For Song Lyric Sunday this week we’re looking for something eerie. A couple of things came to mind almost immediately – ‘There’s A Ghost In My House’ and, harking back even further – to the Saturday morning children’s request show on BBC radio – ‘Ghost Riders In The Sky’. Hmm. As the French say: “Oui, mais non” (yes – but no).

Instead, here is ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials, a group from the English midlands who drew their musical influences from Caribbean genres such as ska and rocksteady, when these were very popular in the eighties. What set The Specials rather apart from (and above) similar groups was, as here, the political edge to many of their lyrics, reflecting the alienation of young people.

[NB If this is the sort of thing that appeals, I’d also recommend their song ‘Too Much Too Young’.]

This town, is coming like a ghost town
All the clubs have been closed down
This place, is coming like a ghost town
Bands won’t play no more
Too much fighting on the dance floor

Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?
We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown

This town, is coming like a ghost town
Why must the youth fight against themselves?
Government leaving the youth on the shelf
This place, is coming like a ghost town
No job to be found in this country
Can’t go on no more
The people getting angry

This town, is coming like a ghost town
This town, is coming like a ghost town

Written by Jerry Dammers

Song Lyric Sunday 2 June 2024