The Specials - Ghost Town: Blog tasks

 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 traditions because the music creates a really dramatic and visual dystopian atmosphere, almost like a film scene. The eerie instruments, slow tempo and sound effects make it feel like a soundtrack to a dystopian movie. At the same time, the writer says it connects to older British music hall traditions because it tells a story about ordinary people and social problems in Britain, similar to how music hall songs often reflected working-class life.

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

2 Tone emerged from a mix of Jamaican ska and reggae culture alongside British punk in the late 1970s. It was also influenced by multicultural youth culture, especially Black and white working-class communities coming together through music. The movement promoted anti-racism and unity at a time when there were a lot of racial tensions in Britain.

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

The article discusses how the UK in 1981 was facing high unemployment, recession, urban decline and social unrest. Many factories and businesses were shutting down, especially in industrial cities like Coventry. There were also riots happening across Britain, including Brixton and Liverpool, caused partly by unemployment, racism and tensions between young people and the police.

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

I think the video is ‘eerie’ because of how empty and lifeless/faceless the streets and buildings look. The band driving through deserted areas of London creates a strange atmosphere, almost like society has collapsed. The dark lighting, slow camera shots and haunting music also make the video feel uncomfortable and unsettling. Even though it’s set in a real city, it feels abandoned and unnatural.

 
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 is not just a dance track but more of a comment on Britain at the time. The empty streets and lack of people could represent unemployment, social isolation and the collapse of communities. The writer also suggests the video reflects fear and uncertainty about the future. I agree with this because the video feels more political than entertaining. Even though it uses elements of ska and reggae music, the visuals and lyrics make the audience focus more on the problems happening in society rather than just enjoying 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 Ghost Town as a haunting and powerful song that captured the mood of Britain in 1981. It says the track sounded different from most pop music at the time because of its slow rhythm, eerie keyboard sounds and dark atmosphere. The article also explains that the song became almost like an anthem for the problems Britain was facing.

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 dealing with high unemployment, riots and economic decline. Many factories were shutting down, especially in industrial cities, which left lots of young people unemployed. There was also tension between communities and the police, leading to riots in places such as Brixton, Liverpool and Birmingham. The country was going through recession under Margaret Thatcher’s government, and many people felt angry and hopeless about the future.

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

The Specials reflected a more multicultural Britain because the band included both black and white members and mixed together different musical influences like ska, reggae and punk. Their music showed how Jamaican culture had influenced British youth culture, especially in working-class areas. The band also promoted anti-racism and unity, which was important during a period when racial tensions and far-right groups were growing in Britain.

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 because he talks about multiculturalism and the idea that British culture is shaped by different ethnic influences rather than being completely white and traditional. The Specials represented this through their mixed-race band and their combination of Jamaican and British music styles. Ghost Town can also connect to Gilroy’s ideas because it reflects social issues like racism, inequality and the struggles faced by working-class communities in Britain.

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?

The article compares the song to a composition by John Barry because of its dramatic and cinematic sound. John Barry was famous for composing film soundtracks, especially for the James Bond films. He worked on movies such as Goldfinger, From Russia with Love and Out of Africa. His music often sounded suspenseful and atmospheric, which is similar to the mood created in Ghost Town.

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 that the mise-en-scene in the Ghost Town video is strongly influenced by British social realist films. It presents working-class life in a very bleak and realistic way, mainly through the use of empty urban locations and a general sense of decline. The low-budget style of the video is also important because it adds to the authenticity of the message rather than making it feel commercial or polished. Overall, the visual style helps reinforce ideas of hopelessness and social issues in Britain at the time.

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

The lighting in the video creates intertextual references to expressionist cinema, especially German Expressionist films like The Cabinet of Dr Caligari. This is shown through the use of low-key lighting, strong shadows and high contrast, which creates an unsettling and distorted atmosphere. The factsheet also points out that the lighting often feels natural but still very bleak, using things like grey skies and tunnel lights. This helps make the city feel empty and almost unreal, adding to the “ghost town” idea.

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

The non-verbal codes, used to communicate mood and meaning throughout are show as the band often have expressionless faces and stiff, almost robotic movements, which adds to the eerie feeling. Their clothing also reflects working-class style, linking them to the culture they are representing. Even their sudden changes in energy during parts of the song help show disruption and instability in the narrative.

