The Specials

Education is not just about what’s on the syllabus - or the specification as they insist on calling it now. I notice The Specials are on BBC 4 tonight - broadcast from Glastonbury.

I went to see The Specials at Brixton Academy last month - meant to post back then. It was quite a curious sociological experience to see loads of 40something folks transported back 20 years and acting out of the role of responsible parent, employer, etc!!

Chances are, readers of this blog will have missed The Specials first time round in the late 70s. Don’t worry though - you can download or buy the CD. Now, I won’t launch into a rant about the superiority of my generation’s music - tempting as that might be. But I will just say - if you’re a sociology student, listen to The Specials and consider it a sociological education by proxy. Their songs are full of social comment and sociological observation. And these days a lot of the things that were topical in the 70s are back in vogue. Just listen to ‘Gangsters’ and I challenge you to convince me that its not about the MPs expenses row.

Catch them when you can - and consider a vital part of your education complete.