The Specials - Ghost Town: Blog tasks

The Conversation Website

The writer links the song to cinematic soundtracks and music hall tradition a similar to 'mood music'. The mournful flute solo is the reason why the writer chooses this link. He states that it 'it reflects and engenders anxiety'

The subcultures that 2 Tone emerged from in the late 1970s was Mod and Punk. 

The social contexts that were discussed regarding the UK in 1981 was a recession in England. Many riots occurred in urban areas. This anger that was shown by residents was seen by Dammers and was later incorporated into Ghost Town.

This music video has often been described as 'eerie'. The eerieness of the video could be the emotionless faces the artists possess whilst singing in the opening of the video. Other aspects could be the dark and barren streets that the car drives down. 

The writer of this article suggests that this song and the music video is a cry out again injustice and against closed off opportunities by those who have 'pulled the ladder up' and have left the youth to fend for themselves. I agree with this point suggested by the writer. The lines, "Why must the youth fight against themselves?" "Government leaving the youth on the shelf", is a perfect example of this. 

BBC Website Feature:

This article describes the song as strange yet unforgettable. The writer then continues to say that Ghost Town is a depiction of social breakdown. 

The article mentions the social context around the time that the song was released. In 1981, Britain was impacted with high levels of unemployment, this resulted in an eruption of rioting on city streets. 

The Specials reflected an increasingly multicultural Britain as the members of the band come from different cultural backgrounds. 

Paul Gilroy suggests that black identity is formed by the diaspora. He indicates the 'scattering' of people creates 'liquidity of culture'. The specials are racially diverse with different cultures being implemented into their songs. The Specials are representative of ska – itself an international hybrid music genre-blurring reggae and American 1950/60s pop and later elements of punk rock

John Barry was a famous composer that was well known for working on 11 of the James Bond films. 

Close-textual analysis of Ghost Town

Mise-en-scene: 

• Setting: The music video is set in London. The specific area that the video is shot in reflects the urban atmosphere and lifestyle in the UK. The setting is significant as the song relates to the events that took place in the UK around the time that the song was made. 

• Lighting: In the scenes that are shot in the car, the lighting is coming from below. This creates shadows on the groups face. This technique is used to create a sinister and eerie atmosphere.  

• Colour: The colour is kind of washed out and dull. A lot of deep blues and blacks are seen throughout the video. This adds to the ghostly and mysterious atmosphere. 

• Actor/performer: The Specials are seen lipsyncing and moving to the rhythm of the song. 

• Placement and Movement: At the beginning of the video, The Specials are seen with emotionless faces to evoke seriousness. 

• Costume and props: Members of The Specials are seen wearing tropical tops whereas others are seen wearing formal attire that is quite plain. The mix of tropical clothing with plain clothing could reflect the idea of 2 tone music 

Cinematography: 

• Camera shots and camera movement: In scenes filmed in places other than the car, the camera movement is a bit hectic and uncontrolled. This choice of movement could have been used to reflect the hecticity and chaos in London streets during the rioting. 

Editing: 

• Pace: The pace is slow at the opening of the video and gradually quickens as it reaches the chorus, could reflect the escalation of peoples outrage in 1981. Quiet streets turned into roads full of riots and mayhem.  

Theories

Goodwin’s theory of music video.

Goodwin's theory of music video suggests that there is a link between visual effects and lyrics. In this case, there is. The music video is set in a place that the song was written about. Goodwin also suggest that the video should contain references to pop culture at the time. This video includes 2tone aspects, which was very popular at the time. 

Neale’s genre theory.

Neale's genre theory suggests that there is often repetition and differences in all types of genre. However, music video was a new media form n 1980s so there is not much to compare it too. The music video still incorporates genres seen in films, such as horror. 

Gilroy’s diasporic identity/postcolonial theory.

The specials are a racially diverse music group. Black cultures are seen through the melody and rhythm of the song. The reggae has been mixed with punk/new wave music makes this song fall under the genre of 2tone. This mix of cultures could reflect Britains emerging multiculturalism. 

Bricolage and pastiche.

This music video includes many aspects that are seen in the horror film genre. The use of lighting, colours and sound creates a feeling similar to thriller. References to pop culture are also seen throughout.

Strinati’s definition of postmodernism.

the combination of an arthouse film-style with a popular genre of music provides an example of Strinati’s definition of postmodernism as a blurring of art and popular culture.