The specials, Ghost town?

Question

I know that the song ghost town is about coventry (and apparantly some reference to birmingham) but can anyone tell me what exactly it was about?

Answer 1

Ghost Town was a number one hit for the British ska band, The Specials. It was written in response to Thatcher's policies which the band believed would increase the large scale unemployment already present in Britain. This was highly relevant to The Specials as they formed and lived in Coventry and saw the effects of the policies first-hand. It was also the summer of large scale riots in Brixton and Toxteth amongst others. Heavy-handed police treatment of young black men was especially relevant to the mixed race group.

Answer 2

Perhaps reading the lyrics instead of listening to the track would help you more?....

Song: Ghost Town Lyrics
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 inna 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
This town, is coming like a ghost town
This town, is coming like a ghost town

Answer 3

It was just a very low time for the Midlands in the late 70s - there were lots of fights in clubs, which drove people to stay at home more - promoters weren't able to pay for bands to play venues, the city basically died. The song is yearning for the old days when people used to party in Coventry without the violence and (particularly racial) hatred.

Answer 4

It was about the rioting and job losses and in general the poverty of inner city life in that time in the late 70s early 80s.
Great song.

Answer 5

Ghost city, fingers down. this is one in each and every of my standard songs of all time. i love Our residing house too although this is not one in each and every of my standard insanity songs. The Specials and insanity are my first and 2d standard bands although, so nice question :D

Answer 6

have listened to the song , urban decay industry closing down and everything that goes with particularly money, could be car industry i suppose in the 70's

Answer 7

songmeanings.com

=)