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?

The writer links the song to cinematic soundtracks and music hall tradition because the music creates a dramatic and unsettling atmosphere. It reflects the fear and anxiety people felt at the time.

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

2 Tone emerged from the mod and punk subcultures in the late 1970s. It mixed black and white audiences and musicians together through ska and punk music.

3) What social contexts are discussed regarding the UK 

In 1981, the UK was suffering from a recession, unemployment and social unrest. Riots were happening in cities like London, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool, where many young and unemployed people clashed with the police.

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

The Ghost Town video feels eerie because it is dark, quiet and empty. The low-key lighting, empty streets and slow movement make it feel unsettling and strange

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?

In the final section, the writer suggests the video shows a Britain that feels empty, divided and hopeless. The abandoned streets and gloomy atmosphere make it seem like society is breaking down. The band driving through the city could represent people searching for hope or escape. I agree because the visuals match the sadness and frustration in the song.

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

1) How does the article describe the song?

The article describes the song as strange, haunting and unforgettable. It says the music creates feelings of unease, menace and sadness, making it a powerful reflection of the time.  


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

The article explains that Britain in 1981 was facing high unemployment,recession and social unrest. Riots were breaking out in cities across the country as many young people felt angry and ignored by the government
3) How did The Specials reflect an increasingly multicultural Britain?

The Specials reflected an increasingly multicultural Britain because the band included both black and white musicians and mixed different musical styles like ska, reggae and punk. Their audiences were also diverse, showing different cultures coming together.
4) How can we link Paul Gilroy’s theories to The Specials and Ghost Town?

Paul Gilroy’s theories can be linked to The Specials and Ghost Town because he believed British culture was shaped by different ethnic groups and cultural mixing. The Specials represented this through their blend of Caribbean and British music and by promoting racial unity during a time of tension and division.

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?

John Barry was famous for writing film music, especially for James Bond films like Goldfinger and Thunderball. He also composed music for films such as Out of Africa and Dances with Wolves.
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 factsheet suggests the mise-en-scene is influenced by British social realist films. The video uses bleak urban locations, empty streets and low-budget filming to create a feeling of hopelessness and urban decay.

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

The lighting creates intertextual references to expressionist cinema through shadows and chiaroscuro lighting. The lighting is also low-key and naturalistic, using tunnel lights, dark streets and grey skies to create an eerie atmosphe

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

Non-verbal codes include the band’s expressionless faces, stiff zombie-like body movements and direct eye contact with the camera. These help create a tense and unsettling mood.

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

The factsheet says the editing and camerawork create a tense and confusing atmosphere. Fast editing makes some scenes feel chaotic, handheld camerawork creates realism and canted angles make the audience feel uneasy.

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

 narrative theory can be applied because the video begins with the band driving together, then shows disruption through empty streets and social problems, before ending without a clear solution. Barthes’ theory can also be applied because the video uses mystery codes about where the band are going and symbolic codes to show the contrast between better times in the past and the hopeless present.

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

Genre theory can be applied because the video mixes different styles together. It is performative because the band perform the song, narrative because it tells a story through the journey, and concept-based because it focuses on the eerie “ghost town” atmosphere.

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.

The video represents Thatcher’s Britain, urban youth, race, masculinity and the city. It presents Britain as divided, rundown and full of social problems such as unemployment and racial tension.

8) How can Gauntlett's work on collective identity be applied to the video?Gauntlett’s theory of collective identity can be applied because the video creates a sense of unity among young people. The band’s shared experiences and emotions allow audiences to connect with them.

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

Judith Butler’s ideas can be applied because the men in the video perform traditional masculine behaviours such as toughness, brotherhood and solidarity. The absence of women also suggests that the video focuses mainly on male experiences and identity

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?

Postcolonial theories such as Paul Gilroy’s can be applied to Ghost Town because the video challenges divisions between black and white communities. The Specials were a multi-ethnic band and their music mixed Jamaican ska with British punk, showing how cultures can blend together. The video focuses more on shared struggles like unemployment and social unrest rather than racial differences.