The Specials - Ghost Town: Blog tasks

Background and historical contexts

Read this excellent analysis from The Conversation website of the impact Ghost Town had both musically and visually. Answer the following questions

1) Why does the writer link the song to cinematic soundtracks and music hall tradition?

It's more attuned to "mood music" which related to cinematic soundtracks and hall tradition according to the writer. 

2) What subcultures did 2 Tone emerge from in the late 1970s?

Mod and punk sub-cultures due to its music, people, audiences and bands.

3) What social contexts are discussed regarding the UK in 1981?

England was hit with riots which were driven by racial tension during this time.

4) Cultural critic Mark Fisher describes the video as ‘eerie’. What do you think is 'eerie' about the Ghost Town video?

It's described as eerie due to the fact that the streets of London should be busy whereas in the music video it is empty.

5) Look at the final section (‘Not a dance track’). What does the writer suggest might be the meanings created in the video? Do you agree?

The writer suggests meanings created are about injustice and lack of opportunities given for the youth which I agree with as the lyrics heavily link to the music video itself (Goodwin) but also the social state of Britain at the time.

Now read this BBC website feature on the 30th anniversary of Ghost Town’s release. 

1) How does the article describe the song?

A blend of melancholy, unease and menace. 

2) What does the article say about the social context of the time – what was happening in Britain in 1981?

Britain was at the peak of its riots - which were fuelled by the discrimination against black individuals and immigrants. The song and band was created as a way to break the racial tension going on.

3) How did The Specials reflect an increasingly multicultural Britain?

The band consisted of black and white members and their music was a hybrid of West Indian and British/American genre conventions (post colonial ideas). 

4) How can we link Paul Gilroy’s theories to The Specials and Ghost Town?

Gilroy suggests that there is liquidity to identity which is shown through The Specials as we see how both black and white members embrace each others cultures but also how black diasporic identity finds its place in music.

5) The article discusses how the song sounds like a John Barry composition. Why was John Barry a famous composer and what films did he work on?

He composed music for 11 bond films and was a famous composer for his unique, electronic styles in his compositions. 

Ghost Town - Media Factsheet

Watch the video several times before reading Factsheet #211 - Ghost Town. You'll need your GHS Google login to access the factsheet. Once you have analysed the video several times and read the whole factsheet, answer the following questions: 

1) Focus on the Media Language section. What does the factsheet suggest regarding the mise-en-scene in the video? 

The mise en scene uses conventions from the British social realism genre. This is reflected in the video being low budget and its social and political 

2) How does the lighting create intertextual references? What else is notable about the lighting?

The contrast between shadows references expressionist cinema which focuses on shadows. The distinct shadows makes the city seem dangerous even at day.

3) What non-verbal codes help to communicate meanings in the video?

The band members singing without expression, the direct address with stiff movements as well as the suits they are wearing creates and anchors meaning.

4) What does the factsheet suggest regarding the editing and camerawork? Pick out three key points that are highlighted here.

- Both its style and short shot duration give a frenetic feel. 

- This is reinforced by handheld, disorienting camerawork with whip pans and canted angles.

- The sequence near the start consists of a series of establishing shots and low angle shots which make the scenery loom in an intimidating way.

5) What narrative theories can be applied to the video? Give details from the video for each one.

Todorov's: The whole music video is in a state of disequilibrium as the lyrics talk about Britain's problems.

Barthes action and enigma codes: The car travels from location to location as we wonder where and why.

6) How can we apply genre theory to the video?

Performative: Band members are lip syncing their music while driving 

Narrative: The lyrics tell us about what's happening in Britain which we can also relate to

Concept based: The gloomy style and mise-en-scene of the music video symbolises how living in Britain is truly like

7) Now look at the Representations section. What are the different people, places and groups that are represented in the Ghost Town video? Look for the list on page 4 of the factsheet.

• ‘Thatcher’s Britain’ - the racial and economic tension of Britain

• The City - how a busy city like London has no opportunities (no people in the music video)

• Urban youth - how, again, there are no opportunities for the youth

• Race - addresses racial tension and how different races can come together 

8) How can Gauntlett's work on collective identity be applied to the video?

We have many things that many different audience can relate to together due to the hybridity of the 2 tone genre.

9) How can gender theorists such as Judith Butler be applied to Ghost Town?

Butler suggested gender is a performance which we see in Ghost Town as the members preform an act of masculine brother hood. 

10) Postcolonial theorists like Paul Gilroy can help us to understand the meanings in the Ghost Town music video. What does the factsheet suggest regarding this?

Double Consciousness: Although black musicians were a big part of the music industry during this time, they were still considered as racial others to big companies ran by white, conservative individuals. This is subverted in The Specials and in the Ghost Town music video as we see how black and white members are treated equally and merge their cultures into a hybrid genre for all audiences to enjoy.

A/A* Extension reading: Music video and Ghost Town

There is so much excellent reading on The Specials and Ghost Town in particular. This Guardian feature by Alexis Petridis describes the social context and the band’s relationship superbly. 

 "it remains the most remarkable number one in British chart history"

"In Bracknell, however, the gig was disrupted by neo-Nazi skinheads allied to rabble-rousing street punks"

Along similar lines, this is an excellent piece on music reflecting the mood of a country – written during the 2011 London Riots but linking back to Ghost Town in 1981.

Enjoy this phenomenal long read by GQ editor Dylan Jones who links the history of London since 1981, music, race relations and riots to Ghost Town and the Specials.