The meaning of Gangsters by The Specials

The Specials' "Gangsters" is a two-tone ska song that was released in 1979. The song's lyrics are a commentary on the gang culture of the time, with the band using their music to speak out against the violence and lawlessness that was prevalent in British cities.

The song's opening lines, "All I know is just what I've been told / Some men like the girls, some men like the gold," set the tone for a song that is both a critique of gang culture and a celebration of the music that brought people together. The lyrics are laced with humor and irony, as the band pokes fun at the posturing and bravado of the gangs.

The chorus, "Gangsters, gangsters, always on the run / Trying to have a good time, but they're having none," is a scathing indictment of the futility of the gang lifestyle. The Specials' lead singer, Terry Hall, delivers the lyrics with his trademark blend of wit and pathos, bringing a sense of desperation and longing to the song.

Musically, "Gangsters" is a masterclass in two-tone ska. The song's rhythms are tight and infectious, with a killer horn section that adds depth and texture to the track. The guitar work is also noteworthy, with Lynval Golding's playing adding a sense of tension and release to the song.

Overall, "Gangsters" is a classic song from one of the most influential bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s. It's a song that blends humor and pathos to tell a story about the futility of gang culture, and it remains a beloved track among fans of ska and two-tone music today.