Task 1 – Background

• Released June 12th 1981
• It was the ‘single of the year’ for 1981
• Ghost Town was originally created as a a ‘break up’ song for The Specials
• Signed to the label 2 tone
• Was number 1 upon release for a few weeks (3) and was in the top 40 for 10 weeks meaning it was a popular and successful song
• Barney Bubbles directed it
• Awards: NME award for best single
• Jerry Dammers wrote the song
• The Specials were formed in 1977

Task 2 – Cultural, Historical and Social background

• In 1981 unemployment rates in the UK were at the high with almost 3 million unemployed
• The song was number 1 post-Brixton and during the Handsworth and Toxteth riots
• The song represents an unease about the state of the nation
• The cultural critic Dorian Lynskey has described it as ‘’a remarkable pop cultural moment’’ one that “defined an era’