these guys are legit! wishing i could've been in the crowd.

[JaySkaBoomUK]

please tell me you are joking...

1 it's top of the pops

2 it says in horace panters book they took the mick by swapping bass players with the (english) beat

3 the guitars arent even plugged in

[aboutime11]

takes me back...love it

[mickcbcfc]

2 tone tie. silk 2 tone shirt cords arrington. thata was the true rude boy. im rude till i die.

[loempiavreter]

True rude boy is a Jamaican juvenile delinquent living in Jamaica...

With a ratchet in his pocket and a sixshooter in his hand.

Sometimes too poor to buy any cloth, so he just walk in his undies with only a pork pie raised on the brink of falling of his head.

That's a true rude boy, that they loved jamaican music is becausethey lived on Jamaica....

[worldcoup]

Awesome...Where did it all go right....

[tomeeeee1]

The words say it all and the music kicks ass. If you cant move to this then....

[Porzstar]

i think it was Jerry Dammers who bought the group the xmas jumpers to wear!! brilliant record reminds me of my youth

[loempiavreter]

It's inspired by the smoothie (an evolution on skinhead) look. Fair isle knitwear was also big in with smoothies (and to top it off that Prince of Wales check trousers, very smoothie).

[broncosfannick]

go suck a dick

[werescaredofbob]

why you postin such negative comments man jus' sit back an enjoy yourself its ska not punk

[broncosfannick]

fuck u fag

[billyfury1]

FANTASTIC

[elcircovolador]

el solo del trombon la rompe, temazo! grupazo!!

[ACENSCION]

what a song! loving the christmas jumpers too! lol

[johnmattew04]

trying 2 tell meh son of 13 that this was the best music that the earth has and will ever come across is to hard. THIS MUSIC FROM THE ERA WAS FUCKING ACE NO OTHER MUSIC CAN TOUCH THIS. ITS A JOKE THAT WEE LADDIES WITH OOT A SKINHEAD SKA CONECTION , AND HAVE LEAD A SHELTERED LIFE CAN EVEN JUDGE THE BEST MUSIC IN THE WORLD. EM FAY DUNDEE AND CAN REMEMBER STOMPING TI AH THE SKINHEAD AND PUNK SANGS OH THE 80'S .

[Pooklette]

Three drinks max before posting next time maybe?

[YdotKidVE]

LOOL! Well said.

[YdotKidVE]

Calm down mate.

[spizzardo]

twat

[johnmattew04]

trying 2 tell meh 13 year old son this

[whouster]

Brilliant song that was a great statement about the depressing state of the country at the turn of the eighties.

[bigjoke40]

the specials rule !!!!!! and they are touring !!!!!!

[sidhuma]

Anybody notice Terry's chewing gum while singing the song?! LOL ... btw.. best trombone solo i've heard ever!

[19ufo47]

Specials rule! Seen em many times, but without Terry. Can't wait till they tour the US.

[rolodub]

Perfection, what a brilliant band

[Suikerland]

Beauty

[mightywhite41]

saw these lastnight in leeds,fkin brilliant

[manch01]

i was at that

fucking immense

[eddiebaby101]

This is the TOTP where Horace was replaced by the guitarist from The Beat. He is the one in the background with the blue jumper on. The Beat where on the same show and Horace played with them. Saw The Specials at Brixton on Saturday, unbelievable

[Geoffthewedge]

Pure genius.

[vandrossfan]

I just loved the Specials and the whole ska era they were just fun days the 80s rocked and will always hold a special place in my heart just wish I still had the energy to stomp all night.

[mishmosh13]

They are very...

Was at Brixton on Thursday- Brilliant- Who knew Terry could crack funny one liners!

Still cool still looking sharp - Legends

[Dillydak]

The Specials ROCK! ! ! ! !

Fantastic Band Went to see them at Brixton.

Faviroute song has gotta be the skinhead symphany! ! ! !

[bisomscott2]

went to see them last night at brixton they were fucking brilliant better than edinburgh 1979 yeh most of the people were ther 1st. time round do yourselves a favour and cheak out dates they are touring all summer

[kempouk]

i stopped liking the specials when they wore these stupid jumpers.

gay boys.

[robbiecornish]

The Specials are legends and always will be. Enough said......