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

The factsheet highlights that the editing and camerawork are used to create a disorientating and uneasy effect. It mentions that some sequences are cut in a fast, almost action-like style, similar to a car chase, which increases tension. The camerawork often uses handheld shots, whip pans and canted angles, which makes the viewer feel unsettled. It also points out that the travelling shots inside the car help position the audience close to the band, almost like we are part of the journey.

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

Todorov’s theory can be applied through equilibrium, disruption and a weak resolution. The equilibrium is the band setting off together in the car, shown by the green light and sense of movement. The disruption comes from the empty city, unemployment and social decay in the lyrics. There is an attempt to repair through their ongoing journey, but the ending at the river feels unresolved and still bleak. Propp’s character theory is less clear, but the band can be seen as the “heroes” moving through the narrative. There is no real villain, but society and economic decline act as the opposing force. There are also no clear helpers, which shows they are isolated. Barthes’ enigma codes are the mystery of why the city is empty and what has happened, which is never explained. Action codes are the driving and movement through locations that push the narrative forward. Levi-Strauss’ binary oppositions include past vs present, movement vs stagnation, and light vs darkness, all highlighting social decline and change.

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

The factsheet says Ghost Town is a hybrid music video that mixes different styles rather than fitting one genre. It is performative because the band are shown lip-syncing and performing in the car. It is also narrative because there is a loose story of them driving through the city looking for somewhere to go. It is concept-based because it focuses on the idea of a “ghost town” and the eerie atmosphere. It also links to Neale’s genre theory because genres often borrow from other styles. The video uses social realism and expressionist cinema influences, showing how genres can mix.

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 representations in the Ghost Town video include several key groups and ideas. It represents “Thatcher’s Britain” through images of unemployment, decline and social unrest. The city is shown as empty and lifeless, almost abandoned compared to normal urban life. Urban youth are represented as directionless and affected by joblessness and frustration. Race is represented through the diverse band, while also reflecting wider tensions in society but also ideas of unity. Masculinity is shown through male bonding and the complete absence of women in the video.

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

Gauntlett’s idea of collective identity can be applied to the video because it shows a shared experience of working-class male life during a difficult economic period. The band represents a group of people going through similar struggles, especially around unemployment and uncertainty about the future. This allows audiences, particularly young men at the time, to connect with the experiences shown in the video. The sense of unity within the band also reflects a wider collective identity formed through music and shared social conditions.

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

Judith Butler’s theory can be used to understand how gender is represented in Ghost Town. The male band members are shown performing traditional masculinity through their behaviour, such as emotional restraint, group unity and solidarity. The fact that there are no women in the video also highlights how masculinity dominates the narrative space. Butler’s idea that gender is a performance is clear here, as the band are essentially acting out socially expected male roles. However, the video does not really challenge these stereotypes, so it can be seen as reinforcing them.

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?

The factsheet suggests that postcolonial theory, particularly ideas from Gilroy, can help explain meanings in the video. It shows how the band represents a mix of ethnic backgrounds, challenging ideas of separate in-groups and out-groups in society. The video reflects a multicultural Britain where music brings people together across racial lines. Gilroy’s idea of double consciousness is also relevant, as Black British musicians were part of a music industry largely controlled by white figures and did not always have full control over their representation. The video therefore highlights both cultural unity and underlying inequalities.

EXTENSION:

This Rolling Stone article offers some industry context regarding how artists can make money from music videos.

The Rolling Stone article explains that musicians don’t just rely on record sales anymore, and instead there are lots of different ways they can make money through YouTube. It highlights things like advertising revenue, where artists earn money from ads played on their videos, and also monetisation through views and engagement. The article shows that YouTube has become a key part of the music industry because success online can directly turn into income. Overall, it presents music videos as both promotional tools and a way of earning money in the modern digital industry.

Barney bubbles article:

Bubbles died by his own hand in 1983, but the impression that he left on graphic design is indelible. It’s interesting that it is only now that we, a culture whose fascination with record packaging design is dissolving due to the ubiquity of music that exists purely in digital forms, are just coming to grips with the impact that this one graphic designer has had on the whole sphere of cultural production we call “design.”