[sandeepa4]

the whole fact growing up at the time of the specials and the whole 2 tone beat ---was wicked ...black and white artists playing 2geder was just wicked...long live the specials and 2 tone...............guns ov navarone

[hapibuns]

here here

[WayfarerGirl]

I gotta love 2tone! =)

One of the greatest bands ever!

[lukessummerguitar]

First single I ever bought...played it to death,

aah memories!

[TamaSifaga]

thats awesome

look at how they're dressed

no pork pie hats

lol

[titch1man]

Wow very cool to see younger people listen to one of the best ska bands. When I first heard the 1st Album in 1979 it was like a religious experience. Music that was cool, had meaning and you could dance too. Without any racist overtones like punks or skins. It was music for all, England should be proud of the lads from Coventry, as we are all over the world

[bobfogbob]

dont confuse skinheads with there racist counterparts mate. or many a skin may kick up a fuss lol. most skins were not racist, and some took it further , S.H.A.R.P anyone ? skin heads against racial predejuce

[lloyd525]

thats always my argument when ever anyone says they think skins are racist.

im glad im not the only one.

[bobfogbob]

yeah, gets quiet annoyng, the stereotyping dont it ?

[titch1man]

I've waited since 1979 to see my all time favourite band. Got tickets in Sydney will be amazing. teenage dream come true

Rude Boys

[AtleticoReggaeton]

Bet you'll enjoy it! I was born in '79 but I saw them at Reading Festival about 5 years ago, They were outstanding, such a cool band.

[rolodub]

l love them what a band pity Jerry Dammers is not involved in the reunion.

[sduddy]

yep great band but why does hall always look so miserable has done all his life never cracks a smile

[pinkyblueskies]

He's said he has suffered from depression all his life .. personally I love his miserableness - life's not always rosy that's for sure.

[TheManFromUNCLEIllya]

And they're finally coming to Australia. I will be there front row in Sydney with my old porkpie.

Funny, we never called it '2nd wave' back then. It was 'just ska', '2-tone ska' and that's it.

[davebest2001]

Neville is a serious dancer !

[IxchelinaLoa]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmm es el mejor momento

[stellaviolens]

Having a xmas joke with their new jumpers , those check caps are back in style now.

Glad they are back and the music is being enjoyed again as I hated it when they split and the end of two tone.

[CindyTalk]

The band were well know for taking the piss. Christmas Top of the Pops was taking the piss for these guys. Political and always out there...

[bigsi1968]

Showing my age her, but this clip is from Topof The Pops Xmas Day show 1980, can remember it well, perhaps a reson for the dodgy jumpers. It is Dav Steele from the Beat on the bass. Roddy must have ben poorly. The best band in creation. Going to the Manc Apollo gig in May, fantastic - can't wait! Big up to 'Rico and his ice string sounds!'

[MerkxTV]

Brings me back to my days in Bradford, original Rude boy here..... nuff respect to the guy who put it up.... dam those were the days, living in a bedsit, no money but happy.... the were the best days....

[jrawqeast]

One love

[johnnyreggae5]

school and fried sausages,-players number 6;snowing.---- they were the days

[rael1999]

Top Music from Terry and The Gang....but hay lads did you get haircut 100's dressing room by mistake....shocking jumpers lol !!

[AugsburgerPunker]

Rude Boys --> Suedeheads

[NitroNoriFan]

Christmas jumpers from their Nan's I bet :-D

[MurrayPettit]

amazing

[kingwill86]

the black man in the funky white top is my cousin but i have never met him!

all i know about him is that i am related to him on my dads side of my fam and his name is linval so if anyone knows him or sees him on a regular basis direct him to my channel please!

bless!

[embassyno1s]

i still get one of them bloody jumpers each year ,

nan piss off will ya

[kingwill86]

lol those jumpers are well gangster!

LOL

[jdhammond]

The best thing about this clip (apart from the piss taking jumpers) is that on Bass is Dave Steele from the Beat miming to Horace Panter's part....The Beat were on the same episode and for a laugh they swopped bands!!! If you find the clip of 'too nice to talk to' from the same show you'll notice Horace on Bass....

[jefmeister2004]

wierd shit was tho, the jumpers caught on and became a mini-fashion craze. "Ski jumpers" couldnt get hold of the f**kers for love of money at the time

[bovsparx]

They must be taking the piss wearing those jumpers

[loxme]

I wish I was there!!!

[modsheff1]

one of my favourite song of all